Stage Fright - Pocket Mod

I've been a public
speaker for 13 years
now. I've been lucky
enough to speak to
audiences all over the
world, from Portland to
Pakistan and from Cape
Town to Costa Rica.
Over the years I've
learnt a thing or two
that's helped me. I've
jotted these down,
hopefully they can help
you too. My one request
is this - give them a try,
even the silly ones.
Rituals:
Every gig is different. That makes things
interesting, but more challenging than it
needs to be. I try to make as much as I
can the same every time. Here's my ritual:
PLAYLIST: I have a playlist called "The Talk
Rocker", I listen to it on the way to EVERY gig. I
hand-pick songs that get me in the mood, and
just hearing them gets my brain in the right
frame of mind. Make one today.
STAGE: Event people like gigs to be setup a
certain way. However the end-game isn't an
easy setup, it's a good gig. For this reason I
choose the setup that's optimal for my
effective delivery. For me that's a Countryman
mic, my own laptop on the stage with me (or a
comfort monitor that shows the NEXT slide),
and a glass of water. The important thing here
is to make them aware of this long before the
time (a week is ideal). I always carry all my
own cables and a clicker, that may be overkill
for you, but it's a great safety, as I know my
own kit works. I ALWAYS carry a backup file of
my preso deck on a USB stick though - because
shit does happen!
Delivery:
The world tells you that you need to know your
audience, well here's a reality check for you - you
can't. You can know who they are, and perhaps
what topics will be of interest, but you have no idea
what they are like. The amount of times I've been
told to tone things down a bit because, "they are
bankers" (I don't), only to find them to be a raucous
group that's game for anything (turns out almost all
bankers went to Uni and crazy parties that involved
booze and nudity - you don't need to hold back,
they'll live).
So, how does this help you? Here's the thing I
realised, I am 100% of the time the best version of
myself in any room I speak in. I don't try speak in
the audience's comfort zone - I bring them to mine.
Early on let your audience understand how things
are going to go down. I always contextualize my
talks by referencing the film The Hangover. If they
made it through that, they'll make it through my
preso just fine. Most importantly - be the best
version of yourself. Every audience has a finely
tuned authenticity-detector,act accordingly - even
if it terrifies the bejesus out of you.
A show of hands:
The amount of times I've seen this question
fail is astronomical: "Hands up here everyone
that..."
People want to keep their hands down.
Respect that - and make it work for you.
Anytime you poll an audience, poll them
where the answer you want requires them
keeping their hands firmly in their laps. So, if I
want to prove that everyone has the
entrepreneurial fire burning in them, I don't
ask, "Who here has an idea for a business that
could make them a million bucks?" Asking
that is a sure fire way to see no hands go up.
Instead, I say, "Hands up who here has never
had a business idea that they believe could
have made them a millionaire?" 100%
compliance. Simply by asking the question
that requires no action to agree - you get it.
Sure there's always one, but the majority
proves your point.
On being funny.
If you're funny, be funny. If you're not - just be
interesting.
?
Q & A:
I never tell anyone, "That's a great
question." because all you're saying to
everyone else is that their's was crap.
If the questioner has a mic, I don't repeat
the question, but if they don't - I do.
Answering a question that no body knows
lacks context.
If the questioner is negative or aggressive,
I handle the question, but I end looking
at someone else. Don't return the serve,
they'll simply keep going. Just answer,
smile, and glance at the next person
whose hand is raised. If the aggressor
carries on, they will alienate themselves
from the audience. It almost never
happens though.
Lastly, and most importantly.
The number one thing I’ve
learnt speaking is this: Your
audience cannot enjoy hearing
a talk more than you enjoy
delivering it. If you’re bored,
they’re catatonic, but if you’re
passionate about your message
and you can bring that across,
they have a chance.
Remember, you’re
standing on a stage.
Act accordingly…!
Lessons from behind a mic
Lessons from behind a mic
Richard Mulholland