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

Fear of Public Speaking & Stage Fright: Is This Good Advice ?-You Be The Judge!

2008-08-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Fear of Public Speaking & Stage Fright: Is This Good Advice ?-You Be The Judge!

I went to Google and typed in "Fear of Public Speaking", and here's what I found:

Now, of course, I'm skipping the paid listings on top and the paid listings on the side from Google's Adwords program, and just going with the "natural" organic listings.

In position #1, is a website by Morton C. Orman, M.D. (who better to learn public speaking skills from but a medical Dr., eh?) and his website is www.StressCure.com. I think the good Dr. makes a number of good points in his report "How to Conquer Public Speaking Fear".

Dr. Orman outlines 10 key principles. Now, I don't know Dr. Orman personally, but I think his 10 principles are good - in principle. Although much of what the good Dr. writes falls under what I'd classify as "traditional advice" you'll find in any library book, it is all good advice nonetheless.

But going beyond giving Dr. Orman a nice pat on the back and an "A for effort", I'd also offer the following critique, or more to the point, the following important distinction about his advice.

First, you should read his "11 Hidden Causes Of Public Speaking Stress" yourself which is part of the same article. Hint: look for repeated words.

Have you reviewed it yet?

Again, while everything Dr. Orman says is good advice, ultimately this advice does not work in the real world for most people - and by the way, when I say "most people" I'm referring to the fact that over the years I've done workshops on Fear of Public Speaking and How to Conquer Stage Fright and I've taught and tried out E-V-E-R-Y technique on myself and my hundreds and hundreds (if not thousands) of students.

So, what's the common denominator? What's the key repeated keyword?

Look closely, and you'll notice that it's "thinking". All the advice, while good advice, is about having some kind of mental shift. Having an intellectual understanding.

However, and here's the bad news, Understanding does not cause change!

Feel free to quote me on that.

Look: people go to therapy sessions and spend years talking about their problems. One of my family members has been in therapy for more than 25 years now, spent many thousands of dollars, and understands her problem very well... but still has her problem!

Understanding does not cause change. I will bet that our good Dr. is very well educated, very intelligent, and very cerebral. So naturally his advice on conquering stage fright and fear of public speaking is based on his most highly preferred method of operating in the world: thinking and understanding.

But, and this is a BIG but - change happens on a gut level, not a cerebral level. Right now I won't go into a lot of detail about the dynamics and details of that, but that is the bottom line: understanding does not cause change, change happens on a gut level.

Fear of public speaking, like all fear, is a gut level reaction to perceived danger. If you want to transform that fear, you need to do it on a gut level. The techniques my students learn in my workshops don't require any understandings or intellectualizing. The techniques I teach operate on a gut level to instantly (yes, instantly) cause a different reaction than fear.

It's my experience and the experience of my students that stuff like "knowing your audience wants you to succeed" and other intellectual understandings really just don't cut the mustard; your gut doesn't care about that stuff!

Frankly, this kind of cerebral intellectual advice makes up 99.99% of the "techniques" people teach to conquer stage fright and fear of public speaking. It's almost as if Adam & Eve wrote a book on this topic way back in the beginning, and everyone after that has been copying that book without bothering to find out if it really works or not!

Public Speaking & Presentation Skills - 2 Critical Points

2008-08-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking & Presentation Skills - 2 Critical Points

If you're going to do any kind of public speaking at all, and if you only do one thing to improve your skill and get much better results, that you need to pay attention to 2 critical points in your presentation:

The very first words that come out of your mouth, and - you guessed it! - the very last words you say.

The first words you speak, according to a very strong strategy, should be what is known as a "grabber". Think of this like the headline of a newspaper or magazine article - you're flipping pages looking for something that "grabs" your attention.

Your grabber needs to make people say to themselves "that can't be true!" or "you've got to be kidding me!" or "that can't be true" or "what!? I didn't know that!".

An opening grabber right up front means people are sitting up and paying attention.

Just as important - and perhaps even more important - are your last words. Don't fall apart here with some weak drivel like most speakers do. Clearly and concisely outline exactly what action you want people to take.

It's best if you can close with a strong incentive to take some action, and your close should follow a very tight summary of your presentation.

Now, go to www.SeminarAcademy.com and sign up for my weekly Success Quick Tips because you'll get all kinds of juicy tips for free and automatically sent to you without you having to lift a finger.

