Ep. 266 DO THEY KNOW?

Ping: (verb) to send a signal to (a device) in order to determine its status or location.   As presenters, we must be sure that our audiences receive our message. We ‘ping’ in order to determine our audience’s status (engagement/understanding) and location (presence.) Today Darren and Mark drill down on ‘pinging’ and share how pinging, when done well, can leave a lasting impact.   SNIPPETS:   • Check in with the audience   • Confirm their thought process   • Make an emotional connection   • Are they following you   • Can they relate   • Do they fully comprehend   • Read the audience’s reaction   • Ping and Pause                                             • Do you ping enough   • Do you ping at the right moments   • Ping for deeper connection and lasting impact  

Imagine being on stage for the FIRST TIME, telling a deeply personal and emotional story that you’ve NEVER told before, to an audience of executives. How would you navigate ? Today Darren and Mark get answers form Monika, a coaching client from Australia who faced that exact situation recently. She openly shares her fears and triumphs, as well as the process that helped her to deliver an unforgettable presentation.    SNIPPETS: • Don’t underestimate the power of your personal story   • Use the power of your mind to overcome your fear   • You don’t know you can until you try   • Take a leap of faith and   • Step out of your comfort zone   • Putting yourself out there is powerful   • If you feel afraid, you SHOULD tell your story   • Use a stage plan to help you to anchor the stages of your story                                             • Sharing your vulnerabilities can be empowering   • Good coaching is a game changer

You've just completed an engagement, and the event planner gives you a 5-star rating because you kicked butt! What next? What more can you do to maintain world class standards and service and elevate your game? Using one of his very recent experiences, Mark talks with Darren about proven practices to help any presenter shine after a successful event and remain unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Ask: how can I provide more value   • Ask: How can I multiply what I have provided   • Get testimonials   • Screenshot comments on social media, messaging services and e-mails   • Get LinkedIn with event attendees   • ALWAYS have a debrief call with the event planner   • Give the attendees a reason to share your value                                             • Share testimonials/surveys with the event planner and bureau (if applicable)   • Capitalize on the high of the moment   • Offer to provide more than a presentation

Do your clients and prospects know how much you have to offer? Mark and Darren discuss more than a dozen additional ways that you can serve your clients, and techniques for making meeting planners aware.   SNIPPETS:   • Add value   • Let them know during your pitch   • Reinforce during pre-event call   • Remind them during your follow-up meeting   • Put additional offerings in the contract/agreement   • Seed additional services during your presentation   • No need to sell from the stage                                             • Use TalkaDot   • Have a verbal Linktree conversation   • Pass a clipboard to collect information   • Use your newsletter • Give away your book during your presentation                                                                                                          

Sometimes, life happens. It’s inevitable. Today, Darren opens up about a personal tragedy, as he and Mark explore ways to navigate life’s challenges and remain unforgettable.    SNIPPETS:   • Life will happen   • You are not alone   • Accept help   • Tap into your professional network and mastermind   • Ask for grace   • Take care of yourself   • Call, or send e-mail to your clients and associates                                             • How can your tragedy help others?   • What can you still do amidst your challenge…even from the road?   • Have a backup plan   • Who can you recommend as your replacement • When life happens to your peers, would they call YOU?                                                                                                          

Change is constant and as presenters, we must stay relevant. Today Darren and Mark explore ways for us to stay current, stay relevant and become unforgettable.    SNIPPETS:   • Seek to serve your audience   • Update websites, slide decks, and demo videos regularly   • Stay aware of industry changes   • Be aware of what’s ‘top of mind’ in your area of expertise   • Constantly look for relevant stories and events   • Look for the ‘emotional juice.’   • Update your references, quotes, and content                                             • Get familiar with new and emerging technology   • Learn about current hot topics   • Explore new tools (TALKADOT etc.)   • Use your network and mastermind • Use Google search ‘NEWS’ option for client organization updates

What does it take to truly become the speaker everyone loves and a master of your craft? Mark and Darren offer a ‘mathematical formula’ and a process to not only become a master, but to be unforgettable as well.    SNIPPETS:   • It starts with a decision to master your craft   • Commit to the work   • Put in the EFFORT   • Multiply EFFORT by a PROVEN PROCESS   • Use the CORE 4 PROCESS   • Learn how to make each step better   • Add a QUALIFIED COACH                                             • Tweak your technique   • Learn what your audience needs from you   • Master your craft and create your process   • Give your audience your process and help them grow

Emerging presenters often wonder, “Should I join the National Speakers Association? Toastmasters? Both?” Darren and Mark ask and answer these questions while sharing the benefits of both organizations.    SNIPPETS: • Learn the art and business of speaking   • Both organizations are valuable   • Toastmasters is a wonderful place to make mistakes   • NSA provides business-building tools and expertise   • Toastmasters provides a friendly practice audience   • NSA helps build professional relationships   • Visit 3 Toastmasters clubs                                             • Attend an NSA meeting as a guest   • Find out how you can serve each organization   • Both provide mentorship   • Visit both NSA and Toastmasters for what you can get, and what you can give

Jeff Rogers, a fairly new member of the National Speakers Association, is the winner of NSA’s LAST STORY STANDING storytelling competition. He and Mike Davis…one of his coaches…chat with Mark and Darren about his intent, his process, and the lessons he learned on his journey to the first-place trophy.   SNIPPETS: • Seek to build relationships first   • Enter contests to learn   • Work with a coach to sharpen your story   • Step away from your ego   • Don’t just tell the story; enact it   • Show your characters’ perspective   • Don’t be the hero of your own story                                             • Your story’s hero can be a CONCEPT   • Stay in your style; don’t let anyone coach you out of it   • Go down with YOUR message   • Practice, then go play

Rotary Speech Contest, Story SLAM, MOTH, Last Story Standing, World Championship of Public Speaking, and more. Speech competitions abound, and today Darren and Mark are joined by Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis as they face the question: “Why compete?” Their answers provide the myriad benefits of competing.    SNIPPETS: • Get better faster, grow, and improve quickly   • Breakthroughs come from experience, and experience comes from competing   • Transcend your comfort zone   • Get coaches - plural   • Competition pushes you to work harder   • Get a higher level of feedback   • Push to be your best at your competition’s level of excellence   • Build confidence                                             • Learn lasting techniques from the best   • Apply discipline and a process   • Work against a clock with deadlines