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<\/a><\/p>\nI\u2019m as keen as ever to share my journey and positivity. The interaction and experience have undoubtedly evolved, but it\u2019s not the end.\u00a0 More the beginning of a new chapter in motivational presenting.\u00a0 Overcoming the challenges of digital motivational speaking is essential for a professional presenter; and I am loving the new opportunity. Delivering an inspirational and engaging speech via Zoom or Google Hangout requires a whole new skill set.\u00a0 Bring it on. You are never too old to learn! Time to share what I have learnt helps to create the ultimate digital motivational experience.<\/p>\n
START HOW YOU MEAN TO GO ON<\/h4>\n
Motivational speaking is driven by personality whether that\u2019s virtual or live. It\u2019s vital to plan out the presentation \u2013 making an entrance (or the introduction in traditional terms), explain what people can expect from you, your key points to get over, and the wrap-up moment. Then \u2013 importantly – you infuse it ALL with a bit of you.<\/p>\n
Controversy can be an ally when it comes to engagement. Don\u2019t be difficult for the sake of it. Expressing something that has gone wrong in your life. The disasters as well as the successes. Or expressing a view that many in the room may find a challenge, can be a way to capture the audience\u2019s attention.\u00a0 A bold but controversial statement can individualise your speech and make a great opening line!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s more difficult to make an entrance on the small screen, and if a thought-provoking or opinion challenging opener is not for you, a very simple trick would be to start with music.\u00a0 Not only does this introduce you and set the tone and allows you some time to collect your thoughts and deal with any technical issues.<\/p>\n
Even better – kicking off with a slick video that really showcases your personality is a sure-fire way to hook your audience right from the start. It can be anything from a slick show-reel of your credentials as a motivational speaker, to something a little more creative that tells a story and sets the scene.<\/p>\n
Overcoming the challenges of digital motivational speaking allows me to break some rules. Who says you need to be seated? We are all familiar with digital calls from the kitchen table, but step this up. Simply. Try using a pop-up green screen with suitable backdrop added. And stand for the presentation as it will allow you to be more animated, your breathing will be more controlled, and you\u2019ll fill the screen with personality.\u00a0 With a bigger budget \u2013 take this into a production studio and embrace the stage. Film it and send a digital copy to your audience afterwards.\u00a0 This option will allow a lot more scope for branding, lighting and your own unique \u2018entertainment\u2019 value.<\/p>\n
You can even begin to build that relationship with attendees in the days or weeks leading up to your event with a series of teaser video clips. \u00a0Like all my live events \u2013 you are taking the audience on a journey.\u00a0 The invitation. The delegate information. Every element needs to begin their motivational experience. Just be wary of giving away too much content, you want them to see just enough to be eager to find out more but not thinking they already know what\u2019s coming.<\/p>\n
BUILD AN EXPERIENCE<\/h4>\n
Interaction and audience participation can be lacking in the world of virtual presenting. So why not blend the two worlds by sending them something tangible to engage with them.<\/p>\n
You could send your attendees a gift, something for them to use while listening to your talk such as a personalised coffee cup. Depending on the size and geographical spread of your audience, you could order them lunch to their door from a local restaurant. We have sent clients\u2019 playlists of motivational music that echoed the presentation sentiments.\u00a0 It provided a unique shared experience moment for discussion during the presentation.<\/p>\n
Or how about building in an interactive app \u2013 live polls can really liven up the debate, spring a virtual quiz on your guests or there\u2019s some very clever stuff to be created with virtual and augmented reality. You can beam literally anything into a delegate\u2019s home office space \u2013 be it a demo of a new product or something more fun like wild animals. Levelling up the experience will ensure your audience is alert, enthused and ready to learn.<\/p>\n Motivational experiences can also come from shared experiences. One trick I use it to get some background on audience members (willing of course).\u00a0 I embrace this in the presentation – asking them to share part of their journey too.<\/p>\n My podcast is another great tool.\u00a0 With ‘Events That Made Me’ I encourage business leaders and stars of stage and screen to share events that have shaped their lives. For one client, we recorded a special five-part series of these motivational podcasts that embraced the presentation\u2019s five key inspirational elements.