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Preparing For The Unknown: Insights from 2022 Champion
In Episode 5 of D50 A5er Dark, Host Mickey Bennett, DTM, welcomes Elyssa Schneider, EH2, the 2022 Table Topics Champion in London’s District 91. At the Fall der All Festival In October 2023, Elyssa shared her tips for being ready to answer an unexpected question with an off-the-cuff response.
2:45 Elyssa's journey began with reluctance, but her experiences with impromptu speaking in various countries taught her valuable lessons.
5:17-6:31 The impromptu speaking skills honed in Toastmasters are universally applicable, improving both personal and professional conversations.
6:31 When Elyssa entered the District 91 competition, she focused on her humorous and international speeches and did not prepare for Table Topics.
7:48 After winning the contest, her analysis revealed surprising similarities between her techniques and those of professional speakers.
8:21 The first tip is to answer the Table Topics question upfront and then figure out how to weave in the rest of the response. At the end, the answer is stated again as the conclusion. Start and end in the same place.
[09:01] Mickey pointed out that is also a good strategy for a prepared speech.
9:40 Signposting: Staying on topic by using two to three keywords from the question was tip #2. Remember and repeat key words as anchors throughout.
13:19 The third tip is at the heart of speaking—engaging the audience. Using the words "we" or "you" provides a bridge to the audience. 14:43 Mickey noted that speakers get caught up in the message, delivery techniques, and avoiding crutch words and forget to connect with the audience.
16:03 One advanced tip, not mentioned at the Fall der All Festival, is the use of metaphors. Metaphors help convey abstract concepts effecLvely. “It’s really been a hard day” can be changed to “I feel like I’ve been climbing Mt. Everest, and I am running out of air.” That clearly communicates the feeling to the audience.
17:30 Mickey asked Elyssa if she has a book of metaphors to reference. She said her father played a game in her family. He would hold up an object and ask how it could be a metaphor. Everything can be a metaphor. This is a technique that can be practiced until it comes naturally.
20:41 Mickey asked Elyssa if she preferred narrative or exposition to answer a question. She replied that it depended on the question. The question she was asked at the London competition was, “When you are with me, life is an adventure.” Elyssa said she started with generalities, but then a story came to her as she was speaking, and she incorporated it.
21:57 Elyssa welcomes questions, guest speaking requests, or bookings via LinkedIn (profile Elyssa Schneider) or email ([email protected]).
22:56 In closing, Elyssa encourages practice to perfect Table Topics skills, emphasizing that a speaker's success is supported by these universal secrets. She recommends observing speakers using these secrets and then applying them to daily conversations. A search on YouTube of Table Topics winners will show these secrets in action.
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By D50 After Dark PodcastIn Episode 5 of D50 A5er Dark, Host Mickey Bennett, DTM, welcomes Elyssa Schneider, EH2, the 2022 Table Topics Champion in London’s District 91. At the Fall der All Festival In October 2023, Elyssa shared her tips for being ready to answer an unexpected question with an off-the-cuff response.
2:45 Elyssa's journey began with reluctance, but her experiences with impromptu speaking in various countries taught her valuable lessons.
5:17-6:31 The impromptu speaking skills honed in Toastmasters are universally applicable, improving both personal and professional conversations.
6:31 When Elyssa entered the District 91 competition, she focused on her humorous and international speeches and did not prepare for Table Topics.
7:48 After winning the contest, her analysis revealed surprising similarities between her techniques and those of professional speakers.
8:21 The first tip is to answer the Table Topics question upfront and then figure out how to weave in the rest of the response. At the end, the answer is stated again as the conclusion. Start and end in the same place.
[09:01] Mickey pointed out that is also a good strategy for a prepared speech.
9:40 Signposting: Staying on topic by using two to three keywords from the question was tip #2. Remember and repeat key words as anchors throughout.
13:19 The third tip is at the heart of speaking—engaging the audience. Using the words "we" or "you" provides a bridge to the audience. 14:43 Mickey noted that speakers get caught up in the message, delivery techniques, and avoiding crutch words and forget to connect with the audience.
16:03 One advanced tip, not mentioned at the Fall der All Festival, is the use of metaphors. Metaphors help convey abstract concepts effecLvely. “It’s really been a hard day” can be changed to “I feel like I’ve been climbing Mt. Everest, and I am running out of air.” That clearly communicates the feeling to the audience.
17:30 Mickey asked Elyssa if she has a book of metaphors to reference. She said her father played a game in her family. He would hold up an object and ask how it could be a metaphor. Everything can be a metaphor. This is a technique that can be practiced until it comes naturally.
20:41 Mickey asked Elyssa if she preferred narrative or exposition to answer a question. She replied that it depended on the question. The question she was asked at the London competition was, “When you are with me, life is an adventure.” Elyssa said she started with generalities, but then a story came to her as she was speaking, and she incorporated it.
21:57 Elyssa welcomes questions, guest speaking requests, or bookings via LinkedIn (profile Elyssa Schneider) or email ([email protected]).
22:56 In closing, Elyssa encourages practice to perfect Table Topics skills, emphasizing that a speaker's success is supported by these universal secrets. She recommends observing speakers using these secrets and then applying them to daily conversations. A search on YouTube of Table Topics winners will show these secrets in action.