Archive for the ‘Keynote’ Category
Sunday, November 20th, 2011
Anyone who gives presentations has had the sinking feeling that comes from forgetting what you want to say.
It’s the worst possible scenario because you become flustered, embarrassed, and usually fall apart on the spot.
Worse, your credibility is ruined with the audience, who suddenly feels that you don’t know your stuff.
Rick Perry suffered this problem during a recent debate at Michigan’s Oakland University. The Governor of Texas confidently stated that, if elected President, he would do away with three areas of government. He rattled off the first two and then … nothing.
Some politicos say this gaffe could cost him the election!
I’ve given over 2,000 presentations and keynote speeches and have developed a near foolproof way to never forget what to say. I call it, “The Power of Three” and it works like this.
How to never forget what you’re trying to say
When preparing your speech, presentation or debate, ask yourself, “What three things do I want my audience to know?”
Then, hold out your index finger and assign the first item to that finger. Psychologists refer to this technique as “association.” Assign the second and third item to the middle and ring finger of the same hand. Then run down a quick version of the three points, counting down the three items using your fingers.
Repeat the process all the way up to your presentation. You can practice the power of three in the car, during television commercials, and even in the shower.
Use my power of three technique and you’re not likely to forget what to say when speaking to an audience.
It’s a shame Rick Perry didn’t consult with me when he visited Michigan, eh?
______________
Get more great tips by ordering Michael’s Present Like a Pro DVD. It’s a 45-minute video that both shows and tells how you can be much more effective when speaking to groups. www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com or 248-224-9667 for more info.
Tags: association, michael Angelo Caruso, michaelangelocaruso.com, michigan, oakland university, power of three, Present Like a Pro, public speaking, rick perry, Speaking, speaking without notes, texas
Posted in Career development, Communication, Creativity, Growing Your Business, Keynote, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Speaking, Success | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
It’s been a both a pleasure and an honor to be a professional speaker for over 15 years. I’ve learned a few good techniques along the way and here are 5 Cool Ideas to help you be a better presenter.
1. A good pre-game show will help you get your game on. When creating your presentation, write it backwards, starting with the call-to-action.
2. Use my “Power of Three” to speak without notes. Many people are nervous when speaking in front of an audience. Nerves only make it harder to seem relaxed and stay on message. The secret is to focus on only three points.
3. Do six things in the first five minutes of every presentation. I cover all six tips in on the DVD, but here are two:
a) Teach the audience something they don’t know and they’ll pay attention to the rest of your talk and
b) Get the audience to do something right away, such as write something down, raise their hand, etc. This precedent will come in handy when you issue a call-to-action at the end of your presentation.
4. What you say with your body is more important than what you say with your mouth. Body language doesn’t lie. Saying you’re confident is wasted breath, if your body language says the opposite. Learn to present with congruity.
5. Always ask the audience to take action. If you are very specific and give a reasonable time frame, attendees are more likely to follow through.
______________
Get more great tips by ordering Michael’s Present Like a Pro DVD. It’s a 45-minute video that both shows and tells how you can be much more effective when speaking to groups. www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com or 248-224-9667 for more info.
Tags: 5 Cool ideas, dvd on speaking, michael Angelo Caruso, michigan, power of three, Present Like a Pro, presentations, speaker, Speaking
Posted in Career development, Communication, Creativity, Customer Service, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Keynote, Leadership, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Speaking | 3 Comments »
Sunday, April 10th, 2011
I generate a ton of content!
You may know that I produce a bi-monthly newsletter, post three blogs a week, and maintain multiple accounts on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
I also conduct monthly teleseminars, post tons of video on my YouTube and Vimeo channels and have created over 75 information products.
People often ask me how I get it all done. Sometimes I wonder, too!
My favorite magic trick
One of my “tricks” involves repurposing content. It’s a useful technique for anyone who works as a leader or supervisor, salesperson, customer service rep or whatever.
