How To Do 10 Presentations in 10 Days - Part One

How To Do 10 Presentations in 10 Days - Part One
By Thomas Murrell MBA, CSP International Business Speaker

I'm a big fan of the formula: Visibility + Credibility = Profitability.

Giving a speech is one of the best ways of implementing this formula.

I set myself the personal goal of giving 10 presentations in 10 days and getting my name, face, brand and message in front of as many people as possible.

I also tried to give the speeches in as many different contexts as possible.

I also tried many different types of methodology - as a personal stretch.

By writing this article, I'm not trying to IMPRESS you, but EXPRESS to you that there are many ways to give a speech and lots of opportunities available.

Here are my insights into what I did and how you can achieve the same success for your career, business and life.

1. Run a Public Workshop

Day 1 - was to run a half day Master Class on Writing and Pitching Winning Media Releases.
Methodology - Seminar Style Training.
Outcomes - Skills transfer to small group.
Key Learnings - to run a public workshop on your own is an easy way to get in front of an audience. What you need: Good venue, catering, good content, value for money, take away materials and a distribution list to market to. I've been running public seminars for the past 12 years. The hardest step - deciding to run the first one!
ACTION: What topic could you run a public workshop on and do you have a database to market to?

2. Give A Celebration Speech

Day 2 - was to give a five minute speech at a graduation ceremony for MBA and Masters Graduates from the University of Western Australia Business School. Large and influential audience. Pressure to perform - high expectations from audience (especially those graduating and event organisers)!
Methodology - Motivational/Inspirational/Celebration Keynote
Outcomes - Recognise and acknowledge the hard work, achievements and success of graduates.
Key Learnings - giving a five-minute speech is the hardest in terms of duration. It is easier to present for two-days compared to five minutes. Every word has to count.
ACTION: Use relevant and meaningful personal stories (because I've been there before as an MBA graduate) to build emotional connection with the audience. Structure is critical! Be positive and upbeat - smile a lot and enjoy the moment. It is about the audience not the speaker.

3. Run a Seminar for An Industry Association

Day 3 - was to run a half day workshop for an Industry Association
Methodology - Seminar Style Training
Outcomes - Skills transfer to small group
Key Learnings - leverage off the existing database and relationship the industry organisation has with its members. What you need: Exceptional content, outstanding delivery, take away materials and a strong personal brand in the marketplace. Remember the industry association is risking their reputation and relationship with their members based on your abilities. You better be good. Get good by practising on more forgiving audiences such as Rotary before you take the risk with Industry Associations. Do some shorter "teaser" presentations to build visibility and write some articles for their newsletter to get known and create interest.
ACTION: What industry associations are you a member of where you could give a speech?

4. Present To A Not for Profit Group

Day 4 - was to give a ten minute speech at the AGM of a not for profit group I've just become Chairman of.
Methodology - Motivational/Inspirational/Forward looking Keynote
Outcomes - Recognise and acknowledge the hard work, achievements and success of the previous Chair and other volunteer committee members. Present outcomes from Board's strategic planning process and way forward.
Key Learnings - giving a ten-minute speech is still a challenge in terms of duration.
ACTION: Structure is critical! Be warm and friendly. Strong opening and closing. Clear call to action.

5. Be Part of An Industry Panel

Day 5 - was to give a five minute scene setting speech at an industry panel and then take part in a moderated panel forum discussion.
Methodology - Good panellists need to be Thought Provoking/Opinionated/Bounce Off Other Panel Members
Outcomes - Research and deliver three key industry trends that relate to theme of panel discussion. Use concrete case studies, facts and research to back up views.
Key Learnings - being a panellist involves less effort and stress than giving a speech. High impact and high return on investment for effort.
ACTION: Build content expertise and profile so event managers putting together panel discussions consider you as a "thought leader". Make sure you capture the moment and gather a testimonial (see The Buzz section below). Use LinkedIn as a simple way to capture and share testimonials.
Note to self: I'd forgotten how much fun it is to be a panellist, I should do more of these.

In the next edition, How To Do 10 Presentations in 10 Days - Part Two

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