"You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth: Backstage Confessions of a Public Speaker" by Todd Newton

It was a small area consisting of your typical hotel banquet table and three chairs

. Against the wall was another table with the requested fruit plate, six pack of Diet Coke and a few bottles of water. Every time I make my snack request for a keynote presentation I feel as if I should be ordering hot tea. I know that's what other speakers do but I just really enjoy a cold diet soda before I go on.

Before me was a monitor showing what was happening onstage at the moment. The CEO of the company was acknowledging the many people who worked so hard to make this event a success. I must say that they had done an incredible job. They booked me a window seat on my flight, made sure the car service was waiting at baggage claim and had arranged for an early check in so that I could take a nap before the presentation. It was the dream gig!

The stage manager was keeping his distance from me. I could tell that he was deciding whether to come over and shoot the breeze or to leave me to my thoughts. I chose to sit in silence for a few minutes and "get in the zone" before going over to him. I introduced myself and commented on how wonderful the set up was. He smiled and said he had worked this event before and looked forward to it every year. Then he asked if I was ready to be mic'd up.

I like to wait until the last minute before hooking my lav mic to shirt. In my twenty year career I've seen, a few times too many, instances where a sound technician on the other side of the curtain gets a little to excited and turns the microphone on early. The last thing I want the audience to hear before I walk out is me clearing my throat or, worse yet, a Diet Coke burp!

Finally he came over and delivered the sixty second warning. I hesitate to use the term WARNING as it indicates something bad is about to happen-but it's the standard industry term so I roll with it. We got everything properly hooked up, he led me up the ramp and positioned me behind the curtain and I awaited my introduction.

Those of us who make our livings as professional presenters are a fortunate group. There is nothing like the rush of hearing someone read your pre-approved introduction-especially if you wrote it yourself. Then comes the applause. It is usually a mixture of polite, obligatory clapping and the screams of appreciation from those in the crowd who have seen you before and are excited about Round 2.

Notice I use the term professional PRESENTER instead of speaker. Why do I do that? Simple. Because everyone who speaks is technically a speaker. But what we do is different and significantly more entailed. We are presenting a speech that began as an idea, was researched, developed, rehearsed, rehearsed some more, marketed, purchased, rehearsed again and is now being delivered to hundreds of people who are blessing us with the gift of their time and attention.

It is therefore our responsibility to give them what they came to see...and then some! In my training course PRESENTATION EXCELLENCE (visit www.toddnewtonlive.com) I remind people that the audience is going to forget the majority of what you say within a day or two but they will never forget how you make them feel. An audience, whether they have paid to see you or they are a captive group and you're part of the lineup, does not want to be bombarded with statistic after statistic. In fact, the more points you try to drive home the less they will remember. Instead, focus on making them feel wonderful from the moment you step foot on the stage.

HOW?

Well, don't take this the wrong way and please don't have the police waiting for me at my next event, but I give everyone in my audience...endorphins. That's right. I don't ask for money or even ask permission. I just walk out and start handing out endorphins like candy on Halloween. And you know what? They always come back for more.

Endorphins are chemicals produced in the brain that result in positive effects in the body. Though endorphins can be produced through touch-who doesn't enjoy a relaxing massage?, exercise-no jumping jacks while I'm speaking, please, and sex-no comment...I choose to release endorphins among the masses through laughter. It loosens everyone up and creates an environment that is conducive to learning and enjoyment.

I don't tell jokes. I'm no comedian and I have to too much respect for those who make their living on the road going from one comedy club to another to pretend to be one. But I do have an excellent sense of humor and can see the "funny" in just about anything. Natural comedy is all around us and a brief, cute story about how you sprinted through to the airport to catch a plane that, as it turns out, wasn't leaving for another hour can get you a little chuckle that get's you off to a great start. Suddenly you're personable and relatable. Hello R A P P O R T.

Now that you've been accepted as "one of the gang" it's time to get down to the nitty gritty and do what you've been brought there to do. Present. I believe in the old formula of...

1) Tell them what you're going to tell them.

2) Tell them.

3) Tell them what you've told them.

To quote one of my favorite speakers, the late Jim Rohn "Success leaves clues." If something works for others there is a very good chance that it will also work for you. Inform the audience what you are going to be giving them right out of the gate and say it with passion and enthusiasm. Whether it's a topic they ever thought they'd be interested in or not, if you really "sell" it you will have their attention.

I don't think I have to remind you of that speaker you once saw who had absolutely no idea what they were saying or even trying to say, do I? It was a disaster. It's those types of speakers who make presenting before an audience one of, if not THE, top fears among human beings.

What is the certain cure for a lack of preparation? You guessed it...preparation! When you are comfortable on the stage they will be comfortable in the audience. This is one of the things I spend the most amount of time on in PRESENTATION EXCELLENCE. Without a well organized and rehearsed presentation you will fall short of the what the event booker, the audience and you yourself are expecting.

Organize you speech by building it around three or four main points you want them to remember. It is also important to be fully aware of how much time you've been allotted and respect that time. Finally, practice, practice, practice! Rehearse your speech in front of the mirror, in a digital voice recorder and before any group of people that will sit still long enough to listen.

A key point to remember is that a great speech does not have to be long speech. President Abraham Lincoln made history with The Gettysburg Address and he did it using just 272 words and taking less than three minutes. In contrast, on a cold and rainy Thursday in March of 1842, President William Henry Harrison delivered an inaugural speech that was 8,445 words long. Due to exposure to the climate on that day he caught pneumonia and died as a result less than a month later.

Sometimes less really is more.

In summary, know your audience. Know your material. Know your environment. And for God's sake SMILE. A genuine smile is the welcome mat to your soul and will establish instant rapport. When an audience accepts you they will accept your message. Whether you are there to inspire, to sell, to inform or to entertain you must respect your audience and the opportunity to present them with your message that nothing short of your very best will do. Believe me...they will know.

I said my thank you's, shoot hands with the host for the evening, gave one last thumbs up to the crowd (I always hold it for a few seconds because it makes for a great photo) and walked back through the curtain to the backstage area.

With adrenaline still coursing through my veins I walked over and grabbed one of the bottles of water from the table. The stage manager came over to remove my microphone and, with a giggle, said, "Great job. I loved your close. If you start strong and finish strong it doesn't matter what you give 'em in the middle."

"Thanks...I think." I grabbed the rest of the Diet Cokes and proudly walked back to my room.

Todd Newton is a veteran TV personality, international keynote speaker and the founder of Todd Newton Life Strategies, LLC. As a recognized leader in the speaking industry, Mr. Newton coaches executives and entrepreneurs on their presentation skills and media appearances. For more information please visit www.toddnewtonlive.com and follow Todd on Twitter at www.twitter.com/toddnewton.

"You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth: Backstage Confessions of a Public Speaker" by Todd Newton

By: Todd Newton

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