Ep. 302 TOP 10 MISTAKES - PART 1

In Part 2 of this series, Darren and Mark discuss the importance…and the benefits…of having a world-class presentation structure. This episode covers Step #3: STRUCTURE THIS!   SNIPPETS:   • The ‘Tell them, tell them, tell them’ structure is rudimentary and limited   • The ‘Tell a story make a point’ structure lacks cohesiveness   • Good structure gives your audience clarity and gives you confidence   • The Fripp Speech Model provides the perfect structure   • Solid structure makes your content digestible    • An effective structure allows you to organize your thoughts logically   • Proper structure allows easy customization   • Proper structure is flexible and can be used for virtually any presentation   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

An unforgettable presentation requires an unforgettable process. Today Mark and Darren begin breaking down their 7-Step speech process, laid out in their book DELIVER UNFORGETTABLE PRESENTATIONS. This episode covers STEP #1: FINDING YOUR CONTENT, and STEP #2: CLARITY, CLARITY, CLARITY!   SNIPPETS:   • You need an unforgettable process   • It’s your responsibility to give your audience next steps   • FIND CONTENT from your own life and experience   • Don’t undervalue your expertise   • Start with what you know   • Build your story folder   • Be clear about your premise   • Give information in context   • Don’t give your audience a reason to take a mental detour   • Don’t leave unanswered questions in your audience’s minds Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

In Part 2 of their conversation about the Top Ten Mistakes, Darren and Mark talk with Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis about mistakes #5 through #1 in the countdown.    SNIPPETS:   • Identify the guide/guru/compass, which may not be a human   • The hero should not solve their own problem   • It isn’t just about what changed, but about how the character grew   • Give your audience time and room to reflect on the character’s development   • Give the hero a time limit to reach their goal   • Create and escalate conflict   • Be clear about the hero’s goal; not what, but why   • Specificity and clarity are key   • Engage the audience immediately   • Don’t open with trivialities like the weather or how nice it is to be there   1. Weak or Wandering Openings Why it matters: If you don’t hook the audience in the first 15 seconds, you risk losing them entirely. Many speakers start with platitudes or overused statements instead of tension, emotion, or curiosity.
 ✅ Fix: Begin with a vivid image, jarring question, or a clear inciting incident. (Craig Valentine: “When they’re predicting, you’re connecting.”)   2. The Main Character Lacks a Clear Goal or Stakes Why it matters: Without a specific goal and consequence, the story feels directionless and unmotivated. The audience won’t care what happens next. 
✅ Fix: Use the ABS AND section to define the character's goal, traits, and motivation.   3. Stories Skip the Struggle Why it matters: Too many stories jump from the problem to the resolution. They miss the BUT—the emotional depth, obstacles, and low point that make the payoff matter.
 ✅ Fix: Amplify conflict. Show the tension before the turn. That’s where connection lives.   4. Resolution Without Reflection Why it matters: The SO isn’t just about what changed—it’s about how the character grew, and what we can take away. When this is rushed or vague, the audience misses the lesson.
 ✅ Fix: Let the character experience change and articulate new insight. Use dialogue, emotion, and detail.   5. The Guide Isn’t Clear (or is the same person as the hero) Why it matters: Without a separate Guide figure, the story sounds like self-congratulation. That breaks trust. 
✅ Fix: Show who offered perspective, wisdom, or a framework that shifted the main character’s path.   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Over the years Darren and Mark have made…and seen…several mistakes. Today they’re joined by Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis as they discuss the mistakes they see most often…even after 30+ years of coaching. This episode feature mistakes #10 through #6 in the countdown. Avoiding these will help you to be unforgettable on the platform.   SNIPPETS:   • Avoid ending on Q & A or with a ‘THANK YOU’ slide   • Circle back to your opening and end with impact   • Can your audience see themselves in your story   • Do research and homework to relate more closely with your audience   • Use present tense and phrases like “let me take you back…”   • End with punchy, concrete words   • Show the consequences of actions NOT taken   • Be clear on what is at stake   • Avoid continuous narration   • Use dialogue, body language and facial expression for depiction   6. Too Much “Tell,” Not Enough “Show” Why it matters: Narrating facts and feelings doesn't activate the audience’s imagination. The brain craves visuals, dialogue, and motion.
 ✅ Fix: Include short bursts of scene-based storytelling. Show reactions. Use dialogue. Let us see and feel it.   7. Unclear If-Then Stakes Why it matters: Without an IF-THEN, there’s no urgency. No reason to act. No consequence for staying the same. 
✅ Fix: Highlight the risk: “If I stayed silent, we would have lost the client. If I spoke up, I might get fired.”   8. Repetitive Sentence Structures or Passive Voice Why it matters: Flat rhythms, present participles, or soft endings weaken emotional impact and energy. 
✅ Fix: Use nouns and verbs up front. End sentences with punchy, concrete words. Vary rhythm.   9. No Audience Relevance or Personalization Why it matters: Some stories sound good but don’t connect. If the audience can’t see themselves in it, they tune out.
 ✅ Fix: Ask the reflective question during the story: “Have you ever felt like that?” or “What would you have done in that moment?”   10. Ending With a Fizzle, Not a Frame Why it matters: If the ending feels rushed, abstract, or purely emotional, the story won’t stick. 
✅ Fix: Reframe the opening or image in a new way. Bring the story full circle. Land with clarity and resonance.   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

