Perhaps you’ve seen a poor introduction, or a well-written one poorly delivered. In this episode, Mark and Darren give insight into the power of a video introduction and share two examples to show how a good video introduction can help you to be unforgettable. 

SNIPPETS:

• A good video intro connects your audience to you

• It connects your audience to your subject

• Keep the content simple

• Include still photos

• It tells a story in itself

• It’s a teaser to create curiosity

• Include royalty-free music

• If using text, limit the text to one line per slide

• Each line of text can be a cliffhanger

• Be creative

• You can’t edit what you don’t create

• Use resources like 99Designs, Fiverr and Upwork

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

LinkedIn has become the business ‘go-to’ platform, but many users haven’t been using it properly. Today, Mark and Darren talk with LinkedIn expert Richard Bliss about the mistakes and best practices for maximizing LinkedIn to accelerate your business. 

SNIPPETS:

• LinkedIn is a business platform

• Don’t use LinkedIn like social media platforms

• Social media activities are counterproductive on LinkedIn

• Emojis can interfere with the intent of your content

• Emojis have different meanings to different demographics

• Leave insightful comments on people’s posts, not just ‘likes’

• 3X5 Rule: Comment 3X daily, for 5 days each week

• Apply the Human Algorithm, investing in relationships before connecting

• Write posts of 120 words or fewer, spacing every 3 lines

• In your ABOUT profile, be INTERESTED before being INTERESTING

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Webster’s Dictionary defines The 11th Hour as “the latest possible time before it’s too late.” Today Darren and Mark give examples of 11th hour speaking situations and offer advice on how to be unforgettable by performing professionally at the 11th hour.

SNIPPETS:

• We are paid to make 11th hour decisions

• True professionals perform at the 11th hour

• Be aware that meeting planners often face 11th hour challenges

• Build relationships by serving others in their 11th hour

• Be aware that people around you may be in their 11th hour

• Be the meeting planner’s favorite

• Be prepared for 11th hour situations

• Make yourself available for 11th hour assignments

• Be the 11th hour presenter

• Learn all you can about events, so you don’t miss 11th hour opportunities

• Don’t wait for 11th hour coaching

• Think of ways to improve on what landed

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

When reviewing their speech recordings, speakers often look for what DIDN’T go well. Today, Mark and Darren invite you to focus on the positive, and to look first for what LANDED. This will help you to identify your strengths, and approach areas for improvement with a positive mindset. 

SNIPPETS:

• Find the magic moments

• Determine what worked

• Identify the times you connected

• Gauge audience reaction

• We can’t see our best while we are on the stage

• Look for times when you say something differently in the moment

• Dissect the presentation

• Notice where microexpressions make a difference

• Your tone of voice and facial expressions can be impactful

• Examine characters and decide: ‘remove or remain?’

• Think of ways to improve on what landed

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Have you considered re-writing one of your previous stories? In today’s episode, Darren and Mark encourage you to examine your previous presentations with the goal of improving, enhancing, and re-writing. A re-write can elevate your content, enhance your performance, and most importantly amplify your impact. 

SNIPPETS:

• Great speeches aren’t written; they’re re-written

• Revisit previous presentations

• Watch videos of your speeches

• Review with a critical eye

• Identify what you did well, and areas for improvement

• Make review and re-write part of your routine

• Put ‘WORLD CLASS TIME’ on your calendar

• Start with one area…a story/idea/slide deck/segment

• Choose when to replace narration with dialog

• Examine characters and decide: ‘remove or remain?’

• Seek ways to enhance the audience’s experience

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

How do you find a balance between narration and dialog? NARRA-LOG! Like one of Mark and Darren’s clients, you may think, “That sounds like a NARROW LOG!” Today our co-hosts talk about bridging the gap between too much narration/not enough dialog…and vice versa…using that ‘narrow log.’ They give guidance on using both techniques effectively to build your unforgettable presentation.

SNIPPETS:

• Find the right balance between narration and dialog

• Look for key emotional shifts in your story

• You may need to reel in the dialog

• Avoid creating a soliloquy

• Don’t create a stage play

• Decide when narration serves best

• Choose two or three ‘dialog moments’

• In dialog, more than one character must speak or react

• Use dialog to increase conflict, show a revelation, and reveal the aftermath

• Reactions tell the story

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Darren and Mark encourage their clients to review their scripts and ask, “How can I say this better with fewer words?” Today they discuss how having a better mindset can transform your presentation, improve your business, and make you unforgettable. 

SNIPPETS:

• Ask: What can I make, say, or do better?

• Re-evaluate your presentations, programs, and processes

• Revisit your digital footprint

• Cut superfluous content

• Consider the audience’s mindset

• Do a debrief

• Random comments can provide better options

• Find better marketing strategies

• Give your audience a better experience

• Build better relationships with clients and meeting planners

Work with Mark and Darren:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

At some point, you may feel stuck in your business, doing the same thing over and over, without any measurable progress. Today Mark and Darren have an off-the-cuff discussion about ways to get breakthroughs on your path to becoming unforgettable. 

SNIPPETS:

• Reach your ‘enough is enough’ point

• Revisit your habits

• Adopt a new perspective

• Seek qualified help

• Find a mentor

• Be humble and sincere

• Be a sponge

• Join a mastermind

• Say ‘Yes’ when a pro offers to help

• Apply their advice

• Breakthroughs come from growth

Join us for Game Changers:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/game-changers-2025/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

We all want to get booked but we often lack the skills and knowledge to land the gig…on the best terms. Speaker bureau executive Jennifer Lier sits down with Darren and Mark to reveal the obstacles that keep you from getting booked, and the ‘must haves’ that will get you gigs and make you unforgettable. 

SNIPPETS:

• YOU are your company, brand, and product

• It’s hard for you to negotiate your own gigs

• Let your bureau be your advocate

• Bureaus will not seek you out

• Bureaus look for speakers delivering at 25-30 events annually

• Most bureaus look for speakers earning $7,500+ per speech

• Bureaus speakers with fees under $10K

• Treat the bureau as your partner

• Have non-branded marketing materials ready

• Have TWO shareable demo videos: 3-5 minutes and 30 minutes

• Have a website that aligns with your brand

• Bring the bureau a gig

• Give the bureau a reason to work with you

Check out Game Changers:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/game-changers-2025/

Check Out Stage Time University:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

To get more business, your prospects need to know you exist. Today, Mark and Darren talk with Hall-Of-Fame speaker and million-dollar business growth innovator Ford Saeks Ford offers practical, business building wisdom to help you get found, get seen, and get business. 

SNIPPETS:

• Be great on stage

• Master your craft

• Google yourself to see what your prospects see

• Have a solid digital footprint

• Use LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok

• Content is a commodity

• Don’t tie your identity to a delivery method

• Lead with benefits

• Help your audience to DISCOVER, UNCOVER and REVEAL

• It’s not about selling; it’s about serving

• Treat AI like an expert, monitor it as an intern

Discount Code: Ford20

Check Out Game Changers:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/game-changers-2025/