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During my career I had to do a fair amount of speaking to large groups of people. An ex-Army trainer boss of mine gave me the following valuable, well-known advice on structure: 'tell them what you are going to tell them; tell them; then tell them what you told them'.
On philatelic displays specifically: in my now long experience I suggest it is best not to use notes, your sheets should prompt all the information you need to impart. The judicious use of maps, diagrams and ephemera can add visual interest and impact to your display. Rehearse at home. Ensure you have understood the layout of the frames used by the club and stick to their format, where you can keeping individual sections of your display within the confines of one or more frames without 'orphan' sheets tacked on to the beginning of the next frame. Put all the sheets up first rather than as you go along and try not to keep turning your back on the audience to read them out word for word. Check that people at the back can hear you at the outset, adjust and maintain your speaking volume accordingly. Speak distinctly without gabbling. Move around a bit rather than stay planted in front of each frame as you go along. Do not try to explain every sheet. Where a particular sheet is especially interesting it can be effective to pick it up and hold it forward for the audience to see more closely whilst you are talking about it. Remember your job is both to inform and entertain your audience many of whom may have made quite an effort to come out perhaps on a dark and cold evening to listen to you, look at your material and meet their friends. Don't worry if some of them nod off – it happens ! The time offered for your display may well feel too short to you as the specialist but bear in mind many audience members will not know much about your subject, so don't overwhelm them with information. Stick to the time you have been allotted – the club may have a strict limit on when they have to vacate the venue.
Above all enjoy yourself and keep on giving displays; practice makes perfect as they say.
I hope this helps, Giles. |
