Okay, so im a very socially awkward person and i cant start or hold a conversation for anything. So my patter is naturally really bad and its to the point as where i thought of just being completly silent like Teller. Do any of you have any suggestion to help my patter?
Patter
- Thread starter Itachi cx
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Teller isn't completely silent, but instead he communicates non-verbally. Doing that is just as hard as communicating verbally.
You need to improve your speaking skills. Start by reading out loud to yourself, standing up. Then move to reading standing up in front of a group - maybe your parents / family. Then, see if you can volunteer at a local library for a kids story time and read to them (with expression!). That will get you comfortable being the center of attention.
Next, practice complimenting people. If you are at a store, compliment the clerk on a piece of jewelery -- "that is a really nice ring." Compliment your friends - "I really like those sneakers" or "that is a cool colored shirt." Compliment three people a day for a couple of weeks.
Then, move on to asking people questions. "did you get a haircut?" "are those new sneakers?" "what did you do over the weekend?" "did you travel or stay home for Thanksgiving" "did you see that new Marvel movie?"
Then, start telling stories. "You wouldn't believe what happened to me this weekend...." "I read this article on the internet about..."
Once you do that, patter is a combination of compliementing people, asking questions and telling stories. Also, scripting your presentation does help because you already know what to say. There are some great effects that come with great scripts (not just say-do-see patter where you say what you are doing, do it and then tell the audience to see what you have done). I'd also be glad to help you script your effects.
You need to improve your speaking skills. Start by reading out loud to yourself, standing up. Then move to reading standing up in front of a group - maybe your parents / family. Then, see if you can volunteer at a local library for a kids story time and read to them (with expression!). That will get you comfortable being the center of attention.
Next, practice complimenting people. If you are at a store, compliment the clerk on a piece of jewelery -- "that is a really nice ring." Compliment your friends - "I really like those sneakers" or "that is a cool colored shirt." Compliment three people a day for a couple of weeks.
Then, move on to asking people questions. "did you get a haircut?" "are those new sneakers?" "what did you do over the weekend?" "did you travel or stay home for Thanksgiving" "did you see that new Marvel movie?"
Then, start telling stories. "You wouldn't believe what happened to me this weekend...." "I read this article on the internet about..."
Once you do that, patter is a combination of compliementing people, asking questions and telling stories. Also, scripting your presentation does help because you already know what to say. There are some great effects that come with great scripts (not just say-do-see patter where you say what you are doing, do it and then tell the audience to see what you have done). I'd also be glad to help you script your effects.
Also things like Toastmasters (public speaking course) can boost confidence.
I would also get a hold of the book by Dale Carnegie "How to Win Friends and Influence People". There are some really important tips and strategies to have good meaningful conversations, and even tips on talking to strangers.
I would also get a hold of the book by Dale Carnegie "How to Win Friends and Influence People". There are some really important tips and strategies to have good meaningful conversations, and even tips on talking to strangers.
Start of with baby steps. Everyday start off by smiling at people. As you go throughout your day smile at people you walk by. Once you are comfortable with that then do the same but add a hi to that smile or a how are you doing. Most people will smile back and say I'm good so just respond with something similar like I'm doing great. it might sound weird but it's really not, if people see that you are comfortable they will react the same way. then you can add a compliment to the mix so smile greet them then compliment. Yiu will slowly get more and more comfortable. If you are feeling brave take it a step further and small talk the person next to you. Just ask them how their day is going, compliment them, people love talking about themselves. At first you don't even have to talk much just be a good listener. As they talk smile and shake your head at them look them in the eye instead of around them. Ask open ended questions which means ask them a question that will make them engage instead of a question that makes them just say yes or no. For example you walk to the store say hi to a few people tell them hi throw in a compliment to a few others. Then say yiu are looking at the ice creams and their is someone doing the same. Simply do the same smile greet them ask them how they are.Yiu can simply laugh and say man picking ice cream has to be one of the hardeest decisions of my life. Just start naming flavors and say their is vanilla, strawberry, rainbow, etc. have them help you narrow your decisions ask them so what are some of your favorite flavors. If they name pistachio just say what you think about that ice cream. i love pistachio so if it's a male I fist bump him and tell him dude I'm with you it's delicious. If it's a female maybe I high five them and tell them wow did we just become best friends. Do the same for them help them pick out a ice flavor. I used to be the most anti social person to the point I wouldn't eat in front of people I didn't talk to anyone so I know exaxtly what you are going through. Now I'm a social butterfly but I didn't make that transformation over night and neither will you. Remember humans are social animals we crave interaction. just practice practice practice like anything else and I promise you will to be a social butterfly. It's ok to be nervous but eventually that feeling will be fine and just remember this, if people see that you are confident they will react accordingly. Best of luck to you!!
Sorry for the long post
Sorry for the long post
It depends how fast you want to grow. My best advice would be to just get out there and do magic for everyone as much as possible and it will come. The more uncomfortable you are more often the better. You can't force patter or personality. The more you perform the faster you will find yours. You can't start off any worse than David Blaine for patter. But his effects are so strong that he doesn't need patter. His character also supports not having a lot of patter. So just talk to and do magic for everyone.