Copy Link
Add to Bookmark
Report
Great Speaking Vol. 3 Number 09
Internet Marketing Superconference in June
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?afid=10770
Great Speaking has been given 15 Free Scholarships
to the Publishing Profits Seminar in Chicago (see below)
##########################################
GREAT SPEAKING
Circulation 27,119
Vol. 3 Number 9 - May 7, 2001
Publisher: Tom Antion tom@Antion.com
http://www.Antion.com
(C) Anchor Publishing 2001
##########################################
No one ever lost credibility by
being interesting.
==========================================
*** SPEAKER BUSINESS LEADS ***
Your subscription gets you free speaking leads when available.
Please recommend this E-Zine to anyone you
know that is interested in being a better presenter, or
who may want to make money speaking and training. (It's
a good way to stay in touch with client's too.) You don't
even have to mail them an article.
http://www.antion.com/recommend.html
If you are receiving this issue as a forward, and would
like to get your own free subscription, visit
http://www.antion.com/ezinesubscribe.htm
To remove yourself from this list see bottom of this email.
PRIVACY STATEMENT: We will not distribute your address
to anyone. Period.
=============================================
IN THIS ISSUE
=============================================
1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
2. Advanced Presentation Skills Article
(Beginners should read this too)
3. Humor Technique Series
4. Speaker Marketing Tip
5. Speaker Humor
6. Websites for Speakers
********** OUR SPONSOR ***********
CLICK: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ELECTRONIC MARKETING FOR SPEAKERS
553 page Ebook, 700 Emarketing links, Update Website
Tom's complete marketing system revealed.
For immediate download and/or CD visit:
http://www.antion.com/click.htm
For Tom's infamous electronic Marketing Butt Camp Schedule
(Make money selling your knowledge while sitting on your rear
end) http://www.antion.com/buttcamp.htm
************************************
=====================================================
1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
=====================================================
THIS SITE WILL REALLY HELP YOUR PRESENTATIONS by Tom Antion
Hi Gang. I found a really great presentation resource that you'll
want to check out. Visit http://www.PresentersUniversity.com for
lots of useful information on presentation skills, content
development and visual aids. They have an extensive collection of
expert tips and advice offered by leading presentation
consultants. Be sure to try their many free samples of
presentation tools and programs, including over 60 free
PowerPoint templates. They also have an online bulletin board
called "Ask the Professor," where you can ask technical
PowerPoint and presentation questions. Their free monthly
newsletter, "Presentation Pointers," highlights whats
new and free on Presenters University. It's worth checking out.
************ SPONSOR ************
Great Speaking Subscribers are being offered
15 Free Tuition Scholarships (you must pay travel & lodging)
35 Discounted tickets
Mega Publishing Profit Seminar Chicago, May 31
http://www.public-speaking.org/publishingprofit.htm
(Please don't apply for scholarship if you can easily afford the
discounted admission)
To apply: Send 25 words or less mailto:tom@antion.com about
why you should get the scholarship.
**********************************
************ SPONSOR ************
American Training & Seminar Association
Certified Professional Trainer courses enrolling now. Visit
our website for details or call toll-free, 1-888-607-3742
http://www.AmericanTSA.com
*********************************************
=====================================================
2. Advanced Presentation Skills Article
=====================================================
VIDEO by Tom Antion
Video has been ingrained in our society for some time now and it
looks like it will be around for quite a while. VCRs and monitors
are readily and inexpensively available just about anywhere, so
considering the use of video in your presentation is not really a
wild idea.
Video can be used in several ways. You can purchase or rent
training videos on just about any business subject. John Cleese,
of Monty Python, fame is doing corporate videos that are
interesting and informative and, of course, have a humor twist.
John's videos are available from many sources. For fast and
reliable service, I recommend The Humor Project
http://www.humorproject.com/
If you're the CEO of a company, (or you could suggest this to the
CEO) you could produce a funny day-in-the-life tape which could
be very self-effacing. Maybe you would wake up at 11:30 a.m. Then
you would shower and go to lunch. After that it is time to stop
in to say "hi" to your secretary. Then you might go to the golf
course, on to dinner, and then to the theater. The ending scene
would show how exhausted you are at the end of the day.
I use FREEZE FRAME video when I do my presentation skills
training seminars and individual coaching. This technique
consistently gets super high ratings because people can learn
techniques better when they see them in action.
