The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

Learn how to grab your audience's attention with a captivating opening in public speaking. Discover the triggers for attention, different lightning bolt options, and tips for building this skill. Also, explore strategies for creating powerful openings and closings, using metaphors and analogies, and exciting opportunities for authors.

Still one of the most prolific tools around, Powerpoint can literally make or break your presentation, depending on how you use it. That’s why I wanted to get Philippa Leguen de Lacroix on the show.  She started life employed as a graphic designer, and was increasingly tasked with creating powerpoint slides for the different organisations she worked for. But … Philippa had a yearning to become her own boss, and after a hockey match with another designer pal they decided to start their own agency. That company has gone from strength to strength, pushing the boundaries of powerpoint to deliver jaw dropping presentations that continue to delight audiences and win new clients. In this show you are going to get some great tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of powerpoint and other types of software, and create slides that support you creating a talk that shines. Enjoy! What you’ll discover: What made Philippa focus on powerpoint. How you and your slides can build the connection with your audience or trash it. Why the bar for good slides is so low and the bad practice Philippa has seen that you can avoid.  The psychological and physiological things that we need to take into account with our slide creation. What design linked with value means and why it matters. What is more important, the talk content and delivery, or the slides. Why Philippa believes we should still consider powerpoint over other slide software options.  Three great tips for good slide design and creation.   All things Philippa: https://presented.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/presenteduk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippaleguendelacroix/ Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk   Books & Resources*: The Long Win by Cath Bishop   Resources: Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass 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:                                                   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)

This quick talk tip is in response to a situation one of my client’s found herself in, that could be an obstacle for you too.  In this show I’m covering: Why you need to be able to flex your talk.  Why it works How I used it and you can see it in action Tips for building this skill Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk 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: FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage  Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:                                                   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.  

It wasn’t until I embarked on my marketing, influencing and sales odyssey, that I discovered the concept of ‘audience sophistication’ as I call it.  It’s something I’ve often shared with marketing clients, but although I used it myself in my talks, I’ve not taught it to speakers until recently.  And the feedback when I have has been so positive, that I thought I’d better share it with you too!  In this episode, I’m going to break it down for you, so that you can level up your talks and get better results.  What you’ll discover: The origin story of audience sophistication. Why it matters for speakers.  How it affects your content. A practical example of how you might use it. How you can discover the sophistication of your audience. Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk 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: FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage  Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Thanks for listening To share your thoughts:   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)

Learn how to captivate your audience like a Hollywood director by using 'push and pull' techniques in your speech. Discover how emotion and storytelling can influence thoughts and behavior, and grab practical tips to enhance your speaking impact. Get ready to create engaging talks that leave a lasting impression on your listeners!

As you may know in addition to teaching people how to become awesome speakers, I am a writer, and that’s how I first discovered Jo Gatford. I was writing my second play, and needed some concentrated time to focus on getting it written, queue Writers HQ. Jo Gatford is an award-winning writer of short and long fiction and the co-founder of Writers' HQ. It’s an organisation dedicated to providing low-cost writing courses and resources to arse-kicking writers with no time or money.  In the past five years Writers' HQ has given away over £10,000 of writing courses and retreats to under-represented and systemically excluded writers, and seen hundreds of students go on to be published and win prestigious literary prizes! Jo has worked as an editor and copywriter for over 15 years and has been teaching creative writing workshops for almost a decade.  You’ll probably be aware that the best talks are full of stories, and in this show Jo is sharing her thoughts on storytelling, what can get in the way of creation, as well as a few tips and hacks to get your stories moving. Enjoy! What you’ll discover: How Jo became a writer.  What inspired Jo to write her first novel, "White Lies" and what challenges she had to overcome whilst writing it.  How the process of writing a short story differs from writing a longer piece. Some of the common pitfalls or challenges that storytellers often face. Tips for making your story work.  How to ensure maximum productivity and focus whilst doing creative work. What Writers HQ is and how it could help you realise your writing dreams!   All things Jo: https://writershq.co.uk https://www.jogatford.com   WRITERS' HQ: Twitter: @writers_hq Facebook /writershq Instagram @writershq   Jo Gatford: Twitter: @jmgatford   Books & Resources*: The dog of The Marriage by Amy Hempel   Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass 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:                                                   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 technology now able to doctor images, people and chatbots pretending to be who they’re not and the advent of fake news, it might feel like it’s going to be harder than ever before to get people to believe new ideas.  That doubt can hold us back from sharing our message for fear that we might not be able to get it across in the right way, causing damage to our reputation and confidence.  But I want to let you know that it is absolutely possible to overcome skepticism and get your audience bought in and wanting to work with you. In this episode, I’ll be sharing tools that you can use as a speaker in talks, webinars and workshops to establish credibility and overcome skepticism, so that you get the buy-in to your message.  What you’ll discover: What makes us believe things? The most obvious sources of credibility Are you an anti-authority? How to establish your authority How to make statistics meaningful The most powerful authority that you can leverage The Sinatra Test – can you pass it? The incongruence gap and how to use it.   Enjoy! Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk 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: FREE NEW GUIDE - From Blank Page to Stage  Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Take the Snackable Story Challenge https://www.saraharcher.co.uk   Resource Links: Case of Poisoning - National Library of Medicine https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_the_best_stats_you_ve_ever_seen https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/changing-someones-mind-powerful-new-approach/   Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   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)

