Steve Rubel is a daily read of mine. His blog is called Micro Persuasion and always has great information. His post today is Turn Your iPod into the Ultimate PowerPoint Accessory.
And you were wondering what you would do with your iPod if you won our contest…Operators Still Standing By!
Steve Mertz
iPods and PowerPoint!
Technorati Tags: Steve Rubel, Micro Persuasion, iPod, PowerPoint, Sales Presentations
I never speak behind a podium. It’s not my style and I love to involve the audience and make them part of my presentations. Garr Reynolds of the Presentation Zen has a great post today about podiums and removing barriers to communications. Consider this great quote from Phil Collins when you are giving your next major sales presentation:
“Most songs are vocally driven. Yes, it is physically possible to sing from behind the drums…But they (audience) want to see you. When you’re behind a drum kit, it is very difficult to connect to people. That is why I am out in front.”
- Phil Collins
So you ask, who uses podiums today-according to Reynolds: If you are aiming to look “large and in charge” then perhaps a podium is appropriate for you. If you are giving a financial presentation I would encourage you to never use a podium-your audience needs and wants to see and connect with you. Leave the podiums for the politicians.
I always encourage those who are giving presentations, and in particular, financial presentations, to do everything in your power to connect and bring your audience in to your presentation. Clearly, a podium can be a major deterrent to your efforts. Victoria Labalme gave me an excellent tip to bring the audience into you. She told me to purposely lower my voice and lean towards the audince and then tell them that “secret”. Your audience will press forward and listen with more intensity. Use the same voice that Martha Stewart would use when she was in jail swapping insider trading tips with her cellmate! You can read all of the post at Presentation Zen.
Steve Mertz
Burn the Podium!
Technorati Tags: Presentations, Garr Reynolds, Victoria Labalme, Phil Collins, Sales Presentations Training
At my favorite Starbucks this morning I couldn’t help but notice the disheveled gentlemen going around asking strangers if they were “Mark”. It looked to be a business meeting and I can’t think of a worse way to start a meeting-assuming he ever figures out who is “Mark”.
I’ve seen public speakers during their presentations who gave me the same impression. They had done nothing to learn the character of their audience. The easiest way to accomplish this is to ask the meeting planner for the names and phone numbers of five people that will be in attendance of your presentation. Call them and tell them they were recommended for you to interview. By doing this simple thing you can learn volumes about your audience and can customize parts of your presentation to your audience. Your audience will love you for it!
As far as the guy in Starbucks this morning-try going to Google and putting the persons name in Google images! Or, ask the person to describe themselves or what they or you will be wearing. If you don’t do any of that it appears that you didn’t have enough interest or respect for the person you are meeting.
Steve Mertz
Make Your Audince Feel Special!
Technorati Tags:
Public Speaking, Presentations, Meetings, Starbucks, Networking
A TV interview can be a great opportunity to promote your company and product or a miserable flop. A great way to prepare for this public speaking venture is to tape up a black piece of paper in your home and office. Put it in several different places and when you are near it look right at that paper and practice the critical points you hope to make! Make that black paper your best friend.
On my first TV interview the interviewer was in a completely different room than me. When it came time for the interview the remote camera positioned itself in front of me and it was Show Time! Fortunately, I had practiced with that black paper and the interview went well. Don’t forget to look right into that camera not to the side or up or down!
Another TV interview tip: If you are being interviewed as an “expert” on a particular subject you might include some questions or guidelines that the interviewer might cover. Generally, as long as they are not too self promoting-they are appreciated by the interviewer to get to the heart of the matter!
Last tip: If they tell you your interview will be one minute and thirty eight seconds-they mean it, so be concise and don’t ramble! They also may cut your time or increase it so have “modules” to your speech that you can either add or subtract to your presentation!
Steve Mertz
Lights, Cameras..Action!
Garr Reynolds has a deligtful Friday thought: The Power of a genuine smile. He refrences a performance he saw from the japanese Duo, Dreams Come True. The fabulous smile belongs to Yoshida Miwa.
Using a genuine smile in your presentation is a great way to relax and put you audience or committee at ease-I’ve even seen it work in front of Venture Capitalists! Have a great weekend and read the enire post here : Smile!
Steve Mertz
A Smile Opens A Thousand Doors!
Tags: Sales Presentation Training, Smile, Garr Reynolds, Yoshida Miwa.
The 191st edition of the Carnival of the Vanities is up and being hosted by Accidental Verbosity. The Carnival of the Vanities has 41 entries this week covering everything from politics to personal finance.
I have an entry in this weeks Carnival titled Sales Presentation Tip-Don’t Waffle! The opening and closing of any sales presentation are critical-so start off with a bang.
The Carnival of the Vanities provides an excellent opportunities for businesses to promote themselves. I would encourage you to look at this possibility. You can submit an entry by going over to The Conservative Cat.For now, enjoy the Carnival over at Accidental Verbosity.
Steve Mertz
Carnivals Are Great
I’m off to San Diego for work and will return Monday. Have a great week! Steve