Because of the many religious holidays during March and April, we are publishing one combined issue for both months. We wish you and your family good health and much joy as you celebrate your respective traditions and religious beliefs. ----------------------------- No Sweat Speaking(tm) Ezine ----------------------------- Speaking Tips for Greater Confidence, Skill, Influence, & Profit "Your next presentation doesn't have to make you sweat!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 5, Number 3 March/April, 2006 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Allan Kaufman & Allan Misch, Editors, Allan and Allan, Inc. mailto:cust-serv@nosweatspeaking.com http://www.nosweatspeaking.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- This monthly newsletter is distributed by request only. If you want to stop it, you can find instructions at the end of the newsletter. (c) 2006 Allan And Allan, Inc. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Please send this Ezine to those you know who (1) need to give technical, sales, marketing, or management presentations; (2) are interested in developing or improving their presentation skills; (3) want to make money speaking and training; (4) need to improve their performance; or (5) have a fear of speaking or are nervous when they speak. This newsletter also is good for building relationships with your clients, customers, associates, and friends. Send this to them with a note that you're thinking about them. ----------------------------------------------------------------- *** Attention *** If you're receiving this issue from someone and would like to get your own complimentary newsletter plus TWO valuable BONUS reports, please visit... http://www.nosweatspeaking.com or... mailto:nssezine@nosweatspeaking.com?subject=Subscribe ----------------------------------------------------------------- PRIVACY STATEMENT: We absolutely will not share your address with anyone. Period! ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Learning to communicate is like taking out an insurance policy. You never know when you'll need it, but it's too late to take it out after you need it." Allan Kaufman as quoted in Baltimore Magazine ----------------------------------------------------------------- *** Need a Speaker for a Seminar or Workshop? *** "I was very impressed by Allan's (Kaufman) extensive preparation -- he knew exactly how to customize his public speaking seminar for the unique needs of our professional association. Allan led the informative seminar with great enthusiasm and encouraged a high degree of interaction among participants. While we are not sweating our next public speaking opportunity, we enjoyed the seminar so much that we'd like to ask him back to next year's meeting." Christopher Symanoskie Director of Corporate Communications Laureate Education, Inc. Baltimore, MD 21202 www.laureate-inc.com President, NIRI Baltimore Chapter www.niribaltimore.com If you need a speaker to conduct a customized seminar or workshop for your organization or company, go to: http://www.nosweatspeaking.com/speaking.html and http://www.nosweatspeaking.com/contact.html ----------------------------------------------------------------- *********************** Check This Out! *********************** "Last year, I made a career change from engineering management to marketing at a new company. Public speaking and even presentations to small groups were my greatest fears and I had gone to great lengths to avoid them throughout my career. In my new company, public speaking was not something I could avoid and my speaking ability would be quickly tested. After a lot of research, I turned to Allan & Allan. Most other companies only offer skill training. What I needed was to overcome my life long fear of speaking in front of groups. The No Sweat Speaking system seemed illogical to me at first and I was skeptical. The great part about the system is that you don't have to understand it or believe that it will work. It just happens. Today I speak in front of groups, give media interviews and conduct training sessions on a routine basis. Not only is my speaking anxiety gone, but my skills continue to improve and I look forward to my next opportunity to speak. I give my highest recommendation for Allan and Allan's system. If it works for me, it can work for anyone." Thanks, Jim M. Connecticut --------------------------------- Is Speaking Fear Holding You Back, Costing You a Lot of Money? --------------------------------- Are you not getting the job you want or the promotion you deserve because you suffer from speaking anxiety? How much money, loss of opportunities, or damage to your reputation is this fear costing you? A whole lot. You could be promoting your businesses and increasing your income by speaking to groups who need your products and services, but your speaking anxiety and other performance blocks are holding you back. Probably, you're reading our ezine because you have some speaking anxieties. If they're bad enough, don't you think it's time to do something about it and improve your self-confidence? How much is having a sense of confidence worth to you? Not just in your work and business life but also in your social life? Have you ever thought about being the life of the party? About being less shy? --------------- We Can Help You --------------- Using our unique No Sweat Speaking(tm) techniques, we provide personal coaching to help you get rid of your speaking anxieties in a relatively short period of time. Go to our website and complete the Coaching Inquiry Questionnaire at http://nosweatspeaking.com/coaching_inquiry.html. Completing the questionnaire doesn't obligate you or us to work together. We will assess your situation and send you a proposal about how we can assist you. It doesn't matter where you live. Our coaching can be