A Billing Tip

As a speaker, performer, presenter and you may be responsible for your billing management. It is indeed important to get paid…and on time! But you may need to improve your technique in this arena. As creative types, many of us struggle with the business side of the show. But, those two words, “show business” the bigger one is business! So, to quote the King, Elvis, sometimes you gotta TCB. (take care of business). Many online tools can help you manage your accounts receivables; That is income that is or will be owed to you for your services. Unless you have a bookkeeper, I’ll suggest staying away from Quickbooks. As your more likely to do more harm than good. Freshbooks is an online billing platform that I recommend. Although I use Quickbooks in one my businesses, in another, a smaller company I use Freshbooks—it is just invoicing. It is professional and straightforward.

Here’s To Your Success!

I went to a graduation event the other day. It was in a nice room, with what looked like great stage lighting. But, I wasn’t sure…because they never turned them on! The result? It was hard to see the graduates clearly on the stage. If you are on a proper stage or platform, and there is specific lighting for that space, stage lighting, be sure you use it! The audience needs to see you. If you can feel the heat of the lights on your face, that’s good! However, with the advent of LED lighting, you may not find yourself standing- to quote singer Billy Joel, “in the white-hot, spotlight”….but be sure you are in the light! Check the stage beforehand, see where the lights began and end on the platform. During your speech, sermon, or performance be sure you stay in the light when all possible. Do some quick online reading on stage lighting, and what are the best colors for your presentation. If you are using the full stage for your presentation, you’ll want to take some time to create a lighting plot for your events; This is like a map for the lighting technicians. Again, a google search will provide more than you’ll ever need to know.  I recommend starting with a simple site, learnstagelighting.com.

Once you’ve begun your talk, speech, or performance, be sure you intentionally make eye to eye contact with some folks. Acknowledging them. Then, be sure to look throughout the audience, even to the back of the room. If you are in a room with proper lighting, you won’t be able to “see” people beyond the second or third rows. That’s okay. Look beyond those lights and pretend that you see them. As you speak, move your head, as you look at your audience. Be sure to move about the stage or platform. But, not too much! Practice walking to a spot, delivering a few lines, or performing one piece. Your body stays put, but your head is moving and acknowledging the entire audience. If you are behind the podium, move out front for a few moments or even a few minutes. And don’t forget while you are making eye contact to smile! If you know your speech, lines, or sermon well, you’ll be able to engage your audience, instead of worrying about what you are going to say.

Walk On Music

If you are a performer, you may already understand how powerful music can be to your entrance on stage. Even professional baseball players have realized this…as a player’s favorite music piece is often played as he goes up to bat. If you’ve never used walk-on music when entering the stage or platform, give it a try. If you have a large stage space to cover before you get to the spot where you’ll be speaking or performing from—this will help cover the silence, also known as “dead air” between applause and you being in position, too. Pick music that reflects your persona and sets the mood for your talk. This might be exciting, or soft. It’s up to you. Also, you’ll only need about 10-20 seconds, so some simple editing might be required. You can do this yourself in a music editing software like Garage Band. Or jump on fiver.com and have someone do it for you. Then, you can email the piece to the sound engineer for the event. I’d also have it on a flash drive that you carry with you to the event.

Be Vulnerable

The stage can be a scary place. Research has shown that public speaking is the number one fear of many people. Number five is death. So, to quote Jerry Seinfeld, “You’d rather be in the coffin than speaking at the funeral.” So, for those of us who put ourselves on stage on a regular basis, taking the next step of being vulnerable to our audience can be intimidating, too. But, it is a way to go deeper with your audience—and create that cathartic moment. When you share a bit of your heart with your audience, in your performance or speech, you are opening yourself, and your audience, in turn, will trust you—and be more attentive to what you are saying. So, as you are crafting your speech, talk or performance be sure to be a bit vulnerable on stage with your words. And you’ll experience a much deeper connection with your audience.

You’ve probably seen it happen, at a conference, church service, or even a live show; There’s nothing more awkward to a performer, speaker OR to the audience, than when the presenter’s mic goes out.  And, if you are on stage for your part-time or full-time profession, it will happen to you at some point.

This is a simple onstage tip that will save your bacon at some point. No matter what kind of mic you use, you always need to have a “back up”.  If you are wearing a lapel or an over the ear mic, simply ask for handheld on a stand to be placed within an easy reach. If you are using a handheld, then just ask for another, and again, have it close by.

I’d also recommend that you have in your arrival/set-up/rider information that you’ll need that additional mic. That helps everyone.

Here’s To Your Success!

It seems silly at first—but if part of being “onstage” for you is wearing dress clothes, then you need to know this tip.  Collar stays are those little arrow-looking things that help hold your collar down.  Those plastic ones that come with dress shirts are meant to be replaced. Below are some links to some better solutions than those plastic ones.

My favorite collar stays are by Fashion Anchor—they are little disposable sticky dots. You can learn more and order some here.

You can also order metal and brass collar stays. Just search Amazon for “Collar Stays” and you’ll have more choices than you could ever imagine!

One of the best ways to build a good reputation in life is to keep your word. Fulfill your promises. This same timeless ideal also holds truthful in your on-stage career.  In this week’s tip, we’ll look at respecting the client that hired you, and the audience that is watching/listening to you. It’s vital insight in building a trusting relationship in your industry.

If you’ve ever seen any using an iPad while they are speaking, you may have noticed the brightness of the screen being reflected in their glasses, or on their face.  From the audience point of view, it is distracting—and it’s not necessary.  Here’s a way to “invert” the colors so that won’t happen to you.

Follow These Four Easy Steps to invert the colors on your iPad while you speak.

That’s it! Hope this helps you..become better!

Here’s To Your Success!

Thanks for listening! This is a follow up from the last episode…it’s a great app and tip for being more efficient and effective while on the road.

If you travel and carry a laptop with you, this is a great tip about using the flatscreen in the hotel to work smarter.  If you carry an iPad with you, too, you can use an app called, Duet—which converts it into a second monitor.