Having just spent the weekend at the Professional Speakers Association Mega Conference, I have so many learnings and ideas written down and milling around my brain, it’s time to share some of them!
Here are the Top Tips from the experts –
Constantly evolve both yourself and your talk – crawl-walk-run-fly!!
Be really clear on ‘Who’ you want to serve and what pain you are solving.
Work out your percentages of 3 key aspects of speaking -Teacher, Performer, Catalyst – ask your colleagues/clients to score you and work on the aspect you are most effective in and passionate about.
Don’t be a Chinese Menu – be the top ‘Special’ dish – get known for what you are great at.
We are living in an ‘attention economy’ – earn the right to the attention of your audience.
Surprise and delight them and always go the extra mile.
Give away more of your good stuff for free – giving your mediocre stuff will not encourage bookings or more business.
Charge what you are worth -if they pay more they will listen more, act more, get more results, refer more and invite you back!
Have a sense of urgency, sell every day!
Don’t stop when you are tired, stop when you are done!
Create Intrigue, Curiosity, Experience.
Start thinking like an entertainer and create an unforgettable experience.
Do the unexpected. Our brains love ‘Awe”
Get the audience participating in the first few moments. They like to ‘Play”
Get them to like you within 90 seconds.
Get them laughing, feeling good within the first 2 minutes.
Use raw emotion. Personal stories and experiences.
Create crystal clear messages.
Be instantly shareable.
Keep changing the value, create new compelling messages.
Create your own ‘Magic’ on stage.
Tell the story like an excited child telling it for the 1st time.
Create the moments your audience can relate to.
Shift the look behind their eyes.
Innovation is the key to survival so keep changing some of your talk to keep it fresh -don’t change it all as it is your story but change the start, the close and some of the key messages.
Be your authentic self – your own story is powerful and unique so be confident in sharing ‘YOU’
Authenticity + Purpose = Charisma!
Get really clear on your ‘Why’, it is not always what we think and we can lose sight of it over the years.
Make your talk replicable throughout an organization so you are rebooked.
Write something every day even just 160 characters on Twitter and share it wherever you can.
Position yourself as an expert in your field and share your knowledge in articles, The Press, across social media, on TV/Radio.
Send your articles to journalists.
Send your book/articles to speaker bookers and ask for feedback and what they would like you to speak about from your repertoire.
Choose 12 keywords that apply to your offerings then pick the top 5 and populate your profiles and articles with them.
Create your own relevant hash tag and use across all media.
Create more video and ask yourself ‘Who do I need to be for my audience?’ -Chat more than Act on video -be personable and engage your listeners.
Think of sales calls as just a way of helping your customer to buy.
Call people who check out your Linkedin Profile.
Offer free taster sessions.
Pick one thing and do it until it’s done
Fire up your audience and inspire them to do something different.
Keep it fresh – everything has an expiry date
Interview prospects – find out what they are looking for.
Ask clients what you have done for them and their business.
Remember speaking is not about you it is about your audience.
Phew – there was so much content and this is just my key learnings – there are so many more – no w to start implementing my actions -watch this space!!
For more wonderful tips and experience around being an exceptional speaker join the #PSAUKI – it’s an awesome organisation and a wonderful community of vibrant, giving, warm, inspiring people who will welcome you with open arms.
PSA rocks!! http://www.thepsa.co.uk