Sandra Schrift - Executive Speech Coach

ON THE BARD

2008-08-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

If you really want to succeed in business, study the masters: Warren Buffett, Bill Gates . . . and William Shakespeare. Yes, the Master of the Universe or so says Britain's Cranfield University, which has teamed up with Shakespeare's Old Globe Theatre and the late Laurence Olivier's son to offer courses that mine the playwright's works for advice on climbing the corporate ladder. To weather acts of betrayal, you might turn to "Julius Caesar." To learn how best to inspire your team to victory, read "Henry V." How about "A Winter's Tale" for tips on coping with mid career changes?

The Coach thinks . . . there is a message here for speakers . . . relate the stories to your audience's lives.

(C) 2008 www.schrift.com

ON BEING LIKED

2008-06-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

The book, How to Win Friends & Influence People, is often second only to the Bible in sales. Dale Carnegie outlines - in very simple steps and examples - how to be nice without letting yourself get walked on.
Here are six traits kind people of the world share:

Become interested in other people.
Smile.
A person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
Be a good listener and encourage people to talk about themselves.
Ask questions about the other person's interests.
Sincerely make the other person feel important.

The Coach asks . . . are you looking hard enough to find something complimentary about another person?

(C)2008 www.schrift.com

How to be a Great Speaker

2008-06-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know that great speakers are often nervous with butterflies in their stomach before giving a presentation? And there are many actors/actresses who can not speak to live audiences without cue cards. My 13 years as a professional speakers bureau owner allowed me to hear several thousand speakers give their presentations. Here are a few tips I learned from them.

1. You want to be nervous. Get your butterflies to fly in formation. Some tension brings about a great speech. You usually don’t look as nervous as you feel.
Be prepared, be relaxed. Practice, practice, practice. Use visualization techniques. One speaker suggests that you curl your toes and get rid of your adrenalin. Get out of your head and in to your heart. Reduce nervousness with self talk. Your mantra might be - “I am a relaxed, confident speaker.”

2. Great presentations are well organized.
Opening – You have 60seconds to get their attention. So start with a great question, quote or short story. Tell ‘em what you will tell them.
Body – Tell ‘em. This is where you tell your 3-4 points supported by your stories.
Closing –Tell ‘em what you told them. Give them a call to action. What is one idea they can use immediately? in seven days? in one month?

There are basically two kinds of presentations – Informative (to know) Persuasive (to do)
Be sure you know what you want your audience to do as a result of your presentation.
Ask. . . What do they need to know to do this? What do they need to feel to do this? Then provide 3-4 points in the body of your message and provide transitions between the points.

3. Great speeches have great stories. Sprinkle them throughout your presentation. We delineate our thoughts visually and your audience needs to “see” what they “hear.”

4. Technology is just a tool. Do not be a master of ceremonies to your PowerPoint. It is not the presentation.
Here are some guidelines to follow:
1.Necessity - is this visual aid going to enhance the audience’s understanding
2.Clarity – to help people understand
3.Simplicity – PowerPoint with words – no more than five words per line and five lines per slide. Color – color enhances the slide – but only use a few (we’re not talking about your kid’s 300 Crayola box of crayons)
4.Visibility – keep it large and clear

5. Your voice is the source of power. FDR, Martin Luther King, Churchill used the power of their voice. Remember people need to see what they hear. Slow down, add a pause, whisper . . .use your voice to change tones, be loud or soft as needed.

6. Use your eyes – to make contact with audience. Focus on one person at a time and all the other people will feel as if you are talking to them also. This will help you to connect with people and make them feel you are there for them.

7. Interact – provide your audience with short role plays or partnering exercises. This gives them an opportunity to practice what you are telling them to do. Give them an opportunity to tell someone about their challenge and get some feedback as to how to resolve it. Then they can walk out the door at the end of the program ready to think or act differently. This is what every great speaker wants!

(C)2008 www.schrift.com

ON SPEAKING LIKE A PRO

2008-05-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

Here are some tips to reduce speech anxiety that I have gleaned from working with professional speakers over the last 24 years. Visualize your success at the lectern. 'When you visualize your success, you will be successful.' Arrive early and become familiar with the room in which you will give your presentation. Check the audio/visual equipment as needed. Greet your audience as they arrive in the room. Then the group will not feel like strangers to you. Practice, Practice, Practice your speech beforehand. Remember, it is about them, not you. So harness your nervousness and focus your enthusiasm, your attention, and your message on the audience.

