The last thing you say may be the most remembered. You must put
as much time into selecting and practicing your closing as you
put into any other part of your presentation.
Your closing could be motivational, challenging, humorous,
thoughtful, respectful of the length of the presentation, or it
could restate your point in a different way. This ending segment
will have a strong influence on what the audience takes home with
them when you are done.
TOM'S PET PEEVE
Please, at sometime during your talk ask the audience to do
something. Many a great NO ZZZZZs talk went no further than the
walls of the meeting room because the audience wasn't moved to
action. If you haven't ask them to do something by now, the
closing is your last chance.
HUMOROUS CLOSINGS
If the subject is appropriate, I happen to be fond of humorous
closings for several reasons. If you leave them laughing and
applauding, you will exit, but an extremely positive impression
about you will remain.
Another good reason to leave them laughing is that the room will
not be deadly silent as you are walking back to your seat. I hate
when that happens. I do love laughter and feeling good; finishing
a talk humorously gives me and the audience an opportunity to
feel great.
Talks that are for entertainment purposes only should
generally leave the audience laughing. Finally, if the subject is
not appropriate to end with laughter,. you could end with a
touching story or quotation that leaves the audience thoughtful
and quiet. Even the most serious subjects can benefit from humor,
but the humor should be sprinkled throughout the body of the
presentation. Don't put it at the end because closings are
powerful and the audience will think your overall attitude toward
the subject is flippant.
This same technique can be very effective in ending a mostly
humorous presentation. Have them laughing all along while you
make your points. Then finish seriously. This contrast will
create a great impact. It will convey the fact that you believe
in a lighthearted approach to the subject, but the results are
very serious to you. A great resource for closings and lots of
other good material is the book, "How to Be the Life of the
Podium: Openers, Closers & Everything in Between to Keep Them
Listening" by Sylvia Simmons.
CHEAP STANDING OVATION
Here's a guaranteed (but cheap and sleazy) way to get a standing
ovation. All you have to do is have the audience stand and
applaud themselves. It goes like this:
"I don't want any applause, not that I was going to get any
anyway, but what I would like is for everyone to stand up [have
everyone stand up and wait until they are standing before you
continue]. Now give me a really great round of applause for the
folks who made this meeting possible and for yourselves, the
members of this great organization. Thank you. I'm Tom Antion.
(This doesn't mean I'm cheap and sleazy does it?)
Get 30 Days Of Speaking Training For Only $5.00!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Public Speaking: Spread Your Content
The business model for a content website is that the site owners
gather as much content as they can on a particular topic. They
then try to attract as many people as possible who are interested
in that topic. The more people that visit the site, the more the
advertising on the site is worth. You can tap into this large
volume of website visitors for free.
Let's say a site is totally about automobiles. They have all the
new models listed along with articles on leasing, finance,
insurance, how to buy a used car etc. Guess where they get all
these articles. Of course, from subject matter experts like you.
You generally don't get paid for the articles (it's possible you
could), but you get paid by your bio line and link back to your
website.
WHY IS THIS GOOD
This is good in several ways. First, a link from a very high
traffic site is worth more to you than a link from a low traffic
site. The link alone helps your search engine rankings because of
"link popularity." Second, the article you write has high
credibility for appearing on a large respected site. This means
that people that click over to your site are already predisposed
to like what you have to say and believe you are credible before
they ever pick up the phone to call.
You only need to land a few of these deals to add a tremendous
number of website visitors to your site . . . all of whom could
spend money with you in one way or the other.
HOW TO DO IT
To get your content listed, search the Internet for sites that
are related to your topic area. They don't have to be "exactly"
related. For instance, customer service experts would be welcome
on any business related site either small or large.
Email, write, call, fax or do anything it takes to get through to
the powers that be at the website of interest. Persistence pays
off in this game. Offer your credentials and sample articles and
you just might be their next featured columnist . . . and that
means millions of potentials leads for your business.
Get More Great Public Speaking Tips!
gather as much content as they can on a particular topic. They
then try to attract as many people as possible who are interested
in that topic. The more people that visit the site, the more the
advertising on the site is worth. You can tap into this large
volume of website visitors for free.
Let's say a site is totally about automobiles. They have all the
new models listed along with articles on leasing, finance,
insurance, how to buy a used car etc. Guess where they get all
these articles. Of course, from subject matter experts like you.
You generally don't get paid for the articles (it's possible you
could), but you get paid by your bio line and link back to your
website.
