The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

Everyone, to some degree, has anxiety around speaking, and it can affect us all in different ways. Maybe it affects your ability to relax, try new things and show your personality when you speak, or maybe anxiety is paralyzing you, and keeping you stuck and small.  That’s why in this episode I’ve gathered together insights from experts with different perspectives on managing anxiety and fear, and thrown my own two penneth into the mix for you to consider. What Mark, Clare, Tim, Colette and I share will give you some new ways to look at anxiety and tips for managing it, so that you can begin to fully step into your speaking power.  If you want to start speaking, or feel more at ease on stage, so that you can be fully self expressed … sharing your passion, purpose and personality with more impact then listen up!  Enjoy!   What you'll discover Mark Visser: The mind-body connection and the sequence in which our bodies shut down because of fear. How Mark nearly blacked out with fear the first time he spoke! Mark’s tips for managing future based ‘imagined’ fear.  Tim Box: A new way to frame anxiety. Tips for managing anxiety. Tips for managing anxiety related to public speaking.  Dr Clare Roberts: The different mental and physical aspects of anxiety. The physical symptoms of public speaking anxiety and how to minimize them.  Using graded exposure to overcome fear and build confidence. Techniques to get you into your ‘speaking’ performance state. Colette Etheridge: Whether anxiety is an illness or a state of mind. The difference between types of anxiety and phobias. How fear of speaking on stage or on video is driven by our beliefs. Sarah Archer Tactics for tackling ‘bad’ stories. What we’re really scared of. The two most powerful tools you can deploy in your life to become unstoppable.   Guest Links: All things Mark: Website(s): https://www.theoceanwarrior.com https://www.markvisser.net Facebook: @MarkVisser   Books*: The Big Wave Method by Mark Visser   All things Tim: www.thecontrolsystem.co.uk https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-akeh4-a50450 https://www.youtube.com/c/TimBoxMindCoach  @timboxmindcoach (Instagram) https://www.facebook.com/timboxhypnotist (Facebook) TEDx - How to Stop Feeling Anxious About Anxiety by Tim Box   All things Clare: https://www.generationcalm.com https://www.youtube.com/c/GenerationCalm https://www.facebook.com/Generationcalm https://www.instagram.com/generationcalm/   All things Colette: https://smallstepscounsellingservice.com https://www.facebook.com/SmallStepsGlos/ https://childbehavioursolutions.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/ChildBehaviourSolutions/   Full Episode Links 141 - Wave Goodbye to Your Fears with Mark Visser 177 - Taking Back Control of Your Future with Tim Box 208 - Overcoming the Different Dimensions of Public Speaking Anxiety with Dr Clare Roberts 113 - Understanding Anxiety and how To Beat It with Colette Etheridge 91 - Breaking Free From ‘Bad Stories’ by Sarah Archer   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)

If you’re anything like me at the moment, you may feel torn between wanting to be a global citizen and keep up with the news, and wanting to forget about it all and bury your head in the sand. Our world is facing multiple challenges and at a time when we should be joining together to overcome them, we seem more divided than ever. All of this can make you feel helpless and hopeless.  That’s why I wanted to bring this show back to the top.  Devin Thorpe believes that we do have hope and one person can make a difference. He has a huge mission and a big message because of a promise he made to himself at the age of 11.   After spending many years in a corporate career within the finance function, he pivoted after taking a long hard look at his life, and set out on a new path.  Today, Devin speaks all over the world, sharing his mission and training companies on crowd funding and corporate social responsibility. He is also a regular writer for Forbes magazine and a podcast host.  In this ‘best of’ episode he shares how he got into paid speaking, how it enables him to fulfill his mission and what he does to put his talks together. We also consider how Devin uses humour in his writing and speaking to increase the impact of his message.  Enjoy!   What you’ll learn:     How losing something you care about can be a catalyst for a bigger life.     Why it’s important to be conscious of our bias in life.     How Corporate Social Responsibility can increase profitability.     Why it’s good to be polarising to increase the impact of your message and reach the right people.     How Devin transitioned from Finance to paid speaking.     Devin’s process for creating his talks.     Why it’s important to watch yourself back as a speaker to improve your craft.     How you can tell if you’re a good speaker.     Why you should always make it easy for people to give you money.   All things Devin: https://www.devinthorpe.com Barry Manilow Blog @devindthorpe   Books by Devin*: 925 Ideas to Help You Save Money, Get Out of Debt and Retire A Millionaire: So You Can Leave Your Mark on the World Adding Profit by Adding Purpose: The Corporate Social Responsibility Handbook Crowdfunding for Social Good. Financing Your Mark on the World Building Wealth for Building the Kingdom: A Financial Planning Guide for Latter Day Saint Families Don’t Just Build a Network, Build a Movement Your Mark on the World   Resources: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thespeakingclub/ https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge  https://www.facebook.com/SarahArcherSpeak/ https://www.storyledmarketing.com  https://www.saraharcher.co.uk https://www.standoutpitch.com   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 Subscribe on iTunes. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)  

I see so many people with a great story to tell and an important message to share getting deflated and frustrated after their talks.  Even after people in the audience come up after and say… “that was so inspirational … thank you”  They get upset and frustrated because despite being inspired, no-one takes action.  And when that happens it leads to the inevitable question. What am I doing wrong?  The problem is that so many people confuse being ‘inspirational’ with being ‘motivational’. But being inspirational isn’t enough. Your talk also needs to create the desire in your audience to do something. Which is what ‘motivational’ actually means. And that’s what this show will help you to do.  Enjoy! What you’ll learn: The difference between inspirational and motivational. The three things you need to do to make a story motivational.  How you make a story matter to your audience. What levers you have to pull to get them into action. How you take an inspirational talk and make it motivational. Why you need a deep understanding of your audience to make this work. 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 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)

I reached out to invite Gavin Howarth to be a guest on the podcast for a number of reasons.  Firstly, he writes some of the most engaging and authentic posts I’ve seen on LinkedIN that get a lot of traction Secondly, one of his posts made reference to an experience he had whilst waiting to do a talk recently, and I knew that this would be useful to you. Thirdly, he is a brilliant leader and has a powerful vision for his company and his team that I am sure will be an inspiration to you.  So … who is he? Well Gavin is the Managing Director of Howarths, and his company helps thousands of other businesses manage one of the most challenging aspects of navigating growth - taking on and managing people. Howarths advises companies on HR, Employment law, Health & Safety, and getting the best out of a team, and their client retention rate is incredibly high.  In this show we cover what it takes to be a great leader and create a high performance culture underpinned by people who love to come to work.  But we of course also look at how Gavin has embraced authentic storytelling in his talks and linkedIn posts to grow a big following and attract more clients.  Enjoy!   What you’ll discover: The key events that led Gavin to what he does today. Gavin’s view on the three things that are most critical for sustainable success. Why Gavin gets reminded he is going to die 5 times a day. How Howarths develop and encourage personality and individuality at work and why it’s important to the business. The qualities of a great leader. Why Gavin hates the term ‘soft skills’. What happened when Gavin did a talk in a room full of business power houses. How Gavin managed his thinking whilst waiting to go on stage.  The process Gavin uses to create his LinkedIn content. The mantra that underpins Howarth’s business success. All things Gavin: Website -  www.howarths-uk.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinhowarth/ https://www.wecroak.com The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Desmond Tutu and Dalai Lama   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: 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)

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)