As summer approaches, I am already nostalgic for Spring. I love Spring. It’s like everything is fresh and new. The flowers come out, the breeze is warm, and it’s really beautiful here in Southern California. All over the world, Spring is about renewal and coming alive—a fresh new start.
It got me thinking. How do you renew your signature talk? That’s the talk that sets you up to do business, to get clients; the talk that sets you up to be an expert in your field and to solve people’s problems, where you call them to action. Sometimes after we give it over and over, it can feel dull to us. How do you put that spring back in your speech?
Five Ways to Put the Spring Into Your Speech
1. Change the Title
Take a look at the title. Is it boring? Has it lost its sizzle? You might have created your signature talk years ago and are still using the same title. Is the title fresh with what is happening today? I know someone who uses words like, “… In A Down Economy.” That was a hot title a couple years ago, but now we’re rebuilding and we don’t want to hear about the “down economy.” We’re done with that! Let’s start looking at something more exciting.
It could be the same talk, but now it has a different title. When I am called for a speaking engagement, I give 2 or 3 different titles to the host or promoter. If you only have one title, they might not like it and not invite you. So give them 2-3 titles to choose from.
2. Add New Stories
There are three different kinds of stories you can use in your speech:
A. The personal story: You would be surprised how many people don’t put their personal story into their speech. Most business speakers don’t. They might talk about their company, how many offices, etc., blah, blah, boring, boring. If you’re not excited, they’re going to be bored, too. Add a little fun. Spice up your story. Add your personality. Add vulnerability, but stay in the integrity of your personal story.
B. The emotional story: These are stories that open the hearts of the listener. When I say emotional, don’t think you have to make the whole house cry. When you’re in a professional situation, and you get emotional; that’s fabulous. It shows that you’re human; but don’t talk about something if it’s in a danger zone. I saw a speaker once who kept crying and could not contain himself. We were all embarrassed for him.
Don’t go so far emotionally that it prevents you from being professional. There’s nothing more powerful than seeing a speaker be emotional—but keep it under control.
Stories don’t have to be tear jerkers. They can be funny. too. Funny equals money! If you can get your audience to laugh it’s far better than getting them to cry.
Use emotional stories to move people to action. There is nothing like getting up in front of people and moving them. Because now you’ve made a difference. You’ve made an impact. You’ve helped someone.
C. Testimonials or success stories: Ask for testimonials. When you’re developing your speech, ask your clients to be your superstars. My mentor is Eric Lofholm, and I’m on his PowerPoint®. He talks about me a lot from the stage. Why? Because years ago, I set it as my intention that I was going to be one of his superstars. I heard him talk about someone else. I set an intention, and then took action. I took his next class, and his next. Now I’m in his mastermind group. Now I’m one of his stories.
3. Refresh Your PowerPoint®.
Take a look at your PowerPoint® presentation. Not everyone needs to use one. There are times and places that it’s appropriate. When you’re doing a workshop or a 90-minute talk, or you’re on the stage doing a call to action; at some point in time you’ll need PowerPoint®. And you might need to redo it. Add some pictures, a different format, different backgrounds. I just revamped the whole look of my presentation. Now it’s fresh, springy and new.
4. Change Your Content.
If you have a 30-minute speech, how many pieces of “meat” can you put in it? Three to five points at most. [See speech sandwich] Instead of talking about the same 3-5 points, talk about some new ones. See what your audience responds to best.
We want to do good and sell; but sometimes it is just time to practice. I’m working with a client now who is a magician and she wants to practice her speech. She plans to go to senior centers. She called it her “failure factor.” It didn’t matter if she failed or not. If you need a place like that, it isn’t going to be where your target market hangs out. Find some places to practice, particularly when you’re adding new material.
5. Add Spring to Your Close.
Sometimes we get so scripted in our close that we take all the fun and personality out of it. Take a look at your closing and make sure that your invitation is still just as fun and delightful as it once was. Make sure you’re enthusiastic. Make it so full and rich, and full of bonuses, that you can’t help but want to buy it yourself!
Arvee Robinson is a Master speaker trainer, international speaker, and author. She teaches business owners, service professionals, and entrepreneurs how to use public speaking as a marketing strategy so they can attract more clients, generate unlimited leads and grow their businesses, effortlessly. She teaches a proven speaker system for delivering persuasive presentations, and easy formulas for creating killer elevator speeches and magnetic self-introductions. Arvee has helped hundreds of individuals to win clients and close more sales every time they speak. As a high-energy motivational speaker, Arvee has shared the stage with speaking giants such as Mark Victor Hansen, Joel Bauer, Loral Langemeier, Chris Howard, Dave Lakhani, and many more. Arvee offers private coaching, workshops, home study courses and weekly tele-classes. Her persuasive speaker training programs transform ordinary business owners into superstars in their industry.
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