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OK If I Laugh Now?
It seems the jury is out on this one, with opinion divided on whether or not it is okay to laugh at your own jokes. Maybe it's just me (although I doubt it given the number of comedians and humorous speakers who also laugh at their own jokes.
But I believe the aim of a ... Views: 3202
When transitioning from my former career as a stand-up comic into my new one as “The Reinvention Guy,” I realized that one of the things that had been holding me back from accomplishing my goals was the desperation of wanting success too badly.
I swore that once I transformed myself, I would ... Views: 1379
It’s becoming a national nightmare for the working class in this country.
According to a recent survey — ONLY 45 percent of today’s employees are satisfied with their work.
Not surprising, this was the lowest level ever recorded by the Conference Board research group in more than 22 years ... Views: 1564
If you want to reboot your career and get results, you need to start a career journal that will allow you to review those "old contracts" with yourself.
They help you realize that those “contracts” are just expectations you set for yourself when you were younger and enable you to evaluate ... Views: 1944
I don't know how to say this any clearer: But most people are lazy. (Not you, of course, I am talking about other people who are reading this article.)
And being lazy is part of human nature. A body at rest; stays at rest… a body in motion yada, yada, yada…
Anyway, the reason I am asking ... Views: 1534
One of the reasons I like writing articles is that I can test out real world public speaking techniques and then share my results to you.
Which brings me to a recent speaking engagement that was… how do I say this delicately …well, NOT the ideal speaking situation.
In fact, for any ... Views: 1631
Okay, you've decided to go into business for yourself. You have some seed money to start your new business, but you know you need to get the word out to your targeted audience that you are open for "business". Problem is, your seed money can only buy a few plants. :) Well, lucky you. I am about ... Views: 1328
If you are thinking of changing careers or reinventing yourself at your present job, (and you don’t think you’re up to the task), well here’s a survey you should know about.
According to the University of Chicago study done on achieving goals — it was shown that those who relish challenge are ... Views: 1348
Different governments, officials, environmental agencies exhort us to conserve the energy we use in order to save the environment and sustain our continued existence on the planet.
On a personal level, if you are serious about reinventing your career and life, then I think that you also need ... Views: 1833
This truly could be the bane of any speaker's existence. Just think: You have to WOW your audience (who might never have seen you before)…. you have to deal with the set of the room (location of chairs and tables near platform) and NOW, you have the nightmare of having to deal with food that is ... Views: 1312
Have you ever really sat down or studied what it takes to become and effective speaker? Well, to begin, you should first determine where you are in the speaking world.
Do you want to be a professional speaker who makes this your livelihood? Are you a weekend warrior who does this part-time to ... Views: 1435
New speakers (as well as audience members) occasionally approach me after one of my keynote presentations and ask me how I knew I wanted to be a speaker. Well, that is certainly a good question that has many answers. However, the one resounding theme that percolates inside my head as to why I ... Views: 2097
Ever drive a stick shift in a car? If you have, then you soon discovered if you don't use the clutch the right way (too fast or too slow -- or not at all), the gears will collide and you'll hear an annoying and scary grinding of metal. Most new teenage drivers know this hellacious sound. ... Views: 1832
Peter Fogel's "How to NOT to Compete With Food While Delivering a Speech or Presentation!"
This truly could be the bane of any speaker's existence.
Just think: You have to WOW your audience (who might never have seen you before)…. you have to deal with the set of the room (location ... Views: 1626
Have you ever really sat down or studied what it takes to become and effective speaker? Well, to begin, you should first determine where you are in the speaking world.
Do you want to be a professional speaker who makes this your livelihood? Are you a weekend warrior who does this part-time to ... Views: 1494
New speakers (as well as audience members) occasionally approach me after one of my keynote presentations and ask me how I knew I wanted to be a speaker.
Well, that is certainly a good question that has many answers. However, the one resounding theme that percolates inside my head as to why I ... Views: 1534
Have you ever thought about speaking on cruise ships?
Now, I’m not talking about chit chat at your assigned dinner table here.