The Coach is reminded . . . 'Those who fail to prepare are preparing to fail.'

(C)2008 www.schrift.com

ON SPEAKING NUGGETS

2008-05-16T23:14:00.000-07:00

I have been attending speaker conferences since 1986. Here are a few of the many wise words that have inspired me and moved me to action:

What creates success is your conviction that what you are doing makes a difference.

Provide ways for people to have the courage to change their behavior.

Never give up when prospecting a client. Just say NEXT! Rejection is a myth.

The more things you try, the more things will work.
90% of things are habitual . . . To the extent you do what you are doing, you'll only get more of the same. CHANGE!

The Coach asks . . . do you take 100% responsibility for your life?

(C)2008 www.schrift.com

ON QUESTIONS

2008-03-31T17:24:00.000-07:00

Professional and public speakers before delivering their presentations
to any group, need to ask many questions of the program chair so that
their material is relevant to that audience. Here are a few to consider:

• Who will be attending this program? (sexual mix, how many,age range, work titles)
• What are the goals and objectives of this meeting/program?
• What results do you expect from me?
• Will this audience respond to my interactive exercises?
• How much content, how much entertainment?
• Very important – are you speaking at a meal event? This is challenging
for a speaker – I advise you not to speak over a meal because it is
difficult to get and maintain the attention of a group.

The Coach sez . . . those speakers who ask many questions prior to an
engagement are more successful at the platform.

(C)2008 www.schrift.com

ON SPEAKING PERFORMANCE

2008-03-28T23:33:00.000-07:00

William Buckley, conservative author, journalist and talk
show host died recently. A tall man who was a speaker/performer
with varied vocal and physical expressions, highlighted with eccentric
movements and gestures. This genius knew how to “rise to the occasion”
to make his point. Other successful speakers connect with their
audience in the first few minutes with a riveting story, a funny incident, a
startling statement , or perhaps a poem. They know how to make their
opening remarks relate to the material that follows. For more articles
on speaking tips go to: http://www.schrift.com/articles.html

The Coach quotes an easy way to craft your speech . . . “Tell ‘em,’ what
you’re going to tell ‘em.’ Tell ‘em. And then tell ‘em’ what you told ‘em.’

(C)2008 www.schrift.com

ON GEMMELSMERCH

2008-03-08T20:39:00.000-08:00

Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Crazy Busy, defines gemmelsmerch as the force that distracts us from what we want or ought to be doing. Some examples:

Fixing the computer glitch for 3 hours
Reading magazines instead of doing your work
The telephone, cell phone, blackberry, or Treo. Turn them off and limit your calls.
Television - how much watching is too much?
An open door that allows people to pop in
Radio talk shows - do you find them addicting and lose focus on what you are doing?
The mess - clutter in your office, home or car. File it, shelve it, use it, or throw it away.

The Coach agrees . . . that we need to figure out what matters most to us and do what matters most to us. DON'T GET SIDE- TRACKED.

ON FILLER WORDS

2008-02-16T21:20:00.000-08:00

Why do most people use these words? Like . . . (oops)
um, okay, anyway, you know what I mean, uh, so, well,
but. I mean (oops) these are real bad habits, right? The first
step is to become aware that you use these words – get feedback
from your friends and colleagues. Toastmasters uses an effective
technique to help you become aware of the filler words. It is called
the Ah Counter – every time you say a filler, someone uses a buzzer
or clicker to remind you. As if you aren’t nervous enough speaking
to your peers, eh? In my booklet, Speak Like a Pro for Profit, (see #6 below)
I provide some tips and urge you to speak, speak, speak and ask for
feedback. This will remind you to break the habit as often as possible.
And remember to BREATHE!

The Coach sez . . . you know (oops) basically (oops) to tell the truth (oops),
it like (oops) takes a long time to stop the habit of using fillers.
UGGGGHHHHH!

