Speaking Tip: Be YOU-nique!™

Let's take a trip back in time:

"Purple!" Mr. Big Name Speaker exclaimed, examining my brand new media kit, my first attempt at a professionalspeaker's marketing tool. I idolized his status and thought at first he was expressing delight. But then he said, "Professional speakers don't use purple. Corporate America is not purple." He smiled indulgently. I thought he was going to pat me on the head. "If you're going to make it in this business, you're going to have to conform. First thing you need to do is re-do your media kit in gray, burgundy, or navy blue. Just not purple." He said it the way he might have said, "diarrhea."
That was more than 25 years ago and my media kit is still purple.

Rule #1 Be You-nique
Don't let anyone tell you you shouldn't do something, just because no one else does it. Find your style, or as Larry Winget says, "exploit your uniqueness!" 
Look, listen, learn; adapt never adopt; find your USP (unique selling proposition) and use it to your advantage. Mr. Big Name Speaker also kindly advised me to "tone down" my wardrobe. "A black or navy blue suit and pearls would be perfect," he said. 
Hah! Well, you see how that turned out!
Yes, I'm outrageous, and that doesn't work for everyone. And maybe I've lost business because of it. But I'm alright with that. I am who I am and it's more important for me to be authentic than to be someone I'm not, just for the sake of the almighty dollar. 
Find your USP, and then go with that, however different it may be. Be authentic. And the almighty dollars will come.

Speaking Tip: We Learn Best When We Laugh

"Shtick" is good!
It makes your audience relax and have fun, and it's been proven that we learn best when we laugh; our defenses are down and our endorphins are running wild. It may not be your style to be outrageous (like moi!), but audiences respond best to presentations with humor, interaction, fun and stimulation for all the senses. And they want content with clear messages that come with specific how-tos that can be readily implemented.
A speaker who sprinkles her speeches with stories will captivate and hold the audience's attention longer than those who just postulate theories.

Speakers School - Get the Benefit of My 25 years!

Speaker's School - Make an investment into your speaking career that will last a lifetime!

What a great class!

Speakers School Feb 2013 had attendees from the three Cs:  Canada, Colorado and Chicago - a mixture of CEOs, employees of an architectural firm, professional speakers, educators and salespeople.
 

Day one concentrated on the craft of speaking - that's where I share the skills I've acquired over my 25 year career. 

Day two is all video coaching - attendees practice what they learned and get coaching and feedback. Day three is all about how to get booked as a speaker and/or build a career.
 

Attendee Peter Christman wrote, "The best and most "real world" training I have ever been to in my 50 years in business. Mikki is truly a professional with an equally professional training program. She gives new meaning toe the word "professional."

Next Speakers School is April 11-13th with the addition of a Saturday afternoon session with social media guru,  Dave Nelsen from Pittsburgh (he's also Vistage Speaker of the Year). 

Any questions about Speakers School, one-on-one coaching or The Mikki Mouth Club? Just ask! Contact me on my website or Register Now!

Speaking Tips: Your Introduction

Speaking Tips straight from my Speaker's School

1.  Always email your introduction ahead of time to the meeting planner and ask for the name of the person who will be introducing you. Highlight the important parts or the humorous parts, then brief the introducer on how you would like it to be read. Explain they should not deviate from the written copy.

2.  A good introduction should tell the audience who you are and why you're qualified on the subject. It should create interest in what you're going to be speaking about. Include your honors but not your résumé.

3.  Bad introductions range from "This speaker needs no introduction," to "Here's _________," or (the worst) actually telling the audience that they're going to laugh and cry.

4.  Concluders:  Many speakers print a concluder on the back of the introduction sheet. This allows a speaker to exit the stage and go to the product table while the introducer is reminding the audience to fill out the evaluation forms, pass them in, meet the speaker at the back table, etc.

Looking for more speaking tips? Want to become a professional speaker? Attend my Speaker's School! I hold three sessions every year in September, February, and April. Visit my website now for more details.