Unforgettable Presentations

Our senses can play a significant part in giving our audience an unforgettable experience. Today, Mark and Darren talk about the power of the sense of smell and share how you can use it effectively in your stories.   SNIPPETS: • Use V.A.K.S.   • Use smell as you relive your experiences   • Smell can create a visceral audience response   • Use smell to transport yourself to the scene first   • Then...

Delivering presentations every week is challenging…no doubt about it. Delivering to the same audience every week magnifies that challenge. How can you be unforgettable in those circumstances? Today Lee Coate provides Mark and Darren with the techniques that help him to consistently communicate unforgettably.   SNIPPETS: • Communication is more than structure and what's on the page   • Develop your...

Your audience wants to know that you 'get' them. Today Mark and Darren examine ways to connect with your audience, identify their challenges, and help solve their problems.   SNIPPETS: • Audiences appreciate your genuine interest in them   • Ask different individuals in your client's organization   • Look for challenges, frustrations, and pet peeves   • Identify common concerns   • Bridge the gap...

Can you 'up your game' in 2025 make it your best year yet? Darren and Mark offer solid suggestions for upgrading your program, your presentation, and your presence in the marketplace. Applying these principles and practices will put you firmly on the path to being unforgettable...and making this YOUR BEST YEAR YET!   SNIPPETS: • It's YOUR RESPONSIBILITY   • Assess your presentation and your busine...

What does it take to deliver an extremely sensitive and emotional story, and why would you do it in the first place?   Darren and Mark get answers from 'serial entrepreneur' CEO Smoke Wallin as he explains why he shared his sensitive story to 2,000 CEOs. His answers will provide guidance and wisdom for anyone who is ready to tell their unforgettable sensitive story.   SNIPPETS: • Share your story...

Confidence. Every presenter needs it, especially when facing an unresponsive audience or dealing with the unexpected.   In today's episode, Mark and Darren provide strategies for building your confidence and delivering your unforgettable presentation.   SNIPPETS: • Confidence is critical   • Not every audience responds emotionally and supportively   • Confidence doesn't come by accident   • Prepar...

Your audience can hear your story, but can they SEE it? Today Mark and Darren explore ways that you can prompt your audience to go beyond just hearing your story, to experiencing it...right at the beginning. These simple techniques will help your audience to see your unforgettable story.   SNIPPETS: • Telling your story is like creating a painting   • Share 2 or 3 details about the setting   • Let...

Maybe you're an emerging speaker, and you don't think you have enough content. Perhaps you're experienced and have been delivering the same material for a long time. Where do you find more content? Darren and Mark provide strategies for finding new content, 'upping' your game, and being unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Ask: Is there better content available   • Perform deeper research on your subject...

Illustrations can be powerful; they give your audience a memorable experience. How do you create and execute an experience that has 4,000 people on their feet, actively participating, and leaving transformed? Brian Biro, America's Breakthrough Speaker, sits down with Mark and Darren to provide insight into how has been able to deliver unforgettable experiences for more than 30 years.   SNIPPETS: •...

In our zeal to share our knowledge with our audience, we sometimes offer too much content. Mark and Darren discuss this phenomenon and offer both perspective and practices for giving your audience your most appropriate content.   SNIPPETS: • Vast content is a blessing   • You can't share everything   you know in one presentation   • To share everything, write a book   • Give the highlights   • Wha...

Presentations can often be boring. Why? In this episode, Darren and Mark examine three reasons and provide solutions to help any presenter move from boring to unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • You need a proven world-class structure   • Structure gives you confidence and gives your audience clarity   • Invest time to properly structure your presentation   • Solid structure prevents you from taking a la...

Growth and success in speaking requires a steadfast mindset. Today, millionaire investor, event planner and professional speaker Ryan Pineda sits down with Mark and Darren to divulge how the right mindset and the right actions can put any presenter on the path to being unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Know the type of speaker that you are   • Understand your value; don't underestimate it   • Repetitio...

2024 World Champion of Public Speaking Luisa Montalvo sits down with Darren and Mark to discuss her journey from First Runner-Up in 2019 to World Champion in 2024…and her life-changing experience in between.  Luisa also shares her perspective on mentors, contests, taking risks, and serving your audience, providing tips that will help any presenter to become unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • Listen to...