WHY IS THIS GOOD
This is good in several ways. First, a link from a very high
traffic site is worth more to you than a link from a low traffic
site. The link alone helps your search engine rankings because of
"link popularity." Second, the article you write has high
credibility for appearing on a large respected site. This means
that people that click over to your site are already predisposed
to like what you have to say and believe you are credible before
they ever pick up the phone to call.
You only need to land a few of these deals to add a tremendous
number of website visitors to your site . . . all of whom could
spend money with you in one way or the other.
HOW TO DO IT
To get your content listed, search the Internet for sites that
are related to your topic area. They don't have to be "exactly"
related. For instance, customer service experts would be welcome
on any business related site either small or large.
Email, write, call, fax or do anything it takes to get through to
the powers that be at the website of interest. Persistence pays
off in this game. Offer your credentials and sample articles and
you just might be their next featured columnist . . . and that
means millions of potentials leads for your business.
Get More Great Public Speaking Tips!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Public Speaking: Last Minute Practice
If you happen to be staying in a hotel in a room next to mine,
it is very likely you would hear parts of my upcoming speech
bellowing through the walls.
Even after the enormous number of presentations I've done I still
practice my stories and various bits of material the night before
my event. I heard Zig Ziglar saying that he does the same thing.
Unless you are speaking every day, it is almost impossible to
stay razor sharp with your delivery. Being a keynote / large
event speaker, I may go 90 - 120 days between times when I tell
certain stories on stage. The last thing I want to do is flub up
a line or bumble through a piece of material because I hadn't
thought about it for a couple months.
Don't get cockey! Practice your material several times right
before you do your speech and you'll have a much greater chance
that each word will come out perfectly.
Get 30 Days Of Public Speaking Training For Only $5.00!
it is very likely you would hear parts of my upcoming speech
bellowing through the walls.
Even after the enormous number of presentations I've done I still
practice my stories and various bits of material the night before
my event. I heard Zig Ziglar saying that he does the same thing.
Unless you are speaking every day, it is almost impossible to
stay razor sharp with your delivery. Being a keynote / large
event speaker, I may go 90 - 120 days between times when I tell
certain stories on stage. The last thing I want to do is flub up
a line or bumble through a piece of material because I hadn't
thought about it for a couple months.
Don't get cockey! Practice your material several times right
before you do your speech and you'll have a much greater chance
that each word will come out perfectly.
Get 30 Days Of Public Speaking Training For Only $5.00!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Public Speaking: Background Music
Background music playing when participants enter a room is a
great way to set the mood for a NO ZZZZZs meeting or event.
It also makes you look like a more polished presenter. The
proper selection of music gets people in the right mood and
adds a touch of drama to the presentation. You can also use
music when the participants are leaving to give them a
pleasant atmosphere as they exit. Avoid turning music on or
off suddenly. It should always fade in and fade out slowly.
When selecting music, generally you would pick upbeat music
for upbeat presentations and slower music for more serious
ones. This is very subjective, but not usually too critical
unless you're the type who would play loud rock music at a
retirement home. If you have no clue how to pick music, get
some expert help or buy music designed for presentations
from a training supply company that has labels that tell you
when to use it.
If you are on a tight budget and can't arrange for
professional sound equipment, don't worry. In small rooms a
decent boom box will suffice. If you are in a larger room,
you can put the microphone that will be used for the
presentation in front of the speaker of the boom box. This
will send the music through the room's sound system.
BIG WARNING: DO NOT PLAY COPYRIGHTED MUSIC WITHOUT THE
PROPER LICENSING OR YOU WILL BE SORRY. THE MUSIC POLICE WILL
GET YOU. Don't worry though, I'll explain below how you can
still use music without the threat of a lawsuit.
There have been many lawsuits between meeting planners and
organizers and Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) and The
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
(ASCAP). If you want to use copyrighted music, make sure you
tell your meeting planner. At the time of this writing, the
sponsoring organization is ultimately responsible for the
proper licensing of music played at an event. However, the
real life story says that you should clear your use of music
with the sponsoring organization well in advance of the
program. If you don't, you may be the one responsible for a
lawsuit against the organization that hired you. Better hang
up your laser pointer because you won't last long as a
speaker pulling those kinds of stunts.
HOW TO GET LICENSING
If you are doing your own public seminars and you want to
use copyrighted music, you must obtain your own license.
Call BMI or ASCAP in New York City for details.
