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The Biggest Problem with Emerging Speakers …and Fripp agrees!
By Darren | January 31, 2010
What do you think is the biggest problem with emerging speakers?
Last weekend I was invited to speak to a group of speakers in California about speaking professionally. I asked the audience what they thought were the most valuable assets of a professional speaker.
Responses included:
· Passion
· Enthusiasm
· Knowledge
· Experience
· Confidence
· Humor
· Spontaneity
· Energy
· Clarity
· Body Language
Most of these are important, but a far second to one of them. Whether audiences pay with their time or their money, they are really paying for just one of them. Which would you guess?
The true benefit to your audience is when you clearly transfer the value of your experience.
· Passion
· Enthusiasm
· Knowledge
· Experience
· Confidence
· Humor
· Spontaneity
· Energy
· Clarity
· Body Language
What experience? All of it. You are unique. Too many emerging speakers wonder what they should speak about.
Combine your unique experience with the desire to be in front of an audience, and believe me you are different. Some people may have the same experience, but very few want to get one a stage and talk about it.
If you were sitting in our Get Coached to Speak Champ Camp with Fripp, CSP, CPAE and me, it would be so clear to you, as well. The speakers here have amazing stories about their experiences… and they’re not even using them! Why? Because they don’t see the value and the potential in them that Patricia and I see. It’s clear to me — and even more evident to her — especially with her 30 years of speaking experience.
Whether it is business, family, adversities that you have personally faced… please know that THAT is what you should be talking about. The biggest mistake Patricia Fripp and I see, is that most speakers invalidate their own experience.
Do you?
Topics: Stage Time Comments |
January 31st, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Darren,
Who gave you permission to talk about me in this post? It’s embarrassing you revealing my failure to recognize the benefit my own life experiences could provide to audiences worldwide. And even worse, to let thousands of people know, DESPITE your and Fripp’s advice, that I have not used these experiences and stories to build a killer keynote that helps other people in a way that provides value to THEM.
OK, taking my tongue out of my cheek - THANK YOU for such a concise and compelling piece. motivational and challenging. Just what I’ve come to expect from your champion thinking and the faculty of Champions’ Edge. I’m on my way back to the drawing board right now…..
January 31st, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Hi Darren: How strange it may sounds, but I was in the process of loosing my writing to you, which disappeared suddenly. Did you receive it?
With kindly regards from Herbert Riemer.
January 31st, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Hi Darren: I wanted to sent you some more reports about my own experiences. When I tried two times, the writing disappeard and I don’t know where it ended up, perhaps into the ocean.
With kindly regards, from Herbert Riemer.
January 31st, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Dear Darren:
Warmest greetings to you from the cold Toronto in Canada.
You are perfectly right, speaking about our own experiences. Mixing in some humor is very important.
At Toastmasters, I was told that my strongest points and talents, is my humor.
Don’t forget, I am very far from Darren and other precious Champions.
Most of my speeches refer to my own experiences.My last speech was titled: Death’s Escape. I was on a trip to Isreal, when shortly after take-off from New York, one engine caught fire. The pilot dumped most of the fuel and returned for an emergeny landing to New York,
When our tourist group met, half of them wanted to return home. They were afraid of dying.
I told them that I will enjoy the whole trip.,
I also mentioned to them, why worry, if you die once, there is no second time to worry about.
In Israel, I went to the washroom. The big sign printed in Hebrew, I believe said, Welcome for all men. When I try to leave, several women were in here and started to scream. sure, I was mistaken by accident.
I believe, adding humor too is entertaining and motivates die audience to laugh. A sense of humor can make the audience laugh, except the one who ate a lemon. Thanks for your good advice, it makes me think how to add more humor into my next speech
for next month, Have a smiling day, from Herbert Riemer.
January 31st, 2010 at 4:12 pm
You are absolutely right, Darren! I was at your presentation at the District 52 Toastmasters Learning Institute. However, although you are right, I have nothing to talk about. I was raised in a middle class family in the San Fernando Valley, I went to high school, didn’t exceed in anything too much, went on to become a legal secretary and am now raising 6 cats and a husband! So, I don’t have anything of value to talk about.
Or do I?
You raised an issue that we all need to think about.
As you said, we are all very unique and individual. We all have something of value to say.
I got your message, Darren, and I thank you so much!
January 31st, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Hi Darren, I agree that “we” all have stories of real value to share with an audience. I have also been “schooled” not to talk about “me” while on stage. The audience may tune out. The audience needs to hear about “you, you, you” and not so much “me, me, me. What are your thoughts Darren? I think I have lived some valuable experiences that an audience can learn from, but I’m concerned I may tune them out. Thanks for any input. Eddie Perez, Toronto Canada
January 31st, 2010 at 8:32 pm
So, what experience am I having as I write this? I’m thinking of a line from The Jerk. Who is Nathan R Johnson? I’m watching Autum in New York as I write this. - have Tivo, so I recorded it and can pause it. Maybe this is not the type of experience to share - although I have heard that what is most personal is most universal. I loved Derek’s post. He had me hooked. Reminds me of improv classes where one sometimes rants.
So what if I’ve wasted the reader’s time! At least I didn’t discount my experience. Cold in Canada? Dah! I remember one of the world champs saying we need to share Head, Heart, Humor, and Heavy Hitting. Think about it !!!
February 1st, 2010 at 12:55 am
Un grand merci, Darren !
I agree with you 100%. Our own experiences are the best : they come out as speeches from the heart, so there’s “passion” in them.
Personally, I do not present humour on “stage” but friends say that I have a great sense of humour when I am in company. I should get some mentoring from one of our “hilarious” speakers on stage.
Ranee
February 1st, 2010 at 7:16 am
AMEN!!!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:35 pm
I would like to listen to the lady with six cats and a husband.Perhaps she would like to hear about my experiences finding the perfect home for your pet,with the least stress,in the fastest time.
Thankyou,you’re awesome!