Speaking To Teens – Help!
Posted by anastasia on 02-12-2010
The first week of March I’m heading back to the Chicagoland area to do a couple of paid speaking gigs based on Totally Wired — what’s new and different for me is that instead of speaking just to parents/educators, I will be speaking directly to high school students. Apart from the anxiety I’m experiencing about leaving my 4-month-old for the first time for a couple of nights, I also have visions of spitballs in my hair or feeling like Drew Barrymore when she first goes undercover as a high school student in “Never Been Kissed.” Desperate for advice on speaking directly to teens, I reached out to Ypulse friend and 2009 Mashup speaker Josh Shipp.
In addition to very valuable tidbits like, if it’s in a gym, make sure all the kids are on one side so I’m not in the middle of all kinds of “across the gym” social interactions, Josh had some great tips like saying what I think they’re thinking (i.e. what’s this weird lady going to tell us about sexting) and being indirect with funny examples and anecdotes before getting to the direct messages I want them to take away. He also coached me on tapping into their key motivations (looking cool, getting a great job, making money, etc.) when preaching the value of creating something positive online like a LinkedIn profile.
As I think about my presentation more, I would love help from other Ypulse readers experienced in connecting with youth audiences. I’m not nearly as funny or charismatic as Josh, so I have to find my own authentic “speaking to teens” voice. Here are some of the points I want students to take away:
- Nothing online is truly private.
- That said, understanding and using privacy settings will help you avoid embarrassing situations.
- The importance of not sharing passwords.
- The amplifying/viral effect of technology whether intentional (bullying) or unintentional (sexting).
- Taking control of your “digital trail” – generating positive content about yourself online.
Other points you think teens need to hear (that hopefully don’t come off as preachy)?
If you guys have fun links I can throw together on a web page for these students (with a really silly vanity url – suggested by the brilliant Josh Shipp), send them my way. Definitely looking for a very easy tutorial on Facebook privacy settings and examples of stupid stuff people have posted (especially adults!) on social networking sites….
Categorized under: Totally Wired
February 12th, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Hi Anastasia! I am an avid reader of yours. I’ve been a professional speaker for 25 years, more than half of which were spent speaking to teens. I’ve visited 1500 high schools and spoken to millions of teens (including Josh Shipp when he was a teen).
I’ve got a few tips for you (and for the schools that bring you in) that will make a huge difference. These tips are in a PDF format. If you provide me an email address or fax, I’m happy to send them your way.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Check out http://www.lamebook.com for some very embarassing facebook overshares!
February 12th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Eric – thank you! My email is anastasia@ypulse.com. Ashleigh! Lamebook is classic. Definitely will use:)
February 14th, 2010 at 7:04 am
All I have is for you to be you. The kids can spot the fake stuff. If you can, put personal examples of the issues you are talking about. The more transparent and authentic you are the more they will trust what you say.
February 14th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Hey Anastasia
I, too, am a long-term reader and I have gained so much from YP.
I write books for kids and teens and have been speaking at schools and fests. Teenagers totally freaked me at first, too, (especially grades 8 and 9) but I find the web, video, images and music incredible tools for engaging and cutting through. This means that you will be so fine. Your extraordinary knowledge of all things web will be apparent to them from the moment you open your mouth and they will be yours, keen to learn from you.
With visual and technological tools you don’t even have to worry about being funny, methinks. That will come naturally.
Good luck!
T
February 15th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Teens love stories. Success stories. Stories of failure. Silly stories.
I use a simple rule of thumb when speaking to teens. Is it specific to their needs? Is it relevant? What will they remember me for? Throw in a couple of geeky things too
So think about this
- what’s your intro
- what three key points are in your main
- reflect and finish strong
Let us know how you get on. Much love from over the pond (U.K.)
Dave
February 16th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Jeff, Tristan and David – thank you all of your advice. Very helpful:)
April 7th, 2010 at 8:28 pm
The teen market for professional speakers is there, but it is fairly
small and limited. If that’s the group you want to target, I would suggest getting yourself into high schools and junior high schools to start with. From there you can then speak to speakers bureaus and let them know this is your target market. They won’t be particularly excited because of the fact that you won’t be generating them a lot of revenue.
Visit this site to find MORE helpful and important information, it’s http://www.ProfessionalSpeakingExpert.com. Sign up to receive my mentor’s FREE 52 week MASTERS course on Speaking.
Here’s a bit of information about him. His name is Fred Gleeck, and he has been speaking professionally for more than 25 years. He also teaches others (like me) how to make REAL money as a speaker.
Do not hold back! You can be the BEST speaker you can possibly be. I trust Fred’s system, and it sure did a GREAT job for me! He helped me, and so will you.
Cheers to your success!