Friday, October 31, 2008

Presenting to Win

London, UK

Alan Stevens, the mediacoach has a number of free articles available. This is one of them. If you are a presenter or like presenting you'll find Alan's article very useful.

Presenting to win

Your whole body is trembling with fear - but a stiff drink won’t help. Your voice has almost disappeared – but you don’t need a doctor. Your mind has gone completely blank – but you haven’t developed amnesia. The real reason? - you’re just about to make a presentation.

One of the certainties of corporate life is that you will be asked to make presentations, and the outcome could have far-reaching effects. Perhaps this is why many people show symptoms of blind panic when the dread day dawns. However, being given the opportunity to sell an idea, promote a business, or close a sale is something that you should jump at – so what’s the answer?

Very few of us are natural presenters. As Mark Twain used to say “It takes three weeks to prepare a good ad-lib speech”. Fortunately, learning how to become a competent speaker takes a lot less time than that, so find yourself a good trainer, and follow some simple rules.

The first consideration is your audience. You will be judged a success if they leave feeling that their time spent listening to you was worthwhile. Find out as much as you can about them; how many will be there? what are their interests? what went down well before? Imagine yourself in their shoes – what would you like to hear?

Your subject matter may have been pre-determined, but you’ll often be given a free hand. Give it a persuasive title – not “A survey of Anglo-German business readiness”, but “Companies from Germany that want your business”. Now consider the structure of your talk – it’s as important as the content. It’s a cliché, but the “business sandwich” (Tell them what’s coming, tell them about it, tell them what you told them) really works – so stick to it.

When you’ve put your talk together (often in the dreaded PowerPoint, of which more later), simplify it by taking out half of the content. Then try to take out half of what’s left. There – that’s better – now you have a good chance of getting your core message across (you do have a core message, don't you?).

Now – rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. The idea is not to learn your script by heart, but to ensure that you don’t look surprised when you turn over the next cue card. If you’re at all nervous, don’t write your notes on A4 sheets of paper – they amplify your trembling fingers both visually and aurally. Use low-tech file cards with a title and no more than four brief points. Punch a hole in the corner and tie them together with string – you might just drop them.

Now, if you must use PowerPoint (and I know many of you do), then use it to help, not confound, your audience. Never, ever, read your slides out – assume that all of your audience can read perfectly well. Keep your slides very simple. Put a blank slide between each section of your talk, so that you have the audience’s full attention. And be prepared to carry on even if the PC or projector fails.

Visit the venue beforehand, and make friends with the technician. If there’s a change of speakers, you’ll need someone you can trust to ensure a smooth transition.

Finally, check everything, and then check it again. At the launch of a new people carrier a few years ago, the vehicle was driven on stage by the CEO with three board directors as passengers. Unfortunately, none of them knew how to open doors fitted with childproof locks. Cue tears of laughter from the assembled hacks. Couldn’t happen to you though, could it?



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Thursday, October 30, 2008

How To Increase Your Earnings in Just 6 Hours

London, UK

By attending my Seminar on telephone cold-calling, you will learn how to be more effective on the phone. You'll get more quality appointments and new customers.

Details of the Seminar can be found at the Communicate With Clarity website. Or, you can register straight away by going to the booking website here. Details can also be found on Facebook here and here

The first session takes place on the morning of November 11th at Barnet Football Club. The location is just a few minutes walk from High Barnet tube station on the Northern Line. If you're travelling by car, there's plenty of free parking space available at the ground.

