Ep. 247 FOUR STANDING OVATIONS

Speakers make a common mistake when seeking audience participation. They ask “HOW MANY of you…” That question needs a NUMERICAL response. Today Darren and Mark explain how to ask BETTER questions, and how to use the audience’s non-verbal response to enhance their own experience.   SNIPPETS: • How would you say it over coffee to one person   • Use the language of a conversation   • Respect the versatility of the word YOU’   • Ask you-focused questions   • Put the audience into your story                                             • Tap into their world, and transport them into yours   • Give the audience time to answer questions in their heads   • Read the audience   • Acknowledge their responses, even non-verbal                                             • Take inventory of the questions that you ask   • Ask yourself, “Is there a better way to ask that question?”                                             • Speaking is dialogue, not monologue

Speakers sometimes ask for help making tweaks, adding humor, or finding more powerful stories…a few days before their presentation. All too often, it’s just too late. Today, Darren and Mark share their experience with speakers who have waited too long, explain the benefits of getting help early, and offer advice on how to avoid waiting until it’s too late.   SNIPPETS: • Get a speaking coach sooner   • Speech contestants, don’t assume you will reach a certain level automatically   • Stop making changes several days before the presentation. Freeze the design   • Don’t expect last-minute miracles   • Get help perfecting your script before focusing on stagecraft                                             • Getting help early has several benefits   • You will be more confident   • You will have stronger content   • You will find your best stories                                             • You will uncover humor in time to perfect it   • You will present more effectively                                             • You will deliver a more unforgettable presentation

You can’t teach everything you know in an hour. (At least we hope not!) So, if you are a speaker, consultant or coach are you allowing people to take more of your wisdom home? Anyone can write a book, but do you have the right book? Do you offer it in your proposals? What if you could wave your speaking fee and still earn revenue. Darren sits down with his publisher, Henry Devires to get some insights from experience. Why other experience does Henry offer? "The Agency Owner Book Guy" | Author of Marketing With A Book For Agency Owners | Agency Owner News | Agency owner TV show host | Professional Speaker | CEO of Indie Books | Ghostwriter & Writer for Forbes.com & Inc.com   SNIPPETS: • Henry’s background   • Tapping into other budgets   • Why the right book matters   • What is an independent publisher?   • 3 Critical Mistakes author’s make   • It easier, faster and more affordable now than in the 1990’s   • The two biggest book revolutions publishing in the past 20 years   • Persistently helpful   • Success stories from Henry’s authors   • Write the Right Book Workshop

Every time you introduce a character in your story, you have an opportunity for humor.  Quirky characters are familiar, engaging, and create memorable moments in presentations.  Darren is joined by Television Writer & Producer Chris McGuire to discuss the people in our stories and how to make them unforgettable.     SNIPPETS: • Use quirky characters to create memorable moments that enhance speaker relatability with the audience.   • Character traits are the qualities that make a character memorable.  (Brave, smart, loyal) Quirks are exaggerated, unusual or unexpected qualities that add humor or intrigue to stories.   • Base your characters in reality and avoid making logical jumps that lead the audience to “crazytown.”   • Use the following quirks to make your characters memorable: Distinctive habits, ususual interests, eccentric speech patterns, exaggerated fashion and physical traits.   • Good joke formats for explaining quirks include “They were so [QUALITY]m that BLANK.” Or, “They’re the type of person who [GIVE EXAMPLE OF QUIRK]                                             • Use comedic twists to introduce quirks   • Quirks usually involve something the characters in your stories don’t know about each other.   • When using twists, you set expectations and then subvert them.   • Use sparingly or risk the audience noticing the “magic trick.”

How do four inexperienced presenters, who have never delivered a presentation to an audience of 1,000 people before, each get STANDING OVATIONS? Mark and Darren review their recent experience coaching four CEOs to deliver deeply personal 8-minute stories to their peers in the Young Presidents’ Organization. The lessons learned are invaluable and will help you to deliver your unforgettable presentation.   SNIPPETS: • Invest energy an effort   • Be coachable   • Practice, practice, practice   • Rehearse handling distractions   • Trust your instinct about what works well for YOU                                             • Talk to your coach about your ideas   • Tell your story in your own unique way   • Find your 11…that which makes you stand out   • Build a relationship with your coach                                             • Learn from others who have given similar presentations   • Don’t focus on a standing ovation

Humor is necessary to make a presentation interesting and entertaining. Uncovering humor can be a challenge, and to learn more about how to get more laughs, Mark and Darren sit down with Hollywood comedy writer and humor expert Chris McGuire. Chris shares tips and techniques for uncovering humor and being unforgettably funny.   SNIPPETS: • Use levity at the beginning of your presentation   • Connection with the audience is critical; always connect first   • Find out what the event attendees have in common   • Use People, Places, Things, Events, Sayings, and the Weather   • Be sensitive and avoid potentially offensive material   • Only poke gentle fun at things that folks can change, like haircuts & clothing   • Learn about your client’s industry   • Get interesting, unusual or significant details about the event location                                             • Get information from the client and venue’s websites   • Review event itinerary/schedule   • Connect the location to well-known celebrities if possible                                             • Look for awards humor

As presenters, we should expect the unexpected. At times, we will encounter unexpected circumstances and situations, and today Darren and Mark discuss steps that we can take to not only adapt, but to give our audiences unforgettable experiences.   SNIPPETS: • Assess the situations   • Explore options   • Use creativity   • Go heart-to-heart with the event planner   • Let go of your ego                                             • Adjust your presentation as needed   • Ask: How can I best serve my client and my audience   • Always have slide decks for different presentation lengths   • Learn about your audience and adjust your references if necessary                                             • Take an improv class

You want to ‘make it’ in the speaking business so you seek advice from a seasoned pro. Are you willing to take their advice…even if it’s hard to receive? Mark and Darren talk about advice they have received…and given…that some people don’t accept. These poignant nuggets of wisdom can help any presenter along the path to becoming unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Get your sea legs   • Find a way to give 100 speeches   • Invest the effort to get XXX rated…Xperience, Xpertise and Xposure.   • Take and pass the ‘book test’   • Get stage time from service clubs, Toastmasters and more                                             • Speak for free before you speak for fee   • Pay the mountain   • Do what others won’t   • Speak virtually even if it’s uncomfortable                                             • GET A COACH

You have just attended a conference, heard good speakers, and received powerful content. You walk away with a folder full of notes, e-mail addresses and phone numbers. NOW what should you do? Darren and Mark share best practices to keep your enthusiasm and momentum alive and productively take full advantage of the event experience.   SNIPPETS: • Review KEEPERS and ACTION ITEMS   • Prioritize ONE ACTION and follow through on that action consistently   • Connect with another attendee as an accountability partner   • Create a mastermind with other attendees   • Connect with fellow speakers and attendees on LinkedIn                                             • Connect with the event planner and thank them   • Eliminate items that create bad habits   • Apply the principles your learned                                             • Revisit your notes from the last event you attended and take ONE ACTION

You have just presented at an event and after all your hard work planning, preparing, and presenting, what should you do? Today Mark and Darren offer solid suggestions to help you stay on top of your game after every speaking event.   SNIPPETS:   • Schedule a day off   • Block time for your family, even if they are at the event with you   • Don’t ruin your “speaker’s high”   • Debrief with the client within a week   • Treat the debrief as a sales call   • Connect with fellow speakers and attendees on LinkedIn                                             • Ask for other opportunities to serve