from your observation will make it possible for you to provide valid feedback and suggestions for the speaker’s next presentation. As an additional value, your notes can be used as a tool for you to consider future changes to your own presentations.
When Being Observed
The last thing you need is someone who is going to tell you how wonderful you are but not provide any tips to make you AWESOME.
Ask your observer for the type of feedback you are looking for using the following suggestions:
If you have recently made a change, ask for their feedback on that particular segment
Ask for specific feedback on tone, pace, and movement when you are focused on developing your delivery style
If the observer is an experienced speaker you can ask them for feedback on overall strategy and impact
If the observer is inexperienced ask them for feedback on what they hear, see, and feel. The generic approach will provide you a clearer picture of what your audience members experience
Indicate to the observer that you want clear and honest feedback
The more specific you can be in your requests to an observer the more likely you are to receive feedback that you can take action on and incorporate into your next presentation.
In This Book
I am not going to Sugarcoat anything in this book.
I am going to tell it as I see it, as I have experienced it, and as “they” see it.
Take time to contemplate each point and each tip, and be honest with yourself. Even for experienced speakers and salespeople, the reminders of what TO DO and NOT TO DO are a valuable refresher as you work towards your next level of success.
Power Tip
The Best guidance you will
receive will come from those
who will give it to you straight.
You need the honesty.
2
As a teen, peer pressure
was taking control and your
mother had to tell you:
“Be True to Yourself”
Failure to be authentic is the kiss of death to any presentation you make to anybody.
Be True to Yourself
Don’t EMULATE
I have seen so many people fall into the following traps.
You:
Observe a leader in your field
See and hear an amazing presentation that generated incredible results
Identify elements of the presentation that “clicked”
Incorporate those elements into your own presentation
Fail to deliver a powerful presentation and you generate worse results than your original presentation
Have a feeling of failure since those elements worked for them and not for you
The issue is NOT that you are a poor presenter; it is that you were NOT following the single most important rule in presenting:
Be True to Yourself!
When you are not authentic “they” will sense it. They may not know what they are sensing, but they know something is not right.
You can’t hide it, because it’s true; you are not being true to yourself. Those amazing elements you saw didn’t work because they aren’t yours. They don’t fit your personality, style, and message.
I am not suggesting that you avoid watching top performers in your field . . . in fact I recommend you watch as many as you possibly can. HOWEVER, it is important to watch and evaluate other presentations, and then implement changes in the proper manner.
Power Tip
When observing a master of
your craft, watch for those
strategic elements that generate
success.
As you observe a leader watch for strategic elements that:
Create a strong connection to the audience
Establish a story within the story
Trigger an emotional response from the audience
Illustrate a need or benefit to THEM
Move the audience toward action
Assist the audience in taking responsibility
Help the audience say YES
For each element you identify, ask:
What was the intent of the element?
How did this particular element relate to other elements already presented?
What specific wording was used that was effective?
Is there a place in my presentation where I need to create the same effect or impact?
How can I create the same effect IN MY OWN WAY based on what I saw?
These questions help you identify the strategic elements and the strategic placement of those elements in your own presentation.
Notice that the objective is to FIND YOUR OWN WAY, to create the effect using the example of what you saw, not replicating the exact style you saw.
Having
