Presentation Lesson from a Spunky Little Old Lady
on Dec 11 in UncategorizedPresentation Lesson from a Little Old Lady at the Craps Table By Darren LaCroix
Ever felt like you were hit squarely in the face by a lesson from an unexpected mentor? When they are absolutely right, it usually hurts more.
I was just in Bel Air, CA attending a casino night fundraiser for a friend of a friend’s theater company. Since my friend was busy volunteering, I decided to use my time as a learning experience. Because I live in Las Vegas, casino jokes were flying my way. I realized I did not understand the dice game “craps.” I did not get it, but since I don’t gamble I didn’t really need to.
I stood at the craps table watched, listened, and asked questions. After observing for a half hour, this little old lady with a spit-fire attitude walks up to me, looks me up and down, doesn’t say a word, and places her bet.
After she played two rounds she looked at me, and asked, “What are you doing?”
I replied, “I’m learning the game, never played before. I’m watching, asking questions, and learning.”
She said, “You’ll learn faster if you play. You have nothing in the game. You want to learn? Then play!” I smiled, nodded in agreement and continued my education my way.
“What are you doing?” She barked even louder. I laughed and said defensively, “I don’t know enough to play yet.”
She said, “Just put down some money, you’ll be surprised how fast you learn.” I turned to go. She didn’t let me. She wouldn’t until I put money down.
She was right. Wisdom from years of experience usually is. I won’t let up either. I won’t turn my back on you, or walk away. I’m going to keep reminding you until you put more in the game. Then, when you do, I’m going to tell you to put even more in. Either get in the game, or move to another table. Life is short.
If you want to connect with your audience better, speak more often and seek more feedback. If you want to be a professional speaker speak even more, and crave even more feedback. Stop worrying about your next speech, and focus on getting to your five hundredth. A year from now no one will be talking about the one that didn’t go perfectly. However, I can promise you if you give one hundred in that year, the year following you WILL be a transformed speaker.
One thing the little old lady with the attitude did not teach me was when to stop. I kept winning for an hour. It was fun. Then, I promptly proceeded to lose it all. Though I left with no chips, I left with something much more valuable, a life lesson. Though I never got her name, I hope I always remember her lesson: You’ll learn faster when you get in the game. The more you have invested the faster you will learn.
What is stopping you from putting more in the game?
Copyright 2009 The Humor Institute, Inc.
In 2001, Darren LaCroix, The World Champion of Public Speaking, outspoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries to win that title. That was just a benchmark. Since that victory, Darren has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it. Darren LaCroix The Humor Institute, Inc. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/public-speaking-articles/presentation-lesson-from-a-spunky-little-old-lady-1562441.html
7582 Las Vegas Blvd. S. #144
Las Vegas, NV 89123
www.DarrenLaCroix.com
Six Keys to Connecting at a Keynote Speech: Start by Immersing Yourself in the Experience
on Dec 10 in UncategorizedSix Keys to Connecting at a Keynote Speech:
Start by Immersing Yourself in the Experience!
By Darren LaCroix
If you are a celebrity speaker earning tens of thousands of dollars per speech, you don’t need any help “connecting” with your audience. You are famous. You have their attention.
For the rest of us, to best serve our audiences, we need to go above and beyond to connect with them. In fact, when I first started speaking professionally, I was only an opening act as a comedian struggling to do a strong ten minutes of material. Now I had to be up there for an hour! What I did to overcompensate was to do anything and everything I could to connect with them. I interviewed people ahead of time, read newsletters, dove into their website, and for sure, showed up early. There is so much I could cover, but what I’d like to focus this article on is what I do when I’m on site at the conference. Last week I spoke for a transportation company, the National Safe Driver Awards Banquet. I even brought my video camera to show you exactly what I do and how I do it.
At this event in Jacksonville, FL, I realized I still incorporate many of the techniques I developed from my early days, especially when I know the audience is in a different industry than I’m used to. This was an audience of 150 truck drivers and their wives. I knew I wanted to get there early and spend as much time with them as I could.