I heard of one presenter who played a video of himself telling
the crowd that he wouldn't be able to be there in person. He then
ran on stage and argued with himself on the video.
You could use video to show your product in action. Video can
capture and convey situations that you could never reproduce on-
stage.
I sometimes use a video introduction that is very funny. The
scene shows a lady at a desk who is supposed to be one of the top
meeting planners in the country. She is saying that she uses me
for every meeting and social function her company ever has. She
says, "In fact, I wouldn't use another speaker if you held a gun
to my head." As she is saying this, the camera pulls back and you
see me holding a gun to her head. It always gets a big laugh.
I saw Frank McGuire, one of the founders of FedEx, use a video
introduction that had Ted Koppel saying how great Frank was. If
you know any celebrities, video is a good way to use their
testimonials over and over again.
You could briefly show home video of you doing something funny.
Or you could show how proud you are of your kids (just don't
overdo it).
For maximum effectiveness when using video, interact with it.
Interrupt the video and discuss what you have just seen. Keep
video shots fast-paced with short segments. According to Business
Week, the average U.S. executive has an attention span of six
minutes while at work (now it's more like six seconds). We are
starting to talk to the MTV generation. TV is shaping the minds
of our audiences.
An interesting phenomenon occurs when you are speaking in a large
venue and also being projected on massive video screens. Audience
members will actually look past you to watch you on video.
When you are in a large room, you must use several monitors or
use video projection. Projection on a large screen has more
impact, but it is also more expensive. Projection in many cases
also requires that the room lights be dimmed.
You can even use a video camera to take shots of the crowd and
put them in a video production immediately using multimedia and a
video capture board.
Excerpt from the "Wake 'em Up Video Professional Speaking System"
http://www.antion.com/speakervideo.htm
*********** SPONSOR ***********
FREE 7 Day Electronic Marketing Mini Course
mailto:minicourse.GS018@aweber.com
********************************
=====================================================
3. HUMOR TECHNIQUE
=====================================================
4 SOURCES OF 'FOUND' HUMOR TO PUNCH AND IMPACT TO YOUR
PRESENTATION. Part IV by John Cantu
Now, from the last issue of "Great Speaking"
(http://www.antion.com/ezinebackissues2001.htm v3n8) following my
previous suggestions for evaluating material for usability, given
to you by audience members, here's what I did to use the piece of
humor given to me by an audience member.
MY FIRST SUGGESTION WAS
"First use common sense and intuition. Does it sound fresh or do
you have a nagging bit of doubt that it is not entirely new
and/or original? When in doubt, throw it out."
Well, for me this was a little bit difficult. Yes, on the one
hand, it did sound fresh, but on the other hand I have only been
the doing cancer talk for about 18 months. But I did like the
concept and realized it could be used to illustrate an important
point in my humor talk.
MY SECOND SUGGESTION WAS
"Ask four or five of your well-read friends if they have ever
heard it before. Especially the people you know who always have a
lot of funny stories at hand. Or the person who's read ten or
twenty humor books and seems to have a story for every occasion.
If they haven't heard it, while I wouldn't say it's 100% safe,
still your odds have been increased a lot."
Well, in my group I'm the guy who's read literally dozens and
dozens and dozens of joke books. And, it seemed fresh to me.
MY THIRD SUGGESTION WAS
"Write it in such a way that you can't be hammered if others do
recognize it."
Here's what I did with that line to make the story more full, to
make it more visual and dramatic, and to get a big laugh with a
better constructed way to deliver the punch line. You will find
side comments in parenthesis:
"The last time I gave this talk (I say this line every time I
speak, it is called personalizing the talk and also making it
seem more recent and fresh) afterwards a woman came up to me and
told me about her best friend who's husband was starting chemo.
In a show of moral support, she had all her hair cut off. (By the
way, I was surprised to discover about a third of the time that
gets a big laugh - - - I never saw the laugh coming the first
time, but now I wait about 3/4 beat in case it happens.)
They celebrated the first month's completion of chemo treatments
by going to their favorite restaurant (now I probably could use a
technique of specifying, i.e., making the joke more personable by
naming a specific restaurant, but I chose not to) (PAUSE 1 2 3).
There she sat in with the flowing locks of her wig (PAUSE 1-2-3)
There he sat with the flowing locks (PAUSE 1-2-3) of his hair
that never fell out. (BIG LAUGH).
AND DID YOU NOTICE ONE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT LINE:
"Afterwards a woman came up to me and told me about her best
friend whose husband was starting chemo."
