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Welcome Message
February is Oscar month, and there's no better time to celebrate glitz, glamour, and really great (or lousy) acceptance speeches. This month's newsletter looks at the proper way to structure an acceptance speech, and reviews how some of the key Oscar winners fared when they accepted their awards. Keep this article in mind the next time you are to be recognized for your accomplishments, and you will accept your award with grace, style, and class.
Looking ahead to March, with four speaking engagements on the schedule it looks like I'll be talking up a storm. Take a look at where I'll be speaking in the Upcoming Events section below, and please do attend one that fits in your schedule. I would be honoured to have you there.
Finally, be sure to take a look at the new referral fee system, and see how you can benefit when you help me find new business! |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
I would like to cordially invite you to come and listen to me speak about finding YOUR way to public speaking excellence at:
March 5, 2009 4:30pm-6:00pm
Location tbd.
March 11, 2009 7:00am-9:00am
Thompson House, 3650 McTavish
March 19, 2009 3:00pm-4:30pm
Dawson College, 3040 Sherbrooke St. W.
March 28, 2009 9:00am-5:00pm
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New Marketing Writing Clients
This month, Suzannah has been working on marketing writing projects for clients that include: 
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Referral Fees Increased! 
Refer someone to us for coaching, speaking, training or writing. If they contract with us, you'll get a commission when we receive final payment. Make sure they mention your name when they contact us. We do the work. You collect the money! Email me for more details.
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Cool Quote
"No one ever complains about a speech being too short!"
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THE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH MEETS THE OSCARS
There's an art to accepting an award. You need to be gracious, grateful, and humble -- but not so humble or self-deprecating that the audience thinks you are trivializing the honour.
One day, you may be the recipient of an award, and preparing to accept it will require some thought and preparation. Incorporate these three things in your award acceptance speech, and your audience will find you charming, dignified and graceful:
- Gratitude: Always thank the one or two people who played a major role in your achievement. If more than two people were helpful, don't address each by name. Instead, give a general acknowledgement and later thank each one privately. The award was given to you, not your friends. A long list of names quickly becomes boring for your audience.
- Recognition: Recognize and thank the organization giving the award. Tell us about its work and its importance to others and to you.
- Sincerity: Your audience, and the honouring organization, will truly appreciate a sincere expression of gratitude. Communicate the genuine pleasure you take in being recognized succinctly and honestly.
SO WHAT ABOUT THE OSCARS?
Fresh from the Oscars, many of us witnessed the toast of Hollywood as they accepted their awards. Some used humour, some almost hyperventilated, and most rattled off lists of at least 20 names of people that they wanted to thank. I took a closer look at the acceptance speeches of the Best Actress and Best Actor recipients to see some of what was entertaining, and what could have been left out.
 Kate Winslet: What was entertaining: Great opening - "I'd be lying if I haven't made a version of this speech before I was 8 years old and staring into the bathroom mirror. And this would have been a shampoo bottle." Funny conclusion: "You just have to suck it up, Meryl." What could have been left out: Her first words, "that fainting thing, Penelope!" It does not add any value to the speech. View Kate Winslet's speech...
Sean Penn: What was entertaining: Humourous opening. There aren't many people who can say "You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns" without alienating the audience, but Sean Penn takes the risk. His funny comment, "I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often" really nailed his well-known persona to an appreciative crowd. Nice shout-out to fellow nominee Mickey Rourke at the end. Lots of heartfelt, political pleas. What could have been left out: Reading the list of names with his head way down into his chest. View Sean Penn's speech...
What did you think of their acceptance awards? Are there any others that you thought were noteworthy? Email me with your thoughts about the Oscar award speeches that moved you -- or annoyed you!
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WHERE WAS I LAST MONTH?
Suzannah giving a workshop on "Public Speaking 101" to student leaders at the McGill University Leadership Development Workshop on February 12, 2009. |
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QUESTION OF THE MONTH
 "I've got a big presentation coming up, and there'll be a question-and-answer period following my speech. I'm a little nervous that if I don't know the answer to a particular question, I will lose credibility in the eyes of my audience. How should I handle this situation, if it arises?" - Sandra, Hamilton ON
Hi Sandra,
Ah, the dreaded Q&A...as if speaking wasn't already challenging enough! As a speaker, you've probably done a lot of research to prepare for your presentation and your Q&A session. However, difficult-to-answer questions can still come up, and it's very smart of you to prepare for this possibility. I have some suggestions for how you can handle this situation confidently. First, it's okay to admit if you don't know the answer. In some instances, it's acceptable to deflect the answer back to the audience. For example: "That's a great question. Does anyone here have any insight on it?" If you are expected to be the undeniable expert and it isn't possible to ask the audience, then simply admit that you don't know, and then promise to get back to the questioner with the response. For example: "That's a great question. I'm not sure of the correct response. I will find the answer for you, and get back to you by tomorrow." And then don't forget to get back to them!
You won't lose credibility or the respect of your audience if you admit that you don't know the right answer. We're all human, and we're not perfect -- and your audience doesn't expect you to be either. The one way that you WILL lose credibility is if you guess an answer. You only have a 50% chance of getting it right -- and unfortunately, there's an even greater chance that someone in your audience will know the correct answer, and you definitely don't want to be exposed as someone who tried to pull the wool over the audience's eyes. Now THAT is a credibility-killer.
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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
"Your public speaking course has boosted my confidence enough to rid me of the dread I feel before going up in front of a crowd--quite an accomplishment!...This is a big "thank-you" for not only providing the opportunity to practice public speaking skills but to do so in a very positive, constructive, and low-pressure atmosphere."
- Gregory B., M.A. Geography
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ABOUT US
Bring power to your words with public speaking training, presentation coaching, and marketing writing services. Find out more... | |
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