Brad Speaks: Tips for Speakers, Entertainers, and Presenters. 1. Latest F R E E video. (Is Your Joke Funny?) 2. Shameless plug for a VERY cool product. ==== How Can You Tell if Your Joke is Funny? The best shortcut to connecting with any audience are jokes or funny stories about THEM — meaning your audience. Their venue, their industry, their lunch, their hotel, their whatever. If you can make a current, fresh joke about THEM you win. When you start with a fresh and topical joke they know cannot have been written in advance, they appreciate the joke — and you — more than any other type of material. In other words, new, topical and customized humor has a lower bar for success, and greater chance for huge payoffs. Of course the biggest problem is that you don’t know if it IS funny or not. Good news folks… I’ve got a system for testing these jokes, and you can learn it faster than you can say, “I’m Scared To Try New Humor for $500, Alex!” Read the full Article (and see video of me testing humor) here: See the F R E E video here. (It’s a long link…. if it doesn’t work, copy the whole thing and paste it into your browser.) Enjoy! Shamless Advertising: Do YOU want the full scoop on how to be a motivational speaker? I put my best ideas and my best tips in this product. How to Be Motivational Speaker … From A to Z. I have THE best job in the world. I travel the world making folks feel better by giving them specific tools to achieve more and live well. I have received perhaps hundreds of calls asking me how I got started, how they can get started, what tips I have, what short cuts I’d recommend, etc. I finally got smart and put all of my best answers down in one Audio CD. Details Here.
			How To be a Motivational Speaker Recording Over 2 decades experience for $37.97

Interested in learning how to use humor in your presentation? Check out Brad’s Got Mirth: Milking Your Presentation for all the Humor It’s Worth.

Learn more about how to be a motivational speaker with my how-to audio here.

Related:
Blog Posts:
How to Be a Motivational Speaker (Part 1) | Get a Mentor
How To Be A Motivational Speaker (2) Choose the Right Topic

Save Over $20.  Buy Brad’s books, get audio download free!

Brad’s first book “Humor Me” is a how-to book about using humor and laughter as a tool. Chapters about Humor in the Workplace, Humor and the Phone, Humor and Friendship, Humor and Creativity… and more.

The second in this series, “Humor Us” will give you awesome ideas about how you can use humor every day to:
- excel at work
- excel at home
- excel in your marriage and with your kids
- increase your creativity

Brad Montgomery loves both of these books and YOU will, too!

Now, here’s the cool part!

In this special “bundled” offer you will get a behind-the-scenes and very funny recording of what comedians REALLY talk about.  Comedy War Stories…For Free!!
- hear a few disaster stories from two working comics
- hear hilarious anecdotes from early on in their careers
- hear funny stories that have happened to Brad and Dave recently.

Lucky you! This audio recording features a program recorded live before the National Speakers Association of Northern California where Brad and fellow funny guy David Glickman candidly (and humorously) share stories from their comedy past.  Ever wonder if comedians have crazy jobs?  Want to hear the juicy details of what happens behind the scenes and before the microphone is on?  Here’s your chance.  And you’ll get it for free.

YOU could benefit from these positive books about humor, laughter, and how you can have more of both in YOUR life, right?   Brad’s Guarantee:  Humor and laughter will not just change your day; they can change your life.

Buy both books today and SAVE over $20!!   Yes, that’s right…..you get the audio download FREE!

Only $29.97 – Buy Both Books and get Free Audio Download (Free Shipping!)

Buy Now!

Looking for more cool stuff to buy?  Go to BradMart

Here is a very private video just for you and your team.  (Let me know when you’ve seen it and I’ll take it down.)

Don’t forget:  we’ll make concrete connections between Laugh-O-Nomics and Sales.   We’ll make sure your Seattle meeting is connected, seamless, and relevant.

I think it speaks directly to who I am and what I have to offer…. and best of all, it from people in your organization.  Questions?  Call me with thoughts, questions, or ideas about how we can assure that your event an amazing investment and fabulous experience. 303-691-0726

More Relevant Videos:

Here’s my policy about my motivational speaking: if you don’t like what I do for your organization, I’ll give you your money back. Simple, huh? I’ve been professionaly speaking for over 20 years. Yes, I have had wild programs. Yes, I’ve had some hilarious and weird stuff happen on the platform. But I’ve NEVER had a client ask for their money back. Never. But if they would have asked, I’d have given it back no problem. So if that is my informal agreement with myself, why not make it formal?

So here it is again: If you are not satisfied with what I offer, I’ll give you your money back.

