The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

QJ, (yes that is his name…I asked him), started life as a musician, although classically trained, his dream was to become a rock star. Through following this dream, he discovered a new passion…putting on and filling events that entertain and inspire. It turns out he was pretty good at it too…from the first gig he put on at his school, to the 1000 plus seater events he was later to stage, to the workshops he runs today.   Over the years QJ has been fine tuning what works and what doesn’t, and now he shares this knowledge to help others successfully run their own events. QJ teaches speakers and coaches how to attract, (he calls it ‘magnetize’) your audience so that your events are full, and then how to mesmerize them with the event itself, so that they want to continue working with you.   I tried my best to make the most of having QJ on The Speaking Club and picked his brains on all aspects of putting on an event to maximize the value for you…and boy did we cover a lot of ground!   Enjoy!   What you’ll learn The psychology behind filling an event and why you need to create a buzz. What sort of lead time you should have. Why you should start from the perspective that no-one knows you. How you can overcome the challenges of filling events today. What an ‘egoic’ label is and why you should use it. Why the message in the film, ‘The Field of Dreams’ was wrong! Why just getting a few people on your first workshop isn’t a disaster and how you can use this to springboard to success. What you need to know about workshop titles and why they matter. The reason why you need to treat your workshop as a store and have other products to sell. The difference between webinars and live events, and the myth about webinar pricing. Why Facebook ads aren’t always the right answer for marketing your events. The right way to become an in-demand speaker. Why taster sessions are an exceptional marketing opportunity. How you can mesmerize your audience with your event. How to choose the right price for your workshop. What your offer should contain to make people book. Why you should follow up.   All things QJ: QJ’s Magnetize your audience Facebook Group Twitter / Linked In: @TheOneQJ   Other Resources*   A Return to Love – Marianne Williamson   Tickets to See Sarah in the comedy, ‘The Amours of Lilie Langtry’, at Edinburgh Fringe – Aug 3 – 25 2018   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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review 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)

Shelly O’Donovan has spent many years in the public policy arena, working with corporations to shape their strategy and building bridges between the commercial interests of organizations and government affairs. During her time working in government relations, public policy, lobbying, grassrootsadvocacy, legislative and regulatory processes, and policy maker engagementshe has seen the gamut of body language dos and don’ts. It was in this arena she noticed some of the brightest people weren’t having the impact they deserved, yet others with half the substance and potential were having great success.   After studying the arts of body language, personality types and lie detection, not only did Shelly see her own status and influence increase, but she was able to discern why others were successful or not. Today she speaks, coaches and trains on increasing the impact of your body language for speaking, confidence, gravitas, and sales, and we are lucky enough to have her on the show sharing what she knows to increase our success in these areas.   What you’ll learn What charisma is and how you can increase yours. The secrets of Bill Clinton’s charisma. What body language cues are, and which ones are critical for a powerful first impression. Why your ‘nod’ gives your thoughts away. The different types of gaze and how you should use them. How you can get people to notice you. Why you should adapt your body language to fit the environment you’re operating in. How being intentional with your body language can increase your confidence. The body language signs that give nerves and anxiety away and how we can lose them. What micro-expressions are and how you can use them to better relate to and influence others. What body language cues we can adopt to increase our chances of winning the sale. Why you have to take environmental factors into account when reading body language. The negative impact incongruent body language cues can have on our relationships and career. The big five personality types and how you can use them to improve your negotiation skills. The cultural differences of body language. Gender specific issues around body language. Common misperceptions about body language. What a non-verbal brand is and how Donald Trump uses his. Three top body language tips for speakers and winning sales. Why it is crucial to use body language skills authentically and for good!   All things Shelly O’Donovan: http://www.illuminatethemessage.com Twitter / Linked In: @shellyodonovan   Other Resources*   Essentialism by Greg McKeown Success is Yours by Shelly O’Donovan (and others) Tickets to See Sarah in the comedy, ‘The Amours of Lilie Langtry’, at Edinburgh Fringe – Aug 3 – 25 2018 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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review 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)  

