This question is based on the role of the lamplighter: a person employed to light and maintain gas streetlights. Today Mark and Darren explore ways that we, as presenters, can be lamplighters for our audiences.   • One of your jobs is to light the path of those who follow you   • Your experiences can illuminate their path and make their journey easier   • Your lamplight identifies the danger for those who come behind you   • Your lamplight shows the path that you have taken   • Your lamp lights the path of people you don’t even know   • Your lamplight can lead oth ..read more

“So many presenters mistake memorization for preparation” says Darren, as he and Mark reveal some powerful principles for preparing and delivering unforgettable presentations. SNIPPETS: • Don’t memorize; internalize • Avoid rehearsing just to remember the words; rehearse to remember the idea • Use STAGEOLOGY to anchor your ideas to specific places on stage • Give your audience and idea, principle, technique, habit, tip or action item • Deliberately rehearse with loud noises in the room • It’s not ‘if’, but ‘when’ you will encounter unexpected distractions • Learn from the ways that comedians h ..read more

As presenters we are often tempted to teach our audience everything we know. Mark and Darren drill down on the importance of, and methods for giving each audience one clear idea in every presentation. SNIPPETS: • Be completely clear on one specific idea • Don’t depend on implication; rely on declaration • Bring up your point; hold up your point • Give your audience and idea, principle, technique, habit, tip or action item • Use specific language like, “If you only absorb ONE IDEA, it’s this:” • Your ‘one thing’ must be easy to remember • Your ‘one thing’ must be immediately applicable • State ..read more

The term ‘Selfish Presenter’ may seem harsh, but today Mark and Darren talk about one way we deny our audiences the full experience of our presentations. We give great value when we use the spaces between our words wisely. SNIPPETS: • Give your audience time to process your questions • Without reflection there is no connection • Place wisdom on the ‘Pause Pedestal’ and ‘put some air around it’ • Pause in HEARTBEATS, not SECONDS • Your audience needs space to absorb you points • Use the pause to acknowledge the audience or affirm eye contact • Don’t step on your audience’s thoughts • The most i ..read more

It’s easy to focus on your next presentation based on the occasion, especially when you have customized it for a specific audience. Today Darren and Mark offer advice on thinking about the future value of your presentation. Speech contestants often prepare for a specific contest, then set the speech aside. Mark and Darren explore ways to extend your speech’s shelf life, modify the format, and reach broader audiences. SNIPPETS: • Think and act today for the future • Ask: “What other audience needs to hear this message?” • Make adjustments immediately when you think of them • Resolve to evolve ..read more

No matter how pithy your point may be, you have to PROVE it to your audience. Today Darren and Mark offer nine ways to do so, while establishing a deeper connection to your audience. You need not use all nine at once, but when chosen selectively and used effectively, they will help to make your presentation unforgettable. SNIPPETS: • Personal stories help you to establish a relationship with your audience • Connect to your audience’s world • There are ways to keep your audience fully engaged • It is important to SHOW your method or process • Infuse your data with human characters • Give your a ..read more

You deliver your presentation, then well-meaning friends and would-be advisors offer their feedback. However, their recommendations vary widely. Which do you implement? Mark and Darren share their experience and offer specific guidelines and a process for deciding which feedback you should use. SNIPPETS: • Facilitate your audience feedback • Ask your audience members key questions • Discern which feedback fits for you • Individually inventory each piece of feedback • Remember you are the CEO of your speech • Don’t use feedback just because it’s from someone with status or authority • Test ever ..read more

Mark and Darren have oft said that the first step to an unforgettable presentation is A CLEAR MESSAGE, but what is Step #2? In this episode they describe your Foundational Phrase and explain how a well-crafted Foundational Phrase can make your presentation unforgettable. SNIPPETS: • Create a Foundational Phrase to make your message memorable • It should be rhythmic • 10 words or fewer are easier to remember • A well-crafted Foundational Phrase has weight and influence • It should run like thread throughout your presentation • It can be rhyming or alliterative • Connect your Foundational Phrase ..read more

A key element in a story is the hero’s journey, and it must end in transformation. There are ways to make the transformation clear, and meaningful, to your audience. Darren and Mark talk about that transformation and offer simple but practical techniques for doing so.    SNIPPETS: • If there is no transformation, there is no story • Establish an emotional connection between the hero and your audience • RELATABLE - Your audience should relate to the hero’s struggle • DESIRABLE - Your audience should want the hero’s transformation • Include the right details and paint the right picture ..read more

“If you want to get booked, you need a demo reel!” This is now common advice for speakers. But what makes a good speaker demo reel? Where do you begin? Today Mark and Darren find out from Chris West, Founder and Owner of Video Narrative, Inc. and the authority on outstanding speaker demo reels. His advice provides a roadmap of the steps necessary for you to create your unforgettable speaker demo reel! SNIPPETS: • Position yourself in a category of ONE • Turn your story into a video narrative • Your video should be like a good movie • Meeting planners view video to create their short list • Mee ..read more