FRANCISCO SARAIVA

Lisa Braithwaite is a public speaking and presentation skills coach whose love for the subject is well embodied in her blog “Speak Schmeak”.It’s about Lisa’s thoughts on public speakers and speaking. We had the opportunity to interview Lisa and we would like to share with you Lisa’s thoughts on the following.

Lisa is a big fan of Tim Ferris’ 4HWW. 4HWW would mean the 4-Hour Work Week. We asked her opinion on what she thinks is the best way a professional speaker can incorporate Tim’s ideas on his lifestyle. What kind of outsourcing can he benefit most?

“The easiest 4HWW concept that someone can incorporate immediately is cutting down on checking e-mail. I went from a constant e-mail-checking habit to only checking twice a day. I’m now ten times more productive with a major distraction removed, and can stick to set times for writing in my blog and working on other projects. I’m no longer a slave to my e-mail, reading every message the moment it arrives, and then responding — taking my concentration away from other tasks. I’ve added a note to my signature that lets people know my e-mail schedule, so if they need to reach me urgently, they can call instead.

Each person has her own comfort level with administrative tasks. Depending on what you feel comfortable delegating, a speaker could use a virtual assistant for marketing and PR projects, online article submissions, booking speaking engagements, website updates, PowerPoint design, transcribing speeches, putting together a newsletter, product sales, database management, handling/filtering e-mails, and more! A good virtual assistant is only limited by your imagination.”

A speechwriter is a big help for a majority of people. “Do you think working with a speechwriter is a good idea?”

“I would not work with a speechwriter, but I can’t say if it’s a good idea for others. In working with copywriters in the past, for website content, I’ve found that it’s difficult for another person to write in my voice. It’s good to have basic content to work with, but I end up changing the content anyway to make it fit my style and personality. And that’s just some text on my website, which doesn’t have to reflect my personality quite as much as a speech.

But I’m very comfortable with writing, and transferring writing to speech, whereas some people write in an overly formal way which comes out stilted when spoken. I would be more likely to outsource administrative tasks than tasks that directly reflect my personality.

Perhaps a speechwriting coach might be more beneficial than a speechwriter, so a speaker can learn how to write a proper speech.”

Even the most advanced speaker has challenges and can improve in some area. “What is the public speaking challenge you are working at right now?”

“One of my challenges is that once I drop one annoying habit, I pick up a new one. Currently, I’m finding myself asking “right?” at the end of sentences, as though I’m looking for agreement or approval. It’s much better than it was when I first discovered it six months ago (by videotaping myself!), but I’m aware that I’m still doing it. Once I eradicate that bad habit, I’m sure another will take its place.”

Lastly, we ask her if she could choose anyone in the world to be her mentor and to help her in taking public speaking skills to the next level, who would that be?

“I don’t think one mentor would suffice in helping me taking my speaking to the next level! I’m inspired by speakers and performers everywhere I go.

I love watching how comedians handle difficult audiences or jokes that don’t work. Some speakers have lovely resonant voices, others have expressive body language and movement. I’ve attended performances by magicians and singers where I was impressed by their natural and authentic connection with the audience. In fact, professional speakers are sometimes the most disappointing performers, due to overly polished and stagey performances.

I realize that, technically, none of the speakers and performers mentioned above are mentors, but rather inspirations, and I’m lucky to be inspired by so many people!”

Please visit Lisa at www.coachlisab.com