The way to get around this hassle is to play copyright free
music which, for use as background music, is just as good.
This music is available through production music houses, or
you can get prepackaged music for meetings from a company
called Resources for Organizations
(952) 829-1954 .
Get 30 Days Of Speaker Training For Only $5.00!
great way to set the mood for a NO ZZZZZs meeting or event.
It also makes you look like a more polished presenter. The
proper selection of music gets people in the right mood and
adds a touch of drama to the presentation. You can also use
music when the participants are leaving to give them a
pleasant atmosphere as they exit. Avoid turning music on or
off suddenly. It should always fade in and fade out slowly.
When selecting music, generally you would pick upbeat music
for upbeat presentations and slower music for more serious
ones. This is very subjective, but not usually too critical
unless you're the type who would play loud rock music at a
retirement home. If you have no clue how to pick music, get
some expert help or buy music designed for presentations
from a training supply company that has labels that tell you
when to use it.
If you are on a tight budget and can't arrange for
professional sound equipment, don't worry. In small rooms a
decent boom box will suffice. If you are in a larger room,
you can put the microphone that will be used for the
presentation in front of the speaker of the boom box. This
will send the music through the room's sound system.
BIG WARNING: DO NOT PLAY COPYRIGHTED MUSIC WITHOUT THE
PROPER LICENSING OR YOU WILL BE SORRY. THE MUSIC POLICE WILL
GET YOU. Don't worry though, I'll explain below how you can
still use music without the threat of a lawsuit.
There have been many lawsuits between meeting planners and
organizers and Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) and The
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers
(ASCAP). If you want to use copyrighted music, make sure you
tell your meeting planner. At the time of this writing, the
sponsoring organization is ultimately responsible for the
proper licensing of music played at an event. However, the
real life story says that you should clear your use of music
with the sponsoring organization well in advance of the
program. If you don't, you may be the one responsible for a
lawsuit against the organization that hired you. Better hang
up your laser pointer because you won't last long as a
speaker pulling those kinds of stunts.
HOW TO GET LICENSING
If you are doing your own public seminars and you want to
use copyrighted music, you must obtain your own license.
Call BMI or ASCAP in New York City for details.
The way to get around this hassle is to play copyright free
music which, for use as background music, is just as good.
This music is available through production music houses, or
you can get prepackaged music for meetings from a company
called Resources for Organizations
(952) 829-1954 .
Get 30 Days Of Speaker Training For Only $5.00!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Public Speaking: Humor Strategies
=> Don't signal your punch line. If the humor in your punch line
depends upon the words "ruptured camel," don't say the following:
Did you hear the one about the ruptured camel?
=> Don't EVER repeat a punch line! Once the surprise is revealed,
the joke is history. I'll repeat this, but I don't want to hear
you repeating any punch lines. Let me repeat. Don't EVER repeat a
punch line. Don't EVER repeat a punch line. NEVER repeat a punch
line. You'll be shot by the humor firing squad if you repeat a
punch line. OK. I'll let you repeat one, but only under certain
circumstances. Here's the exception. If you had a joke or punch
line that bombed miserably, you can call it back later to make
fun of yourself.
=> You must absolutely, positively memorize your punch line. You
should be able to awaken out of a deep sleep in an earthquake
and, without hesitation, deliver your punch line accurately. Give
all the facts necessary for the joke to make sense. The humor is
lost if you leave out the necessary details.
=> NEVER, EVER explain your joke. If they don't understand, it's
your fault for telling the wrong joke to the wrong audience.
=> Use the fewest words possible to get to the punch line.
Brevity is truly the soul of wit (never use a worn out cliche
either). The longer the joke, the funnier it must be.
=> Don't walk around too much when telling a joke or story. I
walk, but I stop when important points are being made and when
I'm delivering a punch line.
=> If you use notes, highlight or mark upcoming jokes or stories
so they don't sneak up on you. They will need special emphasis.
=> Practice! Practice! Practice! I tell a joke or story 30 to 50
times in practice before I use it in a presentation.
Get 30 Days Of Public Speaking Training For Only $5.00!
depends upon the words "ruptured camel," don't say the following:
Did you hear the one about the ruptured camel?
=> Don't EVER repeat a punch line! Once the surprise is revealed,
the joke is history. I'll repeat this, but I don't want to hear
you repeating any punch lines. Let me repeat. Don't EVER repeat a
punch line. Don't EVER repeat a punch line. NEVER repeat a punch
line. You'll be shot by the humor firing squad if you repeat a
punch line. OK. I'll let you repeat one, but only under certain
circumstances. Here's the exception. If you had a joke or punch
line that bombed miserably, you can call it back later to make
fun of yourself.
