Updated 11/6/22 There are lots of reasons you might feel drawn to speaking: Because you love it, it excites you, you have things you’re dying to share, you want to make it your career. You may also have books to sell and a business to grow, and talking to lots of people at once is…
Blog
-
How I Got a TEDx Talk
READ MORE: How I Got a TEDx TalkThe only thing more stunning than walking into the Kauffman Center in Kansas City when it’s full of people is when you’re the only one there. That’s where I stood, slack-jawed and awestruck on Saturday afternoon, August 29, 2015, hours before the thousands descended for the annual TEDxKC event. The pale wooden panels of this huge vaulted…
-
What’s actually missing from your talk (just ask Sarah)
READ MORE: What’s actually missing from your talk (just ask Sarah)I was giving a presentation the other day to a roomful of authors and people who work with authors. The topic? Why every author needs a TEDx talk. (Because they do.) One woman raised her hand and said she’d been having trouble getting her own TEDx idea accepted. She assumed it was because she didn’t…
-
3 Things that Keep Good Speakers from Being Great
READ MORE: 3 Things that Keep Good Speakers from Being GreatIf you’re a speaker, or would like to be, chances are you watch other speakers with a very keen eye. Maybe you scrutinize the bio. Watch the way they carry themselves on stage. Maybe you judge them based on how relatable they are, or how useful their content is. And if we’re being honest, you…
-
3 Questions to Ask Before You Do Your Next Talk
READ MORE: 3 Questions to Ask Before You Do Your Next TalkThere’s nothing like getting tapped to speak at an event or conference—it’s not only nice to be asked, but it speaks volumes about what people think of you: That you have something of value to share with their community, and they want it. That said, there are three questions I ask myself before I accept,…
-
4 Ways to Get Laughs on Stage (even if you’re not that funny)
READ MORE: 4 Ways to Get Laughs on Stage (even if you’re not that funny)Of all the people you’ve seen get up in front of a room to speak, how many do you really remember? Very few. And chances are the ones who made an impact probably made you laugh, too. Solid content gets a nod. But funny gets rave reviews. Funny gets asked to speak again. And again. Here’s…
-
The #1 Way to Get Clear on Your Messaging
READ MORE: The #1 Way to Get Clear on Your MessagingSay what you will about holidays (Hallmark and otherwise)—they give us an occasion for doing a thing (exchanging gifts, drinking green beer, singing, etc). If you want something done, you don’t have to wait for a holiday, but you do have to give yourself the occasion for doing it. Things like: Writing a book. Launching a…