You'll see that the second session is being held on December 2nd. Guest speaker will be business guru, Geoff Burch. Some of you may have seen the first two episodes of his BBC2 tv series "All Over The Shop"

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

How to construct a speech

London, UK

Last week at my Toastmasters International speaking club, London Corinthians I spoke on how to construct a speech. Every speech ought to have a beginning, middle and end. Here's some of the write up from the club's newsletter:

Finally, our fourth speaker of the evening was Jeremy Jacobs with an Advanced Speech entitled ‘How to construct a speech’ here he gave us a very insightful and informative training session on how to construct a speech. A successful speech requires a sound structure from the beginning, the middle to the end. He advised us to make a statement at the beginning of our speech. To include facts and opinion in the middle through, to having a summary or a call to action at the end. Unless, you are very good Jeremy states, don’t make a joke and keep away from politics, religion or sex. Always keep the audience engaged, it’s not about you, it’s all about them.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross to quit BBC?

London, UK

Both of these two presenters have featured on my two sites in recent times. Russell Brand even appears in my current presenter showreel and I wrote this about Jonathan last year.

Like Iain Dale, I don't think you can completely blame the two for what's happened but the number of complaints about their telephonic misdemeanour received by the BBC has risen to over 10000. This could become a real problem for the Beeb. Question is, will the two presenters be forced to quit the national broadcaster?

Monday, October 27, 2008

Simon Jordan on Leicester Square Television

London, UK

Crystal Palace Chairman, Simon Jordan, was on the red-carpet at the weekend. He was there as producer for Telstar. This "most London of films at the London Film Festival", according to director, Nick Moran had it's World Premiere at the LFF. You can see Simon at 5.05" by clicking here

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Media Blog Grab

London, UK

The Guardian Film Blog on "W" which had it's UK Premiere at the London Film Festival

Women & Hollywood Blog
on Women at the Box Office
PR Media Blog on Sex Surveys
Euan Temple
on The Social Media Classroom
Robert Scoble on Economic Optimism
and finally, Adam Tinworth on his recent visit to Web 2.0 in Berlin

"That's A Funky Camera"

London, UK

........said Hollywood "A-lister" Benecio Del Toro at the London Film Festival last night. He was one of several stars who we managed to catch up with on the final weekend of the London Film Festival

The way to get a good response from stars and celebrities on the red-carpet is this:

a. Try and be original with your questions. Don't just ask "tell me about your character"

b. Don't be afraid to be a little bit provocative from time to time.

c. Ask something about their hobbies, likes or dislikes. They are, after all, human beings like you and me.

Here's the LSQ TV footage from last night for you to enjoy:



Friday, October 24, 2008

How to be a successful blogger

London, UK

Iain Dale explains how to make it as a top blogger. This interview was recorded at the beginning of 2008.

I Wanna London Woman Wife

London, UK

"The beauty about my job is that you never know what happens next" - viewers of my latest showreel will be aware of that comment. And you know something, it's true. Just take a look at this from the Frieze Art Fair last weekend at Regents Park:

How to be a compelling tv presenter

London, UK

Did you see Geoff Burch in action last Tuesday on BBC2? His tv series, All Over The Shop had a viewing audience in the millions. If you missed it, then you have another opportunity to see it here on the BBC iPlayer

Geoff must have really connected with viewers, as his website has been inundated with requests from small businesses asking for help. This proves one thing at least - that his message struck a nerve with many of you.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Penelope Cruz at the London Film Festival

London, UK

Quite jealous of my co-presenter, Rhiannon. She was with the LSQ TV crew who were in Leicester Square for the UK Premiere of Vicky Cristina Barcelona



Sunday, October 19, 2008

Specialist Speakers

London, UK

You maybe interested to know that I'm now doing some blogging for Specialist Speakers. This is the speakers agency who represent Geoff Burch and Iain Dale.

As you will have seen here and at Jeremy Jacobs.com, Geoff Burch has a new tv series which starts this Tuesday, October 21st on BBC2 at 7.30pm. Details of the programme are up at the Specialist Speakers blog here

John Hurt and Paul Greengrass

.........were amongst the stars last night on the fourth day of the London Film Festival. It was great to chat to Paul Greengrass (Dir. Bourne Supremacy, United 93, Bourne Ultimatum)and John Hurt





Others on the red-carpet were Matthew MacFadyen(Incendiary), Sharon Maguire (Dir. Incendiary) and former ITV presenter, Jim Rosenthal.

Here's the LSQ TV footage:



Jeremy is our host for day four of the 52nd BFI London Film Festival. First up is our intro then Les Plages d'Agnès director Agnes Vida (0:16). Next film is Incendiary (4:10), Jim Rosenthal (4:13), Dan Kitwood (7:00), Paul Greengrass (5:56), director Sharon Maguire (8:16), Matthew Macfadyen (10:16). The Class director Laurent Cantet (10:58), John Hurt (12:05), Paul Greengrass response to Incendiary (13:00). Of Time and the City director Terence Davies (14:12), outro (15:30). Russell did camera. Ian handled post.











Joe Craig

London, UK

Here's another piece from the LSQ TV archive. Author Joe Craig is interviewed by me back in April:

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Frieze Art Fair

London, UK

Presenting from the Frieze Art Fair earlier today:

The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival

London, UK

Click here to see the latest LSQ TV footage from the Festival.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Shooting Film Stars

London, UK

Ryan Phillippe, Sam Riley & Eva Green at Franklyn premiere

The LSQ TV "fan-cam" was in attendance for the UK Premiere of Franklyn. Amongst the stars was Eva Green whose been captured on film by LSQ TV on a few occasions over the last year.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Frost/Nixon

London, UK

My co-presenter, Catherine Whale presents Frost/Nixon from the London Film Festival. LSQ TV will be covering the Festival so check back here and the LSQ TV website.



Sir David Frost is at 11.40 and Ron Howard is at 11.49

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Political Speeches

London, UK

Nigel Farage, UKIP leader spoke to a fringe meeting of the Bruges Group at the Conservative Party conference. What do you like about his delivery?



Clearly a conviction politician, Farage comes across as a forceful public speaker but does he engage you?

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Europe's Most Exciting Business Speaker

London, UK

Geoff Burch is one of the best speakers around and I'm delighted he's joining me at Communicate With Clarity on December 2nd.

Geoff has delighted business audiences for years. Here's a taste of what you can expect on December 2nd at Barnet Football Club.



To book your place on December 2nd, enter your details HERE

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Cry me A River - Julie London

London, UK

Many prefer the Ella Fitzgerald version but I like this one

Friday, October 10, 2008

Self Promotion by Vlogging

London, UK

Vlogs can be instructional, funny and entertaining.



I suppose you could say one's presenter showreel is a type of vlog. Perhaps the next version will have a piece to camera from the Northern Line!

This Week's Media Blog Grab

London, UK

FreshNetworks on getting your new on-line community spot-on

Digital TV on Setanta's upcoming Premier League schedule

Becker Posner on Government equity in private companies.

Stuff TV and their take on the new Blackberry

Me on my other site about the recession - what recession?

Nancy at TigerTwoTiger on the power of Bloggers

and finally Ellee Seymour on the Saatchi "trim"

Sunday, October 05, 2008

How to Network Effectively

London, UK


A re-post from 2006.

It's amazing who one can meet when out at networking events!

Sunday, December 03, 2006
"That's another fine mess you've got me into"





One for the album. Me (on the right!) and friend at a BRE do at Watford on Friday night.

The event was superbly organised by Deanne Gold with hubby, Marc.

One of the award winners were Green & Peter. A very good firm of Chartered Accountants!!

Business networking can be fun and you do get to meet loads of new people. I'm usually out at least one night a week. In media in particular, you simply have to plenty of pressing the flesh.

UPDATE

Deanne and Marc Gold are now running a brand new business networking group called Keyconnectors. Visit the Keyconnectors website here

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

How to use a lectern

London, UK

Or do you prefer not to use one when speaking or presenting?

Speaking Coach Lisa Braithwaite posted this article a couple of days ago. I agree with her.