Green Eyed Monster Audio

A Man Called Possum - interview with John Aspinall

As I continue researching ahead of narrating an audiobook version of A Man Called Possum by Max Jones I am talking to people about their Possum stories. This time it's John Aspinall who grew up at Lock 7 on the Murray. If you have any stories about the Possum or know someone who has contact me at goodinningsmedia@internode.on.net

Public Speaking Tip #26 Personality Type

What role does your personality play in public speaking? Is it better to have an extroverted or introverted personality? The answer might surprise you. TRANSCRIPT: What role does your personality play in public speaking - Well frankly it can make or break you. It’s all in how you use it. You might have a bright bubbly personality or you might be quiet and introverted - if you identify with either personality stick with it and you can still be successful. The worst thing you can do is to try to change because you think that is what you need to do to get better. It’s a familiar story you’ve seen a great Ted speaker and you think if I can imitate them Ill be great too. That is so far from the truth - trying to be a carbon copy of someone else will see you come across as shallow and false. Your audience will see through you in a flash. It’s better to be a 100 percent original that a 40% copy of someone else. What ever your personality extrovert or introvert you can become an excellent speaker - just play to your strengths - be true to yourself. Most people would think extroverts make the best speakers but that is not so. Introverts excel as public speakers as often they connect better with the audience who identify with their retiring personality. Introverts often connect on a deeper level . Not saying extroverts can’t do that but because of their outgoing personality they may have to work harder to develop a strong bond with the audience. So don’t see being an introvert as a hindrance it really can be an asset if you work on it. The most important advise is to work with what you’ve got. Good speakers aren’t always funny, out-there or energetic, but they are always interesting. They communicate valuable information to their audience in an entertaining an informative way. To be a good public Speaker takes a lot of work but the rewards are worth it. Just stay true to yourself.

A-Z for Podcasters - The Gear

This week we learn about the gear you will need to get going in podcasting. It's not as expensive as you might think. You can find out more at https://greeneyedmonster.com.au/a-z-for-podcasters/ Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/greeneyedmonster

Public Speaking Tip # 25 Video Conferencing

Addressing an unseen audience is a whole new ballgame. What can you do to maintain contact? TRANSCRIPT: One of the most unnerving talks I‘ve ever had to give came only recently. I’d been asked to address a group of about 300 people as guest speaker at a forum. However, weeks before the event Covid hit and the face-to-face talk became a video conference. So instead of a sea of faces I only had a camera and a small video crew in front of me. I’m used to getting feedback from the audience seeing and hearing them reacting to my talk and adjusting accordingly, but this time…. nothing. It begs the question, how to connect with people when you're getting absolutely no feedback, it's a question I've already been asked as a public speaking coach. In this Covid era this is a question many speakers are going to have to face. So what do you need to do? Well you need to relate to the camera and a whole new way and treat it as your friend. Budding radio presenters are often told to take the microphone as the one and only person speaking to. So the audience out there feel its only them you’re speaking to. Even when you're speaking to 300 people your address should be personal and directed so each member of the audience thinks the talk is just for them. So in this virtual audience talk to the camera as if it is the centre of your universe. Speak to the camera like it is someone you know and respect. Speak to it like a friend. In a typical audience to speaker situation if your doing it right you can feel the warmth bouncing back at you . Talking to a virtual audience you'll have to make your delivery more personal, instead of something like “There are three major challenges facing society today they are …etc etc .To a virtual audience make it more inclusive, ask for their help. “So what do you see as the major challenges facing society today?” “I think there are three and I'd like to share them with you.” They can't answer of course but it's a great way to show the audience that you're talk is about them, not about you. By generating a feeling of inclusion and using inclusive language you'll be recreating the shared experience that's removed when you're not speaking live in front of the audience. It's a necessary strategy when you lack all physical contact or even the ability to see the people you’re talking to. Remember they are seeing you on a screen, close-up,any quirky mannerisms or jerky movements will be obvious and they’ll be annoying. Delivering your talk to a camera won't be a spontaneous thing for you so you need plenty of practice. Video your sessions and play them back and then re-do them. Work on generating warmth and energy and eliminating any annoying gestures. Speaking to a large audience down the barrel of the camera lens is not the ideal way to give a talk but with Covid with us for the foreseeable future everyone called on to address a video conference needs to learn how to master this brave new world of public speaking . Do it well and you'll be much in demand

A-Z for Podcasters - Overview

This is our first episode of A-Z for Podcasters and we will be giving an overview of some things to consider before starting your new podcast. Find out more at https://greeneyedmonster.com.au YOU CAN GET EARLY ACCESS TO THIS PODCAST ON PATREON BY BECOMING A SPONSOR> https://www.parteon.com/greeneyedmonster

