The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

If you want your talks to stand out, inspire, entertain and be more memorable, then you need to use stories and humour.  Getting the right stories together and crafting appropriate jokes are the first thing you need to get right, but that doesn’t guarantee things will go the way you want. That’s because there is another issue that I see tripping people up in this area, and often they’re not even aware that they’re doing it. That’s what I want to cover today.  I’m going to share exactly what this problem is and also show you what you need to do to stop it from sabotaging your success. Enjoy!   What you’ll learn: Why you should consider using stories and humour in your talks. What you need to think about when choosing your material.  The trap that many speakers fall into when using stories and humour in their talks.  How you can influence the audience reaction to your talk by the way that you’re thinking about it. Why you could be teaching your audience not to laugh and what to do instead.. The connection point between an analogy and your message and why it needs to be strongly made.  And more!!   Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: UNICEF UKRAINE AID RED CROSS UKRAINE AID Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club Facebook Group The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Elevator pitches are often thought of as only relevant for entrepreneurs, sales people and business owners. But I’m here to let you know that if you are an employee, then you need to understand how to create a pitch too. In this show, I’m going to share all the reasons why you need a pitch, the big mistakes people make, and the ingredients of a great pitch. My aim is that you understand what you need to do to create a pitch that works, and gives you the confidence to share about what you do, or your idea or project in a way that will shine.  If you want to always be ready to take your shot, then this is for you! Enjoy! What you’ll learn: Why you need to understand how to create a compelling pitch. The biggest mistakes people make with pitches. The elements of a great pitch. Why you need to be aware of your ‘perceived’ weak points. A simple pitch structure. And more!! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources:   UNICEF UKRAINE AID RED CROSS UKRAINE AID Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club Facebook Group The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

In this episode I’ve pulled together insights from four powerhouse networkers, and each of them is an expert in creating value and building relationships. What they share will make sure you grow your network powerfully and authentically, so that your business or career prospers and you make some great friends along the way. Devora Zack has carved out a reputation as a networking guru, and what she has to share about authentic networking is valid whether you're doing it online or eyeball to eyeball.  She’s been featured in many publications and media such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, Women’s Health and Fast Company - to name but a few! Stefan Thomas believes that putting effort into building and sustaining relationships at scale, over time, has benefits for every person, whether they own their own business, work for a company, or do a mixture of both. The trouble is that as Stefan says: “What most people think networking is, and what it actually is, are two very different things.” Peter Beaumont has led the marketing teams for some of the most iconic global brands, in a career spanning over 80 countries. In that time he figured out the secret to managing and building strategic business relationships, and now he speaks and consults with other companies using his six step process to help them develop more powerful connections and take things to the next level. Brandon Fong learned lessons at a young age from his parents that enabled him to master three of the most important skills that an entrepreneur needs for success. At 22 using those skills he made a connection that would change his life. He has continued to build on those skills and today he is on the journey to his own seven figure business and is helping entrepreneurs use his ‘Magic Connection’ method to develop relationships that will change their lives too. Enjoy!   What you’ll discover:  Devora: Four great tips for getting the most out of a networking event. Why you should follow up and what to consider in your follow-up to increase the chances of them saying yes. How to avoid the traps that damage rapport. Addressing the balance of speaking and listening in networking conversations.   Stefan: Whether you should always agree to 121 follow ups.  Getting the balance right in 121 conversations between asking versus telling. Why you should take advantage of longer speaking slots in networking meetings. Why storytelling is important for successful networking and marketing.   Peter: How to define the key relationships you need to influence and develop. The important ingredients for developing strategic partnerships. How you know if you’re doing ‘human to human’ business relationships right.    Brandon: The ‘Ikea effect’ and how you can use this principle to add value to people who are more successful than you. The slipstream technique and how you can use it to accelerate your success. Brandon’s ‘Magic Connection’ method and the three ingredients for success. The benefits of ‘no’ oriented questions and how to use them. An example of an email using Brandon’s ‘magic connection’ method, which helped him change his life at 22.    Guest Links: All things Devora: Website: https://www.myonlyconnect.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devora.zack  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devora-zack Books*: Networking for People Who Hate Networking Singletasking: Get More Done One Thing at a Time Managing for People Who Hate Managing All things Stefan: stefanthomas.biz https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanthomasnetworking/ https://www.instagram.com/thenetworkingretreat/ Books*: Instant Networking by Stefan Thomas Business Networking for Dummies by Stefan Thomas Win the Room by Stefan Thomas   All things Brandon: https://brandon-fong.com Search for the The 7 Figure Millennials Podcast Magic Connection Method: www.magicconnectionmethod.com  Coupon Code for the accelerator program: 7FM More advanced training and bonuses: www.bfo.ng/tsc   Twitter: @BrandonSFong   All things Peter: Website: http://connxn.net LinkedIn: Peter M Beaumont Twitter: @pbeaumConnXN Email: peter.beaumont@ConnXN.net    Books*:The Relationship Roadmap - Peter Beaumont   Full Episode Links The Inside Track to Networking Like a Boss! With Devora Zack - 128 How to Build and Grow Your Professional Network with Stefan Thomas - 201 How to Captivate the Room When You’re Networking on Zoom - 144 How to Make that One Connection That Could Change Everything with Brandon Fong - 147 Why You Need to Be More Strategic About Business Relationships with Peter Beaumont - 143 Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:                                                   Leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.  Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

