‘Speaking Professionally’ Archive
Public speakers “The enemy of the speaker is sameness”
Darren LaCroix & Patricia Fripp give you their best speaking advice & coaching.
My World Champions Edge buddy Ed Tate sent this review to me from a TV blog. Sameness does not work in singing and TV.
By Carla Patton, BuddyTV
“This week, the top 8 performed songs from the 1980s. And, unlike in weeks past, there was a clear division of talent. Some people were amazing. Some failed to live up to ghosts of performances past. And some contestants sounded just too much like previous performances. Phillip Phillips is becoming a notable offender of sounds-the-same syndrome. The big question on this night is: Who will go home? Or will the judges use the Save? I think the real problem at hand is that no one sang a Hall and Oates song. Maybe they’re saving that for an entire Hall and Oates-themed week! In my dreams.”
Perhaps you need variety in your life, relationships and hobbies?
For something totally different on April 18, my birthday, after attending the Golden Gate Breakfast Club, my pals and I are going to Alcatraz. I don’t know about you, but I love being a tourist in my own home town.
If you are a public speaker every experience is content for a speech.
Then of course you need to learn to masterfully tell your story.
In that case you can benefit from Darren LaCroix and Patricia Fripp’sStructure and Story and Coaching Champ Camp in Las Vegas in June.
You can listen to one of my interviews with Ron Arden on my FREE podcasts.
How to Tell Better Stories in Your Speeches
Patricia Fripp Executive Speech Coach
by Patricia Fripp
If your goal is to tell better stories in your speeches and use vivid examples in your business presentations this advice will be helpful.
• Think chronologically.
• Shorter sentences or phrases.
• Consider each visual scene.
Here is a specific example from one of my executive speech coaching clients. John was running a panel at his company’s national sales meeting. I had notice that his email signature file included a line about moving fast. He mentioned “Yes, last year I accepted a new role that was a cross functional move. I have been mvoing fast to get up to speed. This is the norm for our company. This panel I am running is to listen to others who have successfully taken on new roles.”
In conversation he told me his wife would be joining him for the weekend when the national sales meeting was over. Then he added
“My wife came in for the weekend, and we went to see David Copperfield after last years’ sales meeting, and he made her disappear.”
I recommended that would be great to turn into a story to make the connection.
Here is the Fripped version. Notice the techniques:
• Think chronologically.
• Shorter sentences or phrases.
• Consider each visual scene.
“After last years’ sales meeting,
my wife Tammy came in for the weekend.
We went to see David Copperfield.
Three quarters of the way through the show, he threw several balls into the audience.
Tammy caught one.
David said, “If you touched a ball, please come on the stage.”
He sat 20 people on bleachers and covered them with a tarp.
Whoosh! Five seconds later, they were gone!
Suddenly, they appeared at the back of the room.
On the way out, I asked Tammy, “How did he do it?”
She said, “We are sworn to secrecy. However, we did have to move really fast!”
As the sales meeting was in Vegas, and his theme incorporated the importance of moving fast it set the tone well.
If you are interested in delivering better speeches, want to learn to tell stories better why not check out Darren LaCroix and Patricia Fripp’s Structure and Story Seminar and two-day Get Coached to Speak Champ Camp.
Patricia Fripp Speaks at Laugh Lovers Toastmasters Sunday, March 18, 6-8pm Oakland
Patricia Fripp Keynote Speaker for Laugh Lovers March 18, 2012
Patricia Fripp Speaks at Laugh Lovers Toastmasters Sunday, March 18, 6-8pm Oakland
Laugh Lovers is having an open house, you do not have to belong to the club or even be a Toastmaster to come and learn more about Being Powerfully Pithy. The club was inspired by my dear friend John Cantu who ran the Holy City Zoo in the early days of the comedy movements. Dana Carvey, Paula Poundstone, and Robin Williams were all new when they performed for Cantu. Craig Harrison, the powerhouse behind Laugh Lovers, asked me to add humor as that is their focus. My promise is that I will be amusing!
Continue reading ‘Patricia Fripp Speaks at Laugh Lovers Toastmasters Sunday, March 18, 6-8pm Oakland’
How To Organize a Speech
A frequently asked question on public speaking is “How Do I Organize My Speech?”
Here is a basic outline that work well for the beginning speaker.
1. THE PAST-PRESENT-JOURNEY FORMAT: This simple outline can help you tell the audience who you are and why you are qualified to speak on the topic you’ve chosen.
Continue reading ‘How To Organize a Speech’
How to Write a Speech: Make Money from Your Mind
How to Write a Speech: Make Money from Your Mind, and Overcome Your Three Major Challenges
By Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE
These are my notes for my keynote speech at Lady and the Champs HOW TO Speaking Conference 2012.
Interesting statistic: 100% of all GOOD speeches are not written, they are rewritten.
“How do you write a speech?” Not in a custom-made suit and high heels.
Chances are your masterpiece is NOT going to be created in one sitting.
You open your mind to accept thoughts, ideas, and concepts that will then be developed.
Patricia Fripp and Darren LaCroix getting ready for Lady and the Champs
Good starting point: Reflect on your life, family, career, and expertise.
What stories do you tell at dinner parties and family events?
Many of your best ideas will come in conversation, often in noisy places, with the notes written on soggy cocktail napkins or church bulletins.
Save your ideas for when you need them.
Process: Start with ideas and a note pad, then a Word file (while you can still read your handwriting), next a flip chart, then PowerPoint, then rehearse both formally and informally. Record, revisit, and revise.
Work for focused, extended periods.
It is never too early to start.
First big challenge: What is your subject? You do need a focus.
You may say, “Patricia, I can talk about 10 topics with equal authority.”
