I’m pleased and excited to announce that this week I have a guest author here at ProHumorist.com. There’s a full room of people eagerly waiting for you to begin and there is no turning back now. Improvisation is a must-have tool in the public speaker’s repertoire. MORE

While attending a presentation a couple of weeks ago, I noticed the A/V guy walk into the room and stand at the back, watching. Then the A/V guy decided that something wasn't right. Who needs a speaker when you have a PowerPoint on the screen? MORE

Let’s talk about the marketing materials you need to develop a paid public speaking career.    There are a few essentials:  a DVD, a website, a book, a one-sheet.    And a number of should-haves: a social media presence, a blog, a press kit, handouts, YouTube videos.    A speaker we know sent live goldfish to speakers’ bureaus for the same reason (the goldfish mostly died).  MORE

Giving a speech is especially tough for perfectionists – the kind of people who are often asked to give speeches.    If you take the burden of solving a technological problem on your shoulders alone, then everyone in the room will be watching you attempt to fix it.    Instead, make it everyone’s problem by asking if there is a really smart, nice technophile in the room.    The A/V person was nowhere to be found.  MORE

And, along with this tight schedule, there was a policy of not letting attendees return to their seats if they came back into the auditorium after the speaker had begun. This is a noble concept, but it leads to problems. There were only a couple who I found difficult to listen to. MORE

When I travel to deliver customized workshops or speak at conferences, I carry the normal equipment for a presenter: my laptop, presentation remote and projector if required. In today’s tip, I want to share with you a few of the other pieces of equipment I carry that come in handy when travelling. The first item I carry is a VGA extension cord. It allows me to move my laptop away from a podium or projector. MORE

You may have gotten a 3 minute standing ovation! I have seen so many tapes ruined (including my own) because the presenter didn't make sure there was a microphone recording audience reactions. This isn't really a humor technique but it is really important for humorous presenters for two reasons. I guess a really good sound engineer/editor could doctor the tape up with canned laughter, but what a hassle to do a perfect job at this! You may have killed! MORE

    Charlene was a V-P and analyst at Forrester Research and a Harvard Business School graduate before she launched her own company, the Altimeter Group, last year.   She is a thoughtful, engaging consultant and speaker and she practices what she preaches – interactivity – through Twitter, her blog, her research, and her speaking. MORE

Then you need a Google profile An open letter to journalists: You have an amazing career opportunity on the Dark Side The New Rules of Viral Marketing - free ebook! An analysis of gobbledygook in over 388,000 press releases sent in 2006 About David Meerman Scott Have me speak at your next event My books Free ebooks My blog -- www.WebInkNow.com buzz contact me Business TV Channel Recent Comments Marissa Yennie on Are you a craft marketer? Daryle Dickens on Are you a craft marketer? MORE

You may have gotten a 3 minute standing ovation! I have seen so many tapes ruined (including my own) because the presenter didn't make sure there was a microphone recording audience reactions. This isn't really a humor technique but it is really important for humorous presenters for two reasons. I guess a really good sound engineer/editor could doctor the tape up with canned laughter, but what a hassle to do a perfect job at this! You may have killed! MORE

You may have gotten a 3 minute standing ovation! I have seen so many tapes ruined (including my own) because the presenter didn't make sure there was a microphone recording audience reactions. This isn't really a humor technique but it is really important for humorous presenters for two reasons. I guess a really good sound engineer/editor could doctor the tape up with canned laughter, but what a hassle to do a perfect job at this! You may have killed! MORE

While attending a presentation a couple of weeks ago, I noticed the A/V guy walk into the room and stand at the back, watching. Then the A/V guy decided that something wasn't right. Who needs a speaker when you have a PowerPoint on the screen? MORE

But as a presenter, you don't have the luxury of showing any of those reactions. If you overreact and seem upset or flustered, your audience will pick that up and assume the "surprise" is a big deal. Use a factual statement to allay any concerns the audience might be feeling. MORE

Or maybe you’re a light-hearted speaker and the rigid straight-across rows don’t allow anyone to see each other, which you know is critical for humor. put into action tips on design, A/V, traffic flow, noise, and lighting. with Paul O. Radde, PhD. MORE

For those of us who teach presentation skills, we constantly emphasize the importance of being well prepared to give a speech or presentation. Yesterday I spoke at a conference and put my own advice to the test. I had been told by the session organizer that I would be able to get into my room thirty minutes early and that I would have A/V support for the projector and microphones. Now where the heck was my A/V support? MORE

