The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

Quick tips to build your speaking confidence, skills, impact, business or engaging talk content. These tips originate from issues that come up for students, and questions from my audience. If you want to get your question answered DM me on Instagram or LinkedIN @Saraharcher15.

I come across many speakers who are struggling to connect with their audience, and as a consequence their talks fail to get them the results that they want. One of the biggest reasons they struggle is because they are doing what I call … talking about the plane vs. talking about the pain.

That's why in this episode I'm sharing:

• What it means to talk about the plane
• Why your audience doesn't care about the plane
• What you need to focus on instead.
• Why 'avatar' exercises are pointless
• How to find the burning platform that will get your audience into action
• The opportunity if you can connect deeply
• A special tool I created to help you get this right

Enjoy!

FREE RESOURCE - The 5 Levels of Pain

(If you want to hear Lavanyaa talk about her experience you can do that here)

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at [email protected] and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Other Resources:

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling)

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

· leave a comment below.

· Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

· Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.

· Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Amazon Music or Your App

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How often, when it comes to writing in your business, has the blank page beaten you?

I've seen so many people get stopped, or never share what they have written because they don't think it's good enough, or they are worried about being judged.

Just like when you speak, in your business writing too, you get an amazing confidence boost from knowing that your message is good, that your content will make you stand out and connect with your target audience.

When that happens you're excited to put yourself out there.

So how do you shift from stuck to successful? How do you go from getting underwhelming results with your business writing, to your audience saying … "this person gets me and my problem, I think I need to work with them"?

That's where this show comes in.

My guest today is Kyla Skinner, copywriter and business writing mentor.

She helps business owners harness the power of personality to better connect with their audience, stand out in today's increasingly noisy market and attract new clients – so they can grow their business, not hold it back.

As a fully accredited introvert, Kyla had herself felt shy, nervous and reluctant about showing her own personality.

But that changed when she discovered the huge impact it made on growing her fledgling freelance business.

Now, she's an experienced (and award-winning) strategic copywriter, who's built her copywriting and brand language business, The Jarrah Consultancy, primarily through word-of-mouth referrals. Over the past 20 years, Kyla has helped to position and promote hundreds of brands, including many big name, global market leaders.

Today, she also encourages coaches, consultants and small business owners to tap into all this insight and expertise via her dedicated membership community, Copy Café.

Enjoy!

What you'll discover:

• How Kyla became a copywriter and why personality matters to her.
• The problem with generic writing and using tools like chat GPT.
• What it means to 'show' your personality in your writing and the difference it makes to your message.
• Why small business owners struggle to connect with their audience in their copy.
• The three words that Kyla wrote for a Subaru ad that tells a big story.
• How to approach 'daring to be different' if you are more introverted.
• The difference between bland business writing versus writing with personality.
• The gap that Kyla found small business owners falling into, and how she filled it.
• Examples of results business owners have got by stepping out of their comfort zone.
• Three tips for how to get more personality into your writing in a way that feels natural and not forced.
• The surprising differences Kyla experienced as a copywriter creating her own signature talk.
• How speaking has been working for Kyla and her business

All things Kyla:

https://copycafe.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylaskinner/

Books & Resources*:

The Blue Place by Nicola Griffith

https://www.facebook.com/copycafe/

Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's often said that the real experts are the ones that can make the complex easy to understand, and Ros Atkins is an expert on making things easy to understand … so I guess that would make him the expert's expert!

As a journalist, and BBC News' Analysis Editor, Ros Atkins has presented and reported on the biggest stories around the world for twenty years . He's also the creator of the critically acclaimed 'Ros Atkins on...' video series, which has become a phenomenon, garnering millions of views. His ability to explain complex stories in a clear, concise and consumable way has led to him being dubbed the nation's 'Explainer-in-Chief'.

On this show he is sharing his stories from the front lines of news reporting, the mistakes he made, and how he discovered the secret to the art of explanation. You'll also get some fantastic tips that will improve your communication generally, and will power up your content and delivery.

Enjoy!