The problem was, I was teaching my coaching boot camp with Patricia Fripp the day before and was traveling from Vegas to Florida. With the time difference, most of the flights would not get me in until just before the speech would begin. This poses two problems. First, never take the last flight of the day to get to a speech. If you miss a connection, it can be devastating to your career and the speakers bureau that booked you. Second, I would miss all of the “common” afternoon activities. It became a no-brainer. I took the overnight flight and got in late morning.
I presume you know your topic and are an expert (or an expert in the making) on your speech topic. Your message may be clear, and because you know it so well, an obvious point for your audience. It is still our job to help the audience make the jump to it. This may be the first time they’ve heard this, and many adult learners are “looking” for reasons not to change, or why it won’t work. Being there helps you discover ways to tie your message to their lives.
So, what do I do once I’m on site to connect my message with the audience:
#1 Immerse yourself in the experience!
Conferences can range from small, with presentations only, all the way to huge, with activities, games, trade shows, and gala evenings. Whatever the attendees are doing, immerse yourself in their experience and do what they do, while always observing. Some of the time may feel like you’ve wasted, but remember, we are looking for just a couple gems to anchor our message to. If there is a tradeshow, walk it. If there are sessions before yours, sit in on them. If there are fun activities, have fun!
For this client, they had a million dollar “driving simulator.” It is designed to train and test divers on how to handle adverse conditions. For this conference, it was used as a fun, “hands on activity.” Though most of the drivers were men, most of the wives attending jumped in and tried the simulator. They were having fun. I watched and observed some of them, and made sure I learned the names of the people I saw drive. Later during my keynote I had fun with it.
The other added bonus this gives you is that when these people see you up there speaking, you can see in their eyes, saying “hey, that’s the guy we saw in the simulator!” I now have created some friends in the audience. It always helps having friendly faces who are connected to you at a deeper level.
#2 Ask questions and SHUT UP!
It’s not about you! Though I may be the keynote speaker, I don’t care if they like me, I care that they get my message. The same is true when I am doing my “on-site” research. You only have a limited time to learn about them. If you are talking about yourself, you are decreasing the time you will learn about them.
I went into the simulator, did a lot of “ease dropping”, and when it was my turn, I asked Bob and Randy, who ran the simulator, some questions. Then I did the best thing I could. I shut up and took notes.
#3 Recognize the people they are honoring
This particular event was an awards banquet. Whoever they are honoring, I must at least mention, as well. I also made sure that I honored the past National Champions. How can you honor them? Sometimes recognition. Sometimes a copy of your book or CD. Sometimes sharing one of their stories. It will vary from speech to speech. You are the keynoter, you decide what is appropriate. Do not spend too much time on it though. Be real, be quick, and make it fun if you can.
#4 Recognize the people who made their conference a memorable experience…
We, as speakers, get much of the glory and have most of the fun at a conference. There are many people who put in hours and hours of effort to make the conference flow smoothly. They rarely get the recognition they deserve. Having a keynote speaker recognize them goes along way to “Good Karma.” It is just the right thing to do. Depending on the situation, they are the ones I will give a free copy of my book to. It will mean a great deal to them. I made sure I recognized Randy and Bob.
#5) Always “play up” to your audience
Regarding Johnny Carson’s stint with the Tonight Show, he was asked in an interview, “Why do you think you were so successful?” He paused, gathered his thoughts and said, “I always played up to my audiences.”
In this day in age, when it is getting tougher to entertain, many comedians are getting negative and cutting people down. Johnny always respected the audience’s intelligence. He always put himself down, not the audience.
When you are the “outsider” you must keep this in mind. Even when I do my famous “gestures” routine, I always prompt my helper that they can do what they want to me, but I can not put them in a tough situation. They are “one of them.” If I was mean or negative, to my helper, my audience would turn on me. If my helper embarrasses me, the audience loves it, because the helper is an extension of them.
#6) Always recognize guests, but…
If you are a Toastmaster reading this article, I’m not talking about saying, “Mr. Toastmaster, Fellow Toastmasters, and Guests.” I’m talking about going much deeper than that. And recognizing one “specific” person and an actual observation goes much deeper to create a connection. Watch this week’s You Tube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvBBYv4rycw&feature=channel_page
and see exactly what I did at this keynote client’s conference. It does not have to take much time, but should be “real.” All acknowledgements should be strategically placed in your speech. At this particular keynote, I recognized people before I even started the presentation.
