voice-jewels-speakers-club-launch-tickets-142918859155

jaynadevani·Feb 26·3 replies

Since starting a corporate job I've realised I have a lot to learn when it comes to presenting / communicating in front of a team. I thought I was a confident speaker but actually I am quite awkward and hide behind a very corporate voice. Looking on the internet / trying a couple of well-known public speaking clubs hasn't really helped as I've found they all point you in the direction of TED-style talks, which I frankly don't find very exciting or inspiring. So I've started a monthly Speakers Club. We read aloud from classic literature, in front of a friendly audience. This is something I used to do all the time (via the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) and I think it will work in a business context.Please sign up // would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this idea in general.https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voice-jewels-speakers-club-launch-tickets-142918859155

MorganLucas·Feb 26

First; I wish more people in corporate settings worked on adopting a more friendly and human voice without overdoing it, so kudos!That's a great idea; I personally like reading novels aloud (at least the dialogues), and would be interested in hearing people read something they enjoy.

BrianaBrownell·Feb 26·1 reply

I'm curious what you mean that they "push you in the direction of TED-style talks?"

jaynadevani·Feb 26

So when I Google ‘public speaking skills’, the top result is a Medium post called ‘How to Dramatically Improve your Public Speaking Skills: What Giving a TED Talk Taught Me About Becoming a Better Speaker’ and when I search ‘public speaking’ on YouTube etc, I get a reel of TED talks. Also in general information and workshops about how to improve your public speaking is centred around giving TED-style speeches: i.e. 5-6 minutes of some idea or experience you have had, set to a snappy slide deck, with lots of 'pausing in the right places' and 'throwing in humour' and 'storytelling'. I really wanted to like TED talks as obviously the idea behind them is lovely: get help to deliver your ideas and experiences to a huge audience. But I haven't found them helpful to practice speaking aloud - the ideas they promote don't move me, the delivery feels gimmicky, and also they just aren't very applicable to a real-life work context.My theory is that reading from the literary greats - poets, actors, thinkers etc - aloud to a friendly audience is a great way to improve your communication skills. If you want to hear more about this theory let me know!Thanks for asking. And would love for you to try the Speakers Club ---> https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voice-jewels-speakers-club-launch-tickets-142918859155:)