At some point in your speaking career, you will have to travel…sometimes overseas…and it’s important to be prepared. Proper preparation includes getting ready for your presentation, and more. Darren and Mark break down their preparation process and provide tools to help any speaker prepare for their unforgettable presentation.    SNIPPETS:   • Prepare tech tools for your presentation   • Prepare to be present   • Create a TRAVEL CHECKLIST   • Bring travel adapters/chargers   • Pack for at least one extra day   • Keep a travel event folder with contact info, travel and event itinerary, etc.   • Make copies of your passport   • Learn about your audience, get an attendee list, connect on LinkedIn   • Make sure you have the correct visa for specific international locations   • Secure a Letter of Invitation if required for international events   • Use gift cards and your books as gifts for the tech team, drivers, event staff   • Do venue walkthrough post-event to ensure you have chargers, cables, drives   • Prepare your unforgettable presentation   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com  

Perhaps you’ve seen a poor introduction, or a well-written one poorly delivered. In this episode, Mark and Darren give insight into the power of a video introduction and share two examples to show how a good video introduction can help you to be unforgettable.    SNIPPETS: • A good video intro connects your audience to you   • It connects your audience to your subject   • Keep the content simple   • Include still photos   • It tells a story in itself   • It’s a teaser to create curiosity   • Include royalty-free music   • If using text, limit the text to one line per slide   • Each line of text can be a cliffhanger   • Be creative   • You can’t edit what you don’t create   • Use resources like 99Designs, Fiverr and Upwork   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

LinkedIn has become the business ‘go-to’ platform, but many users haven’t been using it properly. Today, Mark and Darren talk with LinkedIn expert Richard Bliss about the mistakes and best practices for maximizing LinkedIn to accelerate your business.    SNIPPETS:   • LinkedIn is a business platform   • Don’t use LinkedIn like social media platforms   • Social media activities are counterproductive on LinkedIn   • Emojis can interfere with the intent of your content   • Emojis have different meanings to different demographics   • Leave insightful comments on people’s posts, not just ‘likes’   • 3X5 Rule: Comment 3X daily, for 5 days each week   • Apply the Human Algorithm, investing in relationships before connecting   • Write posts of 120 words or fewer, spacing every 3 lines   • In your ABOUT profile, be INTERESTED before being INTERESTING   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Webster’s Dictionary defines The 11th Hour as “the latest possible time before it’s too late.” Today Darren and Mark give examples of 11th hour speaking situations and offer advice on how to be unforgettable by performing professionally at the 11th hour.   SNIPPETS:   • We are paid to make 11th hour decisions   • True professionals perform at the 11th hour   • Be aware that meeting planners often face 11th hour challenges   • Build relationships by serving others in their 11th hour   • Be aware that people around you may be in their 11th hour   • Be the meeting planner’s favorite   • Be prepared for 11th hour situations   • Make yourself available for 11th hour assignments   • Be the 11th hour presenter   • Learn all you can about events, so you don’t miss 11th hour opportunities   • Don’t wait for 11th hour coaching   • Think of ways to improve on what landed     Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

When reviewing their speech recordings, speakers often look for what DIDN’T go well. Today, Mark and Darren invite you to focus on the positive, and to look first for what LANDED. This will help you to identify your strengths, and approach areas for improvement with a positive mindset.    SNIPPETS:   • Find the magic moments   • Determine what worked   • Identify the times you connected   • Gauge audience reaction   • We can’t see our best while we are on the stage   • Look for times when you say something differently in the moment   • Dissect the presentation   • Notice where microexpressions make a difference   • Your tone of voice and facial expressions can be impactful   • Examine characters and decide: ‘remove or remain?’   • Think of ways to improve on what landed   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

  Have you considered re-writing one of your previous stories? In today’s episode, Darren and Mark encourage you to examine your previous presentations with the goal of improving, enhancing, and re-writing. A re-write can elevate your content, enhance your performance, and most importantly amplify your impact.    SNIPPETS: • Great speeches aren’t written; they’re re-written   • Revisit previous presentations   • Watch videos of your speeches   • Review with a critical eye   • Identify what you did well, and areas for improvement   • Make review and re-write part of your routine   • Put ‘WORLD CLASS TIME’ on your calendar   • Start with one area…a story/idea/slide deck/segment   • Choose when to replace narration with dialog   • Examine characters and decide: ‘remove or remain?’   • Seek ways to enhance the audience’s experience     Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com