What’s in your head when you’re on stage?

Are you focused on connecting with your audience and building rapport . . . or . . . are you so consciously aware of everything you’re doing you have an internal dialogue raging in your right ear?

(blah, blah, blah!)

If you’ve done a number of presentations, you will have had the experience of delivering your well-designed “speech” to a few different crowds.

But one thing I have noticed with speakers time and time again is that when they are actually on stage, sometimes their focus is on the wrong place.

• “I stood still most of the time like you say Jo, but at one point I thought I should move around a bit so I did.”
• “When I was building the need I know I said it all wrong and it threw me for the rest of the close.”
• “I didn’t think I was going to remember the questions, but I asked about 4 questions in first 2 minutes is that enough?

What’s Wrong Here?

On the one hand, it is great that people have awareness about what’s happening on the stage. The problem with these speakers was that with further questioning I discovered that while on stage, MOST OF THE TIME they were thinking about what they were doing, and whether they were doing it right!

While you’re busy focusing on whether you’ve asked enough questions, or changed state enough or built enough need, or been clear enough- you are stuck in your head. While you’re stuck in your head you are not doing the one thing that you should do on stage and that is:

Connect With Your Audience!

That is your single biggest and most important job once you get on stage. All you should be focusing on is connecting with them and taking them on a great journey.

That’s it.

Practice Makes Perfect

This is why practice is so important.

When you repeat things and practice things over and over you’ll get them embodied in your unconscious mind so that by the time you are on stage it is a habit. You should not be consciously thinking “I need to cross my arms now” on stage. If you are, you have forgotten your primary purpose for being on the stage.

So here’s how to prepare for your presentations:

Write out your script. It doesn’t have to be word for word ( I never write word for word scripts) but it should have all of the key points you are going to make.

Then practice it.

In fact don’t just practice it once. Practice it several times focusing on different elements each time:

1. Practice for timing
2. Practice for energy management
3. Practice for stage use
4. Practice for sensory based language
5. Practice by taking everything over the top, much bigger than you imagine it should be.

And then pretend you never did any of that. Because you are already perfect, aren’t you?

So on the day of your actual presentation forget about all your practice, and get yourself in the right mindset to connect with your audience. Remember, it’s all about connection. That’s all.

As soon as you hit that platform, focus on being present and connecting with every person in the crowd, and authentically taking them on a journey. Find the yummy moments!

Blah, Blah, Blah. . . . Now It’s Your Turn!

So, this week, forget about getting it ‘right’ on stage. Focus instead on practicing your presentation and then when you’re up there, forget all of this and instead build your connection. And then write in here and tell me about the results…

If you’ve been asked to MC for a speaker, follow these golden rules and you can’t go wrong.

Keep it Brief

Keep your introduction to around one or two minutes long, but not much more than that. The focus is on giving a succinct, punchy intro of the speaker.

Be Enthusiastic!

I always think of myself as the host of the party. Remember to smile and come across as a warm person when introducing speakers.

Know Something About The Speaker’s Subject

Even if it’s something that’s new for you, you still need to understand it enough to be able to convey the information correctly.

Don’t Read Word For Word!

It’s going to sound really boring, really flat, unenthusiastic… and it can also give the impression that you don’t know what you’re talking about – that’s the last thing you want.

The Speaker’s Presentation

Make sure you get really clear on exactly what that is because people need to know what they can expect from the presentation.

Build Credibility Of The Speaker

If the speaker has appeared on television, in the press, or written a book, make sure you include that as part of your introduction. It will capture the attention of the audience. As a MC it’s your job is to boast about the things that the speaker might not boast about themselves.

Don’t Use Slides or Overheads

You need to remember that you’re not the speaker, you are the facilitator. You’re not the leading act, so don’t try and upstage the speaker or don’t try to steal their thunder. It’s a fantastic idea to include a personal relevance about them that will have the audience receptive to the speaker before they have even got on stage.

Being Professional Is Key

An MC at speaking events is not an invitation to try any stand-up comedy routines! If you’re tying in little personal stories, make sure it’s relevant to the subject and to the audience and it needs to be inspirational, and to build the credibility of the speaker.  Remember the big picture and make sure whatever you do or say serves the overall event.

Summary

Now you have all the guidelines for being the most fantastic MC ever, why not go out there and try to book yourself as an MC.  You never know what doors it might open…

Your Business Is A Tree
It needs roots to anchor itself, a solid trunk for strength, the branches are the different wings of your business, the leaves are your activities and the fruit of the tree are your rewards.  And if you’re a competent gardener, then you’ll need to prune.  Why do you prune?  Because a gardener knows that in order to stimulate growth, there first needs to be cuts. 