(2008) Sandra Schrift www.schrift.com

ON TRYING IT

2008-01-19T22:09:00.000-08:00

“Emanuel Ax, the great concert pianist, recalls the nervousness when his ensemble, which included cellist Yo-Yo Ma , proposed a new variation on an old piece to their partner, the esteemed violinist Isaac Stern.” Since Stern was 20 years older than they, and had probably played the composition hundreds of times before, they thought he would resist the change. Instead, nearly 80 year old Stern, hesitated briefly and said: “Let’s try it.” I think there is a lesson here for professional speakers, business owners and entrepreneurs. (source: AARP Bulletin)

The Coach asks . . . are you willing to do or think something in a new way?

(C)2008 www.schrift.com

ON THE BAGEL

2008-01-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

When I was a child, I would watch the Bronx, New York bagel guys prepare a three ounce bagel (unlike today's whopping seven ounce bagel) made entirely by hand, of high-gluten flour, water, yeast, salt and malt syrup mixed together in a hopper. The rollers would then shape two -inch strips of dough. The bagel boiler would boil the bagels in a large kettle very quickly. The finished product had a tight skin and shine which produced a crusty crust and a chewy interior. Next the bagel man put the bagels on burlap-covered redwood slats and placed them in a brick oven. I loved to watch the guys place about five dozen finished bagels on strings and then leave them on the doorknobs of their retail customers. Nothing was better than eating a freshly baked hot bagel!

The Coach thinks. . . life was better when bagels were smaller

(C) 2008 www.schrift.com

ON BEING A NUDGE

2007-12-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

Professional speakers often play the role of coach, guide, friend, provocateur, and nudge. If they ask an audience, "what is wrong?" then they bring them down. Instead they usually ask, "what is possible here?" and "who cares?" This engages the creativity of your audience. Margaret Wheatley reminds us that hope is fundamental to the human spirit. We can show our faith in people by engaging them at the level of possibility. "Midwife what is in another person's potential."

The Coach asks…do you know your reason for being…and can you wake up to it?"

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

ON LETTING GO

2007-12-26T23:37:00.000-08:00

This is a good time of year to do a "baggage check." What do you own that is dated and useless? What do you hang on to that is hurtful and defeating? Do you worry about future events that have or may not happen? Do you agonize over losses? Do you keep reliving past hurts and traumas? Dr. Lloyd Thomas suggests that to "let go" takes love. To "let go" is to acknowledge that which I cannot change, and pursue that which I can. To "let go" is not to care for, but to care about. To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive. To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.

The Coach asks . . . are you ready to join me in fearing less and loving more in 2008?

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

ON BEING FRESH

2007-12-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

I owned a professional speakers bureau for 13 years and learned what meeting planners look for in hiring speakers. Now it is almost 2008 and some things have changed. Here is the "inside scoop."

The number of meetings is up, lead time for bookings is shorter, meeting durations are shorter. (so fewer speakers get booked)

The isolation that comes from technology creates a demand for face-to-face meetings -people still crave the human experience

Be a "multidimensional" speaker - keynote, train, facilitate, coach and consult.

Provide added value with on going support via teleclasses, webinars, MP3 products

Above all, keep your material fresh and cutting edge. As you speak to younger audiences, they will demand in depth information - skip the generalizations.

What still works - 3 to 4 points that come with your personal stories

The Coach sez . . . treat each group you speak to as if it is your religion. Make the meeting planner a hero!

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

ON THE BOLD SPEAKER

2007-11-17T18:08:00.000-08:00

I have been booking and coaching speakers since 1982
and here is what I have observed:

The best speakers do not fill the air with a lot
of words – they make the space for audience to tell them
what they need to know.

The best speakers ask, “what do you need to really hear from
me to give you what you came to hear?”

The best speakers are brief and clear and make the most
of a short period of time.

The best speakers focus on observations, feelings needs
AND clear requests of their audience.

The Coach believes . . . the best speakers inspire their audiences to
make some change . . . if they do, things will probably get better.

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

ON THE POINT OF THE STORY

2007-11-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Over the years, while listening to professional speakers, I
notice that the best story tellers deliver a speech with several stories
that are accented by their points. They understand that it isn’t just
providing content that impacts their audience, but their story. A way
to inspire, motivate and get people to take some action, think differently.
To make the emotional connection with your audience, try Pareto’s Principle:
80% story and 20% content. You must reach their hearts and their souls.

The Coach sez . . . people need to know as well as feel to be inspired to
make a change.

