Unforgettable Presentations

In this final installment of a three-part series, Mark and Darren are joined by guest coach Mike Davis to review the presentation of the 2022 World Champion of Public Speaking Cyril Junior Dim. With a live webinar audience bearing witness, they discuss all aspects of this winning speech and point out techniques that can make any presentation unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• ‘Own’ the physical stage confidently
• Use references with which the entire audience is familiar
• Audience participation and interaction are assets
• Emotional shifts magnify your audience connection
• When portraying characters, show their emotions
• When using a metaphor, callback later
• Movement must be congruent with words
• Stand still when delivering key points
• Claim center stage for your closing
• Look at the camera in a hybrid environment

The Toastmasters International Speech Contest draws the interest of thousands each year, and in this second episode of a three-part podcast series, Darren, Mark, and guest coach Mike Davis review the virtual presentation of 2022 First Runner-Up Alexandre Matte. They identify his many strengths and make suggestions that will help any presenter to be unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Answer the question in the audience’s minds early
• Establish characters by their location in your speaking area
• Portray characters using voice and mannerisms
• Be naturally conversational
• Use camera proximity to maximize microexpressions
• Genuine emotion resonates with your audience
• An accent can be an asset
• When speaking online, use camera proximity that serves your audience best
• Props are powerful when used effectively

Each year, 35,000 people enter the Toastmasters International Speech Contest with the dream of becoming the World Champion of Public Speaking. For this special three-part podcast series, World Champions Mark and Darren are joined by guest coach Mike Davis and a live webinar audience as they review the speeches of the top 3 winners in 2022. In this episode, they review the in-person presentation of the second runner-up, Mas Mahathir Bin Mohamad, highlighting what he did well and offering recommendations for enhancing his presentation.

• Unique but tasteful attire is an asset
• Dialogue enhances the audience’s experience
• In dialogue, characters communicate with each other, not the audience
• Consistent portrayal of characters makes them more real
• A foundational phrase makes the message memorable
• Identify scenes in your speaking area and remain consistent
• Couplets like UNCONVENTIONAL/UNCONDITIONAL are very effective
• Be very clear with your main message
• The camera is another person in the room

We all want a great audience, and most of the time, that’s what we get. However, sometimes we must face a tough crowd…unsmiling, stone-faced, and seemingly disengaged. What do we do? Today Darren talks with Mark  about a recent experience with a tough audience. Using lessons they both learned from being in that situation, they share common speaker mistakes and break down strategies for identifying and connecting with a tough audience.

SNIPPETS:

• It’s not if, but when you will face a tough audience
• Some audiences don’t emote; not emoting doesn’t mean not enjoying
• Focus on serving your audience, no matter what happens
• Identify and address their top three frustrations and pet peeves
• Use before rapport to understand the atmosphere, mood and environment
• By failing to research you can create your own tough audience
• Avoid investing all your time trying to win over a few disengaged attendees
• Focus on those who are engaged
• Create a strong connection early
• Be willing to get physically close to the audience

Your presentation, your message, and your ability to share them are gifts to your audience. This advice comes from global workforce expert, international keynoter, author, and the recipient of Toastmasters International 2022 Golden Gavel Award, Dr. Shirley Davis. Darren and Mark talk with her about finding her gift early in life and becoming unforgettable despite facing several failures and setbacks. Her enthusiasm and wisdom provide a new perspective on our presentations, helping us to see them as gifts for our audiences.

SNIPPETS:

• You will be attracted to your gift
• Opportunities are often disguised as failures
• Failure IS an option
• Bring your most authentic self and experience to every presentation
• Share your brokenness and your blessings
• See your gift as a blessing
• Stay in your lane and find what you do well
• Don’t show up and blow up
• Be excited about every opportunity to serve
• Feel unforgettable to be unforgettable

The Fripp Presentation Model is the perfect tool for preparing presentations that are well-structured, flow smoothly, and contain all the elements that transform a speech into an experience. Co-hosts Mark and Darren continue to use the model when they prepare new presentations…from keynotes to multiple-day workshops. So, what is it, and what’s the story behind it? Today Mark and Darren get the answers from the originator herself, their mentor, Hall Of Fame Speaker Patricia Fripp, co-author of their new book DELIVER UNFORGETTABLE PRESENTATIONS. Patricia explains the origin of the model, its components, how it works, and most importantly WHY it works. Their discussion reveals how this proven process has served them for decades, and how it can help you to prepare an unforgettable presentation.