Good for you. Pick one. Use the process to perfect one…then repeat.
Second big challenge: Your self-confidence.
Frequently asked question is, “What can I talk about with authority?”
Your summer vacation? Apart from your friends, who would care?
Needlepoint? Yes, for other needle pointers. That will pay modestly.
If your goal is to be well paid, is your message valuable to entrepreneurs, associations, or corporations?
Turning point for Patricia Fripp: When she realized she was an expert on how to start, build, and promote a small or medium-size business.
Speech examples that were delivered and adapted from 1976 to 2012:
How to Get, Keep, and Deserve Your Customers
How to Promote Your Business High-Tech, Low-Tech, No-Tech, and Totally Shamelessly Continue reading ‘How to Write a Speech: Make Money from Your Mind’
A Sobering Experience… An Article About a Meeting Gone Wrong
I am a professional speaker. I am adamant about what it takes for me to be successful. I do not accept speaking engagements that I cannot guarantee I can do well. And I do not bomb. Obviously, there are times in my career that I do better than others, but I. . .DO. . .NOT. . .BOMB!
With that preamble, let me tell you about a disastrous learning experience. It was 1988. I was hired to speak for a vegetable company. It turned out to be a rotten experience. The company was a subsidiary of a major packaging company, for whom I had successfully spoken. The vegetable company wanted to put on a good after-dinner show because the “Big Pineapples” from headquarters were going to be there.
You know how it is when the boss is coming to dinner and you try too hard to make a good impression? You prepare a ten-course meal with four desserts. And after-dinner mint…juleps. And the boss falls asleep…under the table…face down. Continue reading ‘A Sobering Experience… An Article About a Meeting Gone Wrong’
How to Write a Speech: Make Money from Your Mind
How to Write a Speech:
Make Money from Your Mind and Overcome Your Three Major Challenges
by Patricia Fripp.
While many of my friends in San Francisco are watching the 49ers I am working on my speech for Lady and the Champs 2o12 How To Speaking Conference.
My keynote is How to Write a Speech: Make Money from Your Mind
Challenge one: What are you going to talk about? Focus
Patrica Fripp speaking at Lady & the Champs
Challenge two: Your confidence
Challenge three: Get started with a proven method
The Fripp Process of Writing a Speech:
Start with ideas, a note pad, then a Word file while you can still read your hand writing, next outline on a flip chart, informal delivery, then add PowerPoint if needed, then rehearse more formally with a target audience. Record, revisit, revise, and improve.
When you feel your speech is as good as you can make it have your masterpiece transcribed. Then edit for clarity, specificity, visual words, and emotional connection. Confirm you are using dialogue, “you” focused language, and the words sound conversational not written. Have you removed all clichés, your personal verbal “tics,” and empty words?
The better your scripting the better your delivery will be.
You think this process sounds like hard work? It can be time consuming. However, when you are interested in public speaking and realize the benefit to your career it is amazingly exhilarating. When you get this far your audiences will say “You can tell they are a natural!” Continue reading ‘How to Write a Speech: Make Money from Your Mind’
How to Turn a Service Club Talk into a Marketing Opportunity
Speaking before a group about your business is definitely the lowest cost and best way to market your product or service and expand your customer base. From first hand experience I learned this important marketing lesson. I started talking about my hair styling business at local service organizations, such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimists. At the time I didn’t have much public speaking experience beyond Dale Carnegie courses and Toastmasters. Little did I know it would lead to a rewarding career as an executive speech coach and keynote speaker. Here are some key points I learned that helped me build my business.
Expressing yourself with flair will increase the speed with which you succeed.
Peter Butler is an excellent example of how to increase your reputation and visibility by speaking. Peter was in the insurance and financial services industry. When he passed his fiftieth birthday, he decided to start running in Iron Man triathlons and other athletic events around the country.
He gave lively talks at service clubs about his experiences. Peter starts by saying, “Running a marathon is like planning for your future.” Then he told colorful stories about the different events he had participated in. Finally he said, “For my last few minutes, here are four ideas you should know about planning for your long-term future.” Continue reading ‘How to Turn a Service Club Talk into a Marketing Opportunity’
Powerful Presentations: Getting Off to a Good Start
Most speakers if they know their subject are not bad once they get going. However very few know how to get off to a really good start. My recommendation is that you script your opening. However, do not write in paragraphs. Write it as phrases down the page not across. As my early mentor Bill Gove taught me “Fripp, the written word is for the eye, the spoken word is for the rhythm.” As you rehearse preparing it this way makes it easier to get into your body.
Continue reading ‘Powerful Presentations: Getting Off to a Good Start’
An Interview with Genius Copywriter David Garfinkel
If you have heard me speak, you have most likely heard me talk about my genius copywriting friend David Garfinkel. It does not matter if you are selling yourself on paper, on your website or even when you open your mouth to speak, good copywriting is a skill that is important to learn…or hire! After all, good copywriters can tell a story in a few words or a headline.
A few years ago, when I hosted Speakers Roundtable, an invitation-only group of top professional speakers who include many CPAEs and past NSA presidents in their membership. At the meeting I hired Garfinkel to discuss marketing and to critique our materials. These experienced speakers enjoyed him so much they requested we reorganize the agenda to have him back the next day!
As he analyzed our materials, we learned through our copy it was much better to boost our business instead of our egos. Rather than quotes like: “You are the best speaker we ever hired,” “You received three standing ovations,” “The audience laughed until they cried,” replace them with specific results. “The chairman of the board requested we hire you for ongoing consulting.” “Our sales increased 16% as a result of your training.” “Our associates have never presented their ideas so clearly and concisely.” Continue reading ‘An Interview with Genius Copywriter David Garfinkel’
