Public Speaking and Presentation Skills - Tips and Techniques That Really Work

What Does It Really Take To Be A Seminar Speaking Success?

I hear a lot of talk about how to be a success in different fields, and this comes many times from otherwise reputable sources.

It's easy to sit on top of a mountain and say "hey, it's easy, just climb on up, here's what you need to know..."

Speaking to you as someone who taught karate for the better part of 20 years, I can tell you without any reservation that 99.9% of the people who achieve a black belt or higher completely forget what it's like to be a total beginner.

And it's the same with many people who are successful in various fields.

I can tell you that with my Seminar Speaking Success students (and my Karate students) I have never, ever forgotten what it's like to be a Shoshinsha (a beginner).

I always, always, always look through the eyes of my students.

Anyway, you hear lots of talk from the "top of the mountain" that in order to be successful you have to be focused, visualize your goals clearly, manage your time well, etc. etc. etc.

Here's my experience - the number one most important quality to become successful - to be a Seminar Speaking Success or any other kind - is sheer persistence.

Dogged determination. Never giving up. Or, giving up but then getting back up and trying again anyway. And again. And again.

Frankly, I became a black belt Karate instructor and a Seminar Speaking Success through sheer perseverance. Not through focus or visualizing or any of that other stuff. Pure perseverance is what will make you a success too.

And, of course, using my proven strategies for Seminar Speaking Success!

With my strategies plus your determination and perseverance, you have no other option but to become a Seminar Speaking Success!

Dedicated to maximizing YOUR Seminar Speaking Success (and income) -
David

Labels: What Does It Really Take To Be A Seminar Speaking Success?

Something You Won't Want To Hear...

I'm a big fan of goal-getting systems.

Especially ones that work.

And I've investigated quite a number of them for many, many years.

When it comes to seminar speaking success, setting your goals can be a very important part of achieving your goals. But I'd be careful about what goal achievement system you use.

Now, here's the part that you - and most people - don't want to hear.

And, that you won't hear in most goal achievement systems.

If one of the steps in the goal achievement system is NOT "now determine precisely what you're willing to sacrifice in order to achieve your goal" then that goal achievement system is crap.

Harsh, I know. But better you find out now than after you've been lying on the couch visualizing your dreams coming true, but they don't.

There is a Zen saying: "only the empty hand can receive". You'll have to let go of something if you want to get something. That something to let go of will be something like time, money, free time, relationships, peace of mind, and so forth. Here's the reality: if you're not willing to sacrifice to get what you want, you should just forget about that dream.

No one has every achieved anything without having to make sacrifices. I'm telling you this to save you a lot of wasted time and money.

You're welcome.

Disagree? Have a different viewpoint? Think I'm hitting the bull's eye? Feel free to post your comments right here on my blog.

Dedicated to maximizing your income and success with speaking & seminars...
David

Labels: Something You Won't Want To Hear...

Upcoming Books on Seminar Speaking Success:
I'm proud to announce that I've got three books in the works that will be published shortly.

My publisher informs me that he's putting the final pieces into place for a book I wrote on Seminar Speaking Success - this book will be chock full of tips on that topic. Plus I've written two other books that will follow shortly, I'll keep you posted - all of them will be available in major bookstores as well as Amazon. Naturally, you can contact me direct if you want me to autograph a copy and get it off to you.

By the way, yes, I wrote every word of all three books. Writing books is not for the faint of heart, as you've heard me describe in previous blog posts. It's a LOT of hard work. But it's very rewarding, so here's my advice to you if you think you don't have the time or energy to devote to writing a book yourself:

Discipline yourself to write one page per day. At the end of the year, you'll have 2 things: 1. a 300+ page book. 2. Increased discipline and self-esteem and self-confidence.

Dedicated to your maximizing your income and success through speaking and seminars -
David

Labels: Upcoming Books on Seminar Speaking Success

Are You Doing Seminars To Make Money?

What's your purpose for doing seminars?

A colleague of mine does them to motivate people to self-improvement. She also has some books and tapes for sale. Another client of mine is a large financial services office, and they do them to generate new business. Another client of mine is an expert in men's attire and how to use that as a tool in business and in life to succeed.

If you are doing seminars to make money, I have a strong word of caution: don't expect to make your money from the speaking or seminar part - if you do, you're barking up the wrong tree.

Sadly, too many business people focus on "did this seminar make money" and that is to their detriment because that's not where the money is made.

So, where IS the money made, then?

The money is made in sales of your product, service, and your consulting fees - in other words, the real money is made after your seminar.

Dedicated to multiplying your income and success through seminar speaking -
David

Labels: Are You Doing Seminars To Make Money?

Image, Not The Issues, Will Decide Next U.S. President
Frankly, if you don't mind me saying so, I hope that this statement bothers you.

It bothers me.

In reality, the run for party nominations currently all over the media and even the race to win the presidency is - if you stop to think about it - one giant long-running seminar.

How so?

Because all of the candidates get up and speak in front of groups attempting to persuade them to back their candidacy, right? How's that different from you getting up in front of groups in a seminar attempting to persuade them to do business with you, buy your product or service?

It's not different at all.

But what about the 'bother' part, anyway?

