Ep. 332 FIVE WAYS TO BECOME A CHARACTER VOCALLY

Audience members can have different experiences depending on where they sit in a meeting venue. Darren and Mark explain and give some sage advice on how the meeting space can maximize your audience's experience.     SNIPPETS: • Arrive at the venue at least a day early if possible   • Sit in the four 'worst' seats in the house   • See what the audience sees   • If necessary, reset the angle of large screens in conference rooms   • Be aware of distracting sounds from neighboring breakout rooms   • Ask: "What is the audience HEARING?"   • Move the platform lectern to the side and back if feasible   • Educate meeting/event planners about logistical concerns   • Make the environment conducive to learning   • Ask: "What adjustments can I make to facilitate learning?"   • Make it a habit to connect with the four corners of the room   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Last week Darren and Mark shared effective ways to embody characters physically. Today, they share the impact that we can have when we do the same with vocal techniques.     SNIPPETS: • Selectively use dialogue instead of narration   • Vary your vocal volume   • Volume variances depict emotion   • Energy and intensity do not have to be loud   • Modify vocal pitch appropriately   • Different speaking rates can show demeanor and state of mind   • Use congruent facial expressions   • Attitude and posture can say a lot about a character   • Body language will show emotion   • Stress, fatigue, pain, and illness can be portrayed with body language   • Employ an accent when comfortable, competent, and confident   • Be careful not to offend when using accents   • Use age-appropriate vocal characterizations   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Our stories are more vivid when we embody the characters, and today, Mark and Darren explore simple yet effective ways to embody characters physically. With these techniques, characters are easily identifiable without a word.      SNIPPETS:   • Use their gait and walk as the character would walk   • Identify and portray mannerisms   • Observe family members to show character quirks – 'QUIRKOLOGY'   • Suspend quirky movements to show emotional change   • Look for your own mannerisms by recording and watching yourself on video   • Use congruent facial expressions   • Attitude and posture can say a lot about a character   • Body language will show emotion   • Stress, fatigue, pain, and illness can be portrayed with body language   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

It's always helpful to know your audience's pain points. However, your pain points can be an avenue to building a relationship with them. Today, Darren and Mark share how to do just that, with ideas that can help you be unforgettable.     SNIPPETS:   • Explore your pain points   • Pain points are connectors   • Give your audience the gift of your story   • Capture your pain points and the lessons learned   • Find common pain points in travel stories   • Uncover the joy in your pain   • Your pain can change their perspective   • There is power in your pain   • Your pain story can trigger your audience's memories and experiences   • Ask yourself: "What was my worst (fill in the blank)   • Ask friends and family about frustrations and pet peeves   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Once in a while, an audience is less emotive than most, leaving a speaker to wonder, "Are they listening?" Mark and Darren discuss that question today while providing perspective, context, and solid suggestions for presenting well in those circumstances.     SNIPPETS:   • Always be present   • Bring your 'A GAME'   • Don't let a stoic audience affect your mission   • External factors may affect audience response   • Not every audience emotes   • Create an environment that is conducive to listening   • Be aware of the atmosphere and read the room   • Consider the context of the event   • Look for the audience member who is ALL-IN   • Feed the audience members who feed you   • Find a way to eliminate a center aisle when possible   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

"I just need…" is a phrase that eager speakers often use when asking for advice. Oftentimes it's followed by "a few tweaks," "a punch-up," "to add humor," "a little polish," or something similar.   Today, Darren and Mark analyze this simple phrase and offer a perspective that will inspire you to examine it more closely. This episode will help you identify what you REALLY need, to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • You don't know what you don't know   • Don't just add a little humor; uncover it   • Your NEED could only be a WANT   • You may need much more than you think you do   • Learn what you need by watching yourself on video   • Consult pros and experts   • Change "I just need" to "What do I need?"   • Set ego aside   • Determine what's best for your audience   • Leave no stone unturned as you strive to serve your audience   • Seek ways to improve on every presentation     Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

There is a popular adage that says, "If you don't ask, the answer is always 'No'." In this episode, Mark and Darren talk about the benefits of asking for guidance, and how to respond, regardless of the answer. Asking can be your game-changer.   SNIPPETS:   • The answer is in the asking   • When you ask, you can become a mentor magnet   • Ask humbly, sincerely, honestly, and respectfully   • Learn all you can during your client pre-event call   • Ask more than one person/expert   • Be coachable and take their advice   • Respect their time and expertise   • Clarify your intent behind your ask   • Don't ask another question until you've followed the previous instructions   • Be understanding when the answer is 'No.'   • Don't take 'No' personally   • If the answer is 'No', ask for a referral or another resource   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

One way to increase audience buy-in is to customize your presentation.  Today, Darren and Mark dive into the why and how of customization. Applying these ideas will help any presenter to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • Customizing isn't just using the company's logo and name on your slides   • Do some homework and conduct research on your client   • Get permission to speak with 10 significant audience members beforehand   • Learn all you can during your client pre-event call   • Two weeks in advance, find out what's top-of-mind for your audience   • Arrive at the event at least a day early   • Attend mixers and social gatherings at the event   • Pay attention to hallway conversations   • Connect your material to their world   • Be flexible enough to make adjustments in the moment   • Use the Fripp Speech Model; it is easily customizable   • Replace one of your stories/examples with one from your client   • Take photos and video at the event and insert them into your presentation   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

To truly win your audience, you must identify and address their pain points.  In this episode, Mark and Darren discuss the importance of understanding them and offer suggestions for uncovering them.   SNIPPETS: • Pain points are triggers   • Learn your audience's pet peeves, pain points, and frustrations   • Identify what's top-of-mind to your audience   • Our responsibility is to connect our content to their pain   • Understanding pain points shows that you care   • To connect, you must first understand   • Understanding pain points can help you build community   • Research and confirm their pain points   • ASK about their pain points   • Stories from your life will connect to your audience's experience   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University:

The business of speaking can bring myriad complications and stressors.  But in the midst of all that, Darren and Mark offer a reminder to enjoy the privilege of the speaking experience. Remaining joyful despite all that comes our way, will help those around us to see us as unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Choose to find the fun…and the funny   • Remember your WHY   • Accept the challenges that come in the industry   • Relax. Breathe. Focus   • Use your frustrations as speech material   • Never lose perspective   • Don't forget the privilege   • Be thankful for the opportunity