iSpeakEASY blog

Show The Audience You Don’t Care

ispeakeasyblog — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:37:10 +0000

Speaking Tip #80

There was a man speaking on the stage. I could see his lips move, but I could not hear his voice. When several audience members shouted for him to use the microphone, he laughed replying “You can hear me just fine” and continued talking. The problem was that few really could hear.

This speaker had made two simple yet common mistakes, and in doing so, lost the attention of the audience:

1) He put his comfort and desires ahead of those of the audience.

2) He ASSUMED that because he was speaking, everyone wanted to hear what he had to say.

Esessentially, he let us know he did not care about us or what we needed, even though all we really needed was to hear.

I think most of us wanted to hear what he had to say. When faced with the problem of not being able to hear, the audience had to choose what to do. Most of the audience gave up, relaxed back into their seats and continued doing what they were doing before he took the stage: conversing with their neighbors.

This speaker had lost the audience.

A speaker is there to serve the audience. It is the responsibility of the speaker to insure the audience is comfortable, can see, and hear.

Look at the better speakers of our modern day: do you notice the President (any president) standing on a stage shouting rather than wearing a microphone? When you watch the late Bill Gates or a TED talk, do you notice how large a screen is used? Even concerts and sporting events make it easier for spectators to see and hear the action.

Before an audience will listen to your ideas and consider your point, you have to grab their attention and demonstrate your credibility. If they cannot hear you or if you demonstrate you do not care about your audience, you will lose before you have started.

Do not lose the battle over the small things. Take time to plan your presentation so it works, take care of your audience, and make sure they are comfortable and can see and hear you. This won’t bring them to your side, but it does put them in a position where your good words can do their magic.

6 Ways To Lose Your Audience In The First 10 Seconds (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
The Single Most Important Speaking Tip (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
How Much Time Do You Really Have To Grab Their Attention? (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
On Buying Aspirin And Public Speaking (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)

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Are you an experienced speaker interested in improving your skills and increase the effectiveness of your presentations? The Speakers Academy is a fast, intense, four-part workshop for professionals that want to increase their confidence, become more credible, and accomplish more with their words.

We will build on your existing skills and bring you to a new level with your speaking.

Click here to learn more.

Adding Value To Your Words

ispeakeasyblog — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:28:53 +0000

Speaking Tip 33

A bar of iron is worth about $5. Take that iron and turn it into horseshoes and it increases in value to $10 even though the raw materials are still the same. Take that same bar of iron and make it into screwdrivers and the value goes up to about $250. If you make needles with the iron, the value rises to $3,000 and if you turn it into balance springs for watches the value soars to $250,000.

The material is still the same limited quantity of metal but the way it is used, the end product, is quite different. The information and knowledge you possess is similar to iron. Its value is based on what you do with it, not the face value of the raw material itself.

What are you going to do with the information you have to increase its value? What can you say or do that will take the information you have come to life for you listener? How can you present it so that it morphs from raw data into something useful and inspiring to your audience? It is the audience’s perception of your words that makes them valuable, not the value you place on them.

In this “age of information” we live in, information is cheap while knowledge remains invaluable. The goal is to take information and present it in a manner that makes your audience say “Wow!”

Use your passion to make your data come to life for your listener. Plan your presentation, determine your singular main message, outline your 3-5 key points, create visual aids that help make your point and you are on the way to turning your bar of iron into watch springs.

The knowledge and experience you possess, that you try to convey to your audience, is worth little until you learn to present it in a fashion that is of interest to others. If you can make what you know relevant to others, the value of your information skyrockets.

On Buying Aspirin And Public Speaking (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
How Much Time Do You Really Have To Grab Their Attention? (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
6 Ways To Lose Your Audience In The First 10 Seconds (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)

Does This Word Mean The Same To You As It Does To Me?

ispeakeasyblog — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:37:49 +0000

The man on the other end of the phone was offering to send me fishing lures. Not a single lure, but hundreds or even thousands to use with the learn-to-fish program I manage. I thanked him and explained I was not interested, as we do not use lures in our programs. His offer was good but even for free, it was not anything I could use. He pushed his cause a bit but I would not budge – I simply do not use lures. There was an awkward silence and he suggested I visit his website. Out of boredom or politeness, I typed the URL and was surprised at what I saw.

The “lure” he was offering was not a “lure” as I think of it –it is “bait”. I asked him about his choice of words and he replied it was how he referred to his product.

