The Camera is your Friend!
While it can be all very entertaining to see yourself on your computer's silver screen and your mum in far away sunny Fliesarbad will look at you on YouTube and think you did a lovely job, the videos of your presentations have a very practical use.
Toastmaster training has a major strength in it's use of feedback, the evaluation process,. Peer to peer feedback is extremel;y useful. However, there is an added dimension - we each of us are our own most interested commentator. And when we see ourselves as others see us, we can get a whole new perspective as to how well we have done.
The videos of your presentations give you the opportunity to form an objective view - the camera doesn't lie, won't insincerely tell you what you want to hear, it's your friend.
What you see on screen is what we got.
Take a look at your latest delivery and consider these points:-
- Did you like what you saw? Honestly? What was good, what could stand a bit of work?
- Were there any things which you would have done differently? What were they?
- How were your basics: gestures, body language, eye contact, pace, pausation, structure (beginning, middle and end)?
- Can you hear every word? If the microphone can't pick up every word, there's a good chance the audience might be struggling.
- Did you think your speech clearly met the assignment objectives?
Now, what more value is there?
- Do you have any body language or gestures that aren't helping your speech's impact? You may not be aware of these and they may not have been included in the evaluation. Essentially anything you do repeatedly can be an impediment, eg adjusting glasses, hand clasping leg crossing, foot shuffling, there's lot of possibilities. Try going through the video at high speed and you'll be surprised at the patterns that emerge. Maybe you will appear to be quite immobile and if so there's probably scope for more expression there?
- Take a look with the sound turned off - are you able to interpet the body language - are the important points obvious?
- If you've done a few presentations, take a quick look at some older efforts of yours and see if you eliminated any earlier issues and developed your skillset. If you identified a particular point or trait that you'd like to work on, maybe check if the issue has always been there or it has crept in recently or is perhaps improving now.
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Take a listen tho the sound track only. Is the message clear without the help of body language? Is the structure clear and are the important points effectively delivered?
- Take a look at the next assignment you have planned - can you see where yo incorporate the pointers you've just picked up? what do you mean you didn't pick up any? Are you suggesting you are perfect :-)?
If you are a Mentor
Consider discussing a speech with your mentee after having just seen it again. You will be able to take notes and revisit any portions of interest.If you were the Table Topics Master you can review your performance
Now, go and review your efforts and make use of your new friend!
Your videos are here