I could just as easily have written that line this way: "Let me
tell you about . . ." or " I know a woman who . . ." etc. But I
deliberately use it that way. Why? Because with my version, I am,
in a subtle manner, telling the audience members, "Hey folks, I
am open to and looking for audience created material."
Your audiences can often write your best material, so why not
encourage them to do so? Oh yeah, I use this line only in my
speeches. In a stand up act, I wouldn't do that because audiences
want to believe comedians write all their own material.
© 2000 John Cantu, Some material originally appeared in HumorMall
JokesWeekly - for subscription follow directions at
http://www.HumorMall.com/survey/subscribe.shtml For articles on
how to create and/or deliver humor effectively go to
http://www.HumorMall.com/
********* GREAT SPEAKER REFERENCE *******
BE THE HIT OF YOUR NEXT PRESENTATION!
"Wake em Up! How to Use Humor and Other Professional
Techniques to Create Alarmingly Good Business Presentations"
"Toms program and materials will cut five years off a speakers
learning curve."
-- Cavett Robert, Founder National Speakers Assn.
Now available for immediate download in pdf format
http://www.antion.com/speakershop.htm click on "E Books"
For a FREE Chapter visit
http://www.antion.com/products/produc~3.htm
**********************************************
=====================================================
4. $$$$$$$ SPEAKER MARKETING TIP $$$$$$$$
=====================================================
FINDING YOUR BUYING AUDIENCE Part II by Vickie Sullivan
POSITIONING YOUR EXPERTISE TO HIGH LEVEL AUDIENCES
You've been invited to speak to your high level buying audience.
Now the real work begins.
Three things are crucial to position your work to this
discriminating group.
CREDIBILITY
What buying audiences want to know is what is your track record -
what did you do? And more importantly, what happened as a result
of your efforts? Did you win any awards, or break any records?
We're not talking about scientific research here. You need to be
accurate but don't split hairs. And don't think that just because
it was a long time ago that you can't mention it. Results are
results. Be specific about it.
Best place to put this information is in your bio and
introduction. Also weave your experiences as stories and
examples.
CREATING CACHET
Buying audiences consider themselves a cut above, so their
speakers must be too. How do you prove that? By naming names.
The bigger the better.
Have you worked with cool high-profile clients? Did someone else
honor you in some way? Did national mainstream media feature
your work? Or better yet, describe your work in a unique way?
Drop a few of those names in your bio and introduction. Stories
about these clients will be popular - everyone wants to know "the
inside story." (Just make sure you're not the hero all the time.)
Being specific is important here too. Why do you think that
Second City Comedy troupe opened up a speakers bureau for the
corporate market? Or get big bucks to teach executives improv
skills? Because their alums are instantly recognizable. It
creates a certain cachet about their work.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
This one is the most important: Return on Investment. (ROI)
There are two major reasons why ROI is your friend. First,
measuring your results positions you away from being a "sage on a
stage." You create the persona that your work is more than just
speaking, which is critical for selling ancillary services to the
audience.
Secondly, you've just created a peer-to-peer relationship with
this audience. They get results and you have just shown that you
do too. You're on the same page. This mutual respect can be
leveraged big time.
Buying audiences measure ROI in two ways. For experts, creating
customized solutions is key. For humorists and other performers,
benchmarking the meeting is the goal.
Make sure you get clear about the objectives and get agreement
from your clients about how ROI will be measured. You want to
create a track record here and bragging rights to boot, key
ingredients to getting invited back.
These three things all add up to give you momentum before the
speech and make your speech a hit afterwards. And when you are a
hit, you can approach this audience afterwards as a peer.
The above is an excerpt from Vickie's newest educational tool for
speakers "Speaking in the Strike Zone: How to Get in Front of
Your Buying Audience."
Since 1987, Vickie Sullivan has helped thousands of professional
speakers, industry leaders and experts generate six-figure
revenue streams via public speaking. She is the author of
"Springboard Marketing, Speak to Sell" and "Speaking in the
Strike Zone." Sign up for her free newsletter at
http://www.sullivanspeaker.com
NOTE: The site below is where I began learning about E Marketing
http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/12273/
Want to really take advantage of your E-mail marketing . . .
WITHOUT BEING A SPAMMER?
