Influential Speakers

I have thought a lot about different speakers I have seen in the past. From Lecturers to Presenters, there is something special about a person who can speak in front of a group and leave an impression on them. The best speaker I have ever listened to was actually at my grandmother's funeral. On such a bleak occasion, one person stands out in my memory of that day like a beam of shining light. Lin Hamilton a very special family friend and also an important person in State Farm Insurance Emergency Response Department. I know her job requires her to speak at different meetings and presentations, so she has plenty of experience in public speaking. She stood up to speak with confidence and comfort. Her tone was soft, but audible and comforting. The speech she made was well developed, with an opening introduction which grasped my attention as well as the rest of the attendees. She spoke with much grace and intent. Relayed to everyone the true nature of my grandmother, plus revealed a special side which not many were able to meet. The words she spoke meant so much to me, my father, and I'm sure all others that listened. I could have listened to her speak for hours and hope to one day have the confidence she has in front of an audience.
When it comes to worst speakers, I would like to say the "Um-Uh" speakers bother me the most. However, I have a mother who found an opportunity to make money without having to get a 9-5 job. As I support her and provided her assistance after my dad had passed, I ended up at one of her meetings. A presentation in a new found friend's home, to share information "about a great opportunity." I went in skeptical, since I know you can not get any thing in life for free! Rhonda, a middle aged lady, who had experienced financial struggle and trials in life, which led her to these new found riches. I was so disappointed in her speech. As a sales person, she was able to get some people into her talk and her sales pitch, but I was not impressed. She presented a sob story. Laid out how terrible times were, but then lied about all this money she was now making and how easy it would be to do it yourself. It was a scam, I was not pulled in by her. Though she did have a way of relating to others in the audience, I did not believe her lies. In order to truly be a successful speaker, not only do you need to relate, you also need to be believable and credible!