When you repurpose your great content, your information becomes accessible to more people in more convenient ways. When your relevant content shows up in multiple places, YOU become more familiar, and people start thinking of you as an industry expert. Pretty cool!
Do you ever give presentations? Here are three easy ways to make your talk available in different modalities:
1) Record your live presentation with a digital recorder like those sold at Radio Shack. Then, import the sound file to a free audio editing program such as “Audacity” and burn audio CDs to giveaway or sell.
2) Record a three-minute highlight of your speech with a Flip video camera and post the clip on YouTube. Be sure to display your Web site on the “bottom third” of the screen to drive traffic to your Web site.
3) Publish an e-book version of your speech. Use voice recognition software to create a transcript or keystroke the speech into a Word doc (if you use a PC) and convert the document into a .pdf.
Oh, and congratulations! When you do #3, you’ll officially be a published author!
Churn out your own info products
For dozens of more tips on this subject and to generate a passive revenue stream for yourself, listen to my 60-minute audio CD, How to Create Info Products. It comes with a 30-page e-book, too!
Thanks for your interest in self-improvement. Now go repurpose some of your great content!
-Michael Angelo Caruso, Royal Oak, Michigan
Tags: facebook, flip video, info products, Information products, Internet marketing, michael Angelo Caruso, michigan, radio shack, repurpose content, royal oak, twitter, vimeo, youtube
Posted in Blogging, Career development, Communication, Creativity, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Information products, Internet marketing, Keynote, Leadership, Marketing, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Seminar, Social Media, Speaking, Success, Training, Weblogs | No Comments »
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
Speaking is a lot like driving. We all think we’re good drivers, but there are a lot of dented cars on the road!
Here are 5 Cool Ideas for sharpening your next presentation, followed by a link to order my Present Like a Pro DVD:
1. It’s better to make mistakes when you’re alone.
I teach managers and salespeople how to be more effective. The fastest improvement occurs when clients adopt my motto: It’s better to screw up when you’re alone.
2. Practice the beginning of your talk more than any other part.
Your nervous system is most likely to be under siege at the beginning of your presentation. Practice the first part of your talk more than the middle or the end.
3. Call your own voice mail to record sections of your presentation.
Use this “poor man’s” recording technique to listen to yourself and make improvements.
4. PowerPoint often hurts more than it helps.
Stories are far more effective than bullet points because people tend to make buying decisions using the “emotional side” of the brain. Use stories to inspire, motivate, and get the audience involved. Develop a strong “signature story” and work it, baby.
5. Be specific with your time-sensitive call to action.
All good presentations end with a clear call to action. Don’t say “Please take this form back to your office and send it to me when you have time,” when you can say, “Please fill out this form before you leave the room. I’ll be at the door to collect it from you.”
Order the Present Like a Pro DVD now! It will be especially helpful to your leadership and sales team!
Place your order within 48 hours and I’ll immediately e-mail you a fantastic 30-page, companion e-book at no extra charge. Watch for it and download it quickly.
As with all my products and services, you’ll get much more than you pay for.
Speaking about speaking,
Michael Angelo Caruso, Keynote Speaker T 248-224-9667
P.S. You must order Present Like a Pro within 48 hours to receive the bonus 30-page e-book.
P.P.S. You’re welcome to publish these 5 Cool Ideas in your corporate newsletter, on your Web site and blog. Just send a quick message to Reprint@EdisonHouse.com.
www.MichaelAngeloCaruso.com
The Fifth, 432 S. Washington, #1105 Royal Oak, MI 48067
Tags: call to action, michael Angelo Caruso, michigan, powerpoint, Present Like a Pro, presentation, royal oak, Self improvement, Speaking
Posted in Career development, Communication, Creativity, Customer Service, Entertainment, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Keynote, Leadership, Marketing, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Seminar, Speaking, Success, Training | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
The ability to make effective, persuasive presentations is almost an art form.
I often compare the art of presenting to a golf swing. Both activities have a lot going on–and a lot that can go wrong.