Julie Holmes didn’t have a typical path to sales, and for years she did all she could to avoid having anything to do with it. With a degree in public speaking, and some diverse jobs under her belt, she entered the corporate world as a software consultant implementing software systems for big players like Oracle and JD Edwards, before moving into marketing and eventually the dreaded sales in her own tech start up.   After hundreds of hours of professional sales, marketing, leadership and entrepreneurial training, coupled with interviews of CEOs, other sales professionals, and her own experience of selling, Julie is now a seasoned expert. As a Professional Speaker, she talks about defining prospects, whole company selling and the value proposition, and on this show, she is giving us the low down on how to become the champion and trusted advisor of your prospects, and to sell without selling.   What you’ll learn Why selling feels so hard to do and tactics for overcoming this. What criteria you need to consider in defining your target customer How technology has affected the way that we sell. Why your offer needs to be clear and focused. The different considerations in selling as part of a corporate organisation vs a small business or entrepreneur. How to win more sales as a speaker. Why and how you should present your brand at the level that you want to do business. The importance of knowing the value of what you offer to the client or customer. How and why you should leverage the power of your network when you are building your business. Why your whole organisation should become your sales team. Why you should treat your customers like balloons. The power of authenticity in speaking. Why you should create your talks like you’re creating a banquet for your audience. How great speakers affect an audience.   All things Julie Holmes: http://www.julieholmes.com Hey Mic – Amazon http://www.loveheymic.com FaceBook / Twitter / Instagram: @thejulieholmes   Other Resources* Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill (Original)   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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review 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)  

Chances are all the films you love, all the books you devour, have pulled you in because you can relate not only to the character and their journey, but to the underlying messages that apply universally to all human beings. There are recurring symbols and motifs weaved into the fabric of stories from ‘The Three Little Pigs’ to ‘Harry Potter’, that signal, repeat and reinforce the themes that writers from Shakespeare to Quentin Tarantino use to draw us in and deliver a moral takeaway.   Speakers and copy writers can also use universal themes and the tools of symbols and motifs in stories and more widely in their content to hook the audience, keep them engaged and get them to remember the kernel message and action points. In this show, I’m going to share what I know about universal themes and story plots, and some examples of how you can use them practically in your public speaking and marketing content.   What you’ll learn: What universal themes and basic story plots are Why they are important in stories, speaking, and marketing copy The different types of universal themes How symbols and motifs reinforce universal themes and what they are The options for story plots How you might use them in your speaking and in business.   Thanks for listening! Resources:   How to Find Stories to Share in Your Talks, Teaching and Marketing Content - Episode 033   Simon Sinek Forbes Article   Simon Sinek – Ted Talk   JK Rowling Harvard Commencement   I feel Pretty Trailer   The Storytelling Tools Reference Guide   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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.   See you next time.

Margot Leitman is the founder of the storytelling program at Upright Citizen’s Brigade, five-time winner of The Moth, and a winner of the Moth GrandSLAM. She is also author of ‘Long Story Short – The only storytelling guide you’ll ever need.’ Given that the best stories are personal ones, it seemed like a no brainer to get Margot on the show to share how she creates and tells award winning stories.   In this show she shares ideas for where you should get your stories, how you should structure them to connect with your audience, how to start off, the way to add pace, humour and emotion to keep people engaged…and what happened when she started bleeding on stage! It’s a must for speakers, leaders, entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to get better at telling stories to grow their business or brand.   What you’ll learn: How you can find stories to share Why your story should be in the ‘storyzone’ and how to do it How you create your story so that the audience feel like it is about them. Why your story should contain universal themes and multiple points of access for your audience. Tips for starting stories. How to avoid your stories sounding overwritten. The critical elements of a compelling story. When you shouldn’t tell a personal story. Tips for adding humour to your story. How to describe the characters in your story. Tips for being authentic in your stories. The process Margot goes through to prepare a story versus a speech Tips for using stories at networking events. Ideas for managing anxiety   All things Margot Leitman: FaceBook / Twitter / Instagram: @MargotLeitman Margot’s website Long Story Short by Margot Leitman Margot’s Winning Grandslam Story   Other Resources* Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill (Original)   The Amours of Lillie Langtry – Edinburgh Fringe   *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, which helps to keep the show going, but this does not affect your payment)   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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.