I am talking about standing in front of five hundred to a thousand people in a gorgeous show room (or smaller lounge) and sharing your passion and expertise on ... Views: 1997
There's no getting around it: The moment you bound onto the platform or stage your credibility is at stake. And one way to cement your credibility is to master the art of Q & A (short for Questions and Answers)
Look at how Q & A's are done on the political battlefields. Remember the Hillary ... Views: 1768
If you want to clearly get your message across in front of an audience, guess what? You can communicate in a very effective fashion with not only your words, but with other methods of communication that do not involve speech at all. Alright, now you're wondering how a speaker can speak to an ... Views: 1745
Humor and the Size of the Audience
Welcome back to part II. In a group of ten or more, there is emotional protection and thus it is easier for someone to laugh. The jokes that work for a large group of people are those with generally accepted interests or concerns.
Example: Here’s a ... Views: 1497
There are basic principles of humor that can enliven your talk. Perhaps the most important one is to avoid telling generic "funny stories," Instead, find and build more humor within the context of personal stories.
To make your mark as a speaker… to get into the hearts and minds of your ... Views: 1773
There's no getting around it: The moment you bound onto the platform or stage your credibility is at stake. And one way to cement your credibility is to master the art of Q & A (short for Questions and Answers)
Look at how Q & A's are done on the political battlefields. Remember the Hillary ... Views: 1724
Preparing your speech and writing appropriate stories can be a challenge at the best of times, but the real challenge is in using and writing those stories in such a way that they really engage your audience.
First, think about how other speakers and presenters manage to grab your ... Views: 1532
As I mentioned in Part I, being specific sells and makes a story more personal. Give your audience a place to envision by telling them the specific location of your joke or story. For instance, say you were in Tommy's Diner in Hoboken, New Jersey -- as opposed to just saying New Jersey. Your ... Views: 1638
It was 1990 and I was back in NYC from LA dealing with my terminally ill mother in Cedar Sinai Hospital. Three years earlier, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. As you might have experienced yourself, back in those days the dreaded chemo was really the only treatment available. She put up the ... Views: 1580
Whether you’re a professional public speaker or someone occasionally called upon to speak at company meetings… or to prospective clients… you want to make sure your audience quickly “gets” your message.
The way to do it is to brand yourself. In other words, to sum up your message with a ... Views: 1660
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." ~Victor Frankl
Did you see the HBO movie The Life and Death of Peter Sellers? Sellers was always transforming himself. The man slipped into a persona as easily as you or I would slip into a pair of ... Views: 1573
Welcome back to Storytelling Tips and Tactics. As I mentioned in my previous article… specificity sells and makes a story more personal!
When it comes to effective story telling give your audience a place to envision by telling them the specific location of your joke or story. For instance, ... Views: 3737
Perhaps you've been there yourself. You are listening to a speaker drone on with facts and figures… and figures and facts. At that moment your eyes are rolling towards the back of your head. As I always say - audiences will forgive a lot of things from you -- but they will never forgive a ... Views: 2932
I always say when it comes to speaking or performing, you must adhere to Murphy's Law. What can wrong … will. I don't know who this Murphy was, but perhaps he should get in touch with Montezuma (and his revenge.)
Please note, dear reader, I am not a fatalist. I am more of a realist. Yes, you ... Views: 2915
The speakers people like the most, or who have the greatest impact, are said to have “presence.” Something special that leaps out at you. Certain actors have it, and that makes them "stars." Certain models (who by the way are sometime average looking people in real life) somehow "click" with ... Views: 3562
Talking to the Bureau in Person or On the Phone
Before you call a speaking bureau, do some research to figure out which ones match your goals. Just as two snowflakes aren't a like -- it's the same with speakers bureaus.
Your best plan (and you'll discover if they are truly interested in ... Views: 2388
When you’re speaking, do you rely too much on your audience? Are you always getting negative messages from their body language and facial expressions?
When you’re speaking, do you rely too much on your audience? Are you always getting negative messages from their body language and facial ... Views: 2785
The first part of connecting with the audience is to do the proper research for the event. And by that I mean, you have to do your homework.