Many pastors prepare new messages weekly. How can they create 'moments,' and what tools can they use to be unforgettable?   Pastor Shane Philip of Las Vegas, NV talks with Mark and Darren about his process, as well as the tools, process and techniques that help him to be unforgettable. He explains how he uses visuals, illustrations, and humor to connect with his audiences and offers advice on how...

Ping: (verb) to send a signal to (a device) in order to determine its status or location.   As presenters, we must be sure that our audiences receive our message. We 'ping' in order to determine our audience's status (engagement/understanding) and location (presence.) Today Darren and Mark drill down on 'pinging' and share how pinging, when done well, can leave a lasting impact.   SNIPPETS:   • Ch...

Imagine being on stage for the FIRST TIME, telling a deeply personal and emotional story that you've NEVER told before, to an audience of executives. How would you navigate ? Today Darren and Mark get answers form Monika, a coaching client from Australia who faced that exact situation recently. She openly shares her fears and triumphs, as well as the process that helped her to deliver an unforgett...

You've just completed an engagement, and the event planner gives you a 5-star rating because you kicked butt! What next ? What more can you do to maintain world class standards and service and elevate your game? Using one of his very recent experiences, Mark talks with Darren about proven practices to help any presenter shine after a successful event and remain unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Ask: ho...

Do your clients and prospects know how much you have to offer? Mark and Darren discuss more than a dozen additional ways that you can serve your clients, and techniques for making meeting planners aware.   SNIPPETS:   • Add value   • Let them know during your pitch   • Reinforce during pre-event call   • Remind them during your follow-up meeting   • Put additional offerings in the contract/agreeme...

Sometimes, life happens. It's inevitable. Today, Darren opens up about a personal tragedy, as he and Mark explore ways to navigate life's challenges and remain unforgettable.    SNIPPETS:   • Life will happen   • You are not alone   • Accept help   • Tap into your professional network and mastermind   • Ask for grace   • Take care of yourself   • Call, or send e-mail to your clients and associates...

Change is constant and as presenters, we must stay relevant. Today Darren and Mark explore ways for us to stay current, stay relevant and become unforgettable.    SNIPPETS:   • Seek to serve your audience   • Update websites, slide decks, and demo videos regularly   • Stay aware of industry changes   • Be aware of what's 'top of mind' in your area of expertise   • Constantly look for relevant stor...

What does it take to truly become the speaker everyone loves and a master of your craft? Mark and Darren offer a 'mathematical formula' and a process to not only become a master, but to be unforgettable as well.    SNIPPETS:   • It starts with a decision to master your craft   • Commit to the work   • Put in the EFFORT   • Multiply EFFORT by a PROVEN PROCESS   • Use the CORE 4 PROCESS   • Learn ho...

Emerging presenters often wonder, "Should I join the National Speakers Association? Toastmasters? Both?" Darren and Mark ask and answer these questions while sharing the benefits of both organizations.    SNIPPETS: • Learn the art and business of speaking   • Both organizations are valuable   • Toastmasters is a wonderful place to make mistakes   • NSA provides business-building tools and expertis...

Jeff Rogers, a fairly new member of the National Speakers Association , is the winner of NSA's LAST STORY STANDING storytelling competition. He and Mike Davis…one of his coaches…chat with Mark and Darren about his intent, his process, and the lessons he learned on his journey to the first-place trophy.   SNIPPETS: • Seek to build relationships first   • Enter contests to learn   • Work with a coac...

Rotary Speech Contest, Story SLAM, MOTH, Last Story Standing, World Championship of Public Speaking, and more. Speech competitions abound, and today Darren and Mark are joined by Stage Time University faculty member Mike Davis as they face the question: "Why compete?" Their answers provide the myriad benefits of competing.    SNIPPETS: • Get better faster, grow, and improve quickly   • Breakthroug...

Imagine being asked to deliver new material, on a subject you have never addressed , on short notice, under pressure, three times in 24 hours. Today, Mark and Darren talk with professional speaker and coach Sheree Cain-Jones, who found herself in that situation recently. Her insight from the lessons learned, and the principles she applied along the way, will help you navigate the 'new content on s...