MASTERING STAGE CRAFT. (The ABCs of Impactful Audience Connection.)
BETTER Speaking > Let the world LIVE your message!™
Ready to take your public speaking to the next level? These actionable tips will unlock the secrets that can help you connect with your audience and compel them to action!
The first step to getting stage-ready is to keep it super-simple. Too many speakers (and speaking coaches) get lost in presentation techniques: body language, facial expressions, stage “boxing” movements, eye contact.
For a moment, forget all that.
Instead, focus on mastering your stage craft ABCs. These are the highest ROI areas to focus on.
A. Active Hands
(aka, Jazz Hands)
Ever heard of "Jazz Hands"? Well, among TEDsters, they're a game-changer. Keep those hands expressive – research confirms that dynamic hand movements can keep your audience engaged. It's like jazz, and you're riffing through a set. Expressive. Active. Creative. Captivating.
B. Be Conversational
(aka, Starbucks Chat)
Imagine you're having a casual chat over a latte. Trust the microphone to amplify your voice; there's no need for a theatrical, stentorian monologue worthy of a Greek amphitheater. Tone down your voice and energy to match that level of conversation. Speak like you would to a friend.
C. Connect With Smiles
(aka, Dopamine Waves)
It might sound simple, but a smile goes a long way. Research even shows that the longer a speaker smiles, the higher their perceived intelligence ratings! Also, nothing is more certain to release a dopamine wash over your frontal cortex — and thus bond you to viewers.
Whether you're presenting a keynote, an employee all-hands, or guesting on a podcast, these principles will elevate your impact and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Remember, mastering your stage craft is an A-B-C solution. So, share those active hands, keep it conversational, and let your charisma shine through with a smile!
BETTER Speaking: Welcome to the newsletter!
Communication is different these days.
TED Talks have raised the bar on idea spreading from stage and screen.
The BETTER Speaking newsletter helps you hit that bar.
Every other week (or so) I share the very best of TED-style communication skills. I unpack how they apply in general keynotes, employee all-hands, boardroom pitches, and more.
You may not ever be on a TED stage or screen, but you know this generation of viewers expect that style. The 1990s approach that is Toastmasters or Dale Carnegie simply misses the mark in this era.
So let’s work together to engage your audiences with the language and style that research shows they most resonate with.
BETTER Speaking will help you powerfully connect with your audiences and compel them to action.
Welcome to the CONNECT to COMPEL learning community!
Devin
DEVIN D. MARKS leads the public speaking and story training firm, CONNECT to COMPEL. He has served 100s of authors, executives, and researchers from million-view TEDsters to CEOs winning 9-figure funding rounds. His team helps leaders, just like you, maximize your message. You can reach Devin at 617.804.6020, or DM him here.
THREE THINGS.
I. The Quote.
When thinking about speech rehearsals, consider this standard from Tony Robbins:
"You don't practice until you get it right. You practice until you can never get it wrong.”
II. The Bookshelf.
Check out The Successful Speaker: Five Steps for Booking Gigs, Getting Paid, and Building Your Platform. It’s an easy read. Actionable content. A new (or hopeful) speaker will find it well worth the time; advanced… not so much. But it is a good, basic starter. Also, check into Grant Baldwin's popular podcast: The Speaker Lab. He guides speakers up the speaker fee ladder, from free to thousands. THAT is a really good source for newbies and the experienced, alike.
III. The Learning.
When you've hit a creative wall in scripting your talk, consider using the Oblique Strategies card game. My friend Jeremy Connell-Waite offers a great overview in this short video:
(Link for public speakers version of the card set, click here.)
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:
[✔] 5Fold-Focused
(5 factors here)
[✔] Story-Wrapped
(3 factors here)
[✔] Action-Igniting
(7 factors here)
To begin a conversation about bringing the m3 framework to your next presentation, click here.
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 45M view, TOP 10 TED Talk. Watch his talk: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness; his related best seller is here: THE GOOD LIFE. Let’s connect and consider your steps to center stage. After all, it is time to… Let the world LIVE your message!™