Join communications coach Tina Bakehouse as she shares tips on becoming a magnetic speaker, from her journey from farm girl to Disney cast member to embracing unique speaking styles. Learn about the power of storytelling, building community, and mastering magnetic communication for impactful public speaking.

Ross O’Lochlainn is a former engineer-turned-copywriter who has blended his talent for problem solving and building systems with his ability to engage an audience with his storytelling flair.  The result of this combination is a new way of looking at marketing that is getting incredible results. Ross was so confident in his model that he built his entire business by getting paid on results rather than charging up-front fees – which is something that is very unusual.  Today, his company Conversion Engineering is like an oasis in the desert of burnt out business owners, who are looking for a way to get off the feast and famine sales roller coaster. In this episode we’ll be dismantling some myths about sales that might be sabotaging your business, looking at how Ross uses stories to engage his audience, and showing you how you can stand out in a crowded marketplace. If you want to build a sustainable business that gets you sales every day, without using pressure tactics or burning yourself out then you will be interested in what Ross has to share. Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: How Ross went from engineer to copywriter How a story about the UFC turned into a huge launchpad for Ross, and why it went viral.  How to craft a brilliant USP. The difference between customer logic and company logic. Why tuning to the ‘dialogue’ of your customers is critical for landing your message and growing your business, and how to do it.  Why Ross created the open every day system and why it’s the best model for building a sustainable business. Where storytelling and the open every day system intersect. What an open every day business looks like from the perspective of the owner and the client. How Ross uses speaking in his business.   All things Ross: Open Every Day by Ross O’Lochlainn (Free Book)   Books & Resources*: The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss The Lean Startup by Eric Ries   Resources: Get a Powerful Talk Structure - Join the Masterclass 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:   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)

It’s hard enough to cope with the grief that follows the loss of a friend or family member, but add in the pressure of being responsible for the eulogy for the person you cared for and maybe some anxiety around public speaking, and you have a recipe for huge overwhelm. If you find yourself in this situation, my hope is that this show relieves a little of the pressure. I’ll be sharing some ideas and tips for putting the eulogy together and delivering so that you can honour their memory, keep your audience engaged and get through it without breaking down.   Enjoy! What you’ll discover: The purpose of a eulogy Eulogy writing tips How long a eulogy should be A eulogy example How to find and use stories How to add humour to a eulogy How to deal with emotions when giving a eulogy Writing a eulogy for someone you didn’t know well Leave a rating or review for The Speaking Club (Take a photo of your review, email it to me at sarah@saraharcher.co.uk 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: Episode 19 - Humour 101 Episode 28 - How to be Funny Without Forcing the Gag Episode 33 - How to Find Stories to Share in Your Talks, Teaching and Marketing Content Episode 53 - Four Tools to Help You Avoid Being a Dull Speaker Episode 239 - How to Share an Emotional Story Without Losing Control Live Masterclass - 6 Step Blueprint to Creating Talks that Engage and Sell (without selling) Nail Your Signature Talk Programme Take the Snackable Story Challenge The Speaking Club ‘Live’ Membership https://www.saraharcher.co.uk Thanks for listening!   To share your thoughts:   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)