To be honest, if I were planning a meeting or convention, knowing that I could re-coup a lousy speaker’s fee would be the least of my worries. (Let’s face it, if you’re planning even a small meeting you have some huge investments OTHER than the speaker to make.)  If I were you, I’d be more worried about whether my speaker can deliver. I’m just saying that I’ll do both.

All I ask from you is that you set me up to succeed. If you follow my advice about timing, production (audio-visual stuff and the like) and if you promote me fairly and accurately to your group, I’ll do a great job. Guaranteed. If you don’t agree, you won’t pay.

A guaranteed professional speaker?  Yup. You bet.

The ONLY times where I haven’t done well is where no speaker would have done well. For example,when the audience is not prepared, they are mislead about what to expect, they are exhausted, they cannot hear or see properly, they are drunk, etc.

I’m still proud of what I’ve accomplished in these less-than-perfect situations, but the overall audience reaction is was never as good as it should have been had the setting been different. But it wasn’t my fault…. it was just a lousy set-up that could have been prevented. In other words, don’t bill me as a Management Expert, (I’m not), don’t put me right after the golf awards and the service awards at 10 PM after a four-hour open bar, don’t put me outside on the beach, don’t fail to get adequate sound equipment, or layoff 20% of your organization moments before I go on. (Yes, they have all happened.)

In return, I’ll provide a relevant, entertaining and motivating program for your group. Guaranteed. I’ll be honest with you about what I can and cannot do. If I cannot meet your needs I promise to tell you before you book me. And if I feel that there are “red flags” that hint to me that the outcome might be diminished, I’ll let you know.

In exchange, I’ll…
• Expect that you set me up for success. (I’ll help you know how, and it is surprisingly simple.)
• Do a great job. Guaranteed. Looking for a guaranteed speaker for your meeting or convention?

Contact me here and let’s get the conversation started.

Motivational speaker home

Technorati Tags: Guarantee, Guaranteed, motivational speaker, conference, meeting Del.icio.us Tags: Guarantee, Guaranteed, motivational speaker, conference, meeting

Imagine being able to send an email to your folks with this note: “Click this link to see a 40 second invitation from our keynote speaker.”

They’ll click.  Excitement builds.  Attendance goes up.  Curiosity is satisfied.  Everybody is happy.

What is it?

Brad has found that a unguarded, relaxed video is WAY more successful than a super-polished video. The welcome video is a cross between a voice message and a YouTube-style webcam video. In other words, it isn’t formal. Brad won’t rehearse it. There might be “ums” and “ers” in it. In this video Brad won’t come off like a spokes-model. (For several reasons, not even counting the “no hair” one.)

Social networkers have proven that off-the-cuff is better. The studies are exceptionally clear: perfect gets less results. The goal is to invite your audience in a very personal, very “real” way. We are not going for an Oscar. Our goal is to make a personal connection to the individuals in your organization. And these videos have been very successful in doing just that.

It’s Simple

All you have to do to make it happen is to let us know you want us to create a video, and answer these questions:

1. Who is Brad inviting? Be specific. eg: “All Wellpoint employees.” “Supporters of the Alzheimer’s Association.” “Members of the ABC Association.”
2. What is the casual way to reference where we’ll be holding the event? Be specific. Eg: “At the Lincoln Center. ” “In San Diego.” “At the South East Marriott.”
3. What elsewould you like Brad to tell them? (If Brad left off this info, you’d be crushed. Here’s your chance to let him know BEFORE he films the video.) Brad will take care of the rest.  He’ll introduce himself, tell them a tiny bit about what to expect, and them a tiny taste of what he is all about.

—–
We’ve had clients request ‘do-overs’ on these videos. If you’d like Brad re-create the video for you with a different script, if you want to amend the info beyond the questions above, or if you don’t like Brad’s shirt choice, (yes, it’s happened) you have a choice.

1. You can have Brad film the program written by professional writers and filmed by a professional film crew. Fees for this option start at $1,600.
2. You can have Brad redo the video with the same look and feel as the original, but with whatever changes you left off. The fee for that option is $600.
3. You can live with it. Our guess is that you might be hung up on the fact that this is a simple, free and easy video. Brad is a simple, casual guy, and his audiences love him. (Brad is not a news anchor. Or an actor. He is a very likable normal guy who is great with audiences and will be great for your meeting.) And a simple, casual welcome video will serve you and your organization well.

—
The added fee for a customized welcome video for your organization: $600. (Most clients have us add this to Brad’s fee for his speaking services.

Questions? Give us a call at 303-691-0726 or you can contact us here.
–
Here’s an example of a welcome video:

Emily:   you’re  a rock star!  Keep it up girl and let me know if I may be of further service.