With a Master's in Health Science, Verla Fortier is a former Director of Surgery at The Toronto Hospitals in Toronto, Ontario and a retired Associate Professor of Nursing at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  She is also a returning guest to The Speaking Club, and she is back because she has written a new book that I believe will save lives. In episode 88, her first interview with me, she shared her own story of what happened when she was diagnosed with systemic lupus just a few days before she was due to retire to her hometown of Manitoba.  That led to her writing her first book, ‘Take Back Your Outside Mindset’, creating a podcast, and becoming a speaker and expert about green space. If you haven’t heard that interview then do have a listen. At around the same time she received her lupus diagnosis, Verla’s lifelong friend Lesley, died of a sudden cardiac arrest on a three day road trip. Verla couldn’t understand why it happened, because Lesley had been a healthy woman.  The mystery surrounding Lesley’s passing stopped Verla from being able to accept and grieve the passing of her best friend. It haunted her so much that as soon as she was strong enough, she set out to solve it. Her latest book is the result of that investigation, and what Verla discovered about what happened to her friend on that road trip is shocking. Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: Why Verla felt compelled to write this book. How Verla unraveled the mystery of her best friend’s death.  Verla’s thoughts on why conventional medicine so far behind in relation to this research. What your heart variability measurement is and how it can act as an early warning system for ill health and save lives. Some of the myths and mistakes around managing your heart health that are putting people at risk. How to look after your heart if you live in a city Why you need to take more responsibility for protecting your heart. How going outside for just three minutes a day can make you more sexy. How Verla is planning to use speaking to get the message out there. All things Verla: Website - Treesmendus.com Take Back Your Outside Mindset by Verla Fortier Take Back Your Outside Mindset Workbook by Verla Fortier Optimise Your Heart Rate by Verla Fortier   Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

So many organisations struggle to implement change effectively. Certainly in my many years of being involved in projects and big change programmes, I rarely saw one that didn’t overrun, exceed the budget and lose employee goodwill along the way. It wasn’t until I left the corporate world and trained in marketing, sales and influencing that I understood why it happened so often, and how to proactively dismantle the barriers and obstacles that get in the way. So … in this show I want to answer two questions for you: Why are most organisations crap at effecting change? How can stories help leaders to make change happen successfully? And just so that we’re on the same page … to me successful change means minimal deviation from plan and budget, minimal disruption and minimal loss of employee goodwill. Enjoy!   What you’ll learn: Why most organisations struggle to implement change successfully  The Star Trek story that illustrates why change is hard. Why I fell out of love with the 80’s Highlander film and how that can help you win hearts and minds. The map for a story led change talk How to use that map to create your talk Why you should pay extra attention to the questions you get asked by your audience The three different groups you will find in every change scenario. Why you don’t need to be creative to use stories in your talks And more!!   Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)   Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: UNICEF UKRAINE AID RED CROSS UKRAINE AID Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club Facebook Group The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

