Southbourne Ladies Group, Bournemouth

I had an evening booking on 22 July, the day after my three-talk marathon. It was for Southbourne Ladies Group who meet in one of their member's houses in Bournemouth.

I have occasionally spoken in private homes over the years including talks for writers' circles and one group which was part of the National Women's Register. Even a fairly large lounge can seem a little 'cosy' with a dozen or more people sitting there and in these .circumstances, I really would recommend that the speaker sits down as well; the alternative is to stand and have everyone's eyes fixed on your nether regions or your audience craning their necks to look up at you.

Delivering your material from a sitting position demands a different, less formal style, ideal for storytelling, and anecdotes are a speciality of mine so I very much enjoy these rare opportunities to present in this way.

There are other circumstances where it may be better for speaker and audience alike for you to stay seated, such as sometimes when the chairs are all arranged in a semicircle around you or if you are speaking to a very tiny audience, whatever the size of the room (I once sat while I delivered an entire talk for a writers' group in a community centre because there were only three of them at the table - or four if you counted the man who slept through most of it!)

There were about 16 ladies - plus a dog! - in a fairly small lounge when I delivered My Life as a Freelance Comedy Writer for the Southbourne Ladies and my very well-received talk was followed by some delicious home-made cake. After all the rushing around the previous day, it was good to deliver 'sit-down comedy' in this relaxed, intimate setting.

Public Speaking Tip #344: The traditional image of a public speaker is of someone who stands to deliver their material but there may be some occasions when it is preferable to sit. Obviously much depends upon the formality of the occasion and content, ease of access to visual aids, etc, but for storytellers it really does add an extra element. Your audience must be your primary consideration; if you think it's best for them then give it a try.