I had two situations recently where I have been asked for what options you have when you are doing a presentation with multiple presenters, each having their own PowerPoint slides. In one situation, there are two presenters doing a session and they will be switching back and forth between their slides but they aren't sure when the switch will take place based on the audience reaction to the content. The other situation is a panel discussion I am involved in. MORE

Many large conventions are set up by A/V folks who use a presenter remote system that inevitably causes more problems than it solves. The presenter is usually a big wig and the tech folks assume that the big wig can’t handle more than one button on a remote. So they use a remote that has only one large green button on it. The problem is that the remote is not hooked up to a computer. MORE

I’m pleased and excited to announce that this week I have a guest author here at ProHumorist.com. There’s a full room of people eagerly waiting for you to begin and there is no turning back now. Improvisation is a must-have tool in the public speaker’s repertoire. MORE

After performing in stage productions, TV (The Bold and the Beautiful), internationally, and in Las Vegas for many years (he’s in his early 50s), Jeff has become a super-star entertainer. Jeff Tracta can perform night after night for 90 minutes and still have a strong voice for the next show. To be a pro, we need to study and use the techniques of a professional. Coordinating speaking and singing with a supporting A/V script takes a lot of rehearsal. MORE

Guess what: If you're a speaker, you're in customer service, too! We each have an important message to share, but at the same time, if we don't deliver our message in a way that our audience can receive it, we will fail. A/V staff forgets to set up the equipment you need. MORE

A speech or presentation is in part a visual experience for the audience. Some speakers avoid using A/V equipment, but many others find that adding a visual component helps their audience focus and learn. If you want to use photos, come learn from Dick Durrance, one of the world’s top photographers who now uses that background to add impact as a professional speaker. As a wordsmith, you carefully choose the right word to express your thoughts. MORE

And, along with this tight schedule, there was a policy of not letting attendees return to their seats if they came back into the auditorium after the speaker had begun. This is a noble concept, but it leads to problems. There were only a couple who I found difficult to listen to. MORE

You show up to your speaking engagement only to realize that your PowerPoint presentation isn’t opening, the A/V system is down, and there’s a car alarm blaring right outside the window. There’s a full room of people eagerly waiting for you to begin and there is no turning back now. Improvisation is a must-have tool in the public speaker’s repertoire. Think of a play in basketball. Maybe the defense switched a match-up or there is an injury. MORE

You’ve created both push and pull demand – you’ve wooed the bureaus and meeting planners and you’ve created a strong platform – and you’re getting inquiries.    What do you need to do to create a thriving, sustainable business?    The greatest fear of a meeting planner or a speaker bureau rep is that a speaker will do something stupid, disastrous, or unforgettable.    You put on a few conferences a year.  MORE

Last week at a conference I saw a speaker do something that I recommend never doing. She complained about the A/V setup to the audience. It was what we refer to as a bowling alley room - very long and narrow, so the last row was quite a distance from the stage. The screen was set directly under a fluorescent light that couldn’t be turned off unless you darkened the entire front of the room. And the microphone was a wired lavaliere mic. MORE

I know that I course correct throughout the day, revising what I may say at 12 and 2, sometimes as late as 4 or 5 (on a Sunday). The A/V People - they are, in the end, just people. What have YOU discovered in your role as a speaker? MORE

I shared a ‘Core Conversation’ yesterday afternoon at SXSW with the consummate professional speaker Tim Sanders , author of Love is the Killer App , The Likeability Factor , and Saving the World at Work. Aided by some great comments, suggestions and questions from the audience, we discussed some of the important rules to follow if you want to develop a paid professional speaking career. Your first job is to build a platform and a community around something you’re passionate about. MORE

Guess what: If you're a speaker, you're in customer service, too! We each have an important message to share, but at the same time, if we don't deliver our message in a way that our audience can receive it, we will fail. A/V staff forgets to set up the equipment you need. MORE

Tonight I spoke at Marshall High School to a group of about 130 people - High School and Junior High School families - and I was almost, but not totally, all by myself. No teachers, 1 alumni student, and a principal subbing for the AV guy. Despite the overall lack of support, it was a pretty good meeting, I believe. I added a lot of content of my own in place of the testimonials we normally get from teachers and alumni. Just 60 hours til Im on a plane home. MORE

I've added links and some boldfacing to emphasize a few points.) There’s a full room of people eagerly waiting for you to begin and there is no turning back now. Improvisation is a must-have tool in the public speaker’s repertoire. Think of a play in basketball. MORE