Instantly my interest in him, his offer, and his product went from zero to one hundred. I have no use for lures, or what I call a lure. I have a high interest and constant need for bait. I like it even better as he is offering me thousands of free samples as of his marketing campaign. Now we have a win-win situation.

I was struck though, at how close to failure we had come simply because we had not agreed on the definition of a term. It was as if we were speaking different languages.

How often are you trying to sell something – a product, service, or an idea – and run into a wall because the language you are speaking, the words you are using, are different from the words understood by your prospect?

Do you use lingo, buzzwords, or acronyms that make sense to you but push your clients away? They make perfect sense to you because you are in the business, so to speak. You use the terms everyday and know what they mean

Take time to practice your presentations – even your phone calls – with some one outside your field. Have them listen to you and then listen to them to see what they heard. It will be a valuable (and profitable) use of your time.

Speaking well is all about addressing the needs of your audience. To address their needs it is important to speak a language they understand.

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We will build on your existing skills and bring you to a new level with your speaking.

Click here to learn more.

6 Ways To Lose Your Audience In The First 10 Seconds (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
How Much Time Do You Really Have To Grab Their Attention? (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)

The Single Most Important Speaking Tip

ispeakeasyblog — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:01:57 +0000

Speaking Tip #1

This speaking tip is so basic, that people sometimes laugh when I say it:

Be clear on what you are trying to say and what you want your audience to know when you are done.

It sounds so basic, but a common mistake is not being clear on what we are really trying to say. Think about it – if the speaker does not have a clear idea of what they are trying to say, how is the audience supposed to figure it out?

We feel rushed or, worse yet, we believe that since we are just “speaking for a few minutes at a staff meeting” or “having a quick word with the boss (or spouse, kids etc)” that we don’t need to prepare.

Speaking without knowing your point can be likened to driving without a destination (except it lacks the romance of the free-wheeling spirit heading down the road). You veer right, then turn left, go straight for a bit, you double back, take a side road that leads you no where. You end up talking about all kinds of things that really are not pertinent to the message you are trying to deliver, the audience tries to follow you but ends up lost and takes a “mental vacation”.

The next time you are going to speak, whether it is in front of a group or one-on-one, ask yourself this question:

“What is the one thing I want them to know when I am done speaking?”

When you can answer this question – organize your thoughts and then you are ready to begin.

Being clear in your own mind on your objective will go a long ways in helping you present your thoughts in a clear and concise manner that will be effective.

Treat every conversation with care and respect. Before you speak, put yourself in the driver’s seat and say, “where do I want this to go”?

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Are you an experienced speaker interested in improving your skills and increase the effectiveness of your presentations? The Speakers Academy is a fast, intense, four-part workshop for professionals that want to increase their confidence, become more credible, and accomplish more with their words.

We will build on your existing skills and bring you to a new level with your speaking.

Click here to learn more about the Speakers Academy.

You are welcome to link to this page. If you wish to reprint or repost this article, please emailus for permission. Call for information on individual coaching or group training.

Think Fast! 3 Tips For Impromptu Speaking

ispeakeasyblog — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:28:28 +0000

We have all been there:

You suddenly find yourself being asked to say a few words about your business or project
You meet a person that is of personal or professional interest and you want to make a good impression
You are asked to speak and you are not prepared

Opportunity has presented itself to you and you have to think quickly on your feet.

How well you do depends entirely on you – will you take the conversation to the next level or will it (and your prospects) fade right there on the spot. A recent study indicates that 53% of customers report their initial impressions of the person speaking helped them make their decision on the spot.

In that brief moment, here are three things you can to deliver a compelling and inviting message:

Pause before you speak – This extra time allows you time to think (and it is amazing how much thinking one can do in a split second!) and it demonstrates your comfort with the topic. The air of desperation is replaced with one of confidence.
Be clear on the single point you want to make – You have just a few seconds to make an impression – what is it you want to leave them with when you are done? Rather than overloading them with too much, give them just a single, clear thought to contemplate.
Make eye contact – More than your words, your body language delivers a strong message. A confident, friendly smile combined with a warm look in the eye conveys sincerity, confidence and credibility.

While the specific instances of each talk cannot be planned – we all know these situations will occur and should be prepared with a short response, even if we do not know the question.

You are not talking about rocket science – you are talking about your business. You should always be able to tell someone about your life or business in a few seconds with a smile on your face.

Use these three techniques to deliver a strong, compelling message that intrigues your listeners.

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Do you rely on your words to help grow your business? Are you involved in a business networking group such as BNI or a Chamber of Commerce? Improve your networking skills by learning to create an Effective informercial and elevator speech. Click HERE for details.

