Even with experience, it’s a mistake to think you should just wing it.
Preparation is the key to successfully delivering your presentations
Whether you are delivering a business or sales presentation, it’s a mistake to think you can just “wing it.” If you have years of experience in your industry or profession, this still holds true. Even professional speakers must prepare for and rehearse before each presentation.
My brother Robert Fripp, the genius in my family and an internationally acclaimed guitarist from the band King Crimson describes it this way: “Every time you put your foot on the stage, there is an assumption of innocence within a context of experience.”
This brave man was somewhat daunted the first time he delivered a major presentation in front of me.
An audience will forgive you for anything except being boring.
This is why Jeff did not really do everything wrong!
My remarkable friend, Dr. Jeff Salz is an anthropologist, explorer, expedition leader, and professional speaker. Jeff is an adventurer from birth. At seventeen, he was solo traveling around the globe – ice climbing in New Zealand and living on vampire bats in the jungles of New Caledonia. After decades of exploration and his study of human nature around the world, he is equally at home leading in a boardroom of Fortune 100 executives or around a bonfire with tribesmen in the Upper Amazon. One trait that makes Jeff an excellent speaker is his authenticity.
Through Fripp Virtual Training, Patricia Fripp demonstrates how to open a presentation with impact.
The opening lines of your presentation – whether it’s a sales, business, or professional presentation – can be compared to the opening scenes of a movie. We all know the thrill of a blockbuster that grabs our attention from the first frame, versus the agony of a slow-starter that leaves us squirming in our seats. The first 30 seconds (and also, the last 30 seconds) of your speech have the strongest impact on your audience, so it is worth giving your opening words some extra attention.
When telling a story, do you help your audience “see” your characters?
My friend, Michael Hauge is a brilliant Hollywood story consultant, author, screenwriting coach, and speaker. His experience as a top Hollywood script consultant is evident in his masterful ability to bring out the emotional potential of any story. Following his expert advice, both business speakers and professional speakers can learn how to tell their stories more effectively. I share Michael’s article on character description:
What’s the worst experience you’ve had delivering an important presentation? Have you forgotten what you meant to say? Realized you should have edited your slides? Or even noticed your audience slipping away? In this brief video sample from Fripp Virtual Training, I share one executive’s worst presentation experience:
The clearer you are about what you expect, the easier it is for your speaker to do a good job.
You’re planning your company’s next meeting and you want everything to be perfect. You’ve got a location, theme, and date. The next thing to do is to hire a professional speaker. How do you choose the right speaker? And after you’ve found a speaker, is there anything you can do to help ensure that their program meets your expectations?
You have natural charisma, though you may not know it.
I always say, “There’s no point in going anywhere if people don’t remember you were there.” Being memorable is key to effective networking, persuasive sales conversations, and powerful presentations. You can make yourself more memorable by building emotional connections and using “you-focused” language in all of your communications – and by cultivating your natural charisma.
Leverage Your Time When Getting Publicity! Three Important Steps For Maximum Impact
by Russell Trahan, President of PR/PR
Many times I speak to potential clients who think “Oh, I know I’ll be rich and famous if only I can get into ‘X’ magazine or newspaper!”
Remembering up front that it takes more than being a one-hit-wonder to be a successful speaker, consultant, and/or non-fiction author, let’s take a look at how you should go about getting yourself into ‘X’ magazine.
First off, read the magazine.
Do you know their writing style? Do you know the type of articles they write about? Do they like lengthy articles with sidebars or sound bites with graphics? By familiarizing yourself with the publication, and not just a single issue but several months’ worth, you’ll be in a better position to speak to their readers’ needs.
When you know the publication, get to know its writers.
Are they staff writers and reporters? Are there regular columnists? Do they use mostly freelancers? Once you find writers whose readers you think would benefit from your expertise, follow them on social media. Comment on the stories they’ve written. Don’t stalk them; don’t over-share; don’t tell them how great you are. Build a relationship.
Now you’re ready to pitch your story idea.
Using the information above, customize the pitch. A business story to Entrepreneur would have a different slant to it than one to Fast Company. A woman’s article idea to Ladies Home Journal would have a different slant than one to Cosmopolitan. Use the WIIFM (“What’s in it for me?”) method, substituting the ‘me’ with ‘their readers.’ Pitch the story first and yourself second. Use your expertise to back up—not lead the way—to your unique and/or controversial article idea.
Russell Trahan, PR Expert & President of PR/PR
Ask yourself: do I have the time, energy, or interest it takes to do the research, build the relationships, and then make multiple pitches of multiple story ideas to multiple writers? If not, don’t give up! Just call PR/PR Public Relations for a complimentary consultation on how we might help you meet your publicity goals.
Russell Trahan has more than 25 years in the public relations field. He started his career working with Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Associations coordinating their marketing, public relations, and event management. Gathering experience at a top 10 market radio station, Russell then returned to the non-profit sector. After a tenure with the Walt Disney Company, he joined PR/PR. Russell was educated at a liberal-arts college in Southern Oregon and attended the Institute for Organizational Management at Stanford University.
Thank you, Russell!
If you want to become a great speaker easily, conveniently, and quickly, FrippVT can help. Take a complimentary test drive of this interactive, web-based platform and enjoy three free chapters on Stories, Openings, and Sales: Take your trial!
“For the past eight years, you have helped me design, script, and deliver all my important presentations. Every year the Blue Diamond Growers meeting is very important. At these events with your speech coaching help my speeches get better. This year, I had growers tell me it was the best President’s speech ever given at Blue Diamond! There were dozens of comments saying my speech was a great balance of humor and information. Thank you for making it great!”
– Mark Jansen, President, Blue Diamond Growers
Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote SpeakerPatricia Fripp works with individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.
Robert Fripp Rehearsing with Andy Summers – from the BBC Documentary on Robert Fripp
My brother, Robert Fripp, is the subject of a fascinating BBC documentary. Though he wouldn’t describe himself this way – he is truly a legendary guitarist and included on Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists.
Have you ever wanted to get up close and personal with Robert Fripp?
Are you curious about what he really thinks of life as a musician, the steps to take to go from beginner to mastery, and the responsibility of a musician and the audience for the quality of a musical performance?
Would you like to hear him tell his stories about having Jimi Hendrix say, “Shake my left hand, man; it’s closer to my heart.”?
Patricia Fripp, explains how to prepare a powerful and persuasive sales presentation through Fripp Virtual Training.
Salespeoplehave an awesome responsibility. Whenever they open their mouths, they are putting themselves and their entire organization on the line – taking a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome.
Even the best, most experienced salespersons can benefit from the coaching and polishing of an expert coach and trainer. Here are the 12 most common mistakes that my sales clients are making at the beginning of our coaching sessions. By the time we’re through, they’ve learned how to avoid them.
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How to Present and Teach in the Virtual World…and More
Receive free, on-going Fripp webinar invitations, sales and presentation skills information, and special discounts from Executive Speech Coach, Sales Presentation Trainer, and Professional Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE. As an added bonus, sign up now and receive a free copy of Patricia Fripp’s How to Present and Teach in the Virtual World.
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First off, read the magazine.