You have to consult with the client and event planner and truly understand the reason your presentation has been arranged-- and why they chose ... Views: 3552
I have an entrepreneur friend who is an engaging speaker. He always gets high marks on audience evaluations.
On stage, he comes off as quite confident. Watching him, you’d think he was loaded with self-esteem.
In fact, the opposite is true. And at a recent presentation, he let his audience ... Views: 2356
I couldn’t believe I was going to open my presentation with that joke. Me, of all people! Yet, there I was. With my heart pounding in anticipation… I was about to bound onto the platform and speak in front of over 250 people…
Not only that, I was going to open my presentation with a bit I ... Views: 3107
Victor Borge, the late, great, Danish comedian once said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."
Well, it can also be the longest yard in trying to make an audience laugh, as I tell you what happened to me when I once performed on a cruise ship.
Remember: when it comes to ... Views: 2936
One of the skills a marketer knows if he wants a high response from his campaign is to understand the make-up of his audience. He (or she) will dig deep to understand their core desires, needs, and wants.
In essence, what “makes them tick!”
Well, the same type of expertise is needed to win ... Views: 3951
One of the most important things as a speaker has to do to make an impact with their audience - is to control the environment they are in.
Believe it or not, some speakers get the “gig” (aka the engagement) show up at the correct time and realize the seating arrangements or the lighting is ... Views: 2755
In the direct marketing world, of which I am a part of, there is a formula that sales writers adhere to. And it’s one that speakers can use as well.
It is called The 3 T's Speaking Formula! It is old advice, and yet, it's an excellent use of your talents and time and is quite effective in ... Views: 9928
After you have given a presentation, and especially at the beginning of your career (and even when you are at a level of expertise), you should critique your presentation skills to improve. It’s safe to say the more proficient a speaker you are, the better the communicator you are. The better ... Views: 2199
The beleaguered carpenter ran his hand over the wood the way a horse trainer stokes the back of the thoroughbred that he is about to take out for a run.
In happier times this artisan was in high demand. Of course, this was before “the accident” that shocked the town. “No mistakes… not THIS ... Views: 3874
There’s no doubt that speakers put a lot of time into developing the content for their speeches. Unfortunately, as you’re well aware of, because of sensory overload
audiences will only be able to digest two to three points of your talk. (yes, they will channel surf when you speak) So your rule ... Views: 2755
There is a major 'problemo' that a lot of speakers sometime fall into when using Power Point. I call it upstaging yourself. 'Upstaging' is a 'technique' that stage actors have been using 'against' each other since Greek times. It happens when one actor moves up the stage which in turn makes ... Views: 3161
According to a poll take by MSNBC men and women were asked what personal qualities had the greatest impact on the success of their careers. Naturally, men and women differed when it came to the importance of intelligence, ability and 'looks.' (I know... what a surprise) BUT the one thing they ... Views: 3522
Persuasive public speaking is all about connecting with your audience. One of the quickest ways to heighten your audience connection is to use a theatre acting technique called 'Breaking the Fourth Wall.
One of the reasons you go to the theatre is to be transported to a different time
and ... Views: 3379
It would be nice to think that the companies on the leading edge of work/life balance programs are simply being good citizens and doing the right thing! But, the fact is that these programs make good business sense.
In addition to increased productivity and employee satisfaction, companies ... Views: 1499
I've been studying and as a copywriter writing for the financial markets for quite a while now. Of course, I am not an expert, more than anything I come from school of hard knocks. So here are some aspects that you should think about when and if you want to take the prudent approach to financial ... Views: 1427
Who are you if you have a book available for purchase? An expert? Someone successful? A smart marketer? All of the above. Reinventing yourself often requires a new life set of references. The doubts are out there. "Sure", the clients says (or worst, just thinks), you were successful as a project ... Views: 2234
Striking out on our own can be liberating and a bit scary. I don't know of anyone
who has taken a real jump and regretted it, but I haven't talked to everyone who has either. I have talked to several who wound up going back to the corporate cubicles, licking a few wounds, but they still didn't ... Views: 1398