| |
| |
|
Public Speaking Information |
|
|
|
Know Your Audience
What is worse than wearing a tuxedo to an event when everyone else is attending in shorts? I have said the same thing over and over again: before you attend the event, get to know the audience. If the audience is not right for you, you may attend, but it is unlikely that you will gain any new business. If on the other hand, you want to attend just to form new relationships with others in the business community, then by all means attend the event. Just do not stretch yourself so thin that another event will topple you. So the first thing you must do before attending is to find out who will be there. If there is someone specific you want to meet, then find someone who knows them and get a proper introduction. A third party introduction will go a lot farther than just introducing yourself from left field. Introductions have a way of confirming that you are worthwhile knowing. Remember the person you meet should be the one that makes the decisions for his company. Do not try and get introductions from subordinates, this will not lead you too far down the path. These subordinates often do not have the decision making power and simply sit as influencers in the decision. I am not saying you should not form relationships with influencers, just the opposite; you need to first have the relationship with the decision maker who will allow you to work with the influencers. Make sure you know exactly who will be attending the events and then find out their status within the company. The size of the company may matter to you, so make sure you know the size of their company before making any approaches. It is often said it is not who you know but who knows you that counts. So one of the items to plan for when attending an event is who knows you and who they can introduce you to. You have now discovered who is attending the event and perhaps even why they are there. Most often you will find that attendees are there to get more business. Sometimes they may attend to hear the speaker as the speaker is often the draw. Once you have the audience analyzed, you need to prepare yourself not only for your pitch, but also for the questions you need to ask to get the answers you are looking for. Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite, She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in June 2005. For more information visit http://BlueprintBooks.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Five Tired, Worn Out Speaking Cliches The subject of public speaking is riddled with tired, worn out cliches we ought to throw out. Here are a few to let go of:1. Speech Writing Tips: The 14 Speech Writing Secrets of President Bill Clinton Speaking in public can be a powerful way to build a business. It can help raise the profile of your business, generate new leads and create greater profits. Let Your Appearance Speak for You, Not Against You! Every 7 seconds another baby boomer turns 50. What does an aging workforce mean? It means that the average age of your seminar attendee if getting older. Choosing a Hot Keyword: Advice for Aspiring Public Speakers When choosing keywords, you'll want to stay away from using general terms like "speaker," for example. This will only leave you competing with stereo speakers for a top ten spot in a search engine like Google. What is Public Speaking? When we talk about public speaking, we usually think about some person in front of a large group giving an extended presentation on a difficult or technical subject. That is not usually how it is. Internet Marketing and Public Speaking: Seven Steps to a Successful Murder Board I recently posted an article providing tips on public speaking for internet marketers, and was bombarded with Emails asking me to expand on one tip in particular-how to conduct a Murder Board, a realistic simulated practice. I did so in a follow-up article providing a more detailed explanation of this practice method, which has its origins in the US military. To Insure Success in Speaking: Anticipate We all know that to be a careful driver on the highways, we need always to anticipate. When we see brake lights ahead, we anticipate some traffic problem and slow down. The Best Practical Tips for Overcoming Stage Fright As one who does some speech coaching, I have heard all of the crazy ideas on how to conquer stage fright, but I think in more basic ideas. Actually, just a few. How to Use your Inner Circle Who do you know that knows that you speak?There is a famous saying "It is not who you know but who knows you!" This is so true. Take a look at who you know and also at others at your place of business, or clients that you have worked with or contacted in the past. The Porch Light* Method to Speaking Confidence You know the feeling. Looking out at a sea of faces, you notice a few scowls, frowns, even droopy eyelids on some of your audience members. Moving Key Audiences to Take Action? You know, those really important outside groups of people whose behaviors can help or hinder any business, non-profit or association manager in achieving his or her objectives? Are you persuading those key stakeholders - especially those whose behaviors affect your unit the MOST - to your way of thinking, then moving them to take actions that help your department, division or subsidiary succeed?Oh, as a manager, you say you're covered in that regard - your public relations team is racking up some juicy print and broadcast placements, and you say those kinds of exposures are what your PR program is all about?At the risk of becoming a skunk at this picnic, I suggest you consider broadening your public relations field-of-fire to where it best belongs, on your unit's key external stakeholder behaviors rather than the occasional publicity placement.Here's why. Know Your Audience What is worse than wearing a tuxedo to an event when everyone else is attending in shorts?I have said the same thing over and over again: before you attend the event, get to know the audience. If the audience is not right for you, you may attend, but it is unlikely that you will gain any new business. Giving Your Audience Great Benefits What benefit do you provide the audience?People should listen to you because you have an important message that will help them to improve their business or personal lives. They are there for no other reason. How VALUABLE is Your Speaking Topic? What information can be used immediately by the audience and what is to follow?Can you tell the audience in 30 seconds or less what you do and also give them three things that they can use immediately? The chances are that you probably cannot. If you do not have a practiced and enthusiastic response to how valuable your topic is, then you are likely not going to win over the audience. Make The Most of Examples and Stories Examples and stories can bring your presentations alive. They can transform a dull, dry subject into something which is interesting and alive. Start Conversations as Easily as You Start a Car Starting a car is easy. Put the key in, turn it, and the car starts. How to Get Paid to Speak Now that you have all the contacts you can possibly use, when can you expect to get paid for speaking or other business engagements?You have done your job and spoken to many non-profits and Chambers, your name is getting well known and you have even been paid to do a couple of speeches at places of business. Now it is time to look further down the road. Making Transitions Ever notice how smoothly some speakers or writers move you through their speech or memo? It seems they effortlessly take you from start to finish without making you strain to follow.Yet, while the reading may be effortless, the writing probably took some extra work and attention to detail. 15 Ways for Speakers to Earn More Profits There is huge potential to create additional profits from your speeches by partnering with a professional transcriptionist to convert your audio recordings into text transcripts.1) Speakers and consultants often deliver their presentations via teleconference calls and record them for sale later. 15 Ways To Keep Your Speaking Inspiring and Creative When stressed or blocked it is wise to make a change so that we don't stay in that place. Yet, many times we forget some of the simple things that we can do for ourselves, quickly and easily to bring our inspiration back and increase our creativity.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2007 |