Tip 1 – Pruning Is Powerful
Yes, get those metaphorical scissors out (if you’re really feeling bold – the chainsaw!) and get pruning.  Don’t be timid here – hack, chop and be brave!  Get rid of the deadwood.  Sometimes this means cutting off twigs that are actually still alive.  It’s tough but true.  Use this as an opportunity to let things go.  What is not working in your business?  What old assumptions no longer serve you?  Are you still harbouring old ways of thinking?  Are there staff members you need to let go?  Are there areas in your business that no longer energetically feel right? 

What do you need to cut away?

Tip 2 – Recharge Your Batteries
Now the deadwood has gone, what do you do next?  You’re staring at a pruned back business but you’re still wondering what to do in order to make it grow.  My suggestion is do nothing.  Yes, that’s right.  You don’t have to do a thing.  Do you stare at a plant and will it grow?  No, you feed it a little water, you place it in the sun, and if the plant is lucky, you feed it some fertiliser.  You nourish it.  This is what you do next.  You take some time out to nourish yourself.  Remember, my philosophy is that business guidance comes from within so when you are feeling nourished and full, then the externals of your business will also grow. 

It’s time to go on that spa day you promised yourself.  Take that yoga retreat.  Go on a golfing holiday.  Take a trip by the seaside.  Go for a bushwalk.  A mountain hike.  Do something that will nourish you.  Feel the sun on your face, swim in saltwater, breathe in the scents of the wood or the rainforest.  Feel connected to nature.

Inject Life back in.

Tip 3 -  Sharpen The Saw
What I love most about pruning is watching the fresh, new buds of regrowth appear.  It always makes me smile.  There’s something almost magical about it.  You think you’ve killed your plant because it looked so bare and forlorn, but suddenly one day a sprig of green appears, and then another and another, and before you know it, the plant has exploded into life. What do you do now?  There’s regrowth all over the shop!  You need to train it to grow in the direction you want, because if you don’t the regrowth has no clear direction.  So you stick a pole next to your plant and gently guide the direction of the new growth.  You do not force it, you simply guide and allow the growth to follow your direction.  With your help, the plant can grow to new heights.

If you’ve decided on a new direction, what training do you need to take you to that next level?  Is there a course you need to take?  A mentor you know you just have to study with?  Is there a product you have to invest in?  Do not think you need to grow your business all alone.  Starting afresh is a bold move and there are tonnes of people out there who have trodden the path you now wish to take.  Follow their gentle guidance to take you to new business heights.

Summary
So, there’s my 3 top tips for Is there any pruning you need to do this week?  What do you need to cut away?  Perhaps you have already pruned, is now the time to take your rest and recharge for the next phase?  Or maybe there’s a course you need to undertake.  Whatever you choose, remember now is the perfect time for regeneration.

You may be surprised, but the number 1 fear is actually a fear of public speaking.

And it’s ok to be afraid of public speaking!  After all, there’s lots of people feeling exactly the same way!  But I want to look at why it’s so important for you to speak from the stage, not just in terms of your career, but in ALL areas of your life!

So, Why Are Some People So Afraid To Get Up In Front Of An Audience?

In a nutshell, people are afraid of being humiliated in front of others.

What if you get up on stage and bomb?

This fear can manifest itself in many ways – butterflies, sweaty palms, shaking, panicky thoughts, your heart beating extra fast.  All the usual pre-stage nerves.

And ALL of these are quite normal reactions! To this day, I still get nervous about going up on stage BUT I see it as a good thing.   It gives me a burst of energy which often results in a more dynamic presentation.   And remember, if you are feeling nervous or if it’s your first time and you’re afraid you’re going to forget stuff, get permission from the audience to feel that way!   Ask permission to be a bit nervous.  Ask permission to refer to your notes.  Do you think your audience is going to think less of you?

No!  They’re going to be even more on your side because you’ve opened up to them.  Ask permission of your audience from the word go and you’ll be working WITH them.

So, what else can you do to overcome the nerves?

Practice!  Practice!  Practice!

Most people don’t want to hear this, but the best way to conquer a fear of speaking from stage is practice, practice, practice.

Facing any fear head on allows us to control it, rather than let it control us.

Interestingly, our over-reactions to our fears are often just our brain trying to protect us from what it thinks is a threatening situation. Feeling faint is a good way to keep us off a stage, saving us from the threat of humiliation.

But, the more we experience the “threatening” situation without the harm (humiliation), the more we’re able to extinguish that fear.

Start Small

The point is to practice speaking in front of others, and feel successful at it.
 Start with a small audience of people who love and support you.  And then start to stretch yourself with each speaking engagement.