If you listened to episode 218 of the show you will have heard me talking to AnnMarie Wyncoll, who helps people write and publish their books. But one thing that AnnMarie was very clear on was that once the book is written whether you’re with a publishing company or self-publishing - the marketing and promotion of that book pretty much rests with you. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that speaking is one of the most effective ways to build an audience and make more book sales. But you don’t often get specific advice about what to put in the talk and how to adapt it for the multiple speaking mediums that you can use to get your message out there. That’s where this episode comes in. Enjoy! What you’ll learn: Why you need to spend time creating a talk about your book The ingredients that need to be in the talk about your book Ideas for creating your book promotion campaign How you can adapt that talk for different platforms Tips for making the pitch to talk And more!! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!) Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker Resources: UNICEF UKRAINE AID RED CROSS UKRAINE AID Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club Facebook Group The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc www.lemon-squeeze.co.uk/crunch  Thanks for listening! To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Have you got a story to tell? Do you have a big message to share? Perhaps you should consider writing a book. Just like a great talk, a book is a fantastic way to bring that message or story alive for people and in a way that you can scale… as long as it’s done in the right way. But there are many potential traps waiting to slow you down, or stop you from getting the book finished and out into the world, that’s where this show can help. My guest AnnMarie Wyncoll is an author and founder of Begin a Book. Her desire to become an author was born when she had an epiphany about her life with a toilet brush in her hand.  Unfortunately, her journey was fraught with obstacles to overcome, but she didn’t give up and eventually she held her first book in her hands. Today, through her company Begin a Book, she makes the book creation process stress free and easy for other aspiring authors.  In this show, she will be sharing how to avoid the pitfalls of publishing and she’ll also be giving you some brilliant advice to make sure your book has the best chance of reaching the people who need to read it. Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: What a toilet brush moment is and what caused AnnMarie to have hers. What made her switch from being a part-time author to launching a book company. The people who AnnMarie thinks shouldn’t write a book.  The three big traps people can fall into on the book creation journey. The three things AnnMarie had wished she’d known before she wrote and published her first book. What’s better - self-publishing or working with a publishing company. How you should tackle talking about real people. How you should handle quotes in books. The best ways to go about promoting your book once you have it. How AnnMarie uses speaking in her business.   All things AnnMarie: www.beginabook.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/annmariewyncoll/ Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tscYour ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Your voice is one of the most neglected, yet most important tools you have as a public speaker.  Your ability to be heard clearly, to last out the talk energetically, and to connect powerfully with the emotions of your audience are all reliant on your voice. That’s why for the first of the insights episodes, I have pulled together highlights from some of the best voice artists and teachers to help you ensure that you are looking after and fully utilising this incredible instrument.  First up, joining me on the show is Jay Miller. Jay has spent the last 20 years training speakers, actors and business people how to develop a great voice, as well as overcome anxiety around public speaking. He is now one of Canada’s finest voice and speech coaches, appearing across the Canadian media, and his work has had a profound effect, not only on building compelling and engaging voices, but also on the lives of those people that work with him.  Helen Langford is a voice actor, who absolutely loves the sound of her own voice … and so do lots of others. She works for many corporate clients, including household names, and every day she tells stories, explains tricky concepts, promotes brilliant ideas and gets to be somebody new! Kristin Linklater has sadly passed away since recording the original interview, which makes what she shares even more precious. She had a long and distinguished career as a teacher and actor in Europe and America, working with some of the most prestigious theatre companies and dramatic institutions in the world. She also wrote one of the seminal books on voice technique based on hearing ‘the person, not the voice Enjoy! What you’ll discover:  Jay: The distinction between projection and speaking louder.  Why you should treat your voice like a plant you love.  A tip you can use to sound better tomorrow and develop vocal stamina.   Sarah: How you can influence the emotional state of your audience  Things that can affect the pitch of your voice as a public speaker  Tips for getting more pitch variation   Helen: How to avoid the droning voice. Why your voice is never fully dressed without a smile  The difference between pitch and tone Simple vocal warm up exercises you can do at the side of the stage.    Kristin: The connection between mind, body and voice.   Examples of bad voice habits and how they impact the quality of our performance?  How trying to control our voice reduces our vocal stamina. Why public speakers must ‘feel’ the words and not hide behind a presentational tone.   Guest Links: All things Jay: Jay’s Website –http://voiceandspeech.com Jay’s YouTube Channel - Visit Voice & Speech on YouTube Discounted video course Jay Miller: The Back Exercise Video - https://youtu.be/_97RZ7uRuQs   All things Helen: https://www.helenlangfordvoiceovers.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensvoice/   All things Kristin: https://www.linklatervoice.com Freeing the Natural Voice by Kristin Linklater  Freeing Shakespeare’s Voice by Kristin Linklater   Full Guest Episode Links: Episode 047 - Raise Your Voice with Jay Miller  Episode 053 - Four Tools to Help Avoid Being a Dull Speaker by Sarah Archer Episode 076 - How to tell a Story with Your Voice with Helen Langford Episode 116 - Setting Your Authentic Voice Free for Great Public Speaking with Kristin Linklater   Resources: The consonant scale warm up: Ba ba ba bee, ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba, bee, bee, bee, baa, baa, baa, boo, boo, boo Ca ca ca cee, ca ca ca caa, ca ca ca cee, cee, cee caa, caa, caa, coo, coo, coo And so on!   Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:                                                   Leave a comment below. Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.  Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