Keynote audiences vary greatly, and each of them should be looked at on a case by case basis. These guidelines should help give you a framework to find deeper ways to connect.
Here is the big question: Will you make it a habit to immerse yourself in the “attendee experience?”
Copyright 2009 The Humor Institute, Inc.
In 2001, Darren LaCroix, The World Champion of Public Speaking, outspoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries to win that title. That was just a benchmark. Since that victory, Darren has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it.
Darren may have been “born without a funny bone in my body,” but he possessed the desire to learn and the willingness to fail necessary to achieve his dream. The self-proclaimed “student of comedy” is living proof that humor is a skill that can be learned.
Darren LaCroix
The Humor Institute, Inc.
7582 Las Vegas Blvd. S. #144
Las Vegas, NV 89123
Presentation Mastery: Just like Hip Hop Abs, Musicians, and Me?
on Dec 10 in UncategorizedPresentation Mastery: Just like Hip Hop Abs, Musicians, and Me?
There I am, working on my new years resolution, my health, working out to the Hip Hop Abs DVD, and I found myself frustrated. I just can’t keep up even on the basic level. The routine seems so simple. Why do I keep making mistakes? Well duh, it is new to me! My body is just not conditioned to do these simple moves in these simple ways in a certain order. All of the people on the DVD have been doing this for years. I was glad I was in the privacy of my own home.
While working out, a book that one of my coaching clients recommended to me jumped into my head. One of the CEOs I coach told me about a book that backed up my presentation philosophy of “stage time, stage time, stage time.” The book is “This is Your Brain on Music, The Science of a Human Obsession” by Daniel J. Levitin.
Can anyone really master presentation skills? There is that one percent who are truly “naturals” at speaking and they don’t have to work at it. For the record, I’m jealous of them too! Seriously, can anyone really become a true expert at America’s number one fear?
Yes. I have no doubt at all. If anyone can, why don’t more people master the skill, and why is there such a shortage of great presenters? Easy. People are afraid of stage time and don’t face their fear, so the fear keeps them at a low level of skill.
In the book, Levitin refers to study after study of ice skaters, basketball players, criminal master minds and writers. The commonality he talks about is simple: 10,000 hours of practice. That’s it. About twenty hours per week for ten years. If you think about my experience, I spent six or seven nights a week at comedy clubs at the same time speaking during the day anywhere I could, including Toastmasters. Fellow World Champions, David Brooks, Ed Tate, and Craig Valentine in their early days of speaking, all spent a great deal of time working for public seminar companies.
Different experiences, different styles, yet all with a similar result.
Levitin also says that this does not account for why some people pick up faster than others, or why some people take longer to become great at a skill, but if you persist through the hours, anyone can. It doesn’t matter.
His says the ten thousand hour theory is consistent with what we know about how the brain works. He said, “The more experiences we have with something, the stronger the memory/learning trace for that experience becomes.” He believes that the more practice we have, the more “neural traces” we create which, when combined, can create stronger memory. So, this strength in memory comes from how many times we experience the original stimulus.
That’s why I can’t stay up with Hip Hop Abs. I don’t have the right “neural traces” yet. The more emotion associated with the memory, the greater it’s importance in the brain. Levitin encourages his students to choose music they like, so they are more willing to practice. The more hours along with the more positive memory can equate to learning it faster.
What does this mean to presenters? Simple. To master the skill, anyone willing to put in ten thousand hours, can. The quicker you can put more hours in, while making it more fun, the faster your skills will increase. Instead of looking at it as “Did this presentation go well today?”, take the pressure off and look at it as just part of the process. Make it fun.
Question: A master because of hours, or hours because a master? My take: both. It does not matter. I know many people who are very funny “off stage” could have learned it faster than I did. However, I did what they wouldn’t. You can only pursue your goal from where you are at today.
I keep reminding myself, that I will make mistakes, I will lose my place, it is just a part of the process. I will feel like I take a step forward and two steps back. It is normal. It is the same for presentation skills. It took me nine years before I won the World Championship of Public Speaking. It was not just the nine years, though. It was my attitude towards getting “stage time” along with the enjoyment of it. I logged a lot of hours in those nine years!