We will build on your existing skills and bring you to a new level with your speaking.

Click here to learn more about the Speakers Academy.

Fewer Choices Lead To Better Results

ispeakeasyblog — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:07:41 +0000

Speaking Tip #70

When my children were young, I dreaded going to the store to buy children’s aspirin. I remember standing there at the wall of products completely overwhelmed and very clear that there were many options but not clear at all about the right choice. Aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen or store brand? Pills, capsules, chewable, or liquid? Infants, child, teen or adult? Cherry, berry, or grape? Coated or uncoated? With fever reducer or without? 10, 25 or 100? It was too much!

I always worried that no matter what I brought home, it would not be the right choice.

Speakers often overwhelm audiences in the same way. In an effort to fully educate, to tell the whole story, we give too much information and too many options. We give more than the audience wants, can remember, or can even keep straight in their head. Speakers often try to cram what has take years or even decades to learn into a 40 minute presentation.

Given too many choices or too much information, audiences become dazed. Rather than being moved to action, they are more likely moved to a state of paralysis. In a sales situation, this means no sale. In a management situation, this means no change in behavior. In a community forum, it means no change in belief

An effective speaker brings clarity into the minds of the audience by offering one clear message. An effective speaker supports that one message with 3-5 supporting points, and they are done. An effective speaker keeps it clean and simple. An effective speaker is able to discern what needs to be stated and what needs to be left out. An effective speaker helps bring clarity to the audience.

Take the time to figure out your one message and find your three to five supporting subtopics, and leave everything else out.

The worst that can happen when you give less is your audience will want more information and ask you a question.

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We will build on your existing skills and bring you to a new level with your speaking.

Click here to learn more.

6 Ways To Lose Your Audience In The First 10 Seconds (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
How Much Time Do You Really Have To Grab Their Attention? (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)

How Much Time Do You Really Have To Grab Their Attention?

ispeakeasyblog — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:17:09 +0000

15 seconds. That is how much time you have to grab the attention of your audience. 15 seconds to prove what you are about to say is important to them! Use this time efficiently and they are yours. Waste it and you can watch your audience fidget, turn away, and mentally leave the room. In one-on-one conversations, you will be able to watch their eyes dart about before they divert the conversation to a new topic.

We know the value of being clear on what we are trying to say. Now shift the focus from us and look at why it is important to them, our audience.

Start your talk with a provocative statement that will capture your audience right off the bat. Think of a rhetorical question, a joke, a story, a statistic or a dramatic statement that will peak interest and make them want to hear the rest of what you have to say. Find something that demonstrates why what you want to say is of value to them.

Think about this: when you buy a book – is it wrapped in a jacket (or cover) that is designed to intrigue you or is it in plain brown wrapping? The purpose of the cover is to make you want to pick the book up and look deeper. Think of your opening statement as the cover of the book – what are you going to put there to make others want to know what is inside?

An all-too-common mistake is to starting the talk with the verbal equivalent of brown paper wrapping – uninteresting background, the usual thank yous, or other irrelevant information. The audience is lost before you have begun.

When you stand up to speak (or walk into someone’s office) – be ready with a good opening line that is to-the-point and captivating. It should be clearly thought out, well rehearsed and directly tied to your main message, even if you are speaking one-on-one.

Try this experiment – watch other people speak. Do they start with something of interest to you or do they begin by telling you things you don’t really care about? How do you react to this situation and what is it that makes you stay tuned?

The first 15 seconds of your talk are critical to your success. Take time to plan it well so that you grab their attention and make your audience want to listen.

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We will build on your existing skills and bring you to a new level with your speaking.

Click here to learn more.

Put Your Gold Up Front (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
6 Ways To Lose Your Audience In The First 10 Seconds (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)

Earn More When You Network

ispeakeasyblog — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:55:46 +0000

It’s a fact that the amount of business you land and the number of referrals you receive in your networking group depends on how well you present your ideas to others. It depends on how you speak and what you say. In other words, it depends on your speaking skills.

iSpeakEASY Infomercial Workshop will help improve your speaking skills. Other people who’ve attended these session have found that they are now earning more money – and they credit what they learned in the workshops for the increased income. They’re making more money. You can, too.

Workshops that help improve your credibility and confidence when speaking. At just $69, most people earn the investment back at their first networking event.

Click here to see a workshop flier.

And, if you’d like more information, please call or send me an email.

