Save the best for now
We saw They Might be Giants last week, and they put on a spectacular show, as always. Their kooky sense of humor infuses the music and the stage show, something that appeals to my own (not so) inner kook.At one point in the show, John Flansburgh said, "We've saved the best for now."
Instead of saving the best for last, the "best" was incorporated at a midpoint. Of course, each audience member has her or his own perception of "best," and so do we as speakers. Each of us has our own favorite part of the presentation.
Whatever your special surprises are, do you save them for the end? Do you start with a bang and end with a grand finale, but leave your audience dragging in the middle?
Or do you incorporate surprises and fun throughout your presentation?
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5 comments. Please add yours! :
When I outline a presentation, I try to keep it short. So each bullet point I cover (preferably not with a power point) gets no more than 1 or 2 minutes. Then there's the attempted good opening and closing. I don't know how often I've used surprises in the middle.
I've done ok in speech contests, but debates and presentations aren't as much my thing. Especially, God forbid, group presentations.
As a presentation coach, can you get those outlawed?
I'll see what I can do, Mrs. Micah. ;-)
I prefer presentations to speeches, personally. I love the interaction and meeting the audience where they are. I actually prefer 3-to-6-hour workshops even more!
Now that's a party!
Hi Lisa,
I found you through the personal development list. Great blog.
I linked into you by the way. My blog is My Life is Murphy's Law
http://wackymom.blogspot.com
I imagine you're a member of NSA?
Hi Ev, and welcome to Speak Schmeak! Nope, not yet a member of NSA. I'll get around to it at some point. :-)
Love the idea! Goes on my patented (:-0) workshop quote cards.
> Or do you incorporate surprises and fun throughout your presentation?
I want strongly to include surprise and delight in my workshops, and could use some suggestions. A blog post (10 things you can do...) would be very welcome.
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