The bottom line is, a month from now, it will be easier to get through more of the routine with fewer mistakes if I put in an hour a day. If I only do it a few times per month I will not build up enough “neural traces” to notice the progress. It is when we notice progress that we become motivated and energized, which gets us through more hours of getting us closer to ten thousand.
Ten thousand hours! How long ‘til your next breakthrough? Sometimes it’s a few hours, sometimes it’s a lot of hours. It will come, I promise.
There is only one challenge.
How do you motivate yourself to put in more hours in less time and with more fun?
©2009 The Humor Institute, Inc.
By Darren LaCroix, 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking
In 2001, Darren LaCroix, The World Champion of Public Speaking, outspoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries to win that title. That was just a benchmark. Since that victory, Darren has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it.
Darren may have been “born without a funny bone in my body,” but he possessed the desire to learn and the willingness to fail necessary to achieve his dream. The self-proclaimed “student of comedy” is living proof that humor is a skill that can be learned.
The Humor Institute, Inc.
7582 Las Vegas Blvd. S. #144
Las Vegas, NV 89123
888-528-4451
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/public-speaking-articles/presentation-mastery-just-like-hip-hop-abs-musicians-and-me-1538657.html
Wedding Speeches for You Review
on Dec 06 in UncategorizedThe Wedding Speeches For You website contains a wide range of different speech types and their templates for helping people write their best wedding speech. It simplifies the entire writing procedure into clear step by step fashion. It taught me how to create various types of speeches for different moods at the wedding rehearsal dinner, such as adding jokes and humor, sentiment and insightful comments about the couple.
1. What Can You Expect to Find Inside the Wedding Speeches for Your Site?
Regardless of your role at the wedding, you will want to leave a good impression by delivering one of the best speeches there and show that you are honored to be in that role. The Wedding Speeches 4 U is a site that is made for people who need to prepare and deliver a speech at a wedding, filled with professionally written speeches and writing templates that allow members to customize their speech content easily.
2. Can The Wedding Speeches For You Site Really Help You?
Perfecting your wedding speech can be fun and there is no need to have to go through all the anxiety and stress that most people put themselves under. You can express your joy easily at the bride and groom and show them enormous amount of respect at the event. With a large speech library, you will not need to worry about piecing great content for your wedding speech.
3. Benefits of Using Wedding Speeches For You
Putting all your thoughts together about the bride and groom into writing and delivering it into a speech can be quite a strenuous process. It is said that writing the speech is more frightening that presenting it. Wedding Speeches 4 U offers a plethora of different speeches for different roles at the wedding, and I found myself getting down to writing my speech after using the resource inside after being stumped for many days thinking of what to write.
Are you looking for more information about Wedding Speeches For You? Don’t do it yet, because the author has found many useless wedding speech guides on the Internet. Visit his website at http://www.weddingspeechguides.com where he tells you about the Best 3 Websites for finding top quality and professional speeches. For a limited time, you can also get a FREE Speech E-course where you can learn tips for crafting your own unique and touching wedding speech! Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/public-speaking-articles/wedding-speeches-for-you-review–1544796.html
What Does a “Master Presenter” Do Differently? 7 Essential Habits of Master Presenters
on Dec 04 in UncategorizedWhat Does a “Master Presenter” Do Differently?
7 Essential Habits of Master Presenters
by Darren LaCroix, World Champion Speaker
What do you notice that people who are truly “masters” on stage have in common? What are those small differences that over time put in motion large differences that separate them from the pack. As a student of presentation skills since 1992, I have some definite observations. It just gets clearer and clearer to me. Though they are simple, habits, over time they define our growth rate. Do you incorporate these habits?
#1 Think Differently:
Did you know that the first thing Craig Valentine did when he got off the plane from winning the World Championship of Public Speaking was to get a book on public speaking? That is the attitude of a master presenter. People who are the best and have a passion for their craft and their message are always looking to learn more. If every presenter had Craig’s attitude, rarely would any ever sit through a boring presentation ever again. When I jumped into the comedy world, I took every class I could. Many of the teachers I had became “life changing” mentors. I have invested $10,000 each year for the past three years in my own education. Since that has been so helpful, for next year I have already invested over $20,000. Will you invest more in your own self-development next year?