GO TO http://www.marketingtips.com/mailloop/t.x/12273
Get your own associate program and have other websites
selling tons of your products and services.
http://www.marketingtips.com/assoctrac/t.x/12273
Tom's Top Ten Marketing Resources page
http://www.antion.com/marketingtools.htm
********* SPONSOR *********
WAKE 'EM UP PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING SYSTEM
You can earn a substantial income in the lucrative speaking and
training market either part time or full time.
It's not magic and it's not hype. I've been earning a living at
this for 13 years. This system will teach you how to do it
without the hard knocks I had to take.
http://www.antion.com/speakervideo.htm
****************************
=====================================================
5. SPEAKER HUMOR
=====================================================
=> "You are such a good friend that if we were on a
sinking ship and there was only one life jacket....
I'd miss you heaps and think of you often."
=> How many psychologists does it take to change a
light bulb? None, the bulb will change itself when it
is ready.
=> You're as young as you feel but seldom as important
=> Did you ever notice that intelligence tests are biased
toward the literate?
=> I called up a temp agency looking for work and they
asked if I had any phone skills. I said, "I called you
didn't I?"
=> Some people always give 100% at work:
12% Monday
23% Tuesday
40% Wednesday
20% Thursday
5% Friday
=> My receptionist hated her job. She kept answering the
phone, "Hello. Can you help me?"
=> Its hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
=> Hard work will pay off later. Laziness pays off now!
=> The latest survey shows that three out of four people
make up 75% of the population.
=> If at first you don't succeed. No one will be surprised.
=> People used to just look for a free lunch. Now they want
it delivered too.
=> If people really profited from their mistakes, we would
all be rich by now.
=> Most people don't mind going to work. Its the working
itself they don't like.
=> You cant judge a book by its cover, but you can tell a
lot about a corporation by its Chapter 11.
=> I could have played two or three more years. All I needed was
a leg transplant. - Johnny Unitas born May 7 1933
=>
"The best way to give advice to your children is to find out what
they want to do and then advise them to do it."
"A statesman is a politician who has been dead ten or fifteen
years."
"It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a
depression when you lose your own."
Harry Truman born May 8 1884
=> I am not young enough to know everything. - Sir James Barrie
born May 9 1860
May 12 is Limerick Day
There was a young speaker named Pyle
Who spoke verse in libidinous style.
Asked why he spoke trash
He said, "It's not just the cash."
I do it to make people smile.
Much more FREE speaker humor at
http://www.antion.com/humor/speakerhumor/speakerhumor.htm
=====================================================
6. USEFUL WEBSITES
=====================================================
http://halife.com/speakers/speakers.html Great site that has tons
of speaker humor
http://www.humorinst.com/learn.html Humor training tools
http://www.squaresail.com/onhumor1.html More Humor
resources.
http://jeffjustice.com/Presentation.html More humor tips
http://marktwain.about.com/arts/marktwain/library/speeches/bl_fir
stappearance.htm Article by Mark Twain about Stage Fright
****** EARN BIG REFERRAL COMMISSIONS ******
You can earn a 10 - 25 percent commission for referring
Tom for speaking engagements and bulk product sales.
Commissions normally start between $850.00 and $1700
depending on your level of involvement. For complete
details visit http://www.antion.com/referrals.htm
***********************************************
=====================================================
FREE ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATIONS
=====================================================
I have many articles available for reprint in your
publication, company newsletter, etc. You may use
articles written by me that you see in great speaking.
Back issues can be viewed at
http://www.antion.com/ezinebackissues.htm OR
mailto:freearticles@antion.com for an automated list
of additional articles. All you have to do is print the
article in its entirety along with the by line at top and
the credits, and complete contact information at the end
of each article.
I would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy too. Thanks
******* Do YOU WANT TO BE A SPONSOR? *******
REACH OVER 27,000 SPEAKERS / TRAINERS / EXECS
For automated sponsorship details send
mailto:sponsor@antion.com
***********************************************
=====================================================
To subscribe to GREAT SPEAKING visit
http://www.antion.com/ezinesubscribe.htm
For Back Issues visit:
http://www.antion.com/ezinebackissues.htm
=====================================================
Antion & Associates / Anchor Publishing
Box 2630
Landover Hills, Maryland USA 20784
(301) 459-0738, Fax (301) 552-0225
In Continental US (800) 448-6280 orders or paid consulting only
mailto:Tom@antion.com
http://www.antion.com
Trade permanent links with us mailto:linktrade@antion.com
To Join our associate program and make money from your website
visit:
http://www.antion.com/associates/assoc_program.htm
