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Make Your Message Memorable! Darren as a Prop??
By Darren | June 24, 2009
When you give a presentation, what do people remember three days later? I always try to teach speakers that is it not about what they “hear” today, it is what it remembered and acted upon three days after you speak. I will probably forever be remembered in the speech contest as “the guy who fell on his face.” In that memory, there is the essence of my message. If you remember that, you remember my message.
Is your message remembered three days later?
Why am I on keynote speaker, Dr. Janet Lapp’s back? We’ll get to that. Many new speakers have this challenge. They think they’re writing a speech. The speech is just the delivery mechanism for the message. We must ask ourselves, “How will we stand out form other speakers?”
When I studied 10 years of previous World Championship contests on video, I was amazed! I thought, “How will I stand out at that level?” I searched for the answer. Standing out and being memorable is the key to marketing yourself in the professional speaking world. You want to be so good that audience members say, “I know some people who need to hear that message! WOW!”
My home NSA Chapter in Las Vegas recently hosted CSP, CPAE, Dr. Janet Lapp. I was there in the audience, learning from a Hall of Fame speaker along with my fellow NSA members.
Right in the middle of her presentation, Dr. Lapp invited me up to help her. Then, she proceeded to pick me up and carry me around the stage on her back. THAT was memorable! It was also the essence of her message. A few months from now, I won’t be able to tell you exactly what she said… but I assure you, her message about “letting go” of the baggage we each carry around with us will stay with me for a very long time!
Her message was powerful — and memorable. It’s one of her signature stories, as we call it in the business. Never use someone else’s story. This is a small industry… it won’t take long for the ‘owner’ to find out. After doing my “Ouch!” speech at NSA a few years ago, it was copied by somebody overseas just a couple of months later. One of my mentors happened to be in the audience, and called the speaker on it. At first, he denied it. But later, he admitted it. As speakers, we can be inspired by others — but it’s important that we be original in our own messages, techniques, and stories.
Dr. Janet Lapp is known for that story and her technique of using an audience member to demonstrate her point.
What will you be known for?
For me, it started with asking myself the question, and then searching until I found the answer.
Will your message be remembered three days after you speak? How?
Topics: Stage Time Comments, World Class Presentations |
June 25th, 2009 at 5:29 am
[...] You can read the entire article on Darren’s website. [...]
June 25th, 2009 at 6:23 am
Good & extremely important content. Thanks for stirring up my brain cells!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Darren,
Great message! Just a little curious to know if Dr Janet had back ache after 3 days!!!
Brindha
June 25th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
As always, the advice you give is very much to the point. Originality is crucial and so is finding your own voice - Darren, you have found yours and I hope I will find mine too. I saw you in Toronto a few months back and I want to thank you for the inspiration and mentorship.
June 26th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Excellent advice and information. Make our own speeches memorable and do not plagerize!
I like the fact that Dr. Lapp carried you around on her back - that would be very memorable.
We had a member in our club that would get up on the tables and walk back and forth to make his point and everyone remembered his memorable moment.
Again, thank you for another valuable lesson and instruction.
Patricia Cotton
June 26th, 2009 at 9:05 am
It was OK because she’s a Dr.
I had the pleasure of seeing Janet Lapp speak a number of years ago at my employer, the Michigan Department of Transportation. Yes, she did the same effective bit.
Dr. Lapp was, I believe, also a finalist in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking.
June 28th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Hey Darren,
Always look forward to your article, tweets and, now, photos!
Jeff
June 30th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Not only a wow of a message in your message this month! I also “visited” your club, for multiple wows:
- Wow - I wanna visit the next time I come to Las Vegas (though your club is a stronger attractor for me than most other LV attractions, so don’t hold your breath).
- Wow - John Kinde! AND Darren! In the same, rare club! Who knew?! I subscribe to both and greatly enjoy both of my heroes! I also occasionally pass their writings to my club with suggestions that they subscribe, too, to maximize their TM experience.