What you'll discover:

• The mission Ros is trying to accomplish with his book 'The Art of Explanation'
• Why we shouldn't give up when something seems complicated to explain and what to do instead.
• What music can teach us about communication.
• The huge lesson that Ros learned from another reporter that uplevelled his communication.
• Tips for using visuals with your talks so that they are adding rather than taking away from the message.
• Some techniques for improving clarity and conciseness in your message.
• A journalist's view on how to use stories in the best way.
• What 'back annos' are and why they are a valuable tool for speakers.

All things Ros:

https://geni.us/TAOEBOOK

https://twitter.com/bbcrosatkins

https://twitter.com/bbcrosatkins

Books & Resources*:

What is history by E.H. Carr

Resources:

Turn Your Book into a Profitable Talk - PDF Breakthrough Guide

Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Waking up paralysed in 2014 completely turned Jamie McAnsh's life upside down.

He lost his job, and his independence, but he was determined to forge a new path and purpose for his life.

That included becoming a top disabled athlete, and fulfilling his dream of climbing Mount Everest in 2022.

What he realised was that he had a great support network around him, helping him to achieve his goals, and he wanted to create something so that other people could experience that support too. That was when he created his company 'See No Bounds' with his wife Charlott.

Today, Jamie divides his time between speaking all over the world on various topics, and building the See No Bounds global business community.

In this show you are going to get some brilliant insights into what it takes to keep going even when your life and world comes crashing down again and again! You are also going to get some great tips from Jamie around how he built his speaking career.

Enjoy!

(TRIGGER WARNING: PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS SHOW CONTAINS REFERENCE TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS)

What you'll discover:

• How Jamie woke up paralysed one morning in 2014.
• Why he had a funeral for his 'able body' in 2015, despite beginning to make a recovery.
• How Jamie's life was thrown into more turmoil and how he came through it.
• The lessons he has learned so far from the adversity he has faced.
• Why Jamie created, 'See No Bounds' and how COVID nearly took his business.
• How he got started speaking and why.
• What he has learned about himself from speaking to audiences about his journey.
• What Jamie got from his TEDx experience and the lessons he learned.
• How Jamie prepares for his talks and where storytelling and humour fit in.

All things Jamie:

www,jamiemcansh.com

www.seenobounds.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-mcansh-see-no-bounds/

https://www.facebook.com/SeeNoBounds/

https://www.facebook.com/Jamiemcanshmotivationalspeak

Books & Resources*:

Made it Thru the Rain: to light the journey ahead by Beverly Jones

Resources:

The Hookology Workshop - Making Sure Your Talk is Captivating From the Start

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One of the most important parts of your talk is the opening, because you have to grab the attention of your audience and show why the talk is relevant for them. What I've noticed recently with some of my clients, is that their 'hook', (or 'lightning bolt' as I call it), is good, but they aren't fully committing to it, and that is weakening the opening and the connection with the audience and the topic they're speaking about.

So … I thought I'd share the coaching and feedback I gave them with you, so that you avoid this issue, and make the start of your talk rock!

In this show I'm covering:

• The triggers for attention recap.
• Three potential 'lightning bolt' options to hook your audience.
• The problem and an illustration.
• What to do instead.
• Why it works
• Tips for building this skill

Enjoy!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at [email protected] and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

The Shocking Truth About How to Open and Close Your Presentations - Ep. 065

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling)

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Still one of the most prolific tools around, Powerpoint can literally make or break your presentation, depending on how you use it. That's why I wanted to get Philippa Leguen de Lacroix on the show.

She started life employed as a graphic designer, and was increasingly tasked with creating powerpoint slides for the different organisations she worked for. But … Philippa had a yearning to become her own boss, and after a hockey match with another designer pal they decided to start their own agency. That company has gone from strength to strength, pushing the boundaries of powerpoint to deliver jaw dropping presentations that continue to delight audiences and win new clients.

In this show you are going to get some great tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of powerpoint and other types of software, and create slides that support you creating a talk that shines.

Enjoy!