See you tomorrow!
David

Why All Public Speaking Is Actually Marketing & Sales

2008-08-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Why All Public Speaking Is Actually Marketing & Sales:

When you do any kind of public speaking, ultimately you're in reality doing marketing and sales.

I don't care if you're speaking in front of a classroom giving a book report, making a speech at a wedding, delivering a presentation to the board of directors, or speaking at a community organization, or standing up to speak at a local government hearing.

In every single case, HOW you say what you say will determine success or failure.

And that means you're always positioning yourself, and you're always selling yourself. Marketing = positioning, sales = selling.

It's that simple.

You know where most people go wrong? They think their ability to speak to persuade or influence is based entirely and exclusively on WHAT they say, the content of their speech or talk or presentation.

Wrong, wrong, WRONG!

The old expression "it aint what you say, it's how you say it that matters" is one of the truest sayings out there.

But do you think this only applies to speaking in front of groups?

The same skill of being able to control HOW you present what you say to an audience or a group is exactly the same as a one-on-one communication.

When you finally realize this, a major light bulb will go on above your head, and it will change your personal and business life forever.

See you tomorrow,
David
PS: be sure to check out my many and growing articles and tips at PublicSpeakingWizard.com

Public Speaking and Handling Questions

2008-08-19T08:37:00.001-07:00

Public Speaking and Handling Questions

When it comes to doing public speaking and seminars, one of the things that really freaks people out is how to handle questions.

I've seen this over and over in my workshops. People think they have to be able answer any possible question that someone could throw their way, and that makes them hesitate to do any kind of public speaking or seminars. They feel they have to be the "ultimate expert" and know absolutely everything about a topic, or else they don't deserve to talk about it.

Nonsense!

All you have to do is know more than the people in your audience. Don't suffer from the mistaken idea that somehow you have to be a "know it all" or that someone there will know more than you. Even if someone does know more than you, that won't matter.

Why won't that matter? Because as long as you keep you composure and confidently continue with your talk, you'll be seen as the expert.

This is what most people miss: YOU'RE the one up there. That makes YOU the expert.

It reminds me of when I used to have my own band, and we'd be playing somewhere - there were ALWAYS better guitar players in the audience... but the audience never cared or knew because I was the one on stage and not them.

Sure, you may run into someone in your audience who acts like a know it all, and wants to hijack your seminar talk or speech, but I teach you strategies to "head that off at the pass" and prevent that from ever happening in the first place.

So don't worry about having to "know everything" before you start doing public speaking seminars. When you do start, you'll kick yourself for not having started sooner!

See you later,
David

Public Speaking As Lead Generation and Conversion Strategy

2008-08-18T08:18:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking As Lead Generation and Conversion Strategy

As a business owner, your main concern is lead generation and conversion. Public speaking and seminars is without a doubt the best way to promote your business. It's also the fastest way to bring in new customers and clients. Not to mention, fun!

Sure, maybe you're not sure about the whole getting up in front of people thing - after all, in school it was nerve wracking (to say the least) to have to get up in front of people and start speaking... all those faces looking at you... all those eyes on you....

Look: that was then. That was when you were in your formative years when your peers, and what they thought of you, meant more than anything else.

Yes, you probably have a kind-of hangover from that now, but my students over and over have easily conquered what they thought was insurmountable stage fright and fear of public speaking, and so can you.

So, either start doing seminars and public speaking to promote your business, your mission, your product, your service, yourself................ or you might as well get out one-hundred dollar bills and start ripping them up right now.

Why Are You Doing Public Speaking, Anyway?

2008-08-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Why Are You Doing Public Speaking, Anyway?

I can think of at least a dozen reasons and uses for doing public speaking.

But you know what? I'd really like to hear why you are doing public speaking or seminars. What are you using speaking for?--is it to gain credibility? Generate leads? Make sales? Educate people? Raise money for charity? Get signatures on a petition?

What are you doing out there?

See you tomorrow,
David

Public Speaking & Presentation Skill - Should You Feel Guilty?

2008-08-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking & Presentation Skill - Should You Feel Guilty?

Yesterday I was revealing a very simple but extremely powerful public speaking / presentation skill technique.

When you're doing any public speaking or presentation or seminar and you use this technique I taught you, your talk is extremely dynamic and emotionally moving to your group.