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

ON SPEAKING POINTS

2007-10-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

If you speak for a living, whether you are part time, full time or BIG time, be guided by strategies that get you the bookings. Here is what my 25 years of booking and coaching speakers have taught me.

Speak on a topic you have passion for AND others need to hear. (you can't lose with topics like wealth, health and relationships)

Be a perceived expert on what you speak about. (your studies, life and work experiences)

Create a sexy, sizzling title. Put your benefit(s) in your title, if possible.

Collect your material - from the plane, at the check out counter, and your kids/grandkids say the darndest things.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. Don't memorize your speech, but become very familiar with its content.

Remember it is about them, not you - be very present with each audience - their needs and responses. AND have fun!

The Coach thinks . . . to be a public speaker is a privilege and an awesome responsibility.

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

Handshaking for Men and Women- Is there a difference?

2007-10-25T20:52:00.000-07:00

Your handshake should not be memorable for any reason. In other words not too strong or too weak. A firm confident handshake says you are a decision maker, confident, probably competent and that you understand the importance of a good handshake.

When shaking hands with another person, face the person, make eye-contact, smile and extend your hand, fingers straight and thumb up. The base of your thumb, where it meets your palm, should meet the other person’s thumb base. Grasp their hand firmly and pump from the elbow, two times then slowly withdraw your hand. Remember to take your time and not to appear as though you are in a hurry to remove your hand.

Use only your right hand and do not touch the person in any other way, i.e., hugging, air kiss, grasping their hand with your left hand on top of theirs or touching their arm.

The Coach has learned . . . that men and women shake hands the same way.

2007 - www.etiquetterevolution.com

How do you Find a Topic to Speak On?

2007-10-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

People are always looking for solutions to their problems. Do you have an expertise that can help people solve their challenges and frustrations? Ask people to see what bothers them. Find out what they need to achieve their goals.

First, you must have a passion for what you would like to speak on. Next, see if your topic would be welcomed and needed by many people. Then come up with a speech that presents several points (ideas) to help people take action, think differently, get from A to Z.

Start collecting material - stories and concepts are everywhere. Find them in the supermarket, at a restaurant, on an airplane, at a movie, in your home with your family. You must write down everything you hear or see related to your topic.

Purchase a mini-cassette recorder and carry it with you as you would your cell phone.

Place a pad and pencil by your bed nightstand and when you get an "aha" in the middle of the night, get up and write it down. Retrieve and retell these stories to your audiences.

Find that one special "signature" story that belongs to you and sets you apart from other speakers. You know, the one that people will love to hear because it is inspiring, motivating, and/or humorous. Then they will remember you and refer you to others and ask you back again.

Are you ready to take the challenge to provide a thought-provoking presentation that will get people to think differently, to be inspired to take action, to garner insights about their lives, to question some of their goals?

Perhaps Marcel Proust said it best. "Instead of seeking new landscapes, develop new eyes."

(C)2007 Sandra Schrift www.schrift.com

Be a Speaker with Intention

2007-10-18T23:08:00.000-07:00

Be a Speaker with Intention Intention is a must for every speaker to consider before delivering your speech to any audience. If you focus your mind on what you want to say then you can be clear on your purpose and what action you want from your audience. What do you want them to achieve as a result of your speech? Do you want attendees to act in a certain way, make some changes, or to resolve to achieve some new thing? As a speaker of Intention, you can help your audience organize their energy and actions that will bring about their desired goals, dreams. Have the intention of helping them address an action that they want to accomplish and how they plan to do that. Encourage them to think about how they will do this and why they want to do this. What attitude will help them accomplish their intentions?

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

Living Green from the Outside

2007-10-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

Living green from the inside out is hardly a new concept. SHOP CO-OP AND BUY ORGANIC FOODS! Fewer people are aware of sustainable living from the outside. Some of the most volatile products found in nearly every household are cleaning products. In Todisco's article, "Top 10 Nontoxic, Earth Friendly Living Suggestions," she warns to avoid common synthetic cleaning products because cleaning products rank higher on a per dollar basis in terms of air and water pollution impacts. Did you know that 'trade secret' laws do not require manufacturers to disclose all of their ingredients? Many of the undisclosed 'inerts' are toxic, and they can make up to 99% of the product. Send me an email if you want to know what simple steps I have taken to create a non-toxic environment in my home. sandra@schrift.com

Amother culprit to the pollution of our bodies and environment is both indoor and outdoor pesticides and fertilizers. Herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, bug sprays and flea and tick products are some of the most common sources of toxicity around our homes. Wellbuilding.com offers some harrowing numbers: "The average suburban home uses six times the hazardous chemicals per acre than conventional farming . . . If just 10% of us switched to natural lawn care, over half a billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides would be prevented from entering the environment."