What you'll discover:

• What made Philippa focus on powerpoint.
• How you and your slides can build the connection with your audience or trash it.
• Why the bar for good slides is so low and the bad practice Philippa has seen that you can avoid.
• The psychological and physiological things that we need to take into account with our slide creation.
• What design linked with value means and why it matters.
• What is more important, the talk content and delivery, or the slides.
• Why Philippa believes we should still consider powerpoint over other slide software options.
• Three great tips for good slide design and creation.

All things Philippa:

https://presented.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/presenteduk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippaleguendelacroix/

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Books & Resources*:

The Long Win by Cath Bishop

Resources:

Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This quick talk tip is in response to a situation one of my client's found herself in, that could be an obstacle for you too.

In this show I'm covering:

• Why you need to be able to flex your talk.
• Why it works
• How I used it and you can see it in action
• Tips for building this skill

Enjoy!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at [email protected] and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling)

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It wasn't until I embarked on my marketing, influencing and sales odyssey, that I discovered the concept of 'audience sophistication' as I call it.

It's something I've often shared with marketing clients, but although I used it myself in my talks, I've not taught it to speakers until recently.

And the feedback when I have has been so positive, that I thought I'd better share it with you too!

In this episode, I'm going to break it down for you, so that you can level up your talks and get better results.

What you'll discover:

• The origin story of audience sophistication.
• Why it matters for speakers.
• How it affects your content.
• A practical example of how you might use it.
• How you can discover the sophistication of your audience.

Enjoy!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at [email protected] and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling)

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As a speaker you need to be like the director of a movie, using your talk content and delivery to captivate the audience. Your talk should contain moments that challenge them, make them ponder, create desire and yearning and move them towards your intended destination. All in a way that feels natural and aligned.

In this episode, I'm going to share the levers you can use to achieve those things.

If you want to increase the impact of your speaking then you will definitely want to grab a listen.

What you'll discover:

• The 'approach and avoid' programming and how it affects us.
• What impact it can have on your effectiveness as a speaker.
• When to use 'push' and when to use 'pull on our audience'.
• What you need to understand to use this successfully.
• The other big lever you can pull to influence thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
• Why you need to think like a Hollywood director when you're creating your content.
• Why you need to channel emotion in your delivery.

Enjoy!

Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club

(Take a photo of your review, email it to me at [email protected] and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)

Books:

Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch

Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker

Resources:

FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage

Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling)

Take the Snackable Story Challenge

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Resource Links:

'The Influential Mind' by Tali Sharot

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As you may know in addition to teaching people how to become awesome speakers, I am a writer, and that's how I first discovered Jo Gatford.

I was writing my second play, and needed some concentrated time to focus on getting it written, queue Writers HQ.

Jo Gatford is an award-winning writer of short and long fiction and the co-founder of Writers' HQ. It's an organisation dedicated to providing low-cost writing courses and resources to arse-kicking writers with no time or money. In the past five years Writers' HQ has given away over £10,000 of writing courses and retreats to under-represented and systemically excluded writers, and seen hundreds of students go on to be published and win prestigious literary prizes!

Jo has worked as an editor and copywriter for over 15 years and has been teaching creative writing workshops for almost a decade.

You'll probably be aware that the best talks are full of stories, and in this show Jo is sharing her thoughts on storytelling, what can get in the way of creation, as well as a few tips and hacks to get your stories moving.

Enjoy!

What you'll discover:

• How Jo became a writer.

• What inspired Jo to write her first novel, "White Lies" and what challenges she had to overcome whilst writing it.

• How the process of writing a short story differs from writing a longer piece.

• Some of the common pitfalls or challenges that storytellers often face.

• Tips for making your story work.

• How to ensure maximum productivity and focus whilst doing creative work.

• What Writers HQ is and how it could help you realise your writing dreams!

All things Jo:

https://writershq.co.uk

https://www.jogatford.com

WRITERS' HQ:

Twitter: @writers_hq

Facebook /writershq

Instagram @writershq

Jo Gatford:

Twitter: @jmgatford

Books & Resources*:

The dog of The Marriage by Amy Hempel

Resources:

Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk

Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass

Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge

Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club 'Live' Membership

Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.

Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here.

https://www.saraharcher.co.uk

Thanks for listening!

To share your thoughts:

• Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

To help the show out:

• Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.
• Subscribe on iTunes.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.