The net effect is that you create an emotional roller coaster for your audience, and they'll be much more likely to get up afterward and do business with you and buy from you.

Is that ethical? Is that morally sound? Is that morally corrupt? Is that just plain wrong?

Isn't it just blatant manipulation for personal gain, and therefore sleazy?

I want to hear what you think, and I suspect there will be diverse opinions on this topic.

All opinions will be allowed to be posted here on this public speaking and seminar success blog.

See you tomorrow!
David
PS: Get tons of free public speaking and seminar success tips and articles here:

Public Speaking and Your Presentation Style - A Secret Technique

2008-08-13T09:05:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking and Your Presentation Style - A Secret Technique:

When you do any kind of public speaking or seminar, there is one thing that will be critically important:

Your presentation style.

I'm talking "make-or-break" here folks... I'm talking about reeling in new customers and clients and bringing in a flood of money by effectively getting your message across, or NOT.

Public speaking and seminars CAN bring you a flood of money, an avalanche of cash, but it's totally, completely 100% possible that your presentation style can completely ruin your results!

Don't fret, I'm coming to your rescue with a very simple, but extremely powerful technique to save the day (and your results!).

During your talk or speech, alternate between having the group laughing their asses off, and being scared to death.

This creates an emotional roller coaster ride for your audience.

It creates an emotionally moving and stirring experience that moves people to take action, and gets you the results you seek.

Now, I'll warn you that while this is extremely simple and powerfully effective, it's not necessarily easy because you DO have to be able to be alternately funny and scary on command.... but here's how to do it:

Do all of that by telling stories.

You can do this in a couple of ways:

1. Tell stories that make them laugh during the story, but also contain scary parts.
2. Tell funny stories and scary stories separately, alternating funny and scary.

Here's an example:

Let's say you're an insurance agent doing public speaking and seminars: you'd simply tell horror stories of what happened to people who didn't have insurance, but you'd also be sure to include humorous stories, or humorous elements in your scary stories (see 1 & 2 above).

This technique is so effective, it's almost scary. But I want you to use this because it really moves people to action... BUT I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU:

Here's my question: doesn't this technique amount to blatant manipulation of your group? Shouldn't you feel guilty for playing on people's emotions just to bring in business and money?

Okay, so that was 2 questions... post your answers here, and I'll also go further into this soon and give you my thoughts and feelings on those 2 very important questions.

Stay tuned!
David
President, American Seminar Academy

Public Speaking Compared To Traditional Marketing Techniques

2008-08-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking Compared To Traditional Marketing Techniques:

Yesterday's post was about how public speaking and seminars are a terrific marketing tool, and I compared that to doing networking to bring in business.

My question to you today is, how does public speaking compare to another time-tested and proven-effective marketing method: cold calling.

Did a chill just run down your spine?

How do you feel right now if you have to pick up the phone and make 3-5 cold calls in the next hour?

Most people absolutely despise cold calling. Of course, most people also are not all that fond of public speaking either, right?

But think about it: first of all, I can show you how to completely conquer stage fright and fear of public speaking. In fact, I can prove to you not only that, but that you'd become completely addicted to doing seminars and public speaking.

I'm 100% serious, I see this in my students over and over: first afraid of public speaking, then addicted to it.

So imagine being free of that fear, and being in front of a room full of good prospects in your target market. Imagine them seeing you as the expert, and approaching you after your talk to get your contact information, make appointments with you, or wanting to buy your product or use your service.

Imagine an entire room full of people eager to hear what you have to say...

Now, how does that compare to making cold calls?

I thought so. No comparison.

Cold calls inspires dread and loathing, right?

Whereas being an expert and talking about what you love feels great, right?--not to mention all that new business and income!

So, what are you waiting for?--get out there!

See you tomorrow,
David

Do You HAVE To Make Money With Public Speaking & Seminars?

2008-08-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

Do You HAVE To Make Money With Public Speaking & Seminars?

I'm fond of saying that if there's one thing you do in life - if there's just one thing you do to improve yourself and your life - it's learn how to do public speaking and seminars properly.

As you all know, I'm a big proponent of public speaking and seminars as a business marketing tool because it's cheap, creates instant credibility, and it's fun.

But do you have to use public speaking and seminars solely for money-making purposes?

The truth is that aside from your professional life, public speaking and seminars can have a huge positive impact on your personal life too.

