Unforgettable Presentations

For as long as he can remember, author, entrepreneur and Hall Of Fame speaker Michael Aun has been breaking unwritten rules. Decades before the now-common conference closing video montage, he created his ‘visual extravaganza’ for his audiences using 35mm photos. He was the first Toastmasters International Speech Contestant to NOT speak at the lectern. And years before it was popular, he purchased his own wireless lapel microphone for his speaking engagements. Today he talks with Mark and Darren about thinking ahead and being innovative, while sharing solid ideas to make us all unforgettable! Snippets:

• Find ways to differentiate yourself from everyone else
• Always think ahead
• Break the unwritten rules
• Learn the art of speaking, then the business of speaking
• You can’t just show up and ‘wing it’
• Be a master storyteller
• Be creative

We use emojis every day in our digital communication. But what if you used emojis in your stories? 🤔 Listen as Darren and Mark offer concrete ideas for using emojis as tools to enhance the experience that you give to your audience. Emojis can play a key role in clarifying your stories, making your characters more vivid, and making your message unforgettable!

Snippets:

• ‘EMOJICIZE’ lines of dialog
• Use emojis to represent the emotion that a character is feeling
• Use EMOJIS in your script to shows a character’s reaction
• Use emojis as checklist items for your stories
• Challenge yourself to “EMOJI this!”

What are some of your recent GAME CHANGERS that have helped you to grow? Today Mark and Darren talk about some of the decisions they have made, the actions they have taken, and the tools they have utilized to ‘change the game’ for their businesses. They also share wisdom from some of the partners upon whom they lean for guidance, speakers at Stage Time University’s 2022 GAME CHANGERS ALL IN event. These game changers may be just what you need to make you unforgettable! Go to: www.StageTimeLive.com

Snippets:

• Have a functional website that serves your needs and goals
• Put contact info on your home page
• Get a Google phone number for your business
• Create a demo video that shows you can speak in person or virtually
• Automate your processes
• You can use TikTok to increase your visibility
• Repackage and repurpose what you already have

Today Darren and Mark talk about a unique way to brand yourself and stand out. NAME-ISMS are words or phrases that YOU coin and create, which become instant identifiers. Darren created ‘DARREN-TEED’ for his personal guarantee, and Mark uses ‘FORGETORY’ to encourage his audiences to release debilitating memories that hold us back. Listen as they share ways that you can create your unforgettable ‘NAME-ISM.’

Snippets:

• Have a creative mindset and have fun
• Have fun with the exercise
• Brainstorm with friends or a Mastermind group (maybe over a glass of wine!)
• Coin a word or phrase that is uniquely yours
• Coin a word or phrase that will connect to your message
• Use your NAME-ISM to put a handle on your message so your audience can carry it home

What exactly is your ‘personal brand’? Mark and Darren get the answer from Rory Vaden, author, Hall of Fame speaker, and co-founder of the Brand Builders Group. With a frank and direct approach, Rory emphasizes the value of completely surrendering to a work ethic and clarifying your message. He also shares how leaning into your calling and identifying your uniqueness will help you to uncover your personal brand, and how focusing on service can make you, and your presentations, unforgettable! Snippets:

• Ask yourself WHY you speak
• Think of yourself as a conduit of a message to the world
• Use your humor and stories as weapons to break audience barriers
• If you’re really good, you can change a life in an hour
• Your calling is the result of a signal sent by someone who needs you
• You’re most powerfully positioned to serve the person you once were
• Diluted focus leads to diluted results

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

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

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