Have you ever been to an event and noticed someone who was totally overdressed?
It’s usually a woman, of course. There she is in her large earrings, a seven-strand necklace, a dress of some hit-you-in-the-eye color, with frills, Dame Edna glasses, an oversized sequinned purse and shoes with bows.
Did you think “Wow! What an attractive woman!”
Or did you write her off as an exhibitionist, a nut case and definitely someone to avoid.
OK, maybe I exaggerated, just slightly, but think about people who present themselves in this way. With the exception of Dame Edna herself, they don’t do it to look ridiculous. They do it because they believe it makes them stand out in a crowd, that it will make people take notice of them. Well, they’re right about that, but for the wrong reason.
Does it make them appear attractive? Does it draw other people to want to know them better?
If they wear everything, as my dad would say except the kitchen sink, does it appeal to others or does it shut them down?
Now think of your speeches. If you want to share a message that is important to you, do you throw in everything you can think of to appeal to the emotions, intellect and senses of everyone in the audience?
Do you take time to make sure you haven’t missed a single relevant fact, or left one single heartstring unpulled?
Hmm.. could your speech be just a tad overdressed? Dame Edna or a classic black cocktail dress?
I know, it’s hard when you believe something strongly to omit a single thing that might draw others to your cause or belief. By all means include facts to keep the minds involved and certainly some emotion. But keep the essential message clear and simple. Make sure you haven’t thrown in so much extra ‘stuff’ that your strong message is lost.
Throwing in all of everything obfuscates, and you wouldn’t want to do that. Overload makes eyes in the audience glaze over. Clear and simple carries a focused message and draws the kind of attention that you’re hoping for.
Clear and simple has few points, but important ones. It is vividly illustrated with words and stories chosen to have a precise effect – to drive your one main message home.
It gives you the opportunity to attract not just attention, but respect – and an audience who are eager to know more.