You can do public speaking to raise awareness, raise money for charity, or inspire others. You can hold seminars to generate petitions signatures to effect a change in your local school system, stop the airport from changing the landing pattern of planes to be over your neighborhood, or to get the word out about a pressing medical need.

The uses for public speaking and seminars is only limited to your imagination.

Without a doubt, the power of seminars and public speaking will positively change your life, not to mention your increased confidence and charisma.

See you tomorrow,
David

How Public Speaking Can Improve Your Personal Life:

2008-08-08T13:20:00.001-07:00

How Public Speaking Can Improve Your Personal Life:

If you did just one, and only one thing to improve your life, it should be to do public speaking.

Why??

Because most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death.

By facing and conquering that fear, doors open up to you that previously you might never have imagined - both personally and professionally.

In your personal life, you're not afraid to meet and talk to new people. You're not afraid to stand up and "say a few words" at wedding or any type of gathering. You're not afraid to meet attractive persons of the opposite sex.

In your professional life, you're not afraid to make that cold call. You're not afraid to ask for that raise. You're not afraid to ask for that promotion. You're not afraid to speak in front of the board of directors. You're not afraid to make that presentation to that group of critical new prospects or customers.

If there was just one thing you did to improve your life, public speaking is it.

See you tomorrow!
David

Public Speaking & Seminar Success Made Easy - Conclusion

2008-08-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking & Seminar Success Made Easy - Conclusion:

Appropriately, now that we're at the conclusion of this mini-class on public speaking and seminar outlines for your presentation we're going to focus on, well, your conclusion.

It's what I call your "close".

In any public speaking or seminar, your close is vitally important. People tend to most remember the last thing they heard. Scientists that study this kind of thing call it "primacy/recency" - which means people tend to remember the first and last things experienced the most.

How does that apply to your talk, speech, public speaking, presentation outline and structure?

First and foremost, it means you must be crystal clear about what you want your group to remember, or more importantly, DO after you're done talking. For example, if you want them to buy your product, make an appointment, sign a petition, make a donation, commit to taking some specific action(s), you must be 100% clear in your mind about exactly specifically what you want them to do.

Then, craft your close to clearly communicate that.

And I mean clearly. No ambiguity, no confusion.

Your closing message must be crystal clear to everyone in the room.

Tell them what you want them to do, repeat it once or twice, then say "thank you" and you're done. Be decisive and definite in your close, don't trail-off weakly as some speakers do "well, I guess we're out of time, um, I'd like to thank the president for having me, and, um..." don't do that. Be clear - "okay, now I want everyone to go to the back of the room and make your appointment for your complimentary financial makeover. Thank you".

See you tomorrow!
David

Videos On Public Speaking, Presentation Skills, & Conquering Stage Fright

2008-08-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

Have you already looked at the videos I have on YouTube?--there's a number of them there on public speaking, presentation skills, and conquering stage fright.

If you haven't looked at them yet, you can go to YouTube and type "David Portney" into the search box and they'll all come up.

And just for fun, you can also see a video of me playing guitar - a few years ago I played at a friend's birthday party and it was captured on video, and like all videos I suppose, it wound up on YouTube!

IMPORTANT: please post here (or email me privately at david@seminaracademy.com) what videos you'd like me to make, what topics you'd like to see covered on those videos because I'm going to be making a bunch of new ones soon...

...so let me know what YOU want to see!

David

Public Speaking & Seminar Success Made Easy Part III

2008-08-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

In the last 2 days you've finished up the bulk of your presentation for your public speaking or seminar gig.

Today, figure out your opening:

For your opening, you might want to come up with a "grabber" opening statement that causes people to sit up and say "what?" or "no way" or "that can't be true!"

Grabbers are slick opening techniques where you really get people's attention and shake them awake.

Also in your opening, you may want to have an introduction or bio all about you. I suggest you not to go crazy here, that is, don't spend forever talking about yourself. But, do give people enough about you, your experience, your education, your ability - enough about you to simply build credibility.

You don't have to brag, but don't be shy either - you should let yourself shine.

Finally, your opening segment should include a "this is what we're going to cover" statement after your grabber and bio.

I like using numbers here, for example: "over the next hour your going to discover 3 things you didn't know about (your topic here)" - and then you briefly outline those three things.

Work up your opener today, tomorrow we'll do the close. Aside from whatever minor polishing you'll do, you'll have crafted a terrific presentation - quick and easy.