=> You must absolutely, positively memorize your punch line. You
should be able to awaken out of a deep sleep in an earthquake
and, without hesitation, deliver your punch line accurately. Give
all the facts necessary for the joke to make sense. The humor is
lost if you leave out the necessary details.
=> NEVER, EVER explain your joke. If they don't understand, it's
your fault for telling the wrong joke to the wrong audience.
=> Use the fewest words possible to get to the punch line.
Brevity is truly the soul of wit (never use a worn out cliche
either). The longer the joke, the funnier it must be.
=> Don't walk around too much when telling a joke or story. I
walk, but I stop when important points are being made and when
I'm delivering a punch line.
=> If you use notes, highlight or mark upcoming jokes or stories
so they don't sneak up on you. They will need special emphasis.
=> Practice! Practice! Practice! I tell a joke or story 30 to 50
times in practice before I use it in a presentation.
Get 30 Days Of Public Speaking Training For Only $5.00!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Public Speaking: Take A Peek
I usually have notes hidden around the stage, but the audience
never knows that I'm looking at them.
I look at my notes that are lying flat on my table when
1. The audience is laughing
2. When I'm pushing buttons on my laptop
3. When I walk past the table looking down and holding my chin
as if I'm thinking.
4. When I go to the table to pick up a prop or piece of paper.
5. When the audience is watching short videos on the screen.
Some people tape their notes to the floor when they are on a
raised stage, but I don't like that because you have to look down
too often for no apparent reason.
Another good trick is to lightly pencil in notes to yourself on
the edge of flip chart pages. The audience can't see them, but
you can when you are near the flipchart.
Get 30 Days Of Public Speaking Training For Only $5.00!
never knows that I'm looking at them.
I look at my notes that are lying flat on my table when
1. The audience is laughing
2. When I'm pushing buttons on my laptop
3. When I walk past the table looking down and holding my chin
as if I'm thinking.
4. When I go to the table to pick up a prop or piece of paper.
5. When the audience is watching short videos on the screen.
Some people tape their notes to the floor when they are on a
raised stage, but I don't like that because you have to look down
too often for no apparent reason.
Another good trick is to lightly pencil in notes to yourself on
the edge of flip chart pages. The audience can't see them, but
you can when you are near the flipchart.
Get 30 Days Of Public Speaking Training For Only $5.00!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Public Speaking: Role Reversal
This technique is always good for a laugh and sometimes brings
down the house.
Invite two people on stage that have opposite roles. It works
particularly well with husband/wife , boyfriend/girlfriend,
employee/boss
Have them play the role of the other person, i.e., the husband
acts as if he is the wife and vice versa. You could have some
funny props like a wig to put on the guy and give the wife a
handyman's tool belt, etc. (In many cases you will find it hard
to continue at this point because everyone will be laughing so
hard just from the site on stage.)
Brainstorm questions to have the pair ask each other and have
them answer as if they were the other person. Write these out for
both of them.
Example:
Have the husband (who is playing the part of the wife), ask the
wife who is playing the part of the husband, "where do you think
you are going with those golf clubs?" Either write funny answers
for them like, "I was going out to the garden to use them to hold
up the tomato plants" or just let them ad lib.
You could have competition between pairs for the best answers and
give out prizes.
This is a very fun technique, but you really need to brainstorm
on some funny questions and answers in case the people on stage
aren't fast enough to think up funny stuff on their own.
Learn More Great Public Speaking Tips For Only $5.00!
down the house.
Invite two people on stage that have opposite roles. It works
particularly well with husband/wife , boyfriend/girlfriend,
employee/boss
Have them play the role of the other person, i.e., the husband
acts as if he is the wife and vice versa. You could have some
funny props like a wig to put on the guy and give the wife a
handyman's tool belt, etc. (In many cases you will find it hard
to continue at this point because everyone will be laughing so
hard just from the site on stage.)
Brainstorm questions to have the pair ask each other and have
them answer as if they were the other person. Write these out for
both of them.
Example:
Have the husband (who is playing the part of the wife), ask the
wife who is playing the part of the husband, "where do you think
you are going with those golf clubs?" Either write funny answers
for them like, "I was going out to the garden to use them to hold
up the tomato plants" or just let them ad lib.
