darren lacroix

Sit down with Darren and Michael Davis as they cover what it really takes to make an event flow, the MC. Michael is not only a speaker and a TEDx Coach, he has been MCing Lady and the Champs and Game Changers for over a decade. 

Unforgettable events have unforgettable MCs. World-class MCs have skillsets that many do not even think about. Whether you want to be an MC, speaking at a large event or running one, get a deeper understanding of the role they play. It is critical to the success of the event.

SNIPPETS: 

• The critical skills of listening and improv?

• Transition from one speaker to the next

• MCs can get paid really well

• It’s a true team effort

• Two-way communication is critical

• The greatest compliment for Ford Saeks

• What did Patricia Fripp say about Michael Davis?

• Confidence comes from experience

• Virtual MC?

• The virtual proximity effect

Check out Game Changers:

https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/workshops/game-changers/

Use Ford’s Discount Code: Michael25

In addition to being part of speaking communities, we, as presenters belong to professional, social, charitable, faith-based, and other communities. Today Mark and Darren discuss the power of community, examining the ways that communities make us grow…and change. They offer advice on collaborating with your community, growing your community, and even leaving your community. Using Stage Time University, Toastmasters International, and the National Speakers Association as examples, they show benefits and blessings of being in community with like-minded people and reveal how community has helped them to prepare unforgettable presentations.

SNIPPETS:

• Community helps change perspective

• Choose your community

• Use your community

• Serve your community

• Build your community

• Don’t be abused by your community, if you must leave, do so with grace

• Protect your community

• Don’t think NETWORKING; think NETSERVING

• Is your community helping or harming you

• Take inventory of your communities

Virtual presentations are now commonplace and it’s easy to assume, “I’ve done quite a few of these and I’m good!” Today Darren and Mark share reminders of how FLOW, FOCUS and PACE ELEMENTS can make a significant difference in your virtual presentation…especially since distractions can be continuous and abundant.

SNIPPETS:

• Check your studio setup…especially what’s behind you

• Re-evaluate every aspect of your virtual presentation

• To maintain FLOW, it’s wise to have a producer, co-host, or co-presenter

• Be aware of the difference between a co-host, and a co-presenter

• Establish key toles up front

• Create smooth handoffs

• To maintain audience FOCUS, make slides simple and clear, 1 slide, 1 point

• Use PACE ELEMENTS to keep your audience engaged

• Use client’s language to solidify your connection

The story is arguably a presenter’s most potent tool. While it’s important to tell stories well, it is equally…if not significantly more important to transport your audience into the story. As Mark and Darren explain today, the key is to have CONGRUENT CHARACTERS, whose emotions are congruent with the emotion that they feel in the story. They share why many presenters fall short in this area and offer solid suggestions for using body language for greater emotional impact.

SNIPPETS:

• Let your audience feel the emotion of the characters

• Don’t elicit confusion

• In your script add ‘before’ and ‘after’ emotions in parentheses

• Your eyes should change when the emotion changes

• Emotional shifts are unclear without a character’s baseline emotion

• Leave your emotional baseline when you embody a character

• Record video, playback muted, ask a friend to identify the emotion

• Be congruent to connect

“I thought you would come out with more ENERGY!” Imagine hearing THAT from a meeting planner! (Ask Darren!) He and Mark talk about matching the audience’s energy as they share techniques for connecting quickly and delivering an unforgettable experience.

SNIPPETS:

• Read the room and match the energy

• Always connect first

• Research the audience; learn what is top of mind for them

• Arrive hours or days early and have conversations in the corridor

• Keep your finger on the pulse of the event

• Avoid get caught thinking, “I didn’t see THAT coming!”

• Avoid starting with energy too low or too high

• Look at the audience as you speak and check their body language

• See the audience’s perspective

Mental Health. Suicide. Comedy. Those topics don’t seem to flow seamlessly together…unless you’re talking with 10-time TEDx speaker and comedian Frank King. Darren and Mark have a heart-to-heart with Frank, as he reveals his techniques for addressing such a tough topic, including vulnerability and humor. He also shares sage advice for securing, preparing and presenting TEDx talks. This powerful conversation delivers emotional and inspirational information that will help you to deliver an unforgettable presentation.

SNIPPETS:

• Find your idea worth spreading

• Avoid bringing too many ideas

• Don’t say too much about too many ideas

• Sell your idea in 90 seconds or fewer

• Be passionate about your idea

• Your title and subtitle must contain a ‘hook’

• Stand in your truth

• You can’t be inspiring if you aren’t inspired

• Use funny, personal stories instead of jokes

• Making people laugh prepares them for your next serious point

Your presentation is over, you’ve delivered great content, and you’ve served your audience well. But is there a way to add value IMMEDIATELY? Darren and Mark discuss the concept of CORRIDOR CONVERSATIONS…how getting an audience to continue engaging and interacting with each other can provide added benefit.