Here’s her email

Dear Brad,

I am writing to you both, as you requested, to let you know about the outcome of my senior project about motivational speaking.  I wrote and presented a speech about technology to a retired men’s group, which went really well.  I wrote a paper about my research, and I mentioned both of you.  An attachment of the paper is included in this email.

The most nerve-wracking part of this entire experience was presenting my topic to my panel of judges.  I had to speak to them about more than the material included in my research paper, because they read my paper prior to my presentation.  After a recap of what I learned in my research for my paper, I talked to them about why motivational speaking is effective.  An audience may or may not leave a presentation feeling inspired, but most leave feeling happier.  That’s the key.  Happiness has medical and health benefits, but it improves a person’s general daily outlook.  

That is how this project has affected me.  Learning about making people feel better about themselves has made me feel better about who I am.  I find that I am more confident, friendly, and optimistic now, knowing that I decide to make each day a great day.  I think that next year when I attend college, I will be studying peace and conflict resolution. Even though motivational speaking may not be a future career for me, I think that on a smaller scale, I will be able to inspire and encourage those around me, knowing how little it takes to brighten someone’s day.

Thank you both so much for being so willing to help me this semester with my project.  I ended with a perfect score, but, more importantly, a better outlook.  I learned so much these last few months, largely in part from both of you.  I found that reading about my topic in books was okay, but learning about it from a personal standpoint was so much more rewarding.  

Thanks again for everything!,

Emily

Effective Motivational Speech Preparation
By Emily Livingston 

What People Think of Motivational Speakers

Most people have a stereotypical idea of motivational speakers.  Automatically, people think of individuals on early morning television programs.  Whether they speak on religion, finances, or healthy living, they are perceived as people who are obnoxiously quirky and reference little factual based information.  General attitudes towards motivational speaking are those of doubt; doubt that the audience leaves feeling empowered; doubt that the speaker is credible.  So many people think that motivational speech writing is easy.  Effective motivational speeches begin with a focus on the author, audience, and purpose before the presentation. 

Great speech writers from centuries passed knew that this was the secret to conveying a message.  On March 4, 1801, in his Inaugural address, Thomas Jefferson said:

…though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful will be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.  Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind.  Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things (Montefiore 41).

This speech is one of the most well-known pieces in American history.  Thomas Jefferson used his own knowledge to relate to an audience about an important topic.  To feel passionate about a subject and to be able to make an audience feel that passion, too, is no easy task.  Over the last few months, the pleasure and challenge of writing a motivational speech has been the objective of the researcher.  Before diving in, learning about the foundational information necessary to write a well-developed speech was key.  

First, time must be spent examining the author.  To start, one professional suggests a brainstorm of the author’s knowledge is best (Duckworth 1).  What do they know of their own life?  What do they know of others’ lives?  What do they know that could serve as a strong topic for a speech?  What experiences have they had personally?  As one source read, “‘What shall I talk about?’ all of us have wide knowledge on lots of topics.  You can talk about anything from a hobby to a book, a foreign country to an experience at home.  Just use what you know” (Howard 13-15).  Of course, picking a topic with a particular audience in mind is important.  However, as the author, one must determine the benefits of speaking on certain topics.  Authors need to consider what their objective in giving a speech will be. 

The researcher, for example, had to examine his/her beneficial qualities, which could be utilized in a speech, as an author.  For the speech to be presented in the middle of November, the researcher knew that, being only 18 years old, life experiences were somewhat limited.  However, the author also knew that personal anecdotes and stories were always best when talking to groups.  Family, friends, high school, and life as an American teenager were probably the strongest topics the researcher could choose to speak about.  Maybe by talking on being a teenager from a teen’s point of view, the author would be able to give a speech illustrating how advances in technology have impacted daily teen life.

Next, the speech writer needs to consider the audience.  It is important to look at what a given audience knows and does not know.  Also, one must consider what the audience will want to take away from a speech (Cook 13).  It is wise to contemplate the types of experiences the audience has had.  What will a given group respond well to?  A group of kindergarten children would want to hear about different topics than a group of their parents.  The way that middle-class people view taxes would be different from the way that millionaires perceive them.  Authors need to be aware of their audience’s general attitudes towards certain areas of interest.  A nuclear physicist, for example, may know about kinetic energy, but an author speaking on wedding planning tips would need to be aware that the scientist would need to know the basics before anything else.  One source stresses that making sure not to grossly over or underestimate an audience is important (Duckworth 3).  Groups should be learning new information, but should not be treated as if they have no common sense.   