done via email and phone consultations. ----------------------------------------------------------------- In This Issue ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Featured Article 2. Presentation Skills Tip 3. Humor Tip 4. Dear Allan and Allan (Answers to Your Questions) ----------------------------------------------------------------- *** Attention Small Business Owners *** Here's one of the best websites on the Internet for small business marketing. We use this site and its great information as a resource. Get a free 24-page Marketing Plan Workbook. Visit... http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?AFID=50478 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Featured Article ----------------------------------------------------------------- **Six Surefire Actions to Take After You're Introduced** by Allan Misch You've done your homework. You know your audience and what they need. You've prepared and rehearsed. You know your presentation. You're waiting for your introducer to finish the introduction that you've written for her. Now it's action time! It's time to execute strong rapport with your audience and bridge to your presentation. Here are six action steps to do that. *Step 1: Walk Confidently to the Lectern.* If you walk too slowly, your audience may assume that you're nervous, anxious, or not excited about speaking to them. If you walk too quickly, your audience may get the impression that you aren't genuine and confident. So, walk about 25% faster than you usually walk. This pace tells your audience that you're excited to be with them and look forward to starting. *Step 2: Smile.* Smile as you walk toward the lectern. A smile signals your audience that you're warm, friendly, and approachable. As author George Eliot said, "Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles." Smile at your introducer; she'll smile back at you. Smile at your audience; they'll return your smile. Soon, many people are smiling, you're beginning to build rapport, and you haven't said a word yet. *Step 3: Shake Hands and Wait.* Keep smiling, look at your introducer, and shake her hand. According to the Business Etiquette for Dummies book, "A firm handshake with good eye contact communicates self-confidence." Shaking your introducer's hand reveals to your audience that you're a friendly, confident person. You're deepening rapport, and signaling that you're a confident communicator. After you shake hands, wait until your introducer returns to her seat before you say anything. If a distraction occurs during the trip back to her seat, it won't affect the opening of your presentation. *Step 4: Connect with Your Audience.* Pause while your introducer returns to her seat. Look at individuals in your audience. Smile and send silently positive thoughts to them. This creates an exchange of positive energy between you and your audience. Create an "air of expectation" for your audience by continuing to pause and make eye contact for a few seconds after your introducer sits down. *Step 5: Respond to Your Introduction.* You've scripted the introduction that the introducer just delivered. Now, deliver a planned and rehearsed response to the introduction. Your response serves as a bridge from the introduction to the opening of your presentation. What you say depends upon several factors -- the occasion, your time limit, the purpose of the presentation, and other factors. Include an audience greeting. Your greeting can take many forms. It can be rehearsed "small talk" to which your audience can relate. In a business meeting, a simple "Good morning," may suffice. At formal occasions, use established etiquette for recognizing audience dignitaries. *Step 6: Open with an Attention-getter.* Your final step is to begin your presentation. An attention- getter shifts your audience's focus from the introduction and your response to the theme of your program. So, open with a question, anecdote, quote, or strong statement that directs attention to your message. The actions you take in the few seconds following your introduction will determine how your audience perceives you. Walk confidently to the lectern, smile, shake hands with your introducer, connect with your audience, respond to your introduction, and open with an attention-getter. Steven Wright, the hilarious stand-up comedian quipped, "When I was a kid, we had a quick-sand box in the backyard. I was an only child... eventually." Eventually, after proper planning and rehearsing, you have to deliver your presentation. When you take the above surefire actions, you'll establish rapport immediately and transition effectively from your introduction to your presentation. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Keynote was a huge success! You were right about everything -- from bringing my introduction to adding humor. I ended up adding about 9 humorous things to my presentation -- I actually brought the house down with the expandable ball visual. Thanks for everything. You made all the difference." Best, Trish "In minutes you were able to do for the audience what some people have been trying to do for themselves for a lifetime. You two helped audience members get rid of the fear of public speaking right before my very eyes.... Any organization can benefit greatly by witnessing your seminar.... You two are a great team!" Craig Valentine Toastmasters International 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Presentation Skills Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------- **The One Quality that Supersedes All Others** by Allan Kaufman I once attended a conference where there were numerous speakers. Some were good, some not so good. I remember two speakers in particular. One speaker, let's call her Sheila, delivered a well- organized presentation. She followed most of the rules of good public speaking. She