Here are a few speaking tips to take your speaking to another level:
1. Personally greet people before you begin speaking. You’ll be much more effective if you build rapport with individual audience members in advance of your talk. This is also a great way to settle your nerves, if you find yourself anxious prior to speaking.
2. Speak to the four different personality styles in your audience. Thinkers like to hear statistics, so give them facts and figures. Directors like you to get to the bottom line; be succinct for them. Relaters want you to identify with them, so tell stories. Socializers want to have fun and laugh, so don’t take yourself too seriously.
3. End the speech using the same words and phrases you used at the beginning of your talk. This technique is called “bookending” and it’s the hallmark of a professional speaker. Bookending helps you finish your talk with style and flair.
Thanks for your interest in self-improvement! If you’d like to become a better presenter, it’s better to watch video than read a book on the subject. Reading a book about speaking is like listening to the radio to learn how to dance.
That’s why I produced a DVD titled, Present Like a Pro, a 45-minute video that tells–and more importantly shows–my best speaking tips. As always, you’ll get much more than you pay for with my products. A 100% unconditional refund if you’re unhappy with this product for any reason.
Tags: bookending, dvd, michael Angelo Caruso, michigan, nerves, personality styles, Present Like a Pro, presentation, Selling, Speaking
Posted in Career development, Communication, Creativity, Entertainment, Entreprenuers, Growing Your Business, Information products, Keynote, Leadership, Personal Development, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Speaking, Success | No Comments »
Saturday, May 29th, 2010
The earpiece
Communication is critical in any team endeavor, even the Tour de France.
Forbes’ Rich Karlgaard reminds us that the first thing Johan Bruyneel did when he became Lance Armstrong’s bicycle team director in 1998 was fit the entire team with radios and earpieces.
The Tour de France is a three-week endeavor. Communication is an important way to minimize costly mistakes. As a team director, Bruyneel has eight wins and one third place in the Tour de France.
Good communication is key to Detroit’s success, too. That’s why it’s important to hold events like the annual Mackinac Conference. This year’s speakers will no doubt give us ideas on how to handle our many challenges such as the prolonged recession, a humbled automotive industry and insolvent municipalities.
Featured keynote speakers this year include former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich and Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne. Of course the media will be there in force, including WDIV’s news anchor, Devin Scillian, an excellent communicator, himself.
Communication is important on the bike and in the boardroom.
-Michael Angelo Caruso
Tags: Communication, forbes, lance armstrong, Leadership, Mackinac Conference, michael Angelo Caruso, rich karlgaard, team work, tour de france
Posted in Communication, Creativity, Keynote, Leadership, Marketing, Problem Solving, Success | No Comments »
Sunday, May 16th, 2010
Improve your presentations by modeling famous speakers. Here are practical tips inspired by five great orators: John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Zig Ziglar, Bill Clinton and Robin Williams.
5 Cool Ideas–Speaking Tips From the Pros
1. Say it in a special way. John F. Kennedy is known for his inspiring, almost poetic, phrasing. JFK kept a notebook of inspiring quotations that he adopted and adapted in his speeches. The famous phrase, “Ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country” was his, but JFK also borrowed verbiage from others.
Kennedy seldom credited to his primary speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, but you should always provide attribution when “borrowing” language from another person.
2. Tell a good story. Everyone loves a good story. Motivational speaker and legend, Zig Ziglar, mesmerized audiences with his funny and informative stories. A Zig story could go on for five or six minutes as he interjected anecdotes, developed motifs and leveraged humor.
Zig used to drop to one knee for all of six minutes. He would often prompt a rousing ovation just for finally standing up again!
3. Smile with your eyes. Words are important during presentations, but non-verbal cues are even more critical. Bill Clinton uses a terrific technique I call “smiling eyes.” He even used this strategy during his impeachment proceedings when he looked into the camera and said, “It depends on what your definition of the word ‘is’ is.”