Jeremy Nicholas gave up on a career in engineering before he’d even started, choosing to pursue his passion for radio, (even though his Mum said he was boring). He spent many years in broadcasting, also doing voiceover work, (you will recognize his dulcet tones if you are a FIFA Football video game fan), and trying his hand at stand-up comedy, before transitioning to a career in speaking. He is known for being a funny story teller and has many tales to draw on from when things went wrong on broadcasts for the Beeb.   In this show he gives the lowdown on the different types of speaking and talks us through how he prepares for each. He shares how he uses stories and props in his talks and how he teaches corporate clients how to be more engaging. You will also find out about his upcoming one man show, and his comedy trousers.   What you’ll learn: The difference between being an MC, After Dinner Speaker and Keynote. How Jeremy prepares for the different types of speaking. How Jeremy built up his after-dinner material. The way that Jeremy uses stories in his keynote. Why you should keep a story diary. How developing your comedy and performance muscles can improve your speaking. What parts of your speaking you should develop for success? Should you specialize in a type of speaking? How Jeremy makes his talks more engaging and tips for you too. How to get more attention after a speech! Why it’s important to stick to your guns if you charge a speaking fee. Why you should make sure the clothes you speak in fit! What you can learn from Churchill’s speeches.   All things Jeremy Nicholas: FaceBook / Twitter: @jeremy_nicholas Jeremy’s Website   Tour Dates for Jeremy’s Edinburgh Fringe 2018 Show:  After Dinner Stories from my Disastrous Broadcasting Career.  June 15   Rad Fringe, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire June 21   Museum of Comedy, Holborn, London June 26   Hen and Chickens, Islington, London June 30   Quay Theatre, Sudbury, Suffolk  July 4      Turk's Head, Twickenham, London. July 26    Bread and Roses, Clapham, London. Aug 1-27 Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh Fringe   Other Resources* Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill (Original) Hey Mic – Amazon The Speaker’s Handbook – Bob Monkhouse Stewart Lee & the Top Gear Presenters Stewart Lee and Café Nero The Amours of Lillie Langtry (the comedy play I’m in at Edinburgh Fringe) 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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review 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)

This show is like attending a mini-masterclass from a Hollywood expert. Michael Hauge has been involved with creating compelling stories for years. Mention Michael’s name at any exclusive Hollywood party and everyone knows who he is and how he supercharges the power of story in their scripts.   He’s written best-selling books on screenwriting, how to pitch your story in Hollywood, and a great new book about how entrepreneurs can tell their story, and those of their best customers to win more business.   Michael began working with entrepreneurs like Andre Chaperon and Russell Brunson to take their stories deeper and help their messages create amazing results. In this show, he is sharing the same lessons and value and I hope they help you to have as much success with stories in your business.   Enjoy!   What you’ll learn How Michael works with Hollywood heavy hitters like Will Smith The biggest distinction between movie writers, speakers and marketers How one story generated over $100 million in sales for one of his clients. Why stories are so powerful in marketing Why everyone in business is a problem solver Why giving an emotional experience to your potential client or customer through your story is the key to success. The correct way to tell your story to emotionally connect with your audience. Why conflict is crucial to telling a compelling story and how you can use it. How you can use case studies and testimonials as stories to convert potential clients and customers. The Six Step Success Story Approach and Case Study.   All things Michael Hauge: http://www.storymastery.com   Michael’s Freebie – 6 Step Success Story E-book & Case Study FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.hauge.96 LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/michael_hauge   Other Resources* Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill (Original)   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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review 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)

This is the start of a storytelling themed month, here on The Speaking Club. I have some amazing guests coming up, all experts on storytelling, and with different expertise to share. On top of that, I will be sharing tips to help with your storytelling and public speaking, starting with this show, where I’m answering a question I get asked often… how can I find stories to share? If you’re like many of the people I coach, you can feel stumped when it comes to finding stories for your presentations, teaching, or marketing copy. You know the value of using them… you know they help audiences to relate and connect to your talk, but you feel that you haven’t got any worth sharing, or you can’t find a story to work with the point you want to make.   Well, that’s about to change. In this show, I’m giving you several techniques for exploring your life, and unlocking your memories. As you listen to the episode and work through the accompanying cheat sheet, you’ll find stories bubbling to the surface in abundance. I’m also giving you some examples of stories from my own life, and I show you how I would use them in a business presentation from different angles.   What you’ll learn: How to find stories from events Prompts for exploring your life episodes The seven story question categories for unlocking your story memories How you can relate stories back to your presentation or copy message   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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review really help get the word out and I read each one. Subscribe on iTunes.   Resources:   Story Generator Cheat Sheet   Yes Man – Danny Wallace   Episode 5 – Secrets to Storytelling Part One Episode 7 – Secrets to Storytelling Part Two Episode 9 – Secrets to Storytelling Part Three   See you next time.  

