The following comes from TJ Walker’s upcoming book “The Wisdom of Your Audienceâ€. Consistently, the worst advice speakers and presenters get, comes from everyone who is NOT your audience. The following gives examples of some of the WORST advice people are often given. It is followed by the advice of your audience. Listen to them. They are your true judge and jury.
How can I best establish my credibility with my audience?
Your Speech Writer: “Start by listing your title, position, and most historic accomplishments followed by your most recent accomplishments.â€
Your Mother: “Tell them that you were on the honor roll for 4 years in college and that you were an Eagle Scout and that everything you have ever touched has turned to gold.â€
You: “What if these people think I’m a complete fraud or a phony? I’d better really establish myself as THE expert. I’ll start by telling them my name, my position, and my educational credentials. Then all follow up with a detailed list of all of my professional accomplishments.â€
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Your Audience: “We already know your name, title and organization. Are we clairvoyant? No, but the person introducing you already told us, plus it’s written down on the program for us. Here’s the shocker—you already have credibility in our eyes because you somehow garnered a position to talk in front of us today. So stop talking about yourself already!!! We are sick of hearing about you. Instead tell us something about us. The number one way you will seem more credible in our eyes is if you could actually tell us something that would be useful in improving our lives, businesses, productivity, or happiness.â€
#1 by Terry Gault on April 24, 2008 - 1:31 am
You are right here TJ: credibility does not come from a laundry list of your so-called achievements. Instead, it comes from being authentic.
One client approached during a workshop and asked me, “Terry, you are telling me to demonstrate more power and authority with greater volume AND you are telling me to be authentic. That feels like a contradiction to me. Can you help me with that?”Having heard variations of this question over the years, I felt that I had a breakthrough in articulating my meaning that particular day. I asked him, “If the desire to demonstrate greater power comes from deep inside you, and the realization of that in your style requires that you change, what could be more authentic than that?” The question that I put to clients and to workshop participants is not, “What is your style?” as “What do you want your style to be?” Not, “Who are you?” but “Who do you want to be?”
The power of enthusiasm and being authentic during your presentations will establish your credibility, not a dry list that the audience doesn’t care about.
Thanks for the post
#2 by Caren on November 7, 2008 - 1:44 am
As an inspired inspirational and motivational speaker, I too would love to build credibility as it is a vital component to building a reputation as a speaker. I am a member of Toastmasters, and currently earning a degree in Psychology for the purpose of speaking. Please refer me to any source you recommend as tips to gain credibility.
#3 by TJ Walker on November 9, 2008 - 6:26 pm
Caren, The hardest thing in the world to do well is become a motivational speaker. Most all sound the same and spout the same tired cliches. You have to have a new technique, new style or new back story. Without that, you can not succeed unoless you are already famous from another field.