6 Ways To Lose Your Audience In The First 10 Seconds

ispeakeasyblog — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:35:35 +0000

The opening line of a presentation is a golden moment when 100% of the audience is paying full attention to the speaker. An effective speaker uses this to capture the attention of the audience gain credibility. Here are 6 common ways speakers lose their audience with their opening comment:

These are real statements…

1. Admit or demonstrate you did not prepare

“I really didn’t have much time to prepare…”
“I did not prepare for today so I will just wing it”
“So how much time do I have?”

2. Make a meaningless statement

“I don’t really have much to say and my topic is really boring anyway”
“Ummmm……I am really glad to be here”
“Is this mic on?”
“Well, you all know me and what I do so….”

3. Put yourself down, make an excuse, or apologize

“I really don’t feel very well so I am probably not going to do very well”
“Well I know I’m not the best public speaker, but…”
“I am sorry – I know the previous speaker was really super, and I’m not, so please bear with me”
“I have misplaced the notes, so…”

4. Tell the audience you are nervous

“This is the first time I’ve spoken on stage and I just hope I can get through this!”
“I hope you’ll bear with me because I’m so nervous right now!”

5. Tell the audience there is no reason to listen

“Everything I am going to say is covered in the handouts”
“I really don’t know much about this topic”

6. Lower the audience’s expectations

“That was a great introduction. I hope I can live up to it.”
“I know my talk is going to be less than stellar”
“Bill Jones, who is really a great presenter, and who was scheduled to deliver this presentation had a scheduling conflict – so he asked me to fill in for him. I won’t be as good as Bill. Please bear with me”
“I have misplaced the notes, so…”

A good opening builds your credibility and captures the attention of your audience. Take time to prepare your entire presentation and pay extra attention to the first words you want your audience to hear.

“What Audiences Want From A Speaker” – A free presentation (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)
Help Your Audience Remember Your Words (ispeakeasyblog.wordpress.com)

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We will build on your existing skills and bring you to a new level with your speaking.

Click hereto learn more.

Your Web Video: Is It Good, Bad, Profitable?

ispeakeasyblog — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:40:32 +0000

Today’s business owners know the value of website video. They know it increases search engine rankings. They know it helps build a relationship with prospects. They know visitors are more inclined to watch a short video than to read a block of text.

Surprisingly, though, many business owners, rather than create a professional video, opt for the “do-it-yourself” approach. To save a few dollars, they disregard two not-so-hidden costs of amateur video:

1) The value of their time setting up equipment, recording, editing, and posting.

2) The loss of business from having an amateur video on their website.

While anyone can shoot video and post it on YouTube, a professional videographer does so much more, by ensuring correct camera angles, proper lighting, quality sound, complimentary background, effective editing, and appropriate graphics.

And the most difficult and frequently undervalued part of the video is the message. This can’t be just a quick statement of facts about a business. It must a short, interesting story that concludes with a clear call to action that visitors can’t ignore.

Think of your own website. Prospects spend about 10 seconds viewing it, then decide if this is or isn’t the business they’re looking for. Your message and the quality of your video make an impression that determines if these prospects call you – or your competition.

Yes, any video on your site draws traffic, but your goal is to increase business, not simply get more hits on your website.

As you’re deciding how to proceed with video, ask yourself: Would you hand out homemade business cards with perforations attached? Would you design your own logo, web pages, or other marketing material? If you depend on professionals in these other areas, why would you even think about posting an amateur video on your website?

Experts agree the video on your home page needs to reflect you as you are – a skilled businessperson who pays attention to detail. You simply can’t portray this with amateur video. Some may say amateur video is “good enough,” but it isn’t.

Your competitors love you for using amateur video. (That sound you hear is another visitor clicking off your site and looking for the competition.)

After all, your image is everything. When you invest in professional videography, you’ll save time while creating the best possible image for you and your business

iSpeakEASY is here to help you. We provide Professional Performance Speech Coaching plus Professional Videography to create compelling video for your website. We will even post and optimize your video right on your site for you. It’s fast, effective, and affordable.

Click here for information on how easy it is for you to get professional video for your website.

Click here for a testimonial from a satisfied client.

Click here for a sample.

Join us for a free session on “Creating Effective Web Video” sponsored by the Novato Chamber of Commerce. Tuesday, October 25th at 853 Tamalpias Ave in Novato. 7:45 – 8:45 AM. Free and refreshments will be served.

© 2011 iSpeakEASY. All rights reserved – This speaking tip is one in a series provided by iSpeakEASY. We help people profit from their words. Call for information on individual coaching or group workshops.

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Show The Audience You Don’t Care

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