There is lots of information out there around how to use slides in the right way, and indeed I covered this in great detail in podcast episode 082 The Seven Deadly Slide Sins and How to Avoid them.  But what there isn’t much on is the answer to the question of whether you should use them in the first place, which is one I’ve been asked a lot recently. So, in this episode I want to give you my definitive answer to the question ‘Should I use Slides’ and explain why I came to that conclusion. I hope it gives you a few ahas and helps you to have more impact when you speak. Enjoy! What you’ll learn: My view on whether speakers should use slides What the ‘Tinder Swindler’ and ‘Inventing Anna’ can teach us about using slides.  What a visual anchor is and how to use them when you talk.  Myths around slide use Alternatives to using slides   And more!! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review and get a free e-copy of my book Cracking Speech Mate - How to Use Humour to Make You an Amazing Speaker!)   Books: Grab your copy of Straight to the Top - How to Create and Deliver a Killer Elevator Pitch Grab your copy of Cracking Speech Mate - How to Add Humour to Make You An Amazing Speaker   Resources: Allan Paivio - Mr Canada 1948 The Seven Deadly Slide Sins and How to Avoid Them - 082 UNICEF UKRAINE AID RED CROSS UKRAINE AID Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club Facebook Group The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

Jackie Brennan spent over 30 years building a career in the construction industry. She was dedicated, career focused and ambitious and worked her way up to become a senior leader. But after returning from an overseas contract, she decided to take a rare short break before the next one. Something happened in that time at home that turned her view of her life upside down.  Despite having every intention to return, after her revelation she found that she couldn’t bring herself to do it, and that short pause turned into a permanent break from a corporate job. It also forged a new purpose for her, and a complete change in direction. Today, Jackie uses her experience and her skills in complementary therapies to share a new perspective on mental wellbeing.  Through her speaking and coaching she challenges conventional thinking, and sets out a different approach for individuals and organisations. One that will enable them to avoid the traps of burnout and poor mental health and secure all the benefits of sustainable high performance. Enjoy! What you’ll discover: How Jackie discovered she was burnt out. The unconscious baggage that we carry that can influence our lives and create our biggest regrets.  Why the conventional way of tackling burnout and mental wellbeing is not working.  The obstacles Jackie is having to overcome in sharing her message? The huge benefits for individuals and organisations in tackling burn out differently. Three big tips for creating a sustainable, high performance culture. How Jackie uses speaking and storytelling to get her message out there.   All things Jackie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-brennan https://contactjackie.com https://www.youtube.com/c/InnerFluency   Books*:  Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires by Ester and Jerry Hicks   Play Bigger: How Rebels and Innovators Create New Categories and Dominate Markets by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, Kevin Maney Resources: Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge Practice your speaking & test your content in a safe space in The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership Want to create a signature talk that sells, then check out our Nail Your Signature Talk in 60 Days programme.  Want to find out about working with me 121 then book a call here. https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   leave a comment below.   Share this show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out:   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one.    Subscribe on iTunes.   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)