See you tomorrow,
David

Public Speaking & Seminars Made Quick & Easy Part II

2008-08-05T10:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday you wrote out a stream-of-consciousness list of problems solved by your business, product, or service.

Now that you've had a chance to "sleep on it" do a final review.

Add to the list if new ideas come up.

Rearrange the list if you need or want to.

Don't spend forever on this, just get it done and don't try to make it perfect.

Now, next to each item, write the solution you provide to each problem. You don't need a lot of detail here, just a few bullet points for each problem you solve. You can also note any specific examples or case studies that illustrate in story-form how you've solved those problems for your past and current customers and clients.

Finish that up today, and I'll see you tomorrow for part III, and we'll begin to wrap this up..

David

Public Speaking & Seminars: Great Marketing Tool?--or....

2008-08-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

or...the GREATEST Marketing Tool?

What kind of effective marketing can you do for free?

How about networking? Networking is free, right?

Networking is effective, right?

Sure it is. It's also very time consuming because you have to go out to networking or other events and shake hands and pass out business cards one by one, one by one. You can't be a wallflower at these events, have to be outgoing and exraverted and willing to meet a lot of people.

For most of us, networking is a tiring, dreary job.

Plus, it's "push marketing" - in other words, you have no idea whether or not the person you're shaking hands with is even remotely interested in doing business with you - you're "pushing" and promoting your business to people who will in most cases just toss your business card in the trash once they get back home or to the office.

Unless going out and shaking hands and passing out business cards if fun for you, networking for new business is just tedious, tiring, and the results you get are questionable - at best.

Compare that with getting up in front of a room full of people and doing a seminar or public speaking gig.

Seminars and public speaking means you're up in front of a room full of people, you get your marketing message out to all those people, all at one time. And, because you're up there speaking, you get what I call "the halo effect" - people in that room see you as The Expert on your topic, The Expert in your industry. After all, if you weren't an expert, why would you be allowed to be up there speaking?

Public speaking and seminars is "pull marketing" - people are drawn to you, they come up to you after your speech or presentation and they line up and ask you for your business card!

Isn't that a lot better than trying to push yourself and your business on strangers at some event?

You bet it is!

See you tomorrow,
David

Public Speaking & Seminars Made Quick & Easy

2008-08-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking & Seminars Made Quick & Easy:

When it comes to public speaking and seminars, people have a number of concerns or even outright fears.

Over the years that I've been teaching workshops on public speaking and presentation skills, one of the hot topics people always ask about is how to prepare a good speech or presentation, and how to do it quickly and painlessly.

Luckily, they're asking the right person!

Here's a simple and easy way to prepare a very good speech or presentation even if you have little or no time to prepare: use a blueprint I call "Problem > Solution".

Just like it sounds, you start out by outlining and detailing the problem. If you're a financial planner, you might talk about the problem of people not properly planning for retirement. If you're a real estate agent, you might talk about the problem of people overpaying for a house. If you're an insurance agent you might talk about the problem of people thinking they have the right insurance plan but they really have poor coverage.

Got the idea?

No matter what line of business you're in, you solve problems. Restaurant owners solve the problem of having to purchase and prepare meals. Plumbers solve the problem of clogged toilets and leaky sinks. Landscapers solve the problem of having to pull weeds and maintain foliage properly.

Every business solves some kind of problem with their product or service... What kind of problems does your business, product or service solve?

Write out a complete list of all the kinds of problems you solve. Don't judge the list, just free-associate and write down as many things as you can think of.

Do that today, and I'll see you tomorrow!
David

Public Speaking and Effectively Using "Props"

2008-08-02T12:45:00.001-07:00

Public Speaking and Effectively Using "Props":

Almost any kind of public speaking can involve the use of props. Props are objects that serve as a means of support or assistance.

For example, let's say you're giving a speech or presentation about how to handle problems that life throws our way - you could have a little guppy and a whale on your table as props (you know, artificial stuffed animals you can hold in your hand) - the guppy representing life's small problems, and the whale representing big problems.

During your presentation, every time you're talking about small problems you can hold up the guppy, big problems - the whale.

Another truly terrific way to do your presentation is to have a series of props that represent each part or section of your speech or your talk.

What you'd do is line them all up on your table at the front of the room before your talk, and line them up in the order you're going to give your presentation.

