There are two reasons to record yourself every time you speak, whether you are doing a talk for a local group, presenting to an industry conference, doing a group consultation or presenting a seminar, teleseminar or webinar.

First of all, listening to the recording lets you hear what you did well and where you can do better next time. I know, it is painful to listen to yourself speak. You don’t like the sound of your voice and every mistake leaps out at you. But you need to listen.

Are you using uh, mmm, you know and other fillers too often? Do you talk too fast or too slow? Do you mumble and make it hard for the audience to hear and understand you?

How did the audience react to your talk? Did they laugh at the stuff you think is funny?

Some of the time you will deliver a good talk. Others will be very good. And sometimes you will NAIL IT. You want to make sure that when you deliver that amazing, awesome, personal best speech that you have recorded it.

That talk will be a product you can sell. [Read more…]