The basics would need to be addressed for the audience when talking about technology.  Once the researcher decided to speak on teenagers and modern devices, the audience came to mind.  The group hearing the presentation would be a retired men’s group.  These men would probably know little about modern technology and may even be afraid to use some of today’s newest appliances.  Perhaps these men would want to know how technology could benefit them.  The researcher could talk to this group about ways they could try to work with technology in inexpensive ways, since this audience would probably be concerned about finances.  This group would need to feel comfortable and relaxed to be open to these new ideas, so elements of humor may be an asset to the author.  Also, to pique interest in this somewhat foreign topic, some hands-on activities may also help the men to respond well to the spoken material. 

Lastly, the presenter needs to think about the purpose for his/her speech (Roman 20).  One book said, “You must think out clearly and put into words the objective which you hope to accomplish by the talk.  This can be one of the hardest, yet most rewarding steps in preparation.  Don’t be fuzzy about it” (Cook 17).  Authors need to keep in mind that they are not just speaking to a group, they want the group to feel motivated, but motivated for what? Brad Montgomery, a motivational speaker who primarily speaks with large businesses said, “You can’t just speak to motivate someone, because that will never work.  Keep in mind that you are motivating them for a reason.  Ask yourself, ‘What specifically do I want these people to take away from our time together?’”.   Trying to be too broad in purpose can lead to a disjointed and confusing speech.  Distinctively identifying a clear intent for a speech is necessary for success.

A definitive purpose was established in this case when the researcher chose to make a comparison -technology used by teens today compared to technology a few decades ago.  Then, the author could encourage use of this new technology and be prepared with inexpensive and easy way to do so.  Talking about trying new things and not being afraid to give technology a chance would be the main purpose of the speech.  Establishing this before even beginning to write is important so that the author can remained focused on the task at hand.  Too much variation straying away from this one idea can lead to chaos.  

Practice Makes Perfect

Once the researcher writes the speech, practice is, perhaps, the most important step.  Revising and editing the speech is always a good idea, though reading the speech aloud to make sure that ideas are clear is critical.  Memorizing a speech is a good idea so that speakers do not seem more interested in their notes than their audience.  Speakers should remember that the audience is the most important element to focus on during a presentation.  Marsha Egan, a fulltime motivational speaker said, “Remember that what you say is not as important as what the audience takes from what you say.  Keep it simple, but hammer it home”.  Reciting a speech in front of family members, friends, or a mirror is recommended for practice.  Also, if a speaker is relaxed when giving a presentation, the audience will be at ease, too. 

An important question to ask, however, is how does a speaker capture and hold an audience’s attention?  Of all communications, 75% is verbal and 25% is written.  Of this, 15% is retained, and 85% of what listeners remember comes from what they see with their eyes, not hear with their ears.  To give a good speech, one must override what one author calls “psychological earmuffs”.  Unconsciously, people develop ways to block out things deemed boring, trivial, or useless.  Speakers themselves have to first learn to listen and then find ways to make their speaking easy to listen to (Cook 5).  Knowing that distractions do occur, speakers have to be ready with a funny story or a thought-provoking question to counteract these instances. 

Once again, by considering these distractions ahead of time, when examining the author, audience, and purpose, many diversions can be avoided.  By remembering to motivate someone to believe in or do something, interest can be sparked. Continue, then, by identifying the benefits of this.  Audiences want to know what they will receive by doing what a speaker encourages them to do. Research suggests that talking about daily activities and personal experiences makes audiences feel comfortable and allows speakers to connect to groups emotionally. This, ultimately, helps the presenter to convince groups that ideas are realistic and important (McKinney).  Ideas should progress in an orderly and practical way. 

When writing a motivational speech, organization is not enough.  Having something interesting and worthwhile to say is essential.  One source said to “analyze the situation” (Roman and Tepper 19).  Topics should be aimed at a specific goal.  Speakers should decide to persuade, entertain, or inform, but not all three.  Audiences should not feel overwhelmed.  Locating facts and figures may be useful, but firsthand accounts will be more convincing and interesting.   Be upfront with the audience.  The speaker should tell groups what he/she is going to talk about, give them some background information, and tell them why this is important. 

 Having learned these three steps, the researcher has transformed into an author, and will soon turn into a speaker.  The speech to be presented to the men’s group will include a personal story about the author’s grandfather.  Also, there will be hands-on activities and audience involvement to engage the listeners.  The author plans to have pictures of technological devices for easy comparison, for example, an ipod next to a radio.  The author will continue to research suggestions for ways to try technology and will be sure to include benefits of doing so.  Once the speech is written and revisited and revised, practice will be key to a smooth presentation.  The author knows that the speech should be more a conversation than a performance.  After the speech is given, the audience will be asked to complete a brief survey for critiques and suggestions for the speaker, so that the researcher may continue to learn about preparing and presenting a successful motivational speech.

