Sep 01

The Duchess of York – professional speaker

I just saw an article which says that Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, has built up a lucartive career as a professional speaker. It’s reported that she makes £40,000 for her public speaking engagements.
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Aug 29

Writing a Winning Humorous Speech

The London Speaker blog has just posted an interview with Jonathan Palmer last year’s Divison B Humorous Speech winner. It’s a really good and revealing article. Palmer talks about why he didn’t make the grade and win the contest at District (National) level. It’s a key distinction. Continue reading

Aug 24

How do you know your jokes are funny?

There seems to be an obvious answer to the above question – how do you know your jokes are funny? Surely, you tell someone, or an audience, a joke and they laugh then it’s funny. Great. Simple and straight-forward. Especially if you have preparation time. Continue reading

Aug 22

New World Speaking Champion Crowned

As you’ve probably seen this week Saturday 16 August was the end of the International Speech Contest which culminated in a new world champion of public speaking being crowned – LaShunda Rundles. Continue reading

Aug 18

Humour and Freedom of Speech

Humour and Freedom of Speech. It’s an interesting concept as it’s one that comes up again and again throughout history. Well, modern history at least. You might be thinking: “wow Jase, this is a bit of a dry boring topic for your blog”

Well, stick with me as it contains some useful intel on the dons and don’t of giving a humorous speech. I was drawn to write a post about it because of the forthcoming humorous speech contest held annually with Toastmasters. Now, in the rules themselves it states:
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