4. Tell the audience exactly what you want. So many speakers and presenters obscure their messages in fancy language and pretense. Take a cue from Nike’s “Just do it” slogan and just say it. Ronald Reagan was famous for his plain talk during speeches.
In 1987, Reagan spoke at at an event celebrating the 750th anniversary of Berlin. He used the speech to directly appeal to Mikhail Gorbachev, then General Secretary of the Soviet Union’s Communist Party. Reagan famously said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
5. Get emotional. Robin Williams is not a conventional presenter, that’s for sure. What he lacks in diction and structure, he more than makes up for in energy and enthusiasm. It’s hard to ignore a person who’s excited about his own message.
Williams presentations are an onslaught of ideas, foreign language accents and gesticulations that audience members cannot ignore. Don’t try to replicate Robin’s wild man delivery. Just amp up your emotion by speaking louder and moving your hands more.
Teleseminar May 25–How to Improve Your Presentations
Join Michael Angelo Caruso at 3:30 PM ET on Tuesday, May 25 to get more great tips for your next presentation. Get more info and register here; ask questions toward the end of the call. Invite your boss to attend at no extra charge.
Can’t attend the live program?
Order the audio CD on the same topic and listen as many times as you’d like.
Reprint the above article
You’re welcome to publish the above article in your corporate newsletter, on your Web site or blog. Simply send a message here.
Tags: better speaker, bill clinton, famous speakers, improve speaking, jfk, john f. kennedy, michael Angelo Caruso, presentation, robin williams, ronald reagan, speaker training, zig ziglar
Posted in Career development, Communication, Entertainment, Keynote, Leadership, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Speaking, Success, Training, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
I haven’t used PowerPoint in over five years.
Now that the word has gotten out, I’m being asked to teach people how to improve their presentations by NOT using the most popular presentation tool of the 21st century.
Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s more important to use business presentations to establish rapport, build relationships, and develop conversation that helps clients.
I can’t understand why salespeople or other leaders would take the trouble to assemble an audience only to say, “Please look away from me to the screen while I turn down the lights.”
PowerPoint trick #56
If you feel you must use a handful of PPT slides, put them in the middle of the presentation. This way you can look into the audience’s eyes at the beginning of your talk and at the end. The end, of course, is where all good presenters stage the “call to action.”
Recently, I started using PowerPoint again, but with a twist . . .
I now use a single slide during my talks
This one graphic image is so powerful, you can hear a pin drop when it appears on the screen. This slide is all audience members can talk about when the presentation is over. And get this–the slide usually has no direct connection to the subject of my talk!
What is this magic slide and how can you use a similar technique to strengthen your presentations?
Well, the slide is a very unusual graphic based on a personal story.
When my father was in the hospital a few years back, our family kept a journal at his bedside. We used the notebook to track Dad’s progress and leave each other reminders of what to ask the doctors.
Dad even wrote in the journal, especially after the medical team inserted an “NG tube,” an eating tube which kept Dad from being able to speak.
Anyway, about two weeks into his hospital stay, Dad’s health was failing due to mysterious complications.
We were all looking for clues about how to help him get well, so in a quiet moment, I asked my father what he thought was happening.
Dad's parting words
He wrote, “I think I’m improving.”
And then, he died the next day.
Although this story and the accompanying slide are not usually the core message of my speeches, it’s incredibly easy to integrate its optimistic theme. After all, a dying person who remains upbeat can teach us all a bit about having a better attitude.
You may only need one effective slide
I’ll bet you can can improve your speeches and presentations using a similar strategy.
Learn more about how to improve your talks by listening to my How to Give Killer Presentations audio CD. It comes with a 30-page e-book loaded with tips to make you an even better communicator.
As with all my info products, How to Give Killer Presentations, comes with an unconditional money-back guarantee if you’re not fully satisfied.
Can you say “no” to PowerPoint? Can you use only one PowerPoint slide?
