Unforgettable Presentations

Stories well told can be inspiring, entertaining and enlightening. However , sometimes speakers inadvertently omit the most compelling elements of their stories. Today Darren and Mark discuss the STORY DIG…a process for excavating the backstory, character motivation, and emotional depth that the speaker is too close to see themselves.   SNIPPETS: • Get a qualified coach to ask the right questions...

Everyone appreciates a story, and the difference between a good story and an unforgettable story comes down to a few mistakes that many speakers make. In this episode, Mark and Darren discuss common storytelling mistakes, offer ways to avoid them, and share techniques for making your stories unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Do a walkthrough with a proven process • Learn what constitutes a 'well-told s...

Following up on last week's episode, Darren and Mark talk with Philip Riggs, A VIP client at their recent OWN THE STAGE 3-DAY presentation coaching workshop. Philip shares the lessons and insights that empowered him to transform his speech almost overnight and earned him a standing ovation on Day 3. He also explains ways that he changed as a result of the coaching process.   SNIPPETS: • Be determi...

Can coaching make a big difference, especially if you are fairly accomplished and experienced?  In this episode, Mark and Darren get answers from four clients who participated in a recent OWN THE STAGE 3-DAY presentation coaching workshop. Bernadette, Glenn, Elaine, and Beth share their experiences, offer their perspective, and explain the benefits. They prove that qualified coaching can help any...

Ep. 354   DO YOU HAVE IT? People crave the 'it factor'…presence, confidence, charisma, and eloquence.  Today, Darren and Mark discuss another 'it' …courage. From their experience, they share the type of courage every speaker needs, to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Have the courage to be coached • Be courageous enough to get coached in public, in the company of strangers   • Be vulnerable   • Inv...

As presenters, we want to be our best on the platform. Many of us attend workshops and seminars, purchase and devour resources, and practice diligently. However, something might be missing. Today, Mark and Darren discuss specific actions that some speaker's won't take, the reasons for avoiding those actions, and the benefits of taking those actions…all if which can help any presenter to be unforge...

"I'm a keynote speaker. I'm a solopreneur. I'm building MY brand. Won't collaboration dilute my brand?" This is a valid concern, and in this episode, Darren and Mark discuss the 'ups and downs' of collaboration. Sharing their experiences, they show the significant benefits of collaboration and offer advice on choosing the right collaborators for you.   SNIPPETS: • Choose your collaborators careful...

Much has been said about having the right mindset before a presentation. Today, Mark and Darren discuss the right HEARTSET, and they share both how and why the right heartset can help to make you unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Heartset heavily focuses on audience outcomes • Be in the moment   • Hiccups happen, don't get flustered   • Your heartset impacts your brand   • Go all in   • Bring your enti...

It's important to keep your audience engaged, and the key to doing so lies in a simple but powerful concept. Today Darren and Mark define and discuss PACE ELEMENTS, sharing how they can help you to deliver an unforgettable presentation.   SNIPPETS:   • Engagement is important • Keeping your audience engaged during a virtual presentation is critical   • Pace Elements engage the brain in different w...

You're in the audience, listening the speaker before you, and you hear them make a point, tell an anecdote, or use language that makes you think, "I was gonna say that!" How do you respond? Can you avoid this? In today's episode, Mark and Darren answer these questions and more as they share recent experiences and offer solutions.   SNIPPETS: • Don't panic • Be unique   • Avoid 'stock' material fro...

It's not unusual for presenters to 'move on' from past presentations. Toastmasters is a good example. Today, Darren and Mark encourage you to 'go back to the well' and revisit old presentations. They may hold new value today.   SNIPPETS: • Maintain a story folder; an old story may have new significance • Don't discard/delete 'old' material   • "Unearth the old, uncover the GOLD" – Mark Brown   • R...

Can you ever truly know the full impact of your presentations? Today, Mark and Darren provide the answer by sharing anecdotes, experiences, and insight gained from their combined 60 years on the platform.   SNIPPETS: • The vast majority of your audience will never tell us how we impacted them • You get only one shot at that audience   • Seek to grow continually   • When competing, focus more on yo...

