I'd like to congratulate my partner, Allan Kaufman. He became a grandfather for the first time the beginning of this month. He now has a beautiful granddaughter. Way to go Allan! ----------------------------- No Sweat Speaking(tm) Ezine ----------------------------- Speaking Tips for Greater Confidence, Skill, Influence, & Profit "Your next presentation doesn't have to make you sweat!" ------------------------------------------------------------ Volume 6, Number 2 February, 2007 ------------------------------------------------------------ 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) 2007 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 send a blank email to nssezine@nosweatspeaking.com with "Subscribe NSS Ezine" in the subject. ------------------------------------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------ *********************** Check This Out! *********************** "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? --------------------------------- Let's be honest. If you have performance anxieties, you know you need to kill those butterflies in your stomach, but you may be afraid to take the next step and/or you're not willing to invest in yourself to make it happen. One man said to us that he knows he really needs us to coach him, but he thinks he can't afford to. What he can't afford to do is do nothing and continue NOT getting promoted and continue NOT seeking better job or business opportunities because he may have to speak in front of people. This is so sad. It's especially sad when that same person will take out a $20,000 car loan on a depreciating asset. Getting rid of your speaking anxieties and developing your speaking skills are appreciating assets. They increase your value. This means once you do it, you continue to reap the rewards. One promotion leads to another one and another one, but if you don't do what you need to do to get that first promotion, you stagnate. You could be promoting your business 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 by 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 ------------------------------------------------------------ **"Murder Board" -- The Perfect Speech Practice -- Part 3: Steps 3,4 and 5 of Seven Steps to a Successful Murder Board** by Larry Tracy (c)Tracy Presentation Skills 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.tracy-presentation.com This is the third of four articles on the "Murder Board." Part 1, which defined the "Murder Board," appeared in the November 2006 issue. In the January 2007 issue, we covered steps 1 and 2 of a seven-step process to ensure a successful and productive Murder Board. These are the seven steps. 1. Recruiting 2. Sharing audience intelligence 3. Role-playing by participants 4. Video-taping and/or audio-taping 5. Critique of presenter's style and substance 6. Recording on cards all questions asked 7. Revision of the presentation In this article, we'll examine steps 3, 4 and 5. In next month's issue, we'll cover the last 2 steps. 3. Role-playing by participants The success or failure of a Murder Board ultimately depends on its realism. The closer it is to the real thing, the better prepared will be the presenter. This realism, to a great degree, depends on the ability of your colleagues to get into the heads of the key players in your audience. This does not mean having a great gift for acting or mimicry, but it does mean trying to think like the people in the audience so that statements made by the presenter will provoke questions likely to be asked by the actual audience. After sharing all the intelligence gained on the audience, and eliciting from participants any insights they have on these people, assign specific roles to participants. If you are presenting to senior executives, you most certainly want a person to play the key decision maker. If the CEO, for example, is an assertive person, try to have an assertive person play this role. If you know that the CEO tends to interrupt presentations with questions, request this role- player to do the same. Remember that role-playing is very dependent on participants having, or having been provided, the most accurate and up- to-date intelligence on this audience. If they do not have this information, the Murder Board could degenerate into a joking session which may relax you somewhat, but will not help you as much as a rigorous, no-holds barred simulation of that moment of truth when you stand in front of the real audience. 4. Video-taping/audio-taping The actual conduct of the Murder Board is likely to not run smoothly, with various interruptions and discussions. Moreover, the presenter cannot be expected to remember all the comments, bits of advice, and questions asked. Consequently, much of the spontaneous, valuable information could be lost, even if someone is taking careful notes. Consequently, it is beneficial to have both a video camera and a tape recorder running, during the practice presentation. This will provide a game film enabling you to see and hear yourself as your audience will see and hear you. From the videotape you will learn if you are shifting from one side to the other, or grasping the lectern so your knuckles are white from pressure. Only when you see for yourself will you take corrective action. Having an audio tape of your presentation allows you to focus on those vocal qualities such as monotone, inflection, pitch, speaking rate, and filler words such as "uh's" and "you knows." Because the eye is so powerful, you may not notice any vocal problems when looking at the video tape. The audio tape will allow you to concentrate on your vocal qualities. Perhaps the fundamental benefit of recording the practice session is that you will have a record of the questions asked in the give-and-take of the presentation, as well as your answers. Without an electronic record, the questions provoked by your presentation, and your answers, could be lost, thereby negating the benefits of the Murder Board. 