When should a social media company hire a public speaking pro?

by Lee Hopkins on July 18, 2006 · 6 comments

in Uncategorized

Okay, here’s the thing…

It’s 00:30 in the morning, I’m somewhere in the middle of nowhere on my way home after a very successful company-wide strategy-setting session with a client. The little hamlet I’ve stopped in doesn’t even have a street light.

I’m listening to Shelville’s interview withe the very knowledgeable Max Kalehoff from NielsonBuzzMetrics.

He has a ton of knowledge. What he has to say about ‘engagement’ is crucial to understand — especially to those of us who think ‘engagement’ is our ‘own’ term.

But let’s be honest here– why do certain North Americans have a dreadful reputation for verbosity? Why did Monty Python in The Meaning of Life use a part of the ‘Grim Reaper’ sketch to lambast a North American propensity to waffle?

When should a company hire a professional, or at least professionally-trained, spokesperson? When does the ‘authentic’ voice become a liability?


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  • http://www.maniactive.com/states/blogger.html Laura

    Many of us North Americans who live between Canada and Mexico looooooove the sound of our own voices. We can’t get enough of ourselves and our keen insights.

    And most of us can easily diagnose verbal diarrhea in others: but have a hard time recognizing our own symptoms.

    Self-awareness isn’t our strongest suit. Sadly, we are more prone to self-aggrandizement.

    Perhaps we need a checklist, a self-exam to help us identify some common symptoms that we often ignore. For instance:

    1. Do people often tell you that you talk too much?

    2. Do people frequently interrupt you or tell you to shut up?

    3. When you talk, do people look frozen and glazed? Or do they rub their eyes and grimace?

    4. When presenting, do your audience members yawn, check their cell phones for messages…or fall asleep?

    5. When you speak, do you sometimes forget that there ARE other people?

    If you answered YES to any of the above, you may be suffering from verbal diarrhea.

    Please stop talking right away, and seek help from an Australian professional!

    (But perhaps I’ve said too much…)

  • http://www.maniactive.com/states/blogger.html Laura

    Many of us North Americans who live between Canada and Mexico looooooove the sound of our own voices. We can’t get enough of ourselves and our keen insights.

    And most of us can easily diagnose verbal diarrhea in others: but have a hard time recognizing our own symptoms.

    Self-awareness isn’t our strongest suit. Sadly, we are more prone to self-aggrandizement.

    Perhaps we need a checklist, a self-exam to help us identify some common symptoms that we often ignore. For instance:

    1. Do people often tell you that you talk too much?

    2. Do people frequently interrupt you or tell you to shut up?

    3. When you talk, do people look frozen and glazed? Or do they rub their eyes and grimace?

    4. When presenting, do your audience members yawn, check their cell phones for messages…or fall asleep?

    5. When you speak, do you sometimes forget that there ARE other people?

    If you answered YES to any of the above, you may be suffering from verbal diarrhea.

    Please stop talking right away, and seek help from an Australian professional!

    (But perhaps I’ve said too much…)

  • http://leehopkins.net/ Lee

    Hi Laura!! No, you NEVER say too much — in fact you say too little, as I always like reading your insights (subtle hint for more, please!).

    As if it is only North Americans who suffer from a lack of self-monitoring behaviour — there are those who argue that a certain Australian also requires additional ‘sensitivity’ training…! :-)

  • http://leehopkins.net Lee

    Hi Laura!! No, you NEVER say too much — in fact you say too little, as I always like reading your insights (subtle hint for more, please!).

    As if it is only North Americans who suffer from a lack of self-monitoring behaviour — there are those who argue that a certain Australian also requires additional ‘sensitivity’ training…! :-)

  • Laura

    Thanks for your kind comments, Lee!

    Two ears, one mouth — this means we have to listen twice as much as talk….right?

  • Laura

    Thanks for your kind comments, Lee!

    Two ears, one mouth — this means we have to listen twice as much as talk….right?

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