by Sharí | Jul 18, 2013 | B2B Lead Generation, Entrepreneurial Insights, Event & Conference Marketing, Influential Communication, Presence-Forward Marketing & Sales, Thought Leadership
The Art of Storytelling: How to Tell a Story Like a Pro
I reached out to Lou Heckler for a video interview because of all the speakers I know, he is undoubtedly the top tier storyteller.
As a professional speaker, trainer, speech coach, and presentation skills nerd, it’s hard for me to watch other speakers without taking notes on what worked in the speech, what fell flat, ideas for my own speeches, etc.
When I watch Lou Heckler on stage, I forget that I am a fellow speaker. When he takes the platform, I am an audience member. I am drawn into his stories. I slip into a transe. With absolute delight I watch the movies playing in my mind, guided by his eloquence, humor, and skill.
In this video interview, I talk with Lou about his story development process.
What is his take on good storytelling? What should people avoid when creating a story? What storytellers inspire him?
As always, below the video are my notes and takeaways, along with links to the resources mentioned in the interview. Happy watching!
You Are What You Read
Lou has a background in journalism and reads constantly from a wide a variety of sources. His wide-ranging knowledge makes him a more effective speaker as well as a pleasant conversationalist. His curiosity fuels his speaking strategies. (more…)
by Sharí | May 16, 2013 | B2B Lead Generation, Event & Conference Marketing, Presence-Forward Marketing & Sales, Thought Leadership
How to Start a Speech: Two Killer Tips
It’s okay. It’s not your fault. You were just wired that way.
You, like everyone else, enjoy talking about yourself. You’re a cool person with cool experiences, so why wouldn’t you?
Especially if you have a microphone pointed at you with a roomful of people who have been told that you are the person who knows best when it comes to your topic. It’s only natural to brush your shoulders off and let the awesomeness of you waft over you. It’s a pretty cool feeling.
So naturally, you think – either consciously or unconsciously – that since you have been given this platform and people have come to hear you, then they must be interested in learning about you.
by Helga Weber
And so, you open your speech with some information about you, why you’re the person talking about this topic, and how you got to be the head honcho on stage.
While I have no doubt that your credentials, background, and experiences are very interesting, this isn’t the best way to open your speech. Don’t worry! You will still be able to talk about yourself. That part has its rightful place just a little later in your speech.
More often than not, I see people start their speeches by talking about themselves, not the audience.
I don’t know if it’s a desire to establish credibility. I don’t know if it’s being deemed an “expert” that initiates a myopic point of view. I don’t know if it’s just an ego trip that triggers it.
I think that for different people each of these apply.
By opening your speech with “how I got here” rather than “this is what I can do for you right now,” increases the probability that your audience will tune you out and tweet on their phones. (more…)
