Public Speaking Course:
Columbo Technique
Do you remember the quiet, cigar smoking detective on the hit TV series 'Columbo'? Most people do because the show is still in reruns all over the world.
One of Detective Columbo's trademarks is that he would start to leave
the room and when he was almost out the door he would stop and say, "Oh. Just one more thing."
I teach the same technique in my public speaking course and show
you how to use this technique during your presenting (but without the cigar, it is hard
to speak while chomping). Here's how the Columbo technique works:
Save one of your really important points . . . maybe your most
important point . . . then completely leave the topic you were
on. . .only to use the "Oh. Just one more thing" technique and
deliver your big point. The surprise of what you deliver is part of mastering
what you learned in your public speaking course.
Unless you have tried this out several times, don't use this technique at the end of your speech because people will start shuffling their materials in anticipation of the
presentation being over. This would cause
too much distraction to have it's full effect, and the point would
be lost.
On the other hand, you could begin by using the technique just
before a major transition in your talk. That way you will eliminate
the shuffling of papers problem we talked about. When you get comfortable
with this, try this skill before a break. Play with your wording
so that you control the audience. Don't say "Well before we take a break . . . " This will start them shuffling. Say something like, "That's all on that topic . . . Oh. and one more thing" . . . then give your main point. As you get really good at controlling the
crowd you can try this as your closing. Coming back with the main point will be powerful and memorable when learned correctly in my
public speaking
course.
Oh. Just one more thing . . . .only use this technique ONCE per presentation. :)
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