As sure as the sun rises and sets not every talk will go according to plan. When the best intentions unravel you will be equipped to working through the roadblocks without wilting under pressure. Eric outlines what to rely on, to stay on point and press-on, techniques to help you remain calm and focused. By planning for a potential pitfall your chances of avoiding one increase that much more. 

 

No matter how great you are, or how meaningful your message is, the audience receives it on their terms - a series of preconceived beliefs and emotions. Any excellent speaker must get to know their audience, their truths, and what makes them tick. Eric outlines how to better engage and resonate with a group, so that the message you set out to deliver lands in just the right place. Choosing the right words will make a mountain of difference. 

No wasted days. If we're not on our game, chances are our competitors will be. In this Speak Chat, Eric explains the importance of projecting a positive image. For better or worse, people will judge you by the way you look on the outside. Approaching each day with urgency could lead to the life-changing opportunity you never saw coming. 
Items to remember: 1) Someone is always watching. 2) Evaluations are not always fair. 3) Take pride in dressing the part. It may be the easiest way to leave your mark. 

Those who practice improve. Those who don’t … well, it’s an uphill battle. There's a commitment to this self-improvement. But it's also more than logging hours. A big component of your success is HOW you prepare for it. Sure, quality over quantity is part of it, but in this episode Eric examines practice methods proven to produce results. Challenge yourself to rehearsing the right way. In the constant competition for your time, these steps should finish first .. so you do too!! 

You won't win every person over, every time. It's not realistic. In fact, don't put that on yourself. Instead, Eric focuses on ways to grab a group's attention, keeping them focused on you - the speaker - despite their possible indifference. 
In the constant fight for credibility these steps will have you making bold predictions, actively listening to audience critiques, and much more. Engage them, and why not have fun doing it?!

Face it, you're not always going to feel your best. Some days are just harder than others. But with these ten steps, Eric lays out a strategy to making you look comfortable in front of an audience. You will also be able to project calm and credibility without leading-on that you may feel uncertain or nervous. More people will listen to you strictly for looking the part. You're selling yourself, even more than your message. 

When should you arrive? What do you do for the final 20 minutes before go-time? How to feel and look prepared - Eric covers it from all angles. Plus, a simple rule to remember to make the most of those last few minutes as the clock ticks down, and how to welcome your audience as they arrive. Both you and the crowd stand to benefit as the room settles in. Be purposeful and rely on your pacing. 

This is it. How to capitalize on your opportunity, and not let it slip away. It's possible you may not know when your moment is presenting itself. Treating each one like it's meaningful will put you on the right path. Eric shares three simple approaches to set you up for success, plus the assurance you'll walk away with no regrets. Own the moment.

A genuine conversation with Univ. of Memphis Prof. Jessica Jaglois. Jessica and Eric dive into the approach. How effort and persistence produce results. Why the benefits of listening over lecturing, and humility over ego, prove themselves time and again. And, Jessica's way of reeling in the room if your words aren't landing. It's about being human first and gaining your audience's trust.

This is what you’re going to say. Plain and simple, yet critical to crushing it!! Eric explains his four-step approach -- Start, Simplify, Survive, Settle -- to craft your message, and make it memorable. Rocket fuel to rock your next speech or presentation. How to speak from the heart and leave a lasting impact that's easy for you to articulate, and even easier for your audience to appreciate. We're talking personal stories, self-editing, how to handle a heckler and drive home your points. You can do it!