You could have competition between pairs for the best answers and
give out prizes.
This is a very fun technique, but you really need to brainstorm
on some funny questions and answers in case the people on stage
aren't fast enough to think up funny stuff on their own.
Learn More Great Public Speaking Tips For Only $5.00!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Public Speaking: The Laws Of Humor
Law #1
You Do Not Have To Use Humor, Unless You Want To Get Paid
People will pay more to be entertained than to be educated.
Two Trends in Speaking: 1.Immediate application 2. More
entertainment
Incorporate the 3 Es:
1.Educate 2. Enlighten 3. Entertain
Law #2
Know Thy Audience
The more you know about the audience, the more
opportunities you will have to play with them.
Ways to Learn About Your Audience:
A.Pre-program questionnaire:
B. The fastest way to know the inside humor of an
organization is to ask. Ask about the characters in the group.
C. Read their annual report, past newsletters, copy of the
program, web site address, Hoovers
D.Attend meetings and field trips before you speak. Find
humor hot buttons.
Law #3
The Shortest Distance Between You And The Audience Is A Good
Laugh Eliminate all barriers between you and your audience.
Create the illusion of control. Approach the audience as
though everyone came to have a good time. The purpose is
not to control them, but to ask, "What is it we have
in common?"
Four Effective Humorous Openings:
A.Self-effacing Humor Creates a bond with the audience.
B.Physical surroundings If it is on the mind of the audience,
you must mention it.
C.Tap into "Inside Humor." Comment on what everyone is
chuckling about. All of a sudden you are one of them. You
immediately gain respect because you did your homework.
Always check with person you are going to poke fun at.
D.Current events: What is happening in that particular city,
around the nation, or worldwide?
**The purpose of your opening is to loosen up the audience
and invite them to listen.
Get a full 30 days of public speaking training for only $5.00!
You Do Not Have To Use Humor, Unless You Want To Get Paid
People will pay more to be entertained than to be educated.
Two Trends in Speaking: 1.Immediate application 2. More
entertainment
Incorporate the 3 Es:
1.Educate 2. Enlighten 3. Entertain
Law #2
Know Thy Audience
The more you know about the audience, the more
opportunities you will have to play with them.
Ways to Learn About Your Audience:
A.Pre-program questionnaire:
B. The fastest way to know the inside humor of an
organization is to ask. Ask about the characters in the group.
C. Read their annual report, past newsletters, copy of the
program, web site address, Hoovers
D.Attend meetings and field trips before you speak. Find
humor hot buttons.
Law #3
The Shortest Distance Between You And The Audience Is A Good
Laugh Eliminate all barriers between you and your audience.
Create the illusion of control. Approach the audience as
though everyone came to have a good time. The purpose is
not to control them, but to ask, "What is it we have
in common?"
Four Effective Humorous Openings:
A.Self-effacing Humor Creates a bond with the audience.
B.Physical surroundings If it is on the mind of the audience,
you must mention it.
C.Tap into "Inside Humor." Comment on what everyone is
chuckling about. All of a sudden you are one of them. You
immediately gain respect because you did your homework.
Always check with person you are going to poke fun at.
D.Current events: What is happening in that particular city,
around the nation, or worldwide?
**The purpose of your opening is to loosen up the audience
and invite them to listen.
Get a full 30 days of public speaking training for only $5.00!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Public Speaking: Book Review
Book Review
"The Shortcut to Persuasive Presentations" by Larry Tracy
I'm amazed by Larry Tracy. Larry was an accomplished speaker before I even started. He has the uncanny ability to meet you, learn a few things about you and give a PERFECT introduction as if he'd known you for years.
Larry has endorsements from President Ronald Reagan (the great communicator), Ambassadors and hundreds of other top government, military and political figures.
His book has a very interesting section called "Murder Boards". This is a group of people that hit you with every hard question in the book BEFORE you do your actual presentation. . . . Talk about high level preparation.
One of Larry's jobs was to explain government policy to some of the most demanding and hostile audiences in the country. He did this over 400 times. If you do what's in this book, I don't believe there is anything that could shake you up on stage.
Larry gives exact details on how to deal with difficult audiences and even how to lure debaters into saying things that undermine themselves to their supporters.
I also loved Larry's explanation of "Primacy" and "Recency". He totally made me realize how important openings and closings are.
You can't go wrong with this book.