A - Z for Podcasters Each Tuesday

Join us each Tuesday from 21st September 2021 to learn all about making your own podcast. Ideal for individuals, groups and businesses. Find more on our web site at https://greeneyedmonster.com.au

Public Speaking Tip #23 - Speaking in Front of a Large Crowd

While many of us are very comfortable speaking in front of a small group the thought of addressing 50 - 60 or a hundred or more terrifies a lot of speakers. Why is it so and what can you do about it? TRANSCRIPT: Does the thought of giving a speech to hundreds of people make you nervous? Here's a simple trick for being comfortable when speaking to a large audience.  There are plenty of very capable speakers who turn pale when told the going to have to speak to a large audience. They’re very comfortable in front of small groups but are filled with dread when the number climbs to 40 or 50 or more. and don’t even mention 2 or 3 hundred. So what’s the issue? It’s just a group of people only more of them. The principle of public speaking remain the same no matter the size of the audience. So how do you overcome this irrational fear? For a start don’t see the crowd as a seething 400 eyed multi headed monster just waiting to chew you up and spit you out. No matter how big the group its just like a small audience made up of every day folk like you and me. These people in the audience are the same people you talk to each day in ordinary conversations and they will respond in the same way. The same passion and emotion you bring to speaking with another person, needs to be there when that person is gathered in a crowd no matter how big or small it is. So how do you put that into action. You have to actually speak to your audience as individuals, rather than as a group. If the lights are up make eye contact with one person for a few seconds, then move on and connect with another individual, and so on.  If the lights are down, or the event is huge and you're so far away that you can't make out individual faces, then speak to each section of the audience. Each person will think you're talking directly to them. Now you’ll feel like, you're speaking to a small group—the type of audience that never made you anxious in the first place. You're having a conversation with a few people who share your interest in this topic. Let’s face it You're at your best when you're speaking one-on-one, that is, when you're conversational. I’l be very frank here - the public speaking situation, particularly speaking to a large group of people is artificial, and we have to learn how to handle ourselves in that situation . From caveman days in terms of evolution, we're wired to speak to family, to a small group around a fire, or to a members of our tribe. Facing hundreds of people, all of whom are staring at us waiting for us to entertain or inform them, can play to our primitive instincts like a hostile situation.    But it's just something that in our modern professional lives, we have to learn to live with and master. But remember Everyone you're speaking to is wired the same way you are. They too like small, intimate chats that are basically a conversation around that campfire. They're comfortable listening and responding to someone they feel close to. So that’s why the best speakers make it feel like an almost one on one conversation - that gets back to eye contact - body language - warmth and passion in your voice and good story telling. So when confronted by a big audience have that conversation with each small group at a time. Whatever the numbers of attendees involved, remember it’s just a conversation

Can Do Dave - Late Night Food Ads And Covid Masks

This episode we take a look at those specially place late night food ads and a favourite topic of mine, COVID cross contamination issues.

Can Do Dave - Pluralising Words

Don't you just hate when words are pluralised when they should not be. have a listen to see what I mean!

Public Speaking Tip #22 - Filler Words

Um, err, ya know... Filler words can plague your speech and annoy your audience. The answer is easier than you think. TRANSCRIPT: Um ah - it’s nice to be here - so I’m going um talk to you about er - something that’s umm very important. We’ve all heard people talking like this - using filler words when they can’t think of what to say. But you only need to take action if the filler words become excessive, the occasional um or er is perfectly acceptable - as long as you are speaking with passion and energy. But let’s look at the case of the speaker whose talk is becoming engulfed in ums ah’s you know and like. What can you do to cut the fillers words dramatically? Firstly - record yourself - listen back and see how much of a problem it is - often we use filler words without even being aware of it. Keep recording your presentation until the filler words are at a minimum. If you don’t want to record your talk maybe a friend can listen and let you know every time you err or umm. So, what do you do to replace the filler word - well, absolutely nothing - by that I mean instead of umm simply pause . Never underestimate the power of the pause. It can add emphasis to what you’ve said or are about to say. It can let you change tack - it can give your and your audience a breather. It can let you recollect your thoughts. When listening to other speakers note how often they use filler words, you’ll be surprised how often they , and it will make you aware of how often you use them yourself. Your aim is not to completely eliminate all filler words; your aim should be to reduce them so they don’t distract from your speech allowing your audience focus on you, on your message, and your vision.