Demonstration for Public Speaking

[Deadphans]

Hey folks - thought you might be interested to know....I have an upcoming demonstration speech for my public speaking class. I decided to do a demonstration on the set up and take down of my Hennessy hammock and the wilderness logics tarp. We are in fact allowed to go outside and do our demonstration.

I plan on showcasing Bloomgorges clips that he generously offered to me a while back, and figure 9's Syb generously offered me a while back (craft beer soon buddy!). I will also go on to talk bout diagonal lay, top quilt, under quilt, and the various other winterizing methods. Of course, you all know, there is so much to talk about with hammocks and I don't think I will be able to fit it all in my allotted 10 minute time slot lol!

Also, get this, another kid is demonstrating how to make a gathered end hammock! Hes not in to hammock camping - or camping at all really, but understands the comfort level of a good hammock in the yard. This is really great for the DIY part of my brain so I can see first hand how it is done and eventually get to one myself.

::thumbs up::

[NCPatrick]

That will be a very well informed class!

[Deadphans]

And who knows, maybe I will get some sales for the cottage industry/hammock industry folks

[gunner76]

Video production ?

[slowhike]

Video would be good. That way we can grade you as well

[easyriver]

Talk loud and clear.

Don't turn your back on your audience.

Make sure they can see what your hands are doing.

Have fun out there.

[obxh2o]

It sounds like you know what you are doing and do not really need advice.

Just in case you have not done so, take a look at Shug's vids as well as some of the hammock set-up vids at the cottage manufacturers web sites.

Harlan has a very good, straight forward hammock set-up vid on the Warbonnet web site. Shug does the same with lots of crazy humor.

Good luck!

[MrClean417]

Don't be suprised that it's harder then Shug makes it look, he's a professional. They both have the advantage of editing that you won't get. However, be informative first and try to make it entertaining second.

You've probably gone past this in your class but before diving into the material try to establish communications with your audience first. You're not trying to humanize yourself to them though that wouldn't hurt, but trying to establish the volume you need to converse with so that they can hear you, the pace so they can understand you and adjust it so you don't sound like a drill sergeant issuing commands. If you demonstrate outside you'll find a normal inside voice that carries a room well won't carry outside, but when people start speaking louder and enunciating harder it can get chunky. It also uses more air and you could get lightheaded, so some deep breathing exercises wouldn't hurt either. I sat down once after 15 years of not playing once and played Sax for about 2 hours. Not only was I unable to pucker from my lazy, unused embouchure wearing out, standing up the room kinda spun. Pumped air through the ole lungs fast enough, didn't burn the Oxygen in the blood. Ahhh Euphoria.

Good luck. Worse comes to worse, climb into the hammock and stay. Screw em, they don't like the material you can take a nap.

Gonna be a couple people that want to try it out, you might want to make sure it's clean, that you have a foot pad for them to kick their shoes off on and maybe a plastic box or two to empty any sharp, pointy things into.

Or leave it stinky like the 7th day of no showering camping. They'll get a whiff and not think twice about asking.

[Jcavenagh]

Speak more slowly than you naturally do. Try breathing between sentences. At first it feels awkward, but it really makes a presentation much more understandable for your audience.
I've been giving seminars since 1990, so I have learned from my mistakes.

[lymphocytosis]

Good luck! I speak publicly frequently and never get over being nervous. I'm sure you'll be great.