Like the guppy and whale example above, those props become symbols for the topic or subject of each part of your presentation. But more than that, those props also then become your "cues" for each part of your presentation.

That means you can deliver an entire presentation without PowerPoint and even without any written notes or outlines because the props cue each section of your presentation and remind you about what you want to talk about during that part of your presentation.

With just a little thought and creativity, I bet you can figure out props that will add tremendous value to your public speaking, and make your speeches and presentations much more memorable - and fun! - for your audience, and you too!

See you next time!
David

Public Speaking & What To Do With Your Hands

2008-08-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking & What To Do With Your Hands:

So, you're up there speaking doing a speech, presentation, workshop, seminar or maybe you're leading a meeting or even speaking before the board of directors... What should you do with your hands?

Of course, guys, we tend to stick them in our pockets. Ladies tend to clasp them in front or back.

And, there's nothing inherently wrong with any of that, but let's be honest and face facts, the pocketing and clasping of hands is, in reality, because we're not sure what to do with our hands.

So what should we be doing with our hands, anyway?

First and foremost, if you're not pointing at something or holding a remote control or otherwise legitimately using your hands for something, you need to learn how to be comfortable speaking and keeping your hands at your sides in a relaxed and normal manner. That's the first step.

The next step is to discover and utilize specific hand posters and gestures that predictably and consistently elicit a specific response when you're doing any kind of group event or public speaking of any sort.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so they say, so how many words is a video worth? Go check out my videos at SeminarAcademy.com and you'll discover some secret ways to do this starting right now - and no, I'm not kidding or exaggerating, you'll be able to start using these hand postures and gesture techniques IMMEDIATELY and be a better presenter and public speaker instantly.

See you next time,
David

Great Public Speaking and Speakers

2008-07-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Nature or nurture - the age old debate... and when it comes to great public speaking and great speakers, is it nature or nurture?

In other words, are great speakers born or made?

Okay, without bragging or false modesty, I've been told so many times that I'm a great speaker and presenter that I'm almost tired of hearing it (almost!) but I'll be the very first to admit, I was certainly not born a great speaker.

Not even close!

In fact, I was so shy growing up, if I had to stand up in front of the class in school and read a report or speak in front of any group of people, I was as scared as a hamster at a rattlesnake convention!

I would never have guessed I'd make my living in public speaking and seminar presentation.

Sure, some people are "born" more outgoing than others, but you don't have to be an extraverted "people person" to be great at public speaking.

Feel free to check out some of my past blog posts, and my public speaking free article directory.
You'll find tons of great tips and techniques that really work!

Until next time,
David

Fear of Public Speaking - Methods That DON'T Work

2008-07-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

You know what just makes me furious? You know what just makes my blood boil and veins stand out on my forehead?

It's bad and useless advice when it comes to getting rid of stage fright or fear of public speaking.

How many times have you heard the following:

"Everyone gets nervous about public speaking, so don't worry"

BALONEY!! First of all, I've taught a lot of public speaking classes in my day, and I can tell you that there is about 5% of the population (give or take) that never, ever had any fear of public speaking whatsoever. More importantly, for most of us, just knowing that other people get nervous really doesn't make a difference in how you feel.

"Breathe deeply..."

Okay, I'm about to throw something across the room... breathing deeply is great for before you go on stage or get up to do your speech or presentation, but how the heck are you supposed to breathe deeply when you're talking?

"Picture your audience in their underwear or naked"

Now I'm really going to go ballistic. Sure, the idea is to make the audience, in your mind, more nervous than you. But the experience of hundreds of my students is that simply does not work, and in fact, it's quite distracting (or even disgusting).

Bad advice like that just makes me want to scream. I never teach such useless baloney in my workshops.

What other bad advice have you heard?

Dedicated to your public speaking and seminar success!
David

Public Speaking,Group Events, and Extreme Customer Loyalty

2008-07-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Public Speaking,Group Events, and Extreme Customer Loyalty:

Can public speaking create extreme customer loyalty?--the kind of rabid, die-hard loyalty that is usually reserved for the fans of rock stars?

For years I've been teaching speakers and small business owners how to do exactly that by holding customer appreciation events, and the reason is because those kinds of events not only solidly cement customer loyalty, but also generate referrals like crazy.

Here's a real world example I just witnessed first hand: do you know the name Todd Rundgren? Todd is a longtime recording artist and musician and although you may not recognize his name, you'd recognize at least a half dozen of his songs over the last 40+ years of his career.

