In this episode, Mark and Darren help veteran wedding officiant Maria Romano…who has performed over 3,000 wedding ceremonies…to dig for ‘gold’ in a new story, not yet told in public. They show her how eliciting emotion, depicting vivid characters, using dialogue, and uncovering meaningful ‘moments’ can elevate the impact of her presentation, and make it unforgettable!

Snippets:

• A well-told story can establish an emotional audience connection
• The dialogue used by a character can be powerful and persuasive
• A story is more impactful when a character experiences a change
• Make characters so vivid that the audience can ‘see’ them
• Identify and highlight the meaningful ‘moments’ in your story

You tell your ‘signature story’ and you’re confident that your audience will get your message…or will they? Today Mark and Darren explore how a story may send a message that can differ significantly from the one that we intend. They also offer solid suggestions for discovering and using the different messages effectively, to make your presentation unforgettable.

Snippets:

• When you change your emphasis, you can change your message
• Ask a test audience what message they receive. You may get a new message.
• Your message will be clear if your story is well told.
• Resurrect an old story and uncover a new message
• Listen to your stories from the perspective of your audience
• Don’t abandon your original message, but find ways to use the new message

Thanks for listening! Got a question, go to: UnforgettablePresentationPodcast.com 

Want to get coached by us? Go to: https://stagetimeuniversity.com

Hybrid presentations became popular in the early 2020s, and they are here to stay. Darren and Mark have been using the hybrid model for several years and in this episode, they define the model and explain its challenges. They also offer four key strategies for mastering hybrid programs…keys that will help you deliver your unforgettable presentation.

Snippets:

• Engaging the virtual audience early sets the trajectory for their experience
• Treat the camera like another human in the audience
• Shift in eye contact should coincide with logical train of thought
• Use pauses as opportunities to reconnect with the virtual audience
• A co-host/producer can help create a better experience for all attendees
• When you have fun, everyone has fun

Thanks for listening! Got a question, go to: UnforgettablePresentationPodcast.com 

Want to get coached by us? Go to: https://stagetimeuniversity.com

“I don’t deserve to be here. They will find out I’m not as good as they think I am.” If you’ve ever had that thought, you could be facing Imposter Syndrome. Maureen Zappala, author, speaker, and Imposter Syndrome expert, explains this psychological pattern to Darren and Mark, and lays out proven principles to help us overcome. These principles, properly applied, will help us to own our value, and confidently deliver our unforgettable presentations.

Snippets:

• Imposter Syndrome is ‘thought-process distortion’
• It strikes most in seasons of change and transition
• Don’t internalize failure and externalize success
• Beware the Dunning-Kruger effect, thinking TOO HIGHLY of yourself
• Keep a file of compliments from others, read it and believe it
• Know what you’re good at and acknowledge your value
• Go on a spiritual journey

The term ‘pregnant pause’ is widely used to describe a period of silence that keeps the audience in suspense, with a feeling of anticipation. In this episode, Mark and Darren introduce the ‘poignant pause’ and expound on the differences between the two. Understand both, and using them well, will take you one step closer to becoming unforgettable.

Snippets:

• The pregnant pause makes them think; the poignant pause makes them feel
• Pause after asking a question; give the audience time to respond mentally
• The ‘pause pedestal’ elevates the significance of powerful statements
• Isolate points of wisdom by pausing before and after saying them
• When pausing, don’t think in seconds; think in heartbeats
• Don’t fear ‘dead air’; the pause can have intellectual and emotional impact

 

There’s nothing like delivering your first paid speech or taking your first flight to deliver an ‘out-of-town’ presentation. Today Darren and Mark speak with fellow professional speaker Ed Tate about lessons they learned from their career ‘firsts’…both good and bad…that will guide you along your journey to becoming unforgettable.

Snippets:

• Don’t underestimate the value of your first paid speech
• Don’t be afraid to push back when someone tries to undervalue your work
• Prepare thoroughly for your first opportunity
• Firsts involve risks; be willing to take them
• Your first failure hold lessons for you and your audience

What can writing, producing, and performing a comedy television show teach us about being unforgettable presenters? 29-time Emmy Award winner and Hall Of Fame Speaker Bill Stainton provides the answers in this frank discussion with Darren and Mark. He shares the untapped power of your background, the value of giving yourself permission to fail, and how producing your speech like a television program can make you unforgettable.

Snippets:

• Think like a producer
• The right combination of skills can lead to your success
• What are the skills BEHIND your skills
• Give yourself permission to fail
• Leaving your audience on a low point is professional malpractice
• Unforgettable lives at the intersection of writing, producing, and performing
• Build ‘bathroom blocker’ moments so your audience can’t look away
• Give your audience a reason to say, “I WANT THAT!”
• Nail the last 5-10 minutes of your presentation

Ep. 123 – Why Less Is More

Speakers sometimes make the mistake of trying to say a lot in a limited time. Darren and Mark share how to say less while delivering more value. The less we say, the more the audience remembers. That’s one way to be unforgettable.

Snippets:

• Don’t try to squeeze 10 minutes of content into a 7-minute speech
• Deliver fewer points, more clearly
• Keep content tight
• It takes more work to say less
• Ask, “How do I say it better with fewer words?”
• Use shorter sentences
• Simplify with mono-syllabic words

It’s easy to assume that training and keynote speaking are the same. They’re not. Today Mark and Darren are joined by fellow Certified Speaking Professional and World Champion Ed Tate as they examine 4 critical differences between the two presentation methods. Understanding and mastering these differences will help you to be unforgettable.

Snippets:

• Keynoters inform and inspire, trainers close skill gaps and change behaviors
• Keynote: I inspire you. Training: I show you how
• Beware the illusion of learning
• Stories are to keynotes what instructions are to training
• Keynoters must practice stories, trainers must practice activities
• Learning takes place in the debrief
• Have an improv/unplugged mindset

A strong audience connection is one of the keys to being unforgettable. How can you establish that connection, even BEFORE you take the platform? Today Darren and Mark expound on three ways to BUILD A BETTER BRIDGE to your audience, forge relationships, and create allies in the process.

Snippets:

• Interview a few key individuals ahead of time, and ask the right questions
• Get stories about ‘front line’ attendees and elevate them in your presentation
• Use Google’s NEWS tab to get an organizations latest information
• Arrive at events up to a day early, shake hands, have conversations
• Be INTERESTED…not INTERESTING. What excites or upsets THEM?
• Prepare a ‘set list’ of conversation questions and topics
• Make attendees your co-builders as you build your bigger bridge.