Like it or not - accept it or not - the truth is that just like the old saying "it ain't what you say, it's how you say it that counts", people back back their choice of candidate because they believe they'll win, are more electable, and ultimately simply because they find this candidate more likable than the other choice(s), or less UNlikable than the others.

In other words, ultimately it's NOT their stand on the issues that sways a voters final decision in the voting booth - it's "how they feel about him/her" and that's based on IMAGE.

Period.

That should bother us because IT SHOULD BE ABOUT THE ISSUES!

But it's not.

How does that apply to us - you and me - who want to influence people in our seminars to do business with us?

I'll continue in my next blog post in the next day or so, see you then!

Truly, sincerely, seriously dedicated to maximizing your business success and income through speaking and seminars -

David

Labels: Image, Not The Issues, Will Decide Next U.S. President

Is Anyone Really "UP" All The Time?
How are you feeling today?

Me?-thanks for asking - a little low energy for some reason. I've been taking good care of myself, but maybe a small cold or something is moving through.

So, what's this got to do with successful seminars??
The reality is we all have good days, better days, and not so great days for whatever reason. Our moods and energy is like the tides, up and down over time. And I don't know about you, but when my energy is low for whatever reason, things don't look as rosy and I don't feel as motivated.

But I'm here to help motivate you and keep you going. Part of the reason I write this blog every day (or at least almost every day!) is to help you to "keep your eyes on the prize" because even when your energy is 100% and you feel like you can conquer the world, it's still easy to lose motivation about moving your seminars forward.

I can't tell you how many times I almost quit going to Karate class or stopped playing guitar or other things that create a lot of value in my life. Looking back, I see that the top quality that got me to be a black belt and a seminar expert is sheer persistence, day-in day-out dogged determination.

So, when you're feeling low for whatever reason, I hope you'll take some time to review some of my previous posts and just pick yourself up and keep going no matter what. Later, you'll look back at all of the income and business you generated doing seminars, and you'll be glad you stuck with it.

Now I'm going to take my own advice and even though I'm feeling a little low, I'm going to keep plugging away - I've got 2 books coming out soon (one may be published as early as next week!) and I've got a whole lot of exciting things coming up!

No matter what, hang in there. Keep going. You'll reap the rewards and you'll be glad you kept going!

Dedicated to maximizing your business income and success through seminars -
David

Labels: Is Anyone Really "UP" All The Time?

Why You MUST Create Gripping, Captivating Seminar Titles:

Your seminar title is key to your seminar success, and here's why - think of it this way: when you read newspaper or a magazine, it's highly unlikely that you read each article, in order, and read every word of every article.

It's much more likely that you scan the paper's headlines looking for something that captures your interest. Headlines that don't grab your attention get ignored, but headlines that do grab your attention get explored more deeply to see what they're about.

Your seminar title is exactly the same. If your seminar title does NOT grab someone's attention, they will simply ignore your seminar.

You could have the greatest, most informative seminar that will really help people and bring in a flood of new business - but that will never happen if you have a bland, boring seminar title.

Starting tomorrow I'll begin giving you concrete examples of GREAT seminar titles that will grab people's attention and force them to want to know more - and come to your seminar!

Dedicated to maximizing your business success and income through speaking and seminars -
David

Labels: Captivating Seminar Titles, Why You MUST Create Gripping

Using Male and Female "Energy" in Seminars:

You should be aware that if you are a male or a female (and chances are you are one or the other) you will automatically project male or female energy.

Now, of course, some men are more masculine than others. Same with women - some are more masculine compared with other women. And of course when it comes to femininity, some men and women exude that more than others as well.

But let me get to the point, in the form of asking you a question:

Are you able to deliver your seminar and adjust your male or female energy at will?

There will be times when this is extremely useful to you, and I'll give you just one example to stir your imagination here:

What if you are a woman, and you'll have to deliver a presentation, speech or seminar in front of a room full of males - and just for fun, let's say most or all of these guys belong to "the good ol' boys club". You know that club, right? They mostly believe that a woman's place is in the kitchen, right? Hey, this may be 2008, but you're fooling yourself if you think that mentality does not exist and persist to this very day.

Anyway, given the above scenario, ladies, the cards are stacked against you. You have an instant credibility problem to overcome.

What about the opposite scenario - you're a macho guy and you're going to speak to a woman's organization that fights for women's rights. Yikes! You'd better be able to know how to tone down your macho energy if you want to get your message across, my man!

How do you do it? Simple: learn to adjust your body posture to be more like a man stands and moves and gestures, and also how a woman tends to stand, gesture, posture.

Watch a woman speak in front of a group, then compare to how men speak - NOT the words - focus only on the body posture, movements and gestures. You'll see for yourself that there are definite differences. Simply memorize those differences and practice taking on the physical attributes that go along with each.

Net result: you have much more flexibility in delivering to mostly male or mostly female groups! And, your results will be much better for it.

Dedicated to maximizing your success and income with speaking and seminars -
David
PS: Not signed up for the ASA Seminar Success Daily Quick Tips?- it's fast, easy and best of all free - click here for more info.

Labels: Using Male and Female "Energy" in Seminars