Art and Science

Public Speaking is an Art and a Science. It cannot be one or the other and still be effective. Most experienced speakers have the “Art” down; however, they do not balance it with the science. The awkward speakers have the “Science” down, but they are not balanced with the “Art.”

We teach both; it is only with this balance that one can be better able to reach her/his potential. That potential may never be realized; however, it is a worthy goal to seek. Dale Carnegie said, “There are three talks that take place for every single talk, the talk you practiced, the talk you gave, and the talk you wish you would have given.”

Improving Performance

Once a speaker becomes more experienced and has a good grasp on the message development, then the finer aspects of performance can be determined and practiced. For example, the use of pauses, better eye contact, audience engagement, dramatizing ideas, predetermined movement, posture, balance, etc.

We do not teach acting as then you become someone else. We want you to develop your own personality on stage that is true to who you are. The only time to act is for beginning speakers with high anxiety. We suggest they act confident.

Our Process

1. We meet with you to determine your needs and if we can help you
2. We observe you speak*
3. We write up a customized plan proposal for you
4. We fine tune the plan with you
5. We agree on the plan in writing**
6. We execute the plan
7. We follow up
8. We make adjustments
9. We execute the plan***

*A predetermined fee is agreed upon for observation and written analysis with recommendations.

**Once the Plan is agreed upon, a 50% down payment is due.

***At the conclusion of the plan and delivery of any metrics and/or evaluation, the 50% balance is due.

We’re Discrete

We want you to be comfortable working with us. We suggest you take all the credit for your improved skills and newly developed communication effectiveness. You can talk about your own self-improvement and more importantly, your improved ability to “connect” with an audience as you see fit.

We will not ask you for a testimonial to publish on our website or anywhere else, we will work with you under the cover as an “organizational consultant” and you do not have to disclose to anyone you feel you need work on your communication skills.

Also, no matter your position at your organization, we will not divulge to anyone that we are working with you. We believe trust and confidentiality should be everyone’s core values so we place zero tolerance policy on violation of these values.

What We Teach

We work with experienced speakers in all aspects of Public Speaking including taking your basic idea and turn it into a well-organized speech.

The following is partial list of the elements of Public Speaking we teach:

• Audience Analysis
• Message Development
• Message Support
• Delivery skills
• How to teach a process
• Speaking to inform
  • Tell, Show, Do
  • Adult learning theories
• Speaking to persuade
  • Knowing Audience’s disposition to your position
  • Finding Common Ground
  • Persuading techniques
  • Motivating an audience
  • Appeals
  • “Smoking out” objections and rebuttals
  • Fallacies of logic
  • Use of emotion including gaining pleasure and/or avoiding pain
  • Use of Character, Logic, and emotion
• Speech writing
• Speech Analysis
• Speech wording
• Speech Organization
• Gaining Attention
• Humor
• Visual Aids
• Visual Aid Analysis
• Keeping an Audience Interested
• Writing Analogies
• Writing Metaphors
• Writing Similes
• Story telling techniques
• Dramatizing ideas
• Ceremonial Speaking
  • Keynotes
  • After dinner speaking
  • Wedding Toasts
  • Special Occasion Toasts
  • Accepting an Award
  • Presenting an Award
  • Introducing a Speaker
  • Words of Praise and Eulogies
  • Master of Ceremonies

Earning Approval

We teach speakers how to analyze the audience before forming the message. The goal is to make the audience better off after your speech than they were before listening to you. It is your responsibility to find out what an audience expects and needs and to satisfy those expectations and needs.

It is not good enough to simply hold a meeting, talk about what’s important to you, and pat yourself on the back for such a wonderful performance, then wonder in amazement why behavior doesn’t change when you know for a fact you told people what to or not to do.

If audiences are bored with meetings and little change comes from them, it’s time for you to examine your message. You might be an excellent performer and make everyone laugh; however, you are missing the mark by not communicating your message in a way the audience will receive it effectively.

Can We Help You?

Our core value is helping others reach their potential.

Most of our clients are experienced speakers; but we work one-on-one with beginners too.

Many beginners ask why choose us when organizations like Toastmaster’s, Dale Carnegie, or even a community college are available. These are all good choices; however, there are three major distinctions between us and these other fine organizations: Time, cost, and we—uniquely—offer one-on-one consulting.

We are highly qualified having studied and been involved with all three of these organizations so we know exactly what they offer. Since we work one-on-one with clients, we are flexible enough to zero in on your specific needs in less time.

We teach you exactly what you need in order to accomplish your specific goals in 1-5 hours where Toastmaster’s is a weekly commitment and you study things you may not need, Dale Carnegie is an “off the shelf” 6-12 week course costing over $1800, and a community college is a 12 week commitment costing $600.

Public Speaking is the most studied discipline in the history of mankind. Learn the specific principles that apply for your needs and use them in all communication situations.

Study with us.
Contact us to see if we can help you.

206-653-7651

Call or email Mattson Communication Training today to schedule a free consultation.