Have you ever watched a presenter say or do something that felt “off topic?” They may be really likeable, and they may have great presence, but what they do or say has you wondering what the heck that has to do with the subject? It happens all the time; even sometimes with seasoned professionals. This weekend, I attended the NSA Profit Lab in Phoenix, AZ, and witnessed this very thing several times. There were some amazing speakers who earn much more than I do, but a few times I was thinking, “What does what you are talking about have to do with this topic?”
Once you become the “go-to” expert or a celebrity in your niche, you have then earned a little leeway, but your audience still wants to know what is in it for them, and leave with value. I remember hearing an interview with Robin Williams, who said that a comedian only has a couple of minutes to start making an audience laugh, a celebrity is given a few extra minutes, but that is it. The window does not stay open endlessly. If you are like me, and still eager for growth and respect your reputation, we have to strive to give the audience what they want; purpose, clarity, and new perspective. If we are only given an hour we must make every minute matter toward that goal.
So, what am I saying? What do you do? You should strive to prove your premise every step of the way. Just because you have a great story and people laugh and love it, you still need to ask yourself, “Does it clarify or distract from the main point?” That is the question we must keep in mind about every story and example we use.
What is a premise? In the comedy world it means the idea behind each individual comedy “bit.” It is different in the presentation world. Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE defines it best.
Premise: the idea or thought you are selling.
The difference in the speaking world is that you have one premise for the entire presentation. Everything you do, say, or show, should relate to that premise. An example of a premise that I used when speaking to a group of Toastmasters last week in Phoenix was: Every speaker can create a world-class presentation. That was the idea that I was selling. Everything from my introduction to closing was about just that. Sometimes we even need to clarify to our audience exactly how something relates back to the premise if it is not clear. It is our job to build that bridge and make those connections.
I showed my audience in Phoenix a video of my winning Toastmasters speech. Later in the program, I showed just the clip of the opening and asked them, “Was that a good opening?” Most said, “Yes.” I said, “No!” I could read their facial expressions. . . “No”? The correct answer is, “It depends.” It depends on the premise. There is not any good opening in and of itself. The purpose of the opening is to draw the audience smoothly into our premise. The opening should “open” our audience to the premise, and connect them into the content. You can’t decide whether an opening or closing is good, without knowing what the premise is.
You can also have a great story that works as an opening for a multiple presentations. How is that; you might be wondering? It could support different premises. The difference would be after the opening, you would have different transition into the various premises.
Look over the outlines of your presentations. With each bullet point ask yourself, “Does it prove my premise?” Also ask, “Is it clear that it does so?” If it is not clear from your audience’s perspective, you must identify how it supports your premise. If it does not, “Lose it!” Put it in your story file and save it for a presentation where it does support your premise. When we are coaching people at our live Champ Camps:
“99% of what we are coaching is clarity, clarity, clarity.”
Prove it or lose it. If we want to be known as the best in our speaking niche, we must have clarity, content, and delivery. We need to work harder and smarter than anyone in our niche, including those who are at the top. Position yourself by always proving your premise one point at a time. I took a class with financial guru, Dave Ramsey, and he said, “If you want to live like no one else, you have to live like no one else.” Stop and think about that. I believe the principle applies to us, as presenters, too. If you want to speak like no one else, you have to speak like no one else!
Please share your thoughts below!
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Your article today was a wake up call for me, Darren. I was in an indulgent moment of self pity, thinking about how hard we have to work when we are newbies in the speaking world (or in anything!). The acrobatics and hoops we have to jump through to get anywhere, only to have out phone NOT ring with bookings. Doh! I realize with a shake of the head that these ‘hungry years’ are a blessing. What will differentiate me when I become a successful, regularly booked speaker IS TO CONTINUE TO WORK THIS HARD AND BE THIS HUNGRY TO BE GOOD! A V-8 moment if ever there was one. Your continuous thirst for growth is an inspiration to me.
Purpose, Clarity and New Perspective… I wrote it on a 3×5 card and will have it in front of me when preparing a speech… or just to talk on the phone with potential clients. I have an important phone call to make today. Thank you.
Good ideas to take to heart but if we want to be different we need to know what everyone is doing right? I had some ideas that I thought I came up with all by myself but when I mentioned a couple of them to fellow toastmasters they said – Oh – so & so did/said that when they won the International Speech contest in 19– so I’m torn between trying to see what they did so I don’t copy but not sure if that’s the best way to go – mahalo – D
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!!!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.
I especially like the part about showing just the opening of your speech. Really cool. I wonder how it would work if you did the “Is this a good opening” exercise before you show the entire speech. When they see the whole speech, they get the premise, so they can easily say “yes, this is a good opening.” If they see just the opening (without seeing the whole speech) and you ask if it’s good, the answer is harder to discern, which would further emphasize your point which is “You can’t decide whether an opening or closing is good, without knowing what the premise is.” Make sense?
🙂
BTW, love that picture with this post. 🙂
Great advice Darren, but I find that your advice is always on target.
Thank you for the message about the need for clarity and continuing to push the point of authenticity.
And a super big thank you for continuing to be a great resource for speakers and coaches. You’re a very wise man indeed and I really appreciate all the helpful information you disseminate. You’re certainly and easily one of my favorite speakers.
Thank you Darren for your wisdom which I believe pulls an intellectual thread of speaking.
I have noticed that sometimes speakers incorporate great stories into their presentations which while they may lighten the mood, make people laugh or feel good, don’t necessarily contribute to the higher thinking or cause for the presentation. While audience members may fall for this “speaking trickery” at the time, they may not be moved to go and make that change that they have the potential to do. Or they simply walk away in a cloud of haze. I vow not to disrespect the time of my audience members!
Thanks again Darren for your phenomenal tools and articles, this was your best!