Be Bald: The Advantages of Male Speakers

Coaching

Do men have an advantage in the speaking world? Yes, they do. I know I will get some pushback on this; but hear me out. Growing up, you heard the old phrase “Wait until your father gets home!” and you knew your father had the last word. Other authority figures, from sports announcers to priests to the prime minister, are male. We are used to hearing the male voice. It sounds familiar and has a confidence and clarity that we’re comfortable listening to. Thank goodness this is changing! Women are increasingly showing up and owning the stage. This is exactly how it should be. That said, as a society we still have a few old habits to break.

Details

Slideshows Suck the Life Out of Your Presentations

Coaching

A little while ago I was watching a speech given by someone I knew to be a confident and knowledgeable speaker. Unfortunately, her well-delivered words were overshadowed by what was on the projector behind her. Every. Single. Point she brought up was demonstrated by a jam-packed slide. The momentum of her speech ground to a halt, and the confidence I had in her message, and in her, was diminished.

Details

Everyone is a Speaker

Coaching

Are you sure? Because I’ve never met any professional who didn’t need to speak in their role. Mastery of the spoken word is a crucial tool in every business. Think about all the places you talk about work: Networking, engaging, connecting, and building relationships are key to your success. Imagine your broker asking you to speak to the community, or share your story to the new real estate recruits. Whatever the situation, a serious professional always treats an opportunity to speak as an opportunity to grow their business.

Details

Stand Out In A Crowd: Letting Your Niche Find You

Coaching

If I interviewed you today, could you confidently share your message of what you do, what connects us so I want to work with you, and what the results will be if I work with you? If you read last week’s post about the elevator pitch, you should have an answer. But there’s another question everyone’s asking and nobody is saying: What makes you different? For most of us, we are only one out of thousands of people with the same career.

Details

The Elevator Pitch: Using Client Stories

Coaching

Most business professionals feel awkward when they’re asked this question. But being able to respond confidently and correctly is vital for making connections. Your response is so important it has a special name: The Elevator Pitch. It’s called that because it should take no longer than an elevator ride to tell. In that short time, you must: 1) explain what you do, 2) express your value to the listener, and 3) showcase what makes you special. That’s a lot to do in 30 seconds! But there’s a trick to giving the perfect elevator pitch: using client stories.

Details