The researcher’s audience will, hopefully, have a positive opinion of motivational speakers after this presentation.  Society may feel that motivational speakers are fakes or phonies, but a lot of time and preparation goes into giving a good motivational speech.  If a presenter fails to consider the author, audience, or purpose, the speech will lack the conviction needed to catch and keep a group’s attention.  Regardless of how others see motivational speakers, most will undeniably remember words like:

“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money, it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort” (Montefiore 101), or

“For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish al forms o human poverty and all forms of human life” (Montefiore 142).  The line,

“Women need no protection that men do not need,” will not be forgotten (Montefiore161). 

Prominent figures such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Shirley Chisem, respectively, knew that speaking to inspire others was no easy undertaking.  They were successful, and their words have lived for years after they were first spoken.

Works Cited

Cook, Glenn J. The Art of Making People Listen to You. West Nyack, NY: Parker Publishing Company, Inc., 1977.

Duckworth, George E. “Rhetoric.” Microsoft Encarta. CD-ROM.  Limited edition ed. Microsoft, 2001.

Egan, Marsha. Personal interview. 19 Sep 2008.

Howard, Vernon. Talking to an Audience. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1983.

McKinney, C. “Public Speaking Tips.  Public Speaking.  2007.  Advanced Public Speaking Institute.  <http://www.public-speaking.org/>.  02 Aug 2008.

Montefiore, Simon.  Speeches that Changed the World.  London:  Smith-Davies, 2005.

Montgomery, Brad.  Telephone interview.  25 Aug 2008.

Roman, Paul A. and Albert Tepper. The Oral Communicator: His Role and Function. Kansas City: Peterson and Son Publishing Co., Inc., 1989.

A couple of my favorite things to say to folks who point the cup to me include:
”Thanks! I’m cooling it off!”
”I know! I don’t really like coffee.”
“I’m trying to cut down on caffeine.”

But I gotta admit, I usually just wave back and act clueless. (This isn’t hard for me… I’ve had years of practice.

More Ideas

Here are a couple more ideas that can make it different:

• When you have a passenger in the car, don’t tell them about your cup. (Sneak the cup on the car just before you get in.) You’ll get a charge out of your passenger’s reaction to all of the attention. (“Why is everybody waving to us, Brad?”)
• This one usually costs you the magnet, but it is worth it: Sneak the cup onto a friend’s or spouse’s car before they leave. Just come up to say goodbye, rest your “cup” on the roof, and leave with out it. They never notice… trust me on this. Then when THEY get all of the attention – and eventually discover the cup – they’ll know you love ‘em!
• Use your imagination and “stick” other stuff to your car: Fast Food Bags (empty, you silly!), pizza boxes, etc.

You get the idea.. Go wild!

Warning: A couple of tips about the magnet itself- This baby is one SERIOUS magnet. It is the strongest one I’ve ever found. BE CAREFUL. Don’t mess with it. You can get hurt. It can pinch your skin faster than you can say, “Oh gosh that darned thing hurts!” Don’t let kids play with it. (My kid’s aren’t allowed near it.) This thing will zap your credit cards from a LONG distance; be careful. Keep it away from all electronics, your watch, etc. oI keep my magnet stuck to the ceiling of my car… it is safe there, out of the way, small enough that nobody notices it, and handy for my next coffee trip.
Speed: I’ve had the cup up on the car at speeds of 55 MPH. But to be safe, stay down in the 45 MPH range or slower. I do. Don’t chance losing it on the highway… you’ll end up hurting something… or worse… losing this precious magnet. : )

Please send me your stories, ideas and success at bradmontgomery.com! Brad Montgomery Productions is not liable for any injury, loss or damage, direct or consequential, arising out of the use or the misuse of this product. (Yes! That means this magnet is strong, baby!) © Copyright Brad Montgomery Productions 2006 www.BradMontgomery.com 303.691.0726 800.624.4280

See Also: security tag gags

This little bad boy is your ticket to joy! It’s a security tag used to prevent shoplifting. This one has been modified by removing the permanent pin and adding a special clip so that you can safely put it on — and take it off! — your clothes. Why? Because it’s funny!

