Great Speaking Coach reader Michael Cortes suggests that you use audio and/or video recordings to help yourself practice your presentations for public speaking opportunities.
Before I endorse the idea let me take a look at 3 three reasons why audio and/or video recordings can be counter-productive:
1) You have a poor self-image: Whether your poor self-image is around appearance (clothes, weight, height, posture, age) or around inner issues such as confidence or self-esteem, video recordings can hit you hard. You are the most critical audience member for yourself, and you must be cautious in your evaluation of viewing yourself. Your real audiences will see the whole picture and won't pick you apart the way you'll do to yourself.
2) You have limited time to practice: If your presentation takes 30 minutes to deliver, then it takes 30 minutes to watch or listen to the recording. No one has unlimited time to practice, so it may be more helpful to use your time practicing more and watching less.
3) Reinforcement of undesirable behaviors: Most of your quirks of presenting are habits--that is, they are behaviors that you do without planning to. When you spend too much time watching or listening to them, you risk reinforcing them. This is because you will say to yourself, "okay, I've got to stop doing that" and the act of naming it (such as pacing, pointing with one outstretched finger, speaking towards the screen, etc) risks reinforcing it.
Next post: 3 tips to make the most of your recordings.
Share thoughts about your experiences recording yourself through our comment link below.
greate tips and a wonderful article about public speaking for more information about public speaking you can refer to www.ppsassociates.com
Posted by: Princeton Public Speaking | May 01, 2008 at 06:06 AM
greate tips and a wonderful article about public speaking for more information about public speaking you can refer to www.ppsassociates.com
Posted by: Princeton Public Speaking | May 01, 2008 at 05:59 AM