Get 30 Days Of Speaker Training For Only $5.00!
"The Shortcut to Persuasive Presentations" by Larry Tracy
I'm amazed by Larry Tracy. Larry was an accomplished speaker before I even started. He has the uncanny ability to meet you, learn a few things about you and give a PERFECT introduction as if he'd known you for years.
Larry has endorsements from President Ronald Reagan (the great communicator), Ambassadors and hundreds of other top government, military and political figures.
His book has a very interesting section called "Murder Boards". This is a group of people that hit you with every hard question in the book BEFORE you do your actual presentation. . . . Talk about high level preparation.
One of Larry's jobs was to explain government policy to some of the most demanding and hostile audiences in the country. He did this over 400 times. If you do what's in this book, I don't believe there is anything that could shake you up on stage.
Larry gives exact details on how to deal with difficult audiences and even how to lure debaters into saying things that undermine themselves to their supporters.
I also loved Larry's explanation of "Primacy" and "Recency". He totally made me realize how important openings and closings are.
You can't go wrong with this book.
Get 30 Days Of Speaker Training For Only $5.00!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Public Speaking: Web Based Finance Option
More and more speakers are getting smart and realizing that
selling their products leads to more speaking engagements. They
are also realizing that bundling products together allows them to
get a much higher sale per person and it also means that the
speaker can gain revenue from sources that would never hire that
speaker to speak.
This article is going to focus on a very specific way to sell
larger ticket or bundles of products either to consumers or to
small companies AND automate it on the Web.
All of you hot shot corporate speakers out there that pooh, pooh
this idea because you're used to selling big packages at full
price to corporations better take heed if you want to keep your
overall revenues up in the face of corporate belt tightening.
There is an enormous additional revenue source out there just
waiting to be tapped if you take your knowledge and package it in
a fashion that is both affordable and relevant to small companies
or individuals.
HERE'S THE STEP-BY-STEP TECHNIQUE
=> You advertise your product bundle on the web with a good long
copy page.
=> You put an exit pop up box on the page that only pops up if
the person does NOT click the order button.
=> The pop up box contains compelling copy to allow you to
finance the purchase.
=> You set your shopping cart to take the original down payment
and to automatically bill the credit card in regular payments to
complete the purchase. If your shopping cart won't do this, then
I ask you why not? Mine can and it can do lots more other cool
things too http://www.kickstartcart.com
=> You spend all the extra money you made FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE
LEAVING YOUR SITE. This is an important point. The person who
took advantage of this had already decided NOT to purchase and
you converted him/her to a sale.
If you want to see this in action, visit
http://www.antion.com/speakervideo.htm Look around and then
leave the page. You'll see the exact technique I'm talking about.
I got an additional $697.00 sale on only the 17th person who had
decided not to buy.
oh by the way. While you are looking around go ahead and purchase
the video while you are there :)
Get More Great Public Speaking Tips!
selling their products leads to more speaking engagements. They
are also realizing that bundling products together allows them to
get a much higher sale per person and it also means that the
speaker can gain revenue from sources that would never hire that
speaker to speak.
This article is going to focus on a very specific way to sell
larger ticket or bundles of products either to consumers or to
small companies AND automate it on the Web.
All of you hot shot corporate speakers out there that pooh, pooh
this idea because you're used to selling big packages at full
price to corporations better take heed if you want to keep your
overall revenues up in the face of corporate belt tightening.
There is an enormous additional revenue source out there just
waiting to be tapped if you take your knowledge and package it in
a fashion that is both affordable and relevant to small companies
or individuals.
HERE'S THE STEP-BY-STEP TECHNIQUE
=> You advertise your product bundle on the web with a good long
copy page.
=> You put an exit pop up box on the page that only pops up if
the person does NOT click the order button.
=> The pop up box contains compelling copy to allow you to
finance the purchase.
=> You set your shopping cart to take the original down payment
and to automatically bill the credit card in regular payments to
complete the purchase. If your shopping cart won't do this, then
I ask you why not? Mine can and it can do lots more other cool
things too http://www.kickstartcart.com
=> You spend all the extra money you made FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE
LEAVING YOUR SITE. This is an important point. The person who
took advantage of this had already decided NOT to purchase and
you converted him/her to a sale.
If you want to see this in action, visit
http://www.antion.com/speakervideo.htm Look around and then
leave the page. You'll see the exact technique I'm talking about.