How to Use it

There are two ways to execute the gag. My favorite way is to wear the tag myself. I love to put it on the back of my clothes — the back of my jacket, the back of my pants, or the back of my shirt. This method takes more patience but it is funnier because people will eventually see it and wonder if you actually are unaware of the tag. Some people will see it, be puzzled by it, and not say anything! When people point it out, I say something like, “Yeah, it’s new. How do you like my new jacket?” (Act serious and you’ll get a puzzled look that will keep you smiling for days.) Or you can say, “Yeah, I’m just trying it out before I buy it.”

But sometimes I just wear it on the front of my shirt or jacket and open a conversation saying, “How do ya like my new jacket?”

Another funny idea is to wear it inside your jacket, perhaps hanging off the inside jacket pocket. That way you can wear it privately. But when you are ready for some fun open your jacket to reveal the tag — as though you are sharing a secret with you victim — and then say something such as, “How do you like my jacket. I got a great deal on it. Yeah…. it was a STEAL!”

It’s also funny to sneak the tag on your friend’s clothing — again, it is best on the back of the clothing — and watch the reactions and comments directed towards your friend. Or, if you’re feeling especially frisky attach it to your friend’s clothes while you are inside a department store. Then watch the fireworks when you leave!

See Also: coffee cup on car gag

Things to Consider

Here are some things to consider before you leave that 9 to 5 job and segue into a professional speaking career:

1. Get real-world experience bfore you quit the employment ranks. People always want to know “how I got started” as a professional speaker. You don’t really j

ust “start.” I highly recommend you get some real-world training experience first. My first job in the training profession was as an employee with TRW Defense Systems. Understanding of the role of training vendors in a corporate setting is invaluable when you start approaching prospective clients, and you get paid while you learn. I then taught adjunct courses at the University of Colorado, which gave me skills in Instructional Design. You could teach a class at a Learning Annex, university extension center, or Free University in your area. Next, I presented seminars around the country for CareerTrack, Inc., which gave me a broad understanding of the meetings industry and gave me extensive platform time in front of real learners.

2. Get business training. I went to college and got my undergraduate and masters degrees in business. The biggest reason people fail when they break into the speaking business is they fail to understand it IS a business. It takes marketing, accounting, technology, customer relations, systems, public relations, and financial savvy to make it work. You have to know how to sell your services, relate to meeting planners and bureaus, back up your presentations with products and many other skills related to managing your company. You will not fail because you’re an excellent speaker; you will fail because you stink in business acumen. If nothing else, take some college business courses for no

3. Get a mentor and some guidance.
The National Speakers Association has local chapters around the country. Each chapter operates a bit differently, but most of them offer some type of “Apprenticeship” or “Fast Track” program for people who are seriously interested in moving into a professional speaking career. For example, in Denver, you can join the NSA/Colorado chapter as an Affiliate (not a professional member) and participate in the “Fast Track” program. Fast Trackers meet once a month, to help people ramp up quickly in the mandatory competencies of platform mechanics, professional awareness and relationships, topic development, and sales and marketing. Many chapters also offer a “Coaching” program, which will pair you with an already-experienced professional speaker to work one-on-one with you for a year. For information on a local NSA chapter in your area, visit http://www.nsaspeaker.org/search/chapter_directory.xpl.

4. Get a mastermind group.
It is incredible helpful to network with a group of people (even across the country) who are on the same journey you are. As you’re getting ramped up, you’ll want to exchange ideas with others who have the same aspirations. Having a mastermind group is like having a personal board of directors for your new company, to give you guidance and shorten your learning curve. An excellent resource is the Academy for Professional Speaking (www.academyforprofessionalspeaking.org), which is a community of experts who want to turn their passion and talent for public speaking into a successful career. The Academy accesses NSA’s vast universe of learning opportunities, friendship, participation and growth. Best of all, it offers you the support of other aspiring speakers and additional seminars and educational opportunities, its own newsletter, and a networking directory of other national members.

5. Get some platform time.
Let me dispel one myth of the professional speaking business. Some people may tell you to never speak for free, which I believe is absolutely ridiculous. When I first started speaking, I would talk to anyone, anytime, who would listen to me speak. I had a really nice collection of coffee mugs going from all the rotary groups I visited. There are many service clubs in your area that are in desperate need for a speaker each meeting. They can’t pay you, but the objectives in getting started in the business are to meet people and SPEAK. Alan Weiss says it beautifully in his book Money Talks (the bible of the industry), “You’re better off speaking for free in front of potential customers than you are not speaking at all in front of no one.” Pick up a copy of your local Business Journal and turn to the “Calendar” section. You will see a list of groups and contact names just waiting for you to speak. Most of these local meetings only require 30-60 minutes of your time, and you can arrange your work schedule accordingly. These programs will allow you to practice and hone your speech before you try to sell it.

