The Secrets of Selling From Stage
Official Newsletter with Dr Joanna Martin
In this weeks newsletter:
- Intro from Jo
- A spot of inspiration from someone great
- 7 tips to increase your confidence when presenting
- Joanna recommends The SSS Mentoring Program Hi!
It’s been a crazy busy week this last week. Greg and I are preparing to head back to the UK and tearing around having some last minute face to face meetings before we jump on the plane.
Last week myself and about 40 of the “Shift Speaker Training” family attended Darren Stephens’ “How to Write a Bestseller Workshop” on the Gold Coast. While we had storms wreaking havoc outside and a state of emergency was declared in Queensland, the winds of change were blowing inside the room too!
I had the great privilege to interview 18 new authors who were launching their books at the event. Another opportunity to solidify my skills in front of the camera. It was loads of fun and the stories that these people were sharing were amazing.
Keep your eyes peeled- we might be back home in the UK next week!
Cheers,
Jo
Feature Article
“So you have to give a speech: 7 tips to increase your confidence and have your audience wanting more”
Giving a speech can be a terrifying experience. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it can end in disappointment and you are left wondering… “What went wrong?” These simple 7 tips can assist in turning your next speech from a disaster to a crowd pleasing masterpiece.
1. Stand Still
The critical importance of a neutral stance.
To influence your audience it is vital that you have a commanding presence. One of the worst things you can do is pace about aimlessly and use distracting mannerisms. These things only make you look nervous and disempowered.
You don’t want your audience to think you are waving your arms around as if you are bringing in a Boeing 747 to gate!
Instead it is best to ground yourself and always use a neutral stance as your default. Feel free to move around your stage with volition, but always come back to a neutral stance.
2. Be Yourself
The power of AUTHENTICITY.
People are very good at spotting a fake a mile away. Having the best speech in the world won’t make an ounce of difference if your audience won’t “buy” the person giving the speech.
Ask yourself…
“What is going on inside my head… what am I thinking when I give a speech?”
Take a look at your “internal world” – are you being yourself, or are you pretending to be something or someone that you are not?
Just be yourself- that’s when you will get incredible results!
3. Share a really simple message
Keep your speech REALLY SIMPLE.
The intention of your speech is to capture the attention of your audience. Find one topic to focus on and build your presentation around that. Following a simple approach to teaching will allow you to lead your audience.
“What can I teach them that they could take away and apply simply and immediately?” or “What message can I leave them with that would open their mind a little?”
Your desired outcome is to get them wanting more…
4. Don’t try to change a life in an hour
Be realistic from the outset that you will never have the Super Human ability to change any life in ONE hour through a short speech.
So set your intentions in the right place. This is all about just opening up their thinking and showing them “what’s next”. You don’t have to change the world in an instant.
5. Have a solid presentation structure
“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!”
The biggest issue that people face is what they are going to say. Focus on your audience and ask yourself…
- Who are they?
- What is their level of experience?
- What are their needs, wants, fears and frustrations?
- What’s their biggest problem?
- What’s their greatest dream?
Ignore those questions and your audience will tune out. If you can create your speech around your answers to these they will be fascinated.
Then remember these three simple steps to create the structure of your presentation:
- Involve: meet your audience where they are at an create rapport with them
- Inspire: Share stories, teach, share your message in an inspiring way
- Invite: Ask them to take action- to take the next step.
6. Use Notes but Don’t Read from Them
Get Yourself Prepared
Don’t feel you have to remember your whole presentation without notes. It’s a good idea to jot down the outline of your presentation so you can reference it. But there’s nothing worse than someone who reads out the whole presentation.
In your notes just have the key points, and work from there.
7. Mentally rehearse it going perfectly
Practice, practice, practice!
Don’t rush in front of audience without a “trial” run. You should practice before giving a speech either with friends or peers to fine tune your presentation. Get yourself a mentor who has “been there and done it”, so you have someone you can rely on for advice, support and feedback.
Even more powerful than “actual” rehearsal is “virtual” rehearsal. Mentally visualize your presentation from beginning to end. Visualize yourself effortlessly and easily moving through your speech, delivering a speech successfully just as you planned it.
Perfect practice makes perfect.
Have fun!
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About the author:
Dr Joanna Martin
Dr Joanna Martin is an internationally acclaimed speaker and sought-after educator who has taught over 40,000 people on three continents.
Today, she trains entrepreneurs and professionals alike in key communication, leadership, and presentation skills. With her partner Greg, through their business, Shift Lifestyle they provide strategy and support for business owners who want a lifestyle, not just a living.
For more information go to: www.SecretsOfSellingFromStage.com
