Speech Talk Live Episode #65: Aaron Beverly, 2019 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking

In this episode I have the honor to speak with Aaron Beverly.  Aaron is the 2019 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking and was the 2016 First Runner-Up.  Aaron is an amazing speaker that you can see by watching some of his speeches on YouTube. I have provided links to two of them below. In this interview you will learn about Aaron’s speaking journey, what makes him such an outstanding speaker and what tips he has to offer so we can improve our public speaking skills.

Before you watch the video of the interview, I suggest you watch two of his speeches so you get an idea of what an outstanding speaker Aaron is and also get more out of the interview.
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Aaron Beverly's 2019 Winning Speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmj1L...
Aaron Beverly's 2016 First Runner-Up Speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bVSO…

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Below I have the time stamps on some of the things we discuss.  I hope you enjoy the video and get a lot out of it and hopefully it will motivate you to improve your public speaking skills.

2:15    --- Introduction and speaking journey
6:30    --- Toastmasters speaking contest
10:40 --- Why enter the Toastmasters competition after finishing first runner-up in 2016?
13:48 --- Are the speeches same or different during the competition?
14:42 --- What could you have done better with your runner-up speech in 2016?
17:06 --- What was your speech preparation like for the speech that made you the Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking?
20:10 --- Number of hours spent on the winning speech
21:36 --- Are you getting any requests from Indian grooms to protect your shoes during a wedding?
23:25--- What is the difference between giving a contest speech vs. giving a speech in the corporate environment?
25:33 --- Are stories important to tell when giving a speech in the corporate environment?
27:25 --- What drives you crazy about people’s speeches in the corporate environment?
28:45 --- What kind of reactions have you received where you work after you won the 2019 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking?  Are they asking your advice on making their speeches better?
30:50 --- How are you planning your success to the next level? 
31:30 --- What speakers have influenced you the most?
33:10 --- Using humor in a speech
37:50 --- Voice and acting lessons
42:50 --- How to give a speech that you have not prepared for---the ones where you have to think on your feet---especially those you have to give in the corporate environment?
48:22 --- Good book on public speaking
49:34 --- Simple tip to get started in becoming an effective speaker

Book Recommendation
 Quick and Easy Way of Effective Speaking by Dale Carnegie  

Blog Post from the Interview

Five Questions for Aaron Beverly, 2019 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking

Here are five shortcuts from this interview:

Shortcut 1: How to prepare when you have to give a high-stakes speech?
https://youtu.be/xtBCCtXkO_o
Shortcut 2: How is a Toastmasters contest speech different from a typical corporate speech?
https://youtu.be/IGz9PtLTp3g
Shortcut 3: How do you tell a story in a corporate environment?
https://youtu.be/Awsk0Mxns9E
Shortcut 4: Who has most influenced your speaking style?
https://youtu.be/_NAe3OERk0M
Shortcut 5: What is the one tip that can improve one’s speaking skills?
https://youtu.be/RSGf7j63Xy4

If you would to get in touch with Aaron Beverly, you can contact him at [email protected].

If you have comments, questions, suggestions or criticism, please contact me at:
[email protected]. 
​If you are interested in having me speak about career related topics, public speaking or sales, please contact me.

​Thanks. 

Jay Oza is a writer, speaker, executive coach.  He makes people thrive on high stakes stage whether it's for a job interview, a sales presentation or an important speech. He is the author of the book Winning Speech Moments: How to Achieve Your Objective with Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere. Please download the speech checklist to help you with your next high stakes speech.

Please contact him if you would like to have an two 75 minute coaching session or interested in inviting him to your facility to give a talk on job Interviewing or High-Stakes Speaking.  You can reach him at [email protected] or 732-847-9877.

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