\u00a0 The series was shared with audience members after my presentation and received rave reviews.<\/p>\n So, what about those little mishaps that are bound to crop up? In my public speaking career, there have been hiccups. \u00a0It\u2019s how you deal with them that matters. And I find that laughter is always the best policy. In real life, if you trip up or drop your microphone. Who cares? You can make a joke of it and your audience is now laughing along with you. You\u2019ve won them over. The same applies to a virtual crowd. I still find acknowledging any issues to be the best policy.<\/p>\n Some mishaps can however be pre-empted. So, I find that always having a plan b can help. Getting professionals to set up the technical aspects is one example. And being prepared for every eventuality. Manage the crisis before it happens and put yourself in control \u2013 all of which will equal a more poised and professional performance.<\/p>\n Practice is essential to success. For me, the challenge is trying to learn all the words of my speech without reading. A work in progress! Whilst over rehearsal can take the spark and uniqueness out of a motivational speech, it is important to ensure you have met the brief, spoken to the right time constraints and, most importantly, come across as you want to. \u00a0Zoom is helpful here. You can book a meeting with yourself and record the presentation.\u00a0 Playback is my new best friend.<\/p>\n Please\u2026. motivational presentations are supposed to excite and engage the audience. \u00a0As the speaker, you are trying to reach every audience member personally. The most basic and best way to do this, rule 101, is to look directly into your web camera and not your screen. This gives the viewers a sense that you are making eye contact with them. Yes, it feels awkward to look at a camera while you talk, but this will help create the best audience experience.\u00a0 This is where practice really is your ally!<\/p>\n Sometimes it can be hard to remember why you\u2019re putting yourself through it all! If you\u2019re like me, it\u2019s because you love people and you feel others could benefit from your story. It might be because you want to further your business or help to launch a new product. Whatever the reason, having the end goal in sight will help with the lack of feedback in a virtual presentation. I mentioned online polls earlier and this is a way of gathering feedback as you go, but even if you don\u2019t use this throughout, I would certainly gather instant feedback at the end. Just one or two questions should tell you everything you need to know.<\/p>\n Finally, whether real or virtual, public speaking really does all come down to confidence and personality. \u2018Styling it out\u2019 if something throws you. Always remembering that you\u2019re here, being asked to address this audience, because you have something valuable to share with them. \u00a0I sincerely believe that overcoming the challenges of digital motivational speaking may well become another experience for me to share one day.\u00a0 We are all still learning on this one.\u00a0 Me included.<\/p>\n To Read:<\/strong> Overcoming the challenges of digital motivational speaking is a 2020 life lesson for me. Forbes is a font of business knowledge and they summarise well the best advice for digital presenting<\/a>.<\/p>\n Importantly though, motivational speaking requires much more than a standard business talk. It’s about pace. Knowledge. Anecdotes. Inspirational gems in the content that give you that: Whoa! moment. The second that your audience sees what you see.<\/p>\n Still nervous to present? Channelling those fears is an art form. Read how I think fear can be your greatest asset.<\/a><\/p>\n To Listen:<\/strong> I am a podcaster that loves listening to podcasts. 30 mins of motivational magic is the Joe Wicks Podcast<\/a> where guests share the things that motivate their lives. And Joe, hero of this year’s Children In Need fundraising, has motivation in abundance. Consequently, to get you inspired before a motivational presentation, tune in.<\/p>\n As Van Gogh said: I would rather die of passion than of boredom. So my final piece of advice …. fill your presentation with words of passion.<\/p>\n If this has helped you, please share with your social community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Those who know me will be aware that I\u2019m not shy of being the centre of attention. I learnt to play the piano at four years old and quickly adored the energy and attention it allowed me to gain from people.\u00a0 Yes, I admit it. \u00a0I do love an audience. Motivational speaking is something that I revel in for that … <\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nPLANNING AHEAD VS ‘STYLING IT OUT’<\/h4>\n
COPING WITHOUT FEEDBACK<\/h4>\n
THE Q&A<\/h4>\n