6. Get some clients BEFORE you stop moonlighting.
I saw Guy Kawasaki (one of the masterminds behind Apple Computer) speak in LA a few years ago. He said one of the successes of Apple was that they allowed their potential customers to test drive their computers. In the speaking business, you are the product, and you should allow people to “test drive” you too. When they like you, they will eventually buy. When I first started out, I offered free “brown bag” luncheons to large corporate clients as a way to get my foot in the door. You don’t even have to quit your day job! Identify a company you’d like to work with, call the main number, ask for the person who handles employee training and development, call that person, introduce yourself, and ask, “Do you sometimes bring in outside training contractors to conduct onsite training seminars?” Be honest. Tell them you are “just starting out” in the business and are offering a complimentary one-hour brown bag seminar as a way to introduce yourself and your product. It’s a good idea to work up a little “one-sheet” on yourself first, so that you have a piece of promotional literature to send. Registering a business name and getting business cards printed up is a good idea while you “moon-light” in this fashion. After giving the presentation, I would ask for a testimonial letter in return to help you start your client list. Having these letters will be very helpful when you start asking for money. After they love you, they will want you back. Get enough of these…and bang…you have enough clientele to support you when you get started.

A little training, a little preparation, a little support…combined with your immense talent…and you, too, can be a professional speaker!

From 9 to 5 to Professional Speaker
by Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, The Productivity PRO®

Preparation

Research The research tip can be summed up in three simple words: KNOW YOUR STUFF! “Stuff” should be replaced by whatever is appropriate to the occasion. For instance, for an interview, know your resume. For a presentation before your colleagues and associates, know your material. For a keynote address before a national convention of stockholders, know your audience. The more research you do, the more you’ll know, and the more confident you’ll be and appear. Confidence is the key to any live performance because regardless of whether you know what you’re talking about, if you look like you do then the audience will be far more likely to believe you. Knowledge = Confidence in public speaking. You can alleviate the nerves elicited by doubting eyes if you know that you know what you’re talking about.

Composition

Regardless of whether you plan to use a script or notes during your presentation, it never hurts to write out what you are going to say (time allowing). There are many approaches to composing a speech. Many people prefer outlines, especially if they actually are going to use their notes during the speech. If time allows, try writing out the entire presentation, word for word, to practice with. This will allow you to gauge most accurately the length and dynamics of your speech. Come performance time, perhaps condense the script to an outline. It is always helpful to bold keywords and make them larger than the rest of the print on the page. That way, especially if you are relatively comfortable with only glancing at your outline from time to time, the most important points of your speech will jump off the page without you having to search for them. If you hope to perform without any written materials at all, it is most beneficial to write out the entire speech for purposes of memorization. The content of your speeches will likely vary, but there should always be a constant: entertainment value. The better you know your stuff, the easier it will be to find a humorous connection to the content that you can share with your audience. Don’t overdue the comedy, though, because, above all, you’re still there to do your job.

Practice the Material

Practice Public speaking, like most things, requires an often inconvenient amount of practice. Even professional speakers with a single act will review their materials regularly to keep it fresh and dynamic. For the novice business speaker, a few hours of practice can make a world of difference in terms of impressing your boss or colleagues. If trying to memorize your speech, read it in its entirety a few times, then tackle it section by section. By breaking up the speech while practicing, you will better remember the order of the speech and the natural organization of its content. Furthermore, by having the speech subdivided in your mind, you can easily adapt to time constraints by shortening or eliminating certain sections. Once you are familiar enough with your content to start practicing aloud, there are three excellent options for a practice ‘audience.’ A live audience, such as friends and family, will allow you to gauge a real life response to your words, especially if you are incorporating comedy or emotion into your speech. Try performing for someone you trust to give you constructive, honest criticism.

Be Your Own Audience

Next, try videotaping yourself. A live audience is helpful, but you likely know more about the content than your spouse or best friend. Watching the video will allow to hear your words out of your own mouth (some things that read extremely well don’t sound nearly as good out loud!). Furthermore, you will be able to notice whether you have any distracting physical habits, like playing with your hands or swaying/rocking while you speak. If you do not have a video camera, your third option is the good old bathroom mirror. If you have a head-to-toe mirror, all the better. The premise here is the same, except that you have to try and watch yourself and notice mistakes while you are speaking at the same time. Remember, too, that the more familiar you are with your speech, the more confident you’ll be, so even if you have little time to perform aloud, reviewing your speech mentally before bed or with your morning coffee can greatly help. Performance Appearance It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway) that you should always dress appropriately for the occasion of your presentation. What you are wearing, though, is only one-half of your performance appearance. Posture and stature are key, especially if you are trying to make a good first impression, and your attitude and confidence (or more often, lack thereof) are very explicit in the way you carry yourself. Also, convey your excitement and happiness about what you are doing through the way you move around the room. The more dynamic your appearance, the more dynamic your words.