I could go on and on - what about our kids' bodies and their future? With countless reasons to go green and an ever-growing availability of sustainable products at our disposal, the time has never been better to begin to do our part in ensuring the future of our planet.

The Coach quotes an old Chinese proverb . . . "A journey of one thousand miles starts with a single step."

Eliminating Speaking Jitters

2007-10-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

It is natural to have some jitters before delivering a speech. I get them too.
So I take some deep breaths, put a smile on my face and remember this speech is not about me, it is about my audience and what they want/need to hear from me.
So here are 10 tips to reduce those nerves and be present with your audience. (these tested tips really do work!)

1. Nervousness is fear of failure. Here is the secret of conquering anxiety. Become message-centered and audience-centered, not self-centered. Stop thinking of yourself, and start thinking of your message.

2. If you are thoroughly prepared, your internal nervousness seldom shows. Prepare 150%.

3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. Talk out loud, and walk around while you practice. Use the same physical energy you plan to use on the day of your presentation. Practice in the car. If you can concentrate while driving, you will be able to pull it from your unconscious when are you in front of the group. Make your points sound off-the-cuff and conversational.

4. Practice in front of your mirror. Practice in the car. If you can concentrate while driving you will be able to pull what you need from your unconscious when you are in front of the group. Make your points sound spontaneous and conversational.

5. Exercise is an antidote to stress. Arrive early and take a brisk walk for at least five minutes. If it is raining or snowing outside, you can still do some body stretches.

6. Abstain from caffeine and alcohol before you speak. You don’t need more jitters. Always wear your favorite outfit use attractive colors. Women, go simple on the jewelry. Avoid too much black and white.

7. For trembling hands, place your hands on the side of your chair and count to 10 as you try to lift the seat. This is an isometric exercise that works… and nobody will notice you doing it.

8. Don't be perfect - give yourself permission to make mistakes. People are not perfect in real life.

9. Remember, you want to be nervous. It can be a positive reaction. You don't want to eliminate the butterflies in your stomach; you want to get them to fly in formation. When that happens, you will have converted your stress into speaking power!

10. Most of all - enjoy yourself and have fun. SMILE. After all, aren’t you glad to be there? The sign of a mature adult is that you are not taking yourself too seriously.

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

ON A STANDING OVATION

2007-10-08T21:45:00.000-07:00

All professional speakers want to give a great talk and provide information that will benefit their audience. They also relish and appreciate receiving a standing ovation. Here are some ways to get one:

Tell your audience what they need to know- so they can go out the door and take some action, to do it better.

Speak to their emotions, their heart and soul. Be compelling and inspire them to think and do differently.

Be an entertaining speaker – have fun with your audience . . . make them laugh!

Practice, Practice, Practice. Then you will own your talk and be present for your audience.

Finally, give your audience hope – that they can achieve their goals and dreams, whatever they may be.

The Coach asks . . .did you get one AHA! from this list?

(C)2007 www.schrift.com

ON GREAT PRESENTATIONS

2007-10-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that great speakers are not only about great content but also reach the hearts and souls of their audience? Are you impressing your audiences or moving them to action? "Effective financial planners do not sell you on quadrupling your money in twenty-five years; they sell you the feeling you will experience when you do."

The Coach believes . . . that every speaker must be a motivator!

ON HUMAN BECOMINGS

2007-09-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

______________________________________________________
Outstanding speakers always work hard at their craft. They practice, practice, practice. They demonstrate what I call “focused persistence.” They have spent many years in becoming an overnight success! They understand that their mistakes and difficulties are opportunities to help them grow and develop. Many take calculated risks and do not think about failure. However, when they have setbacks, they will eventually move forward to their desired outcome. Great speakers enjoy what they do best and have fun doing it. They know the better they become, the more bookings they will get.

The Coach thinks . . . that if we apply the above characteristics, we too can become great at something.

(C)Sandra Schrift www.schrift.com