Along the way, you’ll probably find out you’re better than you thought you were……AND you might even enjoy it.

Ruling Your Life, Not The Other Way Round

No fear should rule you!

The ability to get up on stage allows you to get your message out to many more people.  It allows you to touch a roomful of strangers and more importantly, move them to follow the cause close to your heart.  It allows you to build your customer base, multiply your sales and it brings you heaps of confidence.

So, why not start practicing this week?  Even if it’s just speaking in front of a group of friends?  Who knows how much confidence you’ll get from simply standing up and shining your light in the world.

The ‘X Factor’ 
The Missing Link That Stands Between You 
and Fame and Fortune

“Let’s face it, like it or not, you’ve got to agree we’ve become a celebrity focused
society. People thrive on the Hollywood gossip. Just mention Paris, or Madonna, or Britney Spears and you’ve got many people’s attention. Sad but true. I mean, it’s got to the stage now where Paris Hilton is famous for being famous. Go figure hey.

 
In a perfect world, nurses would be paid more than celebrities. Teachers would be on top dollar. But no; we crave entertainment and stars are paid a fortune….

(let’s face it, speakers - we know its the famous speakers that get the gigs right? - Joanna)

If only you were famous right?!!
 
But guess what? You can be famous. In fact, you can easily dominate your market,
instantly becoming the super hero of your niche. It’s easier than you think. Savvy Marketers have known of this “missing link” for years… have shamelessly exploited this secret and are reaping the celebrity rewards on offer.
 
And no, I’m not talking about “being recognised and mobbed at airports” kinda famous – although some do achieve such fame – what I’m talking about is being known in your niche as THE person to see… THE person at the top of the mountain.
This way, when your prospects think of your business category they automatically think of you.

To get the rest of the report and find out Pete’s recommendations on how to “Increase Your X-Factor” in your market place… a strategy you MUST work on consistently if you want to be a profitable speaker… grab a copy of the report for yourself right here…

For more information go to: www.shiftspeakertraining.com/cashcharacters/blog

This lovely young lady, Debra talks about why she loves the Shift Speaker Training web site.

Thanks Debra!

Jo

There Are 4 Key Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before You Settle On a Niche For Your Speaking. 

In the last blog article we determined if anyone is actually looking for information related to your topic and we looked at strategies such as Google Adwords and speciality magazines.

This week, the second key question to ask yourself before you settle on a niche is….

Are They Spending Money?

Are the people in your niche willing to spend money on your topic?

Here’s another way of explaining it.

In the recent Presentations Secret Seminar in London I had one participant wanting to niche in teenagers because he saw his purpose as helping to empower them. There’s one huge problem with trying to sell to teenagers though.  Do they have the money to spend on your product or service?  Even bigger problem is that this one can become a double sale because (a) you have to sell the teenager; and (b) you have to sell the parent with the credit card!

Therefore, even though you’ve picked a great niche, it’s challenging to get the money exchange happening!  If you do want to work in a niche that doesn’t have money to spend- you may like to niche into another area first for your business, and make this “penniless niche” your charity

It’s the same with doctors.  People have always told me that I should niche in personal development to doctors, but I’ve been a doctor and I know what doctors are like.  They don’t want to be told anything!  So, because I had familiarity with this group I knew they were unlikely to pay for my products or services I had specially created for them.  Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule (before you go writing in and telling me about a doctor you know who loves personal development!) but I want you to base a business on rules NOT exceptions.

Here’s three easy ways you can determine whether your niche has money to spend:

1. Market Research the People: Ask those you know personally. You’ve got your niche, you’re passionate about it and hopefully you have a community around you of other people who also share your passion.  These are your market! Ask them if you sold a product that did “x” would they buy it, and for how much?
2. Market Research the Product:  Are people already selling to them?  For instance (come up with an example, either the menopausal women or something new.)
3. Are People Advertising to Them?:  As a general rule you can assume that if people are advertising to a group – that group is buying the product.  You can measure this easily on the Google Keywords Tool I showed you last time.

Now you’ve got your niche and established you have a market, in the next article we’ll be looking at how you can access this market.

Here are my tips for using powerpoint in a effective way for your presentations:

• Keep your slides simple. There is no need to use different fonts and animations.
• Have only 4-5 points to a slide as a maximum.
• Use a plain white background with black text.
• Use only relevant images that evoke emotion, which allows you to land your points home.
• Use images that are clean and sleek on a white background.
• Use a font size that is a 32 pt or more.
• Test your slideshow thoroughly before your presentation at the venue to ensure the colours can be see and audio can be heard at the back of the room, and that everything works as you intended on the equipment there.