5. Critique of presenter's style and substance You have now completed your Murder Board, and, in the process, have used the valuable time of your colleagues. Now is the time to ask them for a robust critique of the substance of your presentation and your delivery style. Keep the video camera and tape recorder rolling. These colleagues may be more expert in certain aspects of your presentation than you are, and you certainly want to tap into this expertise. Additionally, they have just seen you presenting in a stressful environment--presenting before your colleagues may be more difficult than before a Board of Directors--and their comments on how you looked, how you sounded, and your overall presence can be invaluable. Thank them for giving up their time, and remind them that you are ready to pay back when their time comes to make an important presentation. You may wish to point out that you have indeed kept within the time limit promised, so that you establish a precedent for when your turn comes around to be a Murder Board participant. In the March 2007 NSS Ezine, we'll review recording all questions, and revising the presentation in steps 6 and 7. --- Larry Tracy has been cited in several publications as one of the top presentation coaches in the United States. President Ronald Reagan described him as "an extraordinarily effective speaker." His book, The Shortcut to Persuasive Presentations, is the textbook for the Oral Presentations course at the Center for Leadership Education at Johns Hopkins University. Visit Larry's website, http://www.tracy-presentation.com, which is number one on Google for "Persuasive Presentations." This website has free tips on public speaking. He will be featured in the April 2007 issue of MAXIM magazine, providing advice for making business presentations. Contact him at (703) 360-3222 and info@tracy-presentation.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ "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 ------------------------------------------------------------ **One Way to Get Your Audience to Participate** by Allan Kaufman In our September 2005 Ezine issue, I wrote an article entitled "Engage Your Audience." I noted how to engage your audience by asking questions, raising your hand, making an outlandish statement, doing group exercises and calling on volunteers. Another way to get your audience to participate is using them to demonstrate a point that you are making. Let's say that your audience is sitting around tables with 10 people at each table. In your presentation, you point out that 80% of those with a certain communicable disease will die if a vaccine is not mass produced. You ask two people from each table to stand. Then you say, "Folks, look around. If all of you had this disease, then only those of you standing will survive." What an impact your memorable point would make on your audience. So get your audience involved. When you get them to participate, they will understand and remember your message. ------------------------------------------------------------ *** 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 ------------------------------------------------------------ **Use Humor to Diffuse a Hostile Question** by Allan Misch A hostile question is used to provoke the speaker, to be confrontational. Sometimes it causes the audience to distance themselves from the speaker. One way to regain audience rapport and diffuse the tension is to respond to the question with humor. Humor, however, should not be used to demean the questioner or devalue the question. Here's an example of how to use humor to break the tension before responding to the question. Let's say you're a representative of a cable TV company speaking at a community event. After your upbeat presentation you open the floor for questions. An angry customer lets loose with a tirade and demands to know why cable rates keep going up. Tension fills the air, but you respond with humor. "I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is you're absolutely correct, rates have been going up. But the good news is the continents are drifting closer together." When the laughter dies down and the tension is relieved, you continue to address the question seriously. ------------------------------------------------------------ **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 1,000 megs of space, 500 POP email accounts,40 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://www.ipowerweb.com/cgi-bin/tracker/trackeraf.cgi?rid=afftrend ------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Dear Allan and Allan (Answers to Your Questions) ------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Allan and Allan, I've been suffering from public speaking fear ever since I can remember. I am talking over 30 years. Is it too late to do something about it? Is medication a good option? I know if I could give presentations, I probably could get promoted at work. Suffering in San Antonio Dear Suffering, We feel your pain. You are not alone. There are many people who are suffering like you. It is not too late. You've taken the first step. You are reading this Ezine. Many suffer in silence. You have to decide if it is important enough for you to take the next step. What is that next step? It depends on how bad your speaking anxiety is. If it is at a low level, then maybe participating in Toastmasters International's program might be enough for you. But if your anxiety is 6 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being you cannot speak in public, then you need professional help. We suggest you look into getting a public speaking coach who will work with you to assess your situation and lay out a plan of action. Your coach must be able to determine the root causes of your speaking anxieties and show you how to address those contributing factors to successfully eliminate your fear. We believe that getting medication, such as beta blockers, from a doctor for anxiety is not the way to go. Medications don't solve the problem, have side effects and give you a false sense of security. Get the right coach and get promoted. 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. 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For Back Issues: http://www.nosweatspeaking.com/ezine/back_issues-2002.html To Submit Questions to Dear Allan and Allan: mailto:cust-serv@nosweatspeaking.com For Feedback on the Content of This Issue: mailto:cust-serv@nosweatspeaking.com ------------------------------------------------------------ No Sweat Speaking(tm) Ezine ----------------------------- Publisher: Allan and Allan, Inc. Editors: Allan Kaufman and Allan Misch P.O. Box 2721 Columbia, Maryland 21045-1721 USA Tel: 410-363-0080 Fax: 410-381-8924 mailto:cust-serv@nosweatspeaking.com http://www.nosweatspeaking.com "Your next presentation doesn't have to make you sweat!" Experience No Sweat Speaking(tm)! ------------------------------------------------------------