There's a common misconception that artists have a monopoly on creativity...But the very act of making waves - no matter the career - is a creative one. The Chase Jarvis Live Show is an exploration of creativity, self-discovery, entrepreneurship, hard-earned lessons, and so much more. Chase sits down with the world's top creators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders and unpacks actionable, valuable insights to help you live your dreams in career, hobby, and life.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
What sets memorable stories, presentations, and speeches apart from the ordinary? If you think it has to do with the speaker’s innate ability, you’ll be surprised to learn that it doesn’t.
Fortunately, Victoria Wellman knows how to craft compelling messages and overcome our fear of public speaking. Victoria is the Co-Founder of The Oratory Laboratory, a Manhattan-based boutique creative agency for public speakers. Formerly a journalist, copywriter, producer, a trained actress and voice-over artist, Victoria has crafted speeches for influencers, politicians, entrepreneurs, Olympians, NFL stars, astronauts, rap stars, artists, and activists, and has garnered media attention from The Today Show, Martha Stewart, CNN, NPR, NBC, ABC and CBS News.
Victoria turned author with her newly released book, “Before You Say Anything“, in which she details the creative process behind crafting memorable speeches. Giving a speech- or any form of communication, is about synthesizing ideas – which is the core of creativity.
Why Is Public Speaking a Creative Art?
If you’ve ever sat through a professional conference or a mediocre business presentation, team meeting, or personal conversation, you know how it hurts to be an uninventive speaker. An effective speech doesn’t have to be riveting. But it does need to be relevant and exciting, and that takes creativity. Knowledge of your subject area is essential, but being creative makes for a memorable speech.
At its core, an effective speech has to do with originality — this is why it’s so important to be creative when preparing and delivering one.
Overcoming The “Fear” Of Public Speaking
Why do you fear public speaking? Is it the insecurity or awkwardness of not being perceived as smart? Or do you fear making a mistake?
Remember this: It’s never you against the audience; your audience isn’t here to judge you. As Victoria shares, more than 90 percent of your listeners want to enjoy listening to you and learn from you. They want you to succeed. If you’ve been in the audience yourself, you might have noticed how you laugh at even the slightest of jokes from an authentic speaker – only because it comes from their heart.
The “idea” that something could go wrong could hold true only until you grab the mic or clear the air and start speaking. Because the purpose is to get the message across, not to pass an examination.
Blending Humor Into Your Speech
The beauty of humor is that it is of the moment – it lights up the audience, grabs their attention, and then fades away, making them happy for the few seconds they were experiencing it. Plus, you don’t have to be fun and jolly as a person to include cracking a joke in your public speech. Comedy is crafted, but be careful not to over-do it.
What Makes Great Speakers?
You might think that the world’s greatest speakers possessed an ability to blurt out evocative stories and narratives. But did you know that behind the powerful speeches of Winston Churchill and Steve Jobs, was incessant preparation? These leaders knew the power of a well-crafted speech.
That doesn’t mean you must over-practice, which would instead make your speech wooden and inauthentic. What you’re aiming for is authenticity, individuality, and personality: traits that would be entirely absent if you were to follow a “how-to” instructional.
