Reena is a stage Emcee hosting corporate events, a sports presenter on Star Sports India and an Youtuber. Hosted 1000+ shows including both stage and TV shows. Well known for her multilingual skills; travels countries and her joy continues. Inspired by Oprah Winfrey, MC Reena believes “The more you praise and celebrate life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”
I am a professional compere with 10 years of experience hosting corporate events and social events. I have rendered my compering services for over 200+ brands. I am also a sports presenter on Star Sports1 Kannada and humbled to have hosted Pro kabaddi league Season5,6,7; ISL season4; IPL 2018,2019,2020; ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019 and several T20s and ODIs.
I am also a content creator on YouTube wherein I interview sports personalities and bring out the untold stories on “The ReenaDsouza Show”. I am passionate about speaking and I wanted to help people speak confidently on stage and face their fear of speaking publicly; thus, I got certified as a soft skill trainer.
Today, I coach corporate employees, kids and students of all age groups who are keen to learn. I was greatful for the opportunity provided at TEDxVSSUT to be a speaker wherein I wanted to emphasise “To be impressive you gotta be expressive”.
This topic was chosen because when on stage it’s important to be you and bring out the right emotions; at the end of the day we talk to humans; thus, emotions matter. This was expressed by telling my own story.
And the good news is - I am presenting my second Tedx talk on December 12th, 2020 at TEDxIIM Sambalpur.
2. How do you choose and prepare for a talk?
I understand the theme of the event, usually for any event, say Tedx there’s a theme chosen. So first, understand the theme and then, one must know who are the attendees; their occupation, age groups, how many men and women are attending the event.
And the good news is - I am presenting my second Tedx talk on December 12th, 2020 at TEDxIIM Sambalpur.
2. How do you choose and prepare for a talk?
I understand the theme of the event, usually for any event, say Tedx there’s a theme chosen. So first, understand the theme and then, one must know who are the attendees; their occupation, age groups, how many men and women are attending the event.
This is because - a speaker must never take his audience for granted. After which, I sit back and connect the theme of the event to my own life stories. Is there any story which can add value? If yes, start with it. Now, think of the audience and frame a rhetoric question (Wherein, answers are Yes, No, Maybe only) which enables them to participate and puts them on a thinking mode.
Basically, go with the stories chosen and connect with an audience appropriately. I write my complete speech picking various stories from my life and pulling out learning’s from each of them. Ensure the learning’s connect to the theme of the event.
I read my speech several times; after which, I run it over by my mentor Mr.Kumaran M Pethi (Runner-up International TAP Speech Contest 2001, The Distinguished Toastmaster award recipient, Owner Sankalp Builders).
I read my speech several times; after which, I run it over by my mentor Mr.Kumaran M Pethi (Runner-up International TAP Speech Contest 2001, The Distinguished Toastmaster award recipient, Owner Sankalp Builders).
He sits with me and gives me third perspective to the speech delivery and after a thorough discussion; We make the required changes and complete the speech. I believe one must always have a mentor who guides you and shows you the path. It’s good to take some help from an experienced person from the relevant field.
And the rest depends on how well we rehearse and deliver the speech.
3. How can one become a public speaker?
Four steps -
And the rest depends on how well we rehearse and deliver the speech.
3. How can one become a public speaker?
Four steps -
- Command over the language is important - thus, work it out. read read read.
- To become a public speaker is a choice but what’s the true purpose must be figured out. If the purpose is strong, no matter what; you keep working and speaking gets better and better.
- Content - Remember, as a speaker your audience is your hero and the other way around isn’t always true. So, understand them, speak for them and keep it simple.
- Prepare well, not just Practice but a perfect practice will make up for a good delivery.
- To practice one can always stand in front of the mirror see your eyes and deliver for a week; get comfortable looking at your eyes. Because as a speaker you must look to audience’s eyes and speak. Then, eventually, record yourself in a camera and this time look to the camera lens and speak ; analyse the delivery, evaluate and get better.
- For beginners, choose a topic that you are comfortable talking, wherein you have enough information and later on move on to complex ones.
- Breath once when you start Breath in between when you speak Breath & Smile once you complete your speech.
- Be presentable. Dress as per the occasion, look good, smell good (Body + Mouth) - your half job is done - Now, the remaining half comes from the above work. “First and Last impression - both matter the most”
Definitely!! Any career can be full time today. It’s purely up to the person on how much he/she is ready to invest, endure and evolve. Also, “Work to be the best in the Field”. Best means - if your career wants you to be fit and look good - you better be it.
With the advancement of technology one can almost do anything as long as they are alive, that’s my belief. Use digital media, to showcase your work better - first, understand how each application works and work along with it. Learn marketing, new skillset and show to the world “How you are different?”.
What works is great, what doesn’t learn from it - we are talking of motivational speakers - so get motivated and keep going. NEVER GIVE UP.
5. Which is your favourite talk ever and how did it change your life?
I have a long list of speeches that I love watching. Say, Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream”; Barack Obama, Les brown, Dananjaya Hettiarachchi and many more. Has anything specifically changed my life - I would not agree to that; but has it influenced me “YES, it did”.
I recommend - Sandeep Maheshwari’s motivational speeches “Unstoppable”. The content is amazing.
As Mr.Sandeep quotes “Pehle apne field ki pakki khiladi toh ban jao”. Be the best in your field.
6. What are the best public speaking tips that have worked for you?
- Prepare, Practice, Perfect Practice
- Be you
- Do not take your audience for granted
- Deliver what is expected of you and not what you want to speak.
- There’s good fear so butterflies in the stomach is good, breath and give your best.
- I believe whatever is our dream put it to universe and live your life as it has already happened; this can be used before delivering any speech “Power of believing in your dreams, Law Of Attraction”.
- Do not keep your throat dry, stay hydrated. In a long run, vocal training exercises are good to keep your vocal chords healthy.
- Look good, Smell good.
7. What impact do you want to make in the world?
I want people to believe in the power of dreams. But, living your dreams is possible only when there’s a plan in place and it’s executed right. At times plans do not work out, which is ok. Learn, evolve and keep working.
My dream is to empower both men & women to speak confidently & with clarity before an audience, in public or when having a conversation anywhere, anytime. As my belief is that, conversations well spoken can win battles.
8. Which is your favourite book and why?
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and “How to Sell yourself” by Joe Girard & Robert Casemore.
“The Secret” because I truly believe in the words & I have applied it in my life. It has helped me and can help others too. “How to sell yourself” because the book is for professionals and if followed as written, one can certainly achieve highest level of success.
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