SNIPPETS:

• The model uses principles that apply to any type of presentation
• The principles will be the same, the examples will be different
• “Good structure brings you confidence and your audience clarity.” – Darren
• Trust the process
• Structure is the skeleton under the flesh of your words
• Provide chunks of content with supporting examples
• After each chunk, give your audience an opportunity to reflect
• Use a chorus or echo as your transition
• Speak to the audience of your audience

Nobody wants to make mistakes, but we all do…emerging speakers and experienced professionals alike. In this episode, Darren and Mark talk with their mentor, Hall Of Fame Speaker Patricia Fripp, and co-author of their new book DELIVER UNFORGETTABLE PRESENTATIONS. They discuss and expound on some common mistakes, and reveal a few others that presenters fail to recognize or acknowledge. This conversation sheds some light on simple adjustments that any speaker can make to transform speech into an unforgettable presentation.

SNIPPETS:

• There are no mistakes, save one: the failure to learn from a mistake – Robert Fripp
• Work harder for your client than everyone else does
• Customize to incorporate the unique differences of every audience
• Don’t use language in that you would not use in daily conversation
• Prepare for the responsibility of speaking before getting the assignment
• Sameness is far more than a boring monotone. Avoid it
• Pause. There is not ‘nothing’ in silence
• Don’t cause cognitive overload by giving too much information
• For technical presentations, start simple and build up to the advanced

“Speak to TEENAGERS?” To some, that’s normal. To others, it’s SCARY. Today Mark draws from his 20+ years serving the youth market, as he and Darren discussion how to effectively connect with and serve that tricky age group of 11 – 18 years old. What they share will make it a lot less scary and will set you up for successful youth presentations.

• You may not want to, but you may get to speak to youth
• Learn their ‘language’ and what is important to them
• Learn what ‘moves’ youth by speaking with your children and grandchildren
• Your nieces, nephews, and neighbor’s children may be more open than yours
• Friends/family who are educators or work in schools can teach you a lot
• Show interest in young people, and show that you care about them
• Let them see themselves in your stories
• Entertain them. You are competing with television and social media
• Draw from experiences you had at their age

You may have more stories than you know, and for years, Darren and Mark have encouraged their students to ‘keep a story file.’ They have upgraded that concept and now encourage presenters to maintain a story FOLDER. In this episode they explain it, and share not only how we should use it, but WHY we should use it. This game changer will help you to uncover even more stories and provide you with more material to make your next presentation unforgettable.

• Upgrade your story file by converting it into a story folder
• Include infographics
• Add pdf files
• Add photos
• Upload video clips
• Insert song lyrics and audio files
• Make a new habit: test one new folder item every week
• Test at a Toastmasters club, with friends, and in conversation
• A family gathering is a great place to test stories…and to find new ones
• Develop the stories that resonate

You may one day be interviewed on television, and you may have only 3-5 minutes to deliver your message. How can you be effective in such a short time? Darren plays clips from one of his recent TV interviews as he and Mark discuss the importance of ‘soundbites’. They also provide tips on how to prepare for a television interview, and how to make the interview experience unforgettable…for the interviewer, for you, and for your audience.

• Prepare by timing your answers to interviewer questions
• Edit your content into sound bites
• Give short and succinct answers which include your soundbites
• Edify your interviewer
• Audiences will ‘vote’ for your best sound bites
• Use your soundbites at the ends of sentences, as ‘Punch Phrases’
• Prove your interviewer with ‘B Roll’ footage and other visuals
• Collaborate with your interviewer to tell a story together
• Be conversational
• Be entertaining