Speakers must exude confidence to inform, inspire, and influence. However , EGO and SELF-DOUBT can have a significant impact on us and our audiences. Darren and Mark offer advice on how to effectively manage both and serve our audiences well.     SNIPPETS: • Don't undervalue your experiences   • "You are uniquely qualified to serve the person you once were." - Rory Vaden   • "One man's mundane is...

Our messages must serve our audiences, and two words are most helpful in achieving that goal. Darren and Mark expound on the power and value of the words 'YOU' and 'YOUR,' as well as their unforgettable impact on our audiences.     SNIPPETS: • 'YOU' and 'YOUR' are enormously powerful words   • Examine your 'I/YOU Ratio'   • These words draw audiences in   • Usage makes our content relatable and re...

The concept of relationship selling is not uncommon, but today , Mark and Darren go beyond selling to explore the greater value of building relationships.     SNIPPETS: • Build relationships beyond the booking   • Use relationships to recommend others   • Relationships provide opportunities to serve   • A relationship may not bear fruit immediately   • Seek to give before seeking to get   • Bring...

There's a story behind every booking. Today Mark and Darren examine how   our 'booking stories' can reveal what is necessary to get more bookings now.   SNIPPETS: • Go back to the well   • Revisit the decisions that led to previous bookings   • Trace the full path of the booking   • Identify people who could help lead to your next booking   • Ask: "What was I doing back then, that I need to start...

Feeling nervous before a presentation or feeling insecure when facing an intimidating audience can be positive. That may seem counterintuitive, but Mark and Darren clarify in today's episode. Drawing on their combined 60+ years of lessons learned, they provide advice and specific techniques for using nervousness to your advantage.     SNIPPETS: • Being a little nervous can be a good thing   • Use...

Stories can transform presentations, and when certain essentials are met, a story can be unforgettable. Today's episode is the second of a two-part conversation about five story essentials…tools which, when used effectively,   will make your story unforgettable. This is PART 2 of 2.     SNIPPETS: • Identify a GUIDE/GURU, a source of wisdom, insight, guidance, and help   • The guide need not be a h...

Everyone enjoys a good story, and unforgettable stories contain certain essentials.  In this episode, Mark and Darren expound upon three of their five story essentials, showing not only how they work, but why. This is PART 1 of 2.     SNIPPETS:   • STORY is a FORCE MULTIPLIER   • Define the HERO/protagonist/main character   • Help your audience to SEE the character   • Give the audience a reason t...

How are writing and producing films connected to delivering presentations and storytelling? Mark and Darren get answers from award-winning filmmaker/director/producer/actress Susie Singer Carter as she shares her perspective on telling powerful stories. Her insight provides tools for telling memorable stories that resonate with any audience.     SNIPPETS:   • Avoid being preachy   • You can confro...

Every once in a while, speakers encounter circumstances that they didn't see coming. How can you handle them and make the best use of them in the future? Today, Darren and Mark share their experiences and offer meaningful suggestions for handling situations that you don't see coming.     SNIPPETS:   • Situations occur that will keep you in check   • You never know when your misfortune can serve ot...

  Emerging presenters and professional speakers want to know best practices and proven processes for running a successful speaking business. You would be hard-pressed to find a more reliable source than business growth innovator and Hall of Fame speaker, Ford Saeks, co-founder of the Million Dollar Speakers Group. In today's conversation with co-hosts Mark and Darren, he reveals five insider secre...

What does it take to create maximum impact while serving your audience? To find out, Mark and Darren chat with business growth innovator and Hall of Fame speaker, Ford Saeks. Ford clearly lays out principles, practices, and perspectives that presenters must embrace to create maximum impact and become unforgettable.     SNIPPETS:   • Your impact depends on your intent and your audience's reception...

Anyone can give a presentation, but what does it take to truly OWN the stage? Calling back to a recent OWN THE STAGE 3-day workshop, Darren and Mark provide some key insights and principles that will help any presenter to own the stage and deliver an unforgettable presentation.     SNIPPETS: • Care more about being world class that delivering one good presentation   • Structure is important; the o...

To meet customer demand, organizations take inventory, then replenish and upgrade their offerings. As a presenter, it's wise to take inventory of your speech…and everything that surrounds it.   Today, Mark and Darren focus on your Speech Skills Inventory and offer suggestions for upgrading your speech over the next 12 months     SNIPPETS: • Upgrade your speech   • Decide how you want to improve ea...