I got an additional $697.00 sale on only the 17th person who had
decided not to buy.
oh by the way. While you are looking around go ahead and purchase
the video while you are there :)
Get More Great Public Speaking Tips!
Friday, June 05, 2009
Public Speaking: Mic The Audience
You may have killed! You may have had them rolling in the aisles!
You may have gotten a 3 minute standing ovation! . . . but your
tape of this event might stink.
I have seen so many tapes ruined (including my own) because the
presenter didn't make sure there was a microphone recording
audience reactions. This isn't really a humor technique but it is
really important for humorous presenters for two reasons. 1. They
can better critique themselves after the event because they can
clearly hear what material worked and what didn't work. 2. They
can get good demonstration materials or make salable products out
of their recordings.
Nothing sounds worse than your funny line delivered and then
muffled or non existent audience reaction to it. This is because
of the fine noise canceling microphones that many people wear on
their lapels. IT'S DESIGNED TO CUT OUT BACKGROUND NOISE!
I guess a really good sound engineer/editor could doctor the tape
up with canned laughter, but what a hassle to do a perfect job at
this! And what if someone finds out which they will if the
addition of laughter isn't flawless. It's much easier to do it
right the first time and put a microphone(s) in the audience.
EQUIPMENT
If you are taping yourself, you'll need a portable mixing board
(any time you have more than one microphone going into the same
device, you'll need a mixing board). You'll also want an
omnidirectional microphone that pics up all the laughter and
comments people are yelling at you . . . .(well maybe not if
they're heckling you :) ) Visit a music store that caters to
bands for help picking out your equipment.
If you are being paid to be there, you need to nicely inquire
about the A/V and depending on how much clout you have see if you
can jockey for the extra microphone(s) in the audience. Even
offer to pay for it yourself if it means you'll get a better
tape.
This little bit of extra effort will mean a big difference in the
quality and usability of your recordings . . . and hey . . .if
you bother with all this you better be funny.
Make Your Presentations The Best They Can Be!
You may have gotten a 3 minute standing ovation! . . . but your
tape of this event might stink.
I have seen so many tapes ruined (including my own) because the
presenter didn't make sure there was a microphone recording
audience reactions. This isn't really a humor technique but it is
really important for humorous presenters for two reasons. 1. They
can better critique themselves after the event because they can
clearly hear what material worked and what didn't work. 2. They
can get good demonstration materials or make salable products out
of their recordings.
Nothing sounds worse than your funny line delivered and then
muffled or non existent audience reaction to it. This is because
of the fine noise canceling microphones that many people wear on
their lapels. IT'S DESIGNED TO CUT OUT BACKGROUND NOISE!
I guess a really good sound engineer/editor could doctor the tape
up with canned laughter, but what a hassle to do a perfect job at
this! And what if someone finds out which they will if the
addition of laughter isn't flawless. It's much easier to do it
right the first time and put a microphone(s) in the audience.
EQUIPMENT
If you are taping yourself, you'll need a portable mixing board
(any time you have more than one microphone going into the same
device, you'll need a mixing board). You'll also want an
omnidirectional microphone that pics up all the laughter and
comments people are yelling at you . . . .(well maybe not if
they're heckling you :) ) Visit a music store that caters to
bands for help picking out your equipment.
If you are being paid to be there, you need to nicely inquire
about the A/V and depending on how much clout you have see if you
can jockey for the extra microphone(s) in the audience. Even
offer to pay for it yourself if it means you'll get a better
tape.
This little bit of extra effort will mean a big difference in the
quality and usability of your recordings . . . and hey . . .if
you bother with all this you better be funny.
Make Your Presentations The Best They Can Be!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Public Speaking: Audio Marketing
Technology is moving fast and has now made using audio to your
strategic marketing advantage cheap and easy.
You can have customers phone in a testimonial about your speeches
or for your products and services and have their voice up on your
website almost immediately.
Have them email you a picture of themselves to go with their
audio clip, or grab one from their website and you have an
awesome and powerful promotional tool to put on your
website.
Last week you received a 4 minute Audio Postcard with a speaking
tip on delivering punchlines. If you missed it, turn up your
speakers and visit:
http://members.audiogenerator.com/postcards/?1802719
This postcard required no technical expertise whatsoever. You
don't even have to have a website. You can just email your
prospects and customers the link to your audio tips and
promotions.
Here is a sample page of testimonials from people who attended my
retreat center weekends on Internet Marketing.
http://www.GreatInternetMarketing.com/retreattestimonials.htm
You can also put an unlimited amount of audio clips of up to 30
minutes each that showcase your speeches, stories and humor.