#2 Effort in their introduction:
A master presenter understands that “setting up” the listening is just as important as what is said. Too many presenters do not put any time or effort into their introduction. If anything, they give the introducer an ego filled bio that is usually about seven minutes too long. True professionals keep their introductions under three minutes. They have “you focused” questions in them. These are followed by your credibility, and then a single humbling piece of personal information. The introduction should answer: Why should people listen to you? What will they get out of giving you their time?
#3 They Focusing on Connect with the Audience First:
Master presenters are fully aware that they must “connect” with an audience before they can persuade them. The connection is crucial. This is why I spend a great deal of time researching my keynote audiences before hand. I don’t stop there either. I will also attend other sessions prior to mine, just to find that “one nugget” that will allow me to connect with them. In fact, this ties into the previous point, that part of your introduction’s purpose is to start the process of connecting. Do you strategically focus on connecting?
#4 Long Enough Pauses:
Pauses for the audience’s benefit, not there own comfort level. Too many people on stage only pause long enough for their own comfort. They do not hold the pause long enough for the audience to “think.” This is the whole point of the presentation. Master presenters know that if they are not letting them reflect on thier perspective, they are in fact breaking the connection with the audience. All too often the presenter is the problem, not the audience. If you ask a simple yes or no question, a short pause is plenty. If your question requires deeper thought, let them! Do you pause long enough? If they are not reflecting, you are not connecting!
#5 Worry Bigger:
Much more concerned for the audience’s outcome, rather than what the audience will think of them. I recently interviewed Maria Austin, a Professional Trainer, for an audio learning program for new trainers. She is one of the best I know at this. She has what I call the “Maria Mindset.” Before she was a Trainer, she was in customer service. She brought her “serious service” attitude to her training. She looks at it exactly the same way. The only difference is her product is now education. She is so adamant about what the audience members take away. She fully understands that it is not about her. Do you?
#6 Get Lots of Laughs:
It has been said that you don’t have to use humor in presentations unless you want the audience to listen. Although you can have a powerful presentation without it, most master presenters usually have heavy doses of humor. Here is a crucial difference between good speakers and masters. Master presenters infuse the humor into the story. It is not a tangent from the message. Many less experienced presenters will tell a joke, or use something they found on the internet. They use it to break the ice. Wrong! Humor should always have some relevance to your main message. Otherwise, it is a detour and wastes valuable time! Keep in mind what Steve Allen said: “Humor arises between the incongruity between the character and the situation.” The essence of the “sitcom.” For speakers we need “sit-stories.” The purpose of the story should be anchoring a key point. If you are not getting laughs now, learn to!
#7 Craves Feedback:
When master presenters walk off the platform they are fully aware that a crucial part of their next presentation is just about to begin. It does not matter what we say, it only matters what is heard by the audience. Presenters who are passionate about their message are constantly evolving. New ideas are constantly “tested.” Things that are common in my keynotes now, were once new ideas that were experimented with at one time. For example, I never used to show a video clip of my very first time on stage. I also never used to show a photo of my closet full of video recordings. They are now essential, but may some day be replaced with something more powerful. When I spoke in Canada this past fall I had a video introduce me!
Are you on track to become a master presenter if you are not already? If you believe you already are, may I suggest you read over number one again? I get off track occasionally myself, but it only takes one humbling audience to remind us we all still have much to learn. Where will your current habits take you in five years?
©2009 The Humor Institute, Inc.
By Darren LaCroix, 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking
The Humor Institute, Inc.
7582 Las Vegas Blvd. S. #144
Las Vegas, NV 89123
888-528-4451
In 2001, Darren LaCroix, The World Champion of Public Speaking, outspoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries to win that title. That was just a benchmark. Since that victory, Darren has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it. Darren may have been “born without a funny bone in my body,” but he possessed the desire to learn and the willingness to fail necessary to achieve his dream. The self-proclaimed “student of comedy” is living proof that humor is a skill that can be learned.