Richard Wiseman is a man of many talents…he started off in magic and still acts as a creative consultant to the world’s best magicians and illusionists, TV shows, and movies…and if he’s not advising on them he’s presenting them. He is a Professor of Psychology, and his research has been published across the world, alongside being a 10-time author of some of the most popular business psychology books today. His books have been translated into over 20 languages, and many of them explore the science of success, and focus on practical, evidence-based, techniques that improve people’s personal and professional lives.   Alongside all of this he speaks around two to three times a week and has two YouTube channels ‘In 59 Seconds’ and ‘Quirkology’ that have over 2 million subscribers and 500 million views. Described as one of the most “innovative experimental psychologists in the world today”, and “one of the top 100 people that make Britain a nice place to live”, he’s clearly got lots to share on the secret of success, how to make your stuff, (even science stuff), engaging   Enjoy!   What you’ll learn What are the genuine lessons of magic for performers and speakers Why you must understand things deeply to explain them simply Why speakers must find a skin they’re comfortable in How authenticity is a skill to be developed rather than a quality you have. Why you should throw your book away before you prepare a speech on it. How military tactics can be used as a planning structure for presentations. The most vital two minutes of your talk and tips for making this successful. The difference between performing and showing off and why this is important for speakers. How Richard uses humour in his talks, (including practical examples). Why the audience must believe it’s the first time you’ve done your talk… every time. How Richard adapts his talk depending on the audience. How to get the balance right between education and entertainment. A trick for getting people to remember the most important message of your talk or conversation. Richard’s top 3 tips for making your content engaging Why talks are like soap bubbles.   All things Richard Wiseman: http://www.richardwiseman.com   Richard’s Books: The Luck Factor 59 Seconds Night School Quirkology How to Remember Everything 101 Bets You Will Always Win – The Science of the Seemingly Impossible Rip it Up – Forget Positive Thinking it’s Time for Positive Action Paranormality – The Science of the Supernatural Did You Spot The Gorilla?: How to Recognise the Hidden Opportunities in Your Life The As If Principle   Richard’s You Tube Channels: Quirkology - https://www.youtube.com/user/Quirkology In 59 Seconds - https://www.youtube.com/user/In59seconds   Other Resources* Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill (Original) How to Win Friends & Influence People – Dale Carnegie The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking – Dale Carnegie     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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review 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)  

Lee Jackson is a Past President of the Professional Speaking Association, a motivational speaker, author and coach who knows his onions. He regularly coaches experts on how to design their slides in a way that connects with regular people.   Speaking to teenagers and young adults, was a challenge that Lee conquered early on in his journey, and one which laid the foundation for the speaking and coaching success he enjoys today. He continues to give motivational talks in the education sector, alongside the keynotes he delivers in the corporate world, and his down to earth and playful style make sure he is very much in demand. This episode is jam packed with gems that will help you get more confident, get more engaging and generally get better at public speaking.   What you’ll learn The key ingredient for talking to young people How to make sure your slides don’t suck! Pointers for sharing technical / complex information on slides for lay people. Why you should never share notes before you present. The importance of distilling your presentation down into core points. Why it’s important to challenge the system and culture within your organisation. The purpose of slides in your presentation. How humour, used appropriately, can build a bridge between you and your audience. Three tips for reducing speaking anxiety. How a routine can raise your speaking game. Why it’s important to get the balance right in your preparation. How breaking your presentation down into chunks can help with your preparation and practice. Why you should always try to get objective feedback on your talk and your slides from more experienced speakers.   All things Lee Jackson: http://www.leejackson.biz Get Good at Public Speaking Book   Resources* Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill (Original) Nancy Duarte – Slideology Book 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 on iTunes. Your ratings and review 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)