I was invited to attend his 60th birthday party at his house on Kauai, along with about 250 others. This was a "birthday party / customer appreciation event" Todd held to say thanks to his longtime fans.

We spent a week there being served meals and attending special events such as a group interview with Todd, an autograph signing, and the week culminated on his birthday with a private concert just for us and some of Todd's friends.

NET RESULT: I've talked with many, many of those who attended this event, and every single one of them has expressed that their loyalty and appreciation of Todd has gone 'through the roof' - each of those attendees have purchased more of Todd's merchandise and attended more concerts as a result.

So, should YOU invite your customers to your house for a week?

Probably not appropriate.

But you SHOULD rent a hotel banquet room and cater a free dinner for your best clients and customers - AND you should get up and speak. Speak about how much you appreciate their business and referrals. Share some information with them that is valuable and provides tangible benefits to them.

Will you spend money? Yes.

Will it be worth it? Yes, Yes, YES!

You will generate tremendous goodwill - your customers and clients will "love you to death" and they'll refer you business like fans of a rock star!

Dedicated to your success in public speaking and seminars,
David

Controlling The Audience

2008-06-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

Controlling The Audience:

When doing public speaking to an audience larger than 40 people or so, you'll probably need to use a microphone. I've personally delivered seminars to rooms with more than 100 people and not used a microphone and been heard just fine, but then I've been *blessed* with a loud voice.

When you take questions from the audience, you may have a second mic so that when you take questions, the rest of the group can hear the question. Never just hand someone the mic to ask questions, have an assistant hold the mic for the person asking the question.

Instruct your assistant ahead of time to move away after the person poses their question. Otherwise, this person may be on the mic forever - or at least a lot longer than you wanted. And, if you just hand the mic over to someone in the audience to ask questions, you may never get it back.

Alternately, you can set up a mic on a stand, and have people line up to ask one question at a time, and you can announce that the limit is one question per person. This is especially useful if you're filming the event, because that way you can point one camera at the mic stand and capture all questions easily.

Don't hand the microphone over to your audience, you may never see it again!

Dedicated to helping you increase your income and success with seminars and public speaking -

David Portney, President of the American Seminar Academy

Wowing Any Audience

2008-06-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

How to "Wow" Any Audience:

Charisma when doing public speaking - some people "just have it" don't they? - or, is it something that can be learned?

Politics aside, you can't help but notice that Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is "wowing" people when he speaks... have you stopped to try to figure out how?

One thing I will grant is that he seems to be like "plain folk" instead of just vomiting up "politician-speak" like other candidates for office - when asked if he's done drugs, he didn't reply with "I never inhaled" he just said "sure, who hasn't tried drugs at least once in their lives?".

But beyond that, what exactly about his presentation style and delivery is so appealing to people?

When it comes to public speaking or "orating", here's a big hint: it's now what you say, but how you say it... find out more in this article.

David
The American Seminar Academy

More On Public Speaking and Seminars as a Marketing Tool

2008-06-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

More On Public Speaking and Seminars as Marketing Tool:

Most public speakers are glad to be able to speak - anywhere!

I think this is a terrible idea.

But, you probably knew I'd say that, right?

Here's something that may sound obvious (or it might be a real eye-opener depending on your perspective) but you really need to be clearer about who your target market is and define it very tightly.

Keep in mind you can have more than one tightly niched target market, but define one clearly first - here's an example:

There was a lovely, energetic, clearly charismatic lady that came to one of my "how to do seminars like a pro" workshops where I teach seminar logistics, presentation skills, getting over stage fright - that kind of thing - and her business was all about specialized hair care products.

When I asked her who her target market is, her reply was "everyone with hair!" and of course we all laughed, but she was dead serious: in her mind, she wanted the whole world to know about her products and services, so of course she was looking to speak anywhere to anyone who would listen.

Again - bad idea.

Better idea: find people who are already interested in hearing about what she has to say.

Even better idea: find people who have demonstrated past history of purchasing products and services just like hers.

Best idea: find people who may have already purchase similar products, but are in pain and badly need the solution she can provide to their pressing problem.

Niching down makes selling yourself as a public speaker much easier - "everyone" is just not a good demographic to market to!

David
The American Seminar Academy - the place for the best seminar strategies, presentation skills, and conquering stage fright forever.