demonstrated good vocal variety; her gestures were effective. But she lacked one thing. The other speaker, let's call him Bob, violated practically all the guidelines public speaking coaches teach. He had his hands in his pockets. He jingled his change and his keys. His presentation was not well-organized. But he had the one quality that Sheila lacked. Bob was ENTHUSIASTIC. Bob was really into his topic. He was excited to share his ideas. He moved around. He talked fast. He engaged his audience. We just knew he really liked what he was doing. He talked from his heart. I enjoyed his presentation so much more than Sheila's. Her talk was so-so and boring at times. But Bob was on a roll, and I did not want him to stop. Bob used very effective eye contact and leaned into his audience. There are other ways to demonstrate excitement for your topic. You could tell your audience why you love your subject and love sharing it with others. You also could talk about the impact you expect it to have on them. So whatever you do, get excited about your presentation, and convey that to your audience. If you are not too excited about your topic, avoid speaking about it. If you must speak on it, focus on one or two parts of the topic that you are excited about. Enthusiasm is the most important factor for the success of your presentation. Don't leave home without it. ----------------------------------------------------------------- *** Great Speaking Resource *** Turn your speaking, training, or sales skills into cash. Check out a great professional speaking resource. We recommend it highly. Lots of great tips and tricks. Just click on or paste the URL into your browser. http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/aftrack.asp?AFID=50475&u=www.antion.com/public-speaking.htm ----------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Humor Tip ----------------------------------------------------------------- **A Few Response Lines to Follow Your Introduction** by Allan Kaufman Last issue, Allan Misch wrote about using saver lines. This issue, I will cover some response lines you may want to use after being introduced. Do you write your own introductions? If not, you should start. When you write your own introduction, you are in control and can prepare a humorous response. For more information on introductions and some examples, go to http://nosweatspeaking.com/spkr_resources.html and select introducing a speaker. A funny response to give after you are introduced is: "Wow, what an introduction! Of all the introductions I've ever had, that was the most recent!" Here is another one: "Thanks for that wonderful introduction. You read it just like I wrote it." One more: "That introduction was so dynamic, it was so impressive. For a minute there, I couldn't wait to see who was being introduced." So write your own introductions and have a good response line to start your presentation off on a humorous note. ----------------------------------------------------------------- **If You're Looking for a Home for Your Website, iPowerWeb Makes Website Hosting Simple!** We did a lot of research on Web hosting companies and compared many of them. We decided on iPowerWeb to host our website, and we made a good decision. iPowerWeb is rated #1 for affordable, high quality web hosting. You get an incredible 10,000 megs of space, 2500 POP email accounts, 250 gigs of transfer, website builder, 24/7 customer support, free setup, marketing package, and much more... all for an incredible $7.95 per month! So if you're interested in establishing a presence on the Web for the first time, or if you want to change your Website hosting company because you're tired of getting ripped off, check out iPowerWeb. http://partners.ipowerweb.com/z/52/CD1893/&dp=1622 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Dear Allan and Allan (Answers to Your Questions) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Allan and Allan, I have been offered a new position at a company where I really would like to work. The only problem is this position would require me to give lots of presentations. I am just not comfortable or skilled in public speaking. What should I do? Adlina in Washington, DC Dear Adlina, Becoming comfortable and skilled speaking in front of groups is becoming more necessary if you want to progress in your career. The US and other countries are in a service and information economy, and effective communications skills are critical. Here are some suggestions for you. 1. Take a course in public speaking. 2. Join Toastmasters International(www.toastmasters.org). 3. Invest in yourself by hiring a public speaking coach. Whatever you do, do something. Once you become more comfortable and develop your skills, you will feel better about yourself and have many more opportunities to grow in your career. Allan and Allan Submit questions to mailto:questions@nosweatspeaking.com. ----------------------------------------------------------------- *** Hot Internet Business Secrets *** Over 1,000+ PAGES of the Hottest, Proven Profitable Internet Business Secrets Broken down Into An EASY-TO-DUPLICATE System! We highly recommend checking out this site. It's jam-packed with THE EXACT INFORMATION YOU NEED to start, build, and grow your very own, profitable Internet business. This is what we used to get started. So visit... http://www.marketingtips.com/t.cgi/769587 ----------------------------------------------------------------- *** A Fantastic Resource *** Need MORE TRAFFIC to your website or affiliate links? "Turn Words Into Traffic" reveals the secrets for using *free* articles to drive Thousands of NEW visitors to your website or affiliate links... without spending a dime on advertising! We use this resource and it's incredible! The idea is simple and ingenious. 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