Tags: California, dad, Florida, how to give killer presentations, i think I'm improving, improve presentations, leadership tip, michael Angelo Caruso, michigan, ng tube, one slide, optimism, personal improvement, powerpoint, presenting, seminar on speaking, speaking tips
Posted in Communication, Keynote, Leadership, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Selling, Speaking, Success | No Comments »
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
Readers always write:
Hi, Michael-
Do you ever get nervous when you speak?
Susi in Montgomery, Alabama
The 411
Dear Susi,
Never tell the audience you're nervous
Thanks for your interest in speaking, particularly the pesky issue of nerves.
Of course, preparation and practice can help a presenter be less nervous. That’s why I’m amazed at how few speakers actually rehearse their presentations.
Perhaps these speakers prefer to feel a little edgy at curtain time. Such speakers subscribe to the Yerkes-Dodson law, which demonstrates an empirical relationship between arousal and performance. Yes, I’m still referring to speaking. 
It’s true that a certain amount of nervousness and anxiety can be beneficial, but a debilitating sense of nervousness is uncomfortable for the speaker and also the audience. People don’t want to be in the room when a presenter is falling apart, especially if they paid to get in. So, it’s a good idea not to “tell” the audience that you’re in distress.
In poker, a “tell” is a physical gesture from a card player that indicates what the player is thinking. The gesture can be a twitch or sip of water or a stroke of the chin. Never “tell” the audience that you’re nervous. Make them figure it out.
I don’t get nervous anymore, but my best advice to quell a case of the nerves, is to distract yourself by showing interest in your guests. Circulate the room just before your presentation. Ask people easy questions about your subject matter and you will forget you are nervous. It’s impossible to worry about yourself when you are showing interest in others. Working the room is a great habit, anyway.
Here’s another trick for calming your nerves. Try lightly touching your thumb to the middle finger of the same hand. Many people find comfort in performing this yoga-like position. Try it during your next presentation.
For more information on how to quell nerves and otherwise sharpen your presentation, have a look at my Present Like a Pro DVD.
Tags: caruso, detroit, dinner speaker, funny speech, help with speaking, humor, Keynote, michael Angelo Caruso, michigan speaker, nerves, Present Like a Pro, speaking tips, speech, tell, yerkes dodson
Posted in Communication, Customer Service, Entreprenuers, Keynote, Leadership, Personal Development, Problem Solving, Sales and Marketing, Self improvement, Selling, Speaking, Success | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Harry Heilmann, inconsistent baseball star
Harry “Slug” Heilmann is a Hall of Fame baseball player who spent most of his playing years with the Detroit Tigers. He and Ted Williams are the last two American League players to hit over .400. Heilmann’s career batting average of .342 is the twelfth-highest in major league history.
Heilmann also won an amazing four batting titles. But here’s the twist. He won them only in odd-numbered years (1921, 1923, 1925 and 1927).
Harry Heilmann was consistently inconsistent!
This story reminds us how important it is to establish a winning formula and then deliver it as consistently as possible.
Your company provides training to its employees, right? Here are some great ways to maintain consistency and deliver exceptional training results:
1. Hit the ground running. I do this by making sure attendees have positive expectations regarding the event.
2. Get everyone involved. Get as many people as possible to verbally participate in the first five minutes of the training session.
3. Make training fun/interesting. Hint: Fun is not necessarily what the trainer thinks is fun. Been to some sessions where the fun felt artificial?
4. Ensure success. Follow through is the key. I ask attendees to use what I teach them and send me a “success story” within 48 hours of the program. You’d love to read my e-mail!
Right now, my most popular programs are on effective leadership, including the best ways to motivate and online marketing, including social media. Learn more about these great seminars and keynotes at
http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/events/seminars/ and
http://www.michaelangelocaruso.com/events/keynotes/
Share this message with your boss and HR department head so we can hit a home run for your team!
Tags: consistent, exceptional training, harry heilmann, HR, michael Angelo Caruso, Seminar, ted williams, Training
Posted in Communication, Keynote, Leadership, Problem Solving, Training, Uncategorized | No Comments »