SNIPPETS:

• Ignite corridor conversations

• Use stories as conversation-starters

• Invite attendees to ask: What’s the problem, and what story has the solution?

• Create questions that spark conversation

• Hang around to gauge the impact

• Debrief corridor conversations in your post-event call

• Arrive a day early to learn what questions will spark conversation

• Add stimulating questions to a slide

• Follow up before the end of the event when you can

“To be unforgettable, you must have calluses on your head and your hands.” So says Dr. Jeff Magee, one of the world’s foremost leadership and marketing strategists. In a brutally honest conversation with Mark and Darren, Dr. Magee opens his treasure trove of wisdom and passionately reinforces the value of solid content.

SNIPPETS:

• People pay for your wisdom

• Make sure your content stands up

• What are your calluses on your head and your hands?

• Play the student

• Ask: “How can I become better?”

• Knowledge isn’t enough; learn the craft of rhetoric and speaking

• Your presentations come from your history; search your mind’s archives

• How will your audience be different on Monday morning?

• Make time to think

• Provide content that meets people where they are mentally

No two audiences are alike, so how can you ensure that you connect with every audience, especially when you deliver the same presentation frequently? Darren and Mark share personal experiences as they talk about ways to connect with every unique audience, keep your presentation fresh, and get glowing testimonials.

SNIPPETS:

• Every audience is different

• We are 100% responsible for our connection with the audience

• Interview audience members in advance

• Identify  and honor the company’s ‘patriarch’ and ‘matriarch’

• Identify and edify NEW employees and team-members

• Invest extra effort to find out what resonates with each audience

• If you’re not connected your audience feels neglected

• Stay connected; you won’t be rejected

Did you know that there are world class techniques embedded in the structure of speeches and stories? Today Mark and Darren discuss several of these techniques, which, when applied, can make your next presentation unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Never devalue the power of a well-told story

• Assign names to your characters

• Provide at least one physical characteristic

• Give the audience a reason to emotionally connect with the main character

• Show characters’ ‘BEFORE’ condition (body language, emotion, demeanor)

• Make the main character ‘likeable’

• Apply the ’Rooting Principle’ – make the audience WANT to support them

• Show the character ‘AFTER the Disaster’

• You don’t need expert feedback to understand emotional impact

After your presentation, an audience member tells you that you said something that offended them. What should you do? What should you say?

In a candid, vulnerable conversation, Mark and Darren hear first-hand from speaker, business leader, entrepreneur and grandma Margaret Page as she shares her faux pas, and her journey to redemption. Margaret offers sage advice to help any presenter avoid offending their audience, and to recover if they do.  

SNIPPETS:

• If you offend, don’t make excuses

• Listen to your audience

• Don’t place blame elsewhere

• Accept responsibility

• Learn from the experience

• Make amends. Ask “How can I make it right?”

• See through your audience’s eyes

• Learn taboo topics and be open to diverse life experiences

• Look for commonalities, but never disregard cultural differences

• What would a leader do? Be a role model

Unforgettable presentations have FOUR basic, core elements and today Darren and Mark drill down on CORE 3: HUMOR and CORE 4: DELIVERY. Learn how to use humor well and deliver with impact…to be unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Humor is a key to engagement; they work together

• The problem is funny; the solution is serious

• Find the audience’s frustration

• Comedy cuts down; humor lifts up

• Use appropriate humor

• Intention is part of delivery

• If you’re in your head, your emotions are dead

• Take your time at key moments.

• Pause to let the audience reflect

• Bring your personality to every presentation

Unforgettable presentations have basic, core elements that help to make them unforgettable. Today Darren and Mark discuss CORE 1: CONTENT & STRUCTURE as well as CORE 2: STORIES. Their principles will set you on the path to delivering your unforgettable presentation.

SNIPPETS:

• The CORE 4 lay the foundation of your presentation

• Use a strong structure on which to hang your presentation

• Strong structure makes your presentation digestible and unforgettable

• Choose content that serves the audience best

• Visuals and stage use should reinforce your presentation’s structure

• Stories are the heartbeat of your presentation

• Stories should pique curiosity

• Stories must elicit emotion

• Stories should include emotional shifts

• Well-told stories deliver ‘moments’ in your presentation

Does a speaker need more than one coach? Can a speaker have too many coaches? What if I know several equally qualified coaches; should I use them all? In this episode, Darren and Mark tackle this thorny issue and offer specific guidance on coach selection…to help you deliver your unforgettable presentation.

SNIPPETS:

• Pick ONE coach

• Choose a coach who understands your backstory

• Choose a coach who appreciates your style

• Be careful who you listen to

• Equally qualified coaches can give conflