A GAME-CHANGER FOR SPEECH PREP. (Master Your Delivery Using The Rehearsal Box Method.)
BETTER Speaking > Let the world LIVE your message!™
In the land of keynotes, 95% of speakers fail to practice enough.
Next time, try The Rehearsal Box Method.
Grab an iphone and video record your talk.
Review it 4 ways. (The box.)
AND record again.
—▶ For example:
(A) RECORD yourself practicing your full speech.
(B) REVIEW it to identify areas of improvement.
1. Watch full recording. Don’t make notes. (That’s Side 1 of the “box”)
2. Watch again. Start-stop. Make notes this time. (Side 2)
3. Listen to full recording. Audio only. More notes. (Side 3)
4. Watch only. No audio. Note your gestures + ticks. (Side 4)
(C) REVISE your delivery and make necessary changes.
(D) REPEAT steps 1+2** to iteratively improve things.
**No need to repeat the audio-ON and audio-OFF steps. Just watch it and identify both areas to work on — and your improvements!
Finally, do this:
(E) GET FEEDBACK from mentors and colleagues, but also...
(F) GET MORE feedback from some folks outside of your industry. (Try tracking down your favorite coffee barista for a favor. )
THEN if all the above folks can understand your message, you know you’re being clear — and perhaps you are even (almost) center stage ready.
Buy wait, wait!
Run it through The Rehearsal Box Method one more time.
P.S. In case you missed it, here’s a related BETTER Speaking! edition about the ABCs of stage craft and audience connection.
I am DEVIN D. MARKS. This newsletter shares what I’ve learned from deep dives into the world of TED Talks and idea spreading. Over the years, I’ve been privileged to serve 100s of authors, executives, and researchers — from million-view TEDsters to CEOs winning 9-figure funding rounds. My public speaking and story training firm, CONNECT to COMPEL helps leaders, just like you, to maximize your message — for keynotes, employee all-hands, board presentations, and more. We can connect via 617.804.6020, or you can DM me here.
THREE THINGS.
I. The Quote.
Excellence in public speaking isn’t something genetic. It is learned. Each speech must be rehearsed. In that, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) just about nailed it when he said:
“If I am to speak for ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now.”
My only caveat? In the TED Talk and YouTube era, prep *beyond* a week is a table ante requirement.
II. The Bookshelf.
My long-ago Thinker Thursdays lunch mate, Tamsen Webster, has a 2nd book coming out. She was kind enough to get me an advance copy. (I read it in a single sitting.)
Suffice it to say, yes-Yes-YES! Her book, Say What They Can't Unhear: The 9 Principles of Lasting Change, is available to pre-order on Amazon. It will be “published” October 8.
I’m encouraging YOU to get your copy ordered… NOW. Why? Well, why don’t we let Tamsen answer that in a short (2.30-min.) intro video here. I believe it will become a must-have on any public speaking bookshelf!
III. The Learning.
“Power-posing” expert Amy Cuddy (yes that Amy Cuddy) offers advice on how to handle speaker nerves and prep your mind for your speech. (And she doesn’t mention Power-posing once!) Here’s her short 2:14-minute video, Tips for Successful Public Speaking - Insights for Entrepreneurs. Not bad advice, coming from a world-class presenter who once suffered from jitters!
THE m3 FRAMEWORK.
Three principles make the Marks Maximized Messaging (m3) framework so very, very connecting and compelling. Whether you're working on a keynote or a commencement address; an all-hands preso or a pitch, you will want to be:
[✔] Fivefold-Focused
(5 factors here)
[✔] Story-Wrapped
(3 factors here)
[✔] Action-Igniting
(6 factors here)
To begin a conversation about bringing the m3 framework to your next presentation, click here. After all, isn’t it time to…
Let the world LIVE your message!™
P.S. ARE YOU A HOPEFUL TED TALK 🔴 SPEAKER? Did you know the m3 framework is the basis for my award-winning, TED Talk coaching method? Many, many million-view TEDsters have benefitted from my coaching — including Harvard's Dr. Robert Waldinger in his 47M view, TOP 10 TED Talk. Let’s connect and consider your steps to center stage.