Appearance

NEVER EVER be late. The larger the audience, the greater damage even a few minutes of waiting can do. If you are being introduced, try to chat briefly with whoever is introducing you beforehand so that you can enter the stage/presentation area crisply and promptly. Pacing Both the speed of delivery and the actual physical movement: Most people, even the most seasoned public performers, are at least a little nervous when presenting live, especially before a sizable audience. When people get nervous, their natural tendency is to rush everything: words, movements, etc. The most effective remedy is to do exactly the opposite: slow down and be deliberate. Because you are nervous, what seems like a crawl will actually be a very suitable speaking tempo and will sound normal to the audience. If you can get over the first few minutes of a butterfly-filled stomach, the rest of your speech will run smoothly. This is a key area to practice because rushing a speech can truly ruin it, regardless of whatyou say. If you are incorporating humor, pacing is especially important because many jokes rely on good comedic timing. Once again, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! In terms of movement, typically less is more. Actually pacing back and forth across the stage is absolutely out of the question. It is a nervous habit that many resort to when they are completely overwhelmed by the situation, but it looks tacky and unprofessional. Use your body to emphasize major points, perhaps walk a few steps at points of transition, and be sure to position your body so that you can address the entire audience. Any more movement will only distract the audience and detract from what you are saying. Eye Contact Maintaining eye contact with your audience is key to a persuasive performance. One of your top priorities during the speech is to make the audience feel like you are having a conversation with them, not just talking at them. Using your eyes effectively can help you connect with each and every member of the audience. There are two main approaches: First, for the more nervous speaker, simply scan the audience with your eyes, never really focusing in any one place. Second, for the more comfortable speaker, scan at intervals and then settle on a group of people for a few seconds. Direct eye contact is extremely helpful in augmenting your charisma and connecting with the audience. After those few seconds, scan again and refocus on another group of people. The more people you connect with directly, the more people you will affect with your speech.

Articulate

Speaking Skills Independent of content, there are two extremely important aspects of your speech: articulation and fluency. Both are crucial to ensure your audience understands what you are saying. Additionally, both will help you avoid rushing and fumbling over your words. Articulation is an easy concept to understand but, surprisingly often, difficult to practice. Alliteration is one of many useful rhetorical devices that causes a milieu of problems for speakers, so be wary of its overuse and be sure to practice such sections particularly attentively. Fluency requires a great deal more practice. A multitude of awkward pauses and filler ‘words’ like “um,” “uh,” “like,” and “you know” can destroy a speech. A great way to improve fluency is to pick some random topic like “What’s your favorite movie and why?”, talk into a tape recorder as long as you can (at a nice, easy pace), and then listen to the recording. Count how many fillers you used and then try again with another topic. Before your actual performance, try reading something you’ve never looked at before out loud, making sure you pronounce every word correctly and enunciate as best you can. Then try reading it again, a bit faster, still being wary of any fluency breaks. Do this with a few different pieces of writing (just pick up a newspaper or something) and you should be nice and warmed-up for your performance.

End on a Good Note

Finishing Touches Most public speaking is about the little things, i.e. everyone’s actual speech is good so it’s the other stuff that distinguishes you from the rest. Look like you’re enjoying yourself, never hesitate to throw in some smiles!!! (It’s amazing how far a manifestation of happiness can go when addressing a room full of tired, dehydrated business people who would all rather be at the bar at this point) Just to reiterate, the more excited and engaged you are about what you’re saying, the more response you’ll garner from the audience, and that, of course, is the whole point. SUMMARY Public speaking is an acquired skill, one that may require a ton of practice depending on the person. Start small, and use any and all opportunities to put your abilities to use. Whether a small office conference or the national company convention, it is always important to impress your colleagues with a well planned and executed presentation. Do your research, practice tirelessly, and control your nerves. If you can connect effectively with your audience and excite them about your subject-matter, you might just get that promotion or reputation that you’ve long been working for. Good luck and speak well!

Copyright 2005 by Brad Montgomery. May be reprinted with permission. Brad Montgomery, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) is a funny motivational speaker and corporate entertainer. Using his own blend of Hilarious humor as well as his Award-Winning magic, Brad reminds us that our lives are both fun and very funny. You can reach Brad at www.bradmontgomery.com

Presentation Tips for Business Speakers
By: Brad Montgomery