To get this tremendous and easy to use audio technology for
yourself I've posted a link at one of my websites
http://www.KickStartSound.com
strategic marketing advantage cheap and easy.
You can have customers phone in a testimonial about your speeches
or for your products and services and have their voice up on your
website almost immediately.
Have them email you a picture of themselves to go with their
audio clip, or grab one from their website and you have an
awesome and powerful promotional tool to put on your
website.
Last week you received a 4 minute Audio Postcard with a speaking
tip on delivering punchlines. If you missed it, turn up your
speakers and visit:
http://members.audiogenerator.com/postcards/?1802719
This postcard required no technical expertise whatsoever. You
don't even have to have a website. You can just email your
prospects and customers the link to your audio tips and
promotions.
Here is a sample page of testimonials from people who attended my
retreat center weekends on Internet Marketing.
http://www.GreatInternetMarketing.com/retreattestimonials.htm
You can also put an unlimited amount of audio clips of up to 30
minutes each that showcase your speeches, stories and humor.
To get this tremendous and easy to use audio technology for
yourself I've posted a link at one of my websites
http://www.KickStartSound.com
Monday, June 01, 2009
Tom Antion: Timing
Timing is one of the most important aspects of humor and Wake
em Up presenting. Not only is timing involved in an individual
piece of humor, it is also involved in the placement of that
piece of humor in the overall presentation. Timing is also
involved in spontaneous reactions to "expected" unexpected
developments during the presentation.
Jack Benny said, "Timing is not so much knowing when to speak,
but knowing when to pause." He should know, because he delivered
one of the funniest and most famous lines in the history of
comedy after an extremely long pause. He was being held up by a
robber at gunpoint. The robber said, "Your money or your life!"
Jack did not say a word for an extended period of time. The
robber became impatient and said, "YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE!!"
Jack finally replied, "Im thinking." His persona as a cheapskate,
coupled with a long pause indicating he was having trouble
deciding whether to give up his money or die was hilarious. A
pause lets the audience catch up and draw pictures in their mind.
It is the audience's signal to imagine.
In joke telling, a pause just before and just after your punch
line sets it apart from the setup of the joke and gives the
audience a chance to laugh. Absolutely do not continue to talk
when laughter is expected. Laughter is hard to get and easy to
discourage. Hold eye contact a little bit longer than you think
you should when delivering punch lines because time is hard to
judge when you are pumped-up for a presentation.
The size of your audience will affect your timing. Your
presentation will take less time to deliver to smaller audiences.
Smaller audiences should mean quicker laughter. Conversely,
presentations will take longer for extremely large crowds. Your
pauses will be longer to compensate for the wave effect created
because of the physical distance between you and the back row of
the audience.
Speakers: Learn To Make $5500 Every Time You Speak!
em Up presenting. Not only is timing involved in an individual
piece of humor, it is also involved in the placement of that
piece of humor in the overall presentation. Timing is also
involved in spontaneous reactions to "expected" unexpected
developments during the presentation.
Jack Benny said, "Timing is not so much knowing when to speak,
but knowing when to pause." He should know, because he delivered
one of the funniest and most famous lines in the history of
comedy after an extremely long pause. He was being held up by a
robber at gunpoint. The robber said, "Your money or your life!"
Jack did not say a word for an extended period of time. The
robber became impatient and said, "YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE!!"
Jack finally replied, "Im thinking." His persona as a cheapskate,
coupled with a long pause indicating he was having trouble
deciding whether to give up his money or die was hilarious. A
pause lets the audience catch up and draw pictures in their mind.
It is the audience's signal to imagine.
In joke telling, a pause just before and just after your punch
line sets it apart from the setup of the joke and gives the
audience a chance to laugh. Absolutely do not continue to talk
when laughter is expected. Laughter is hard to get and easy to
discourage. Hold eye contact a little bit longer than you think
you should when delivering punch lines because time is hard to
judge when you are pumped-up for a presentation.
The size of your audience will affect your timing. Your
presentation will take less time to deliver to smaller audiences.
Smaller audiences should mean quicker laughter. Conversely,
presentations will take longer for extremely large crowds. Your
pauses will be longer to compensate for the wave effect created
because of the physical distance between you and the back row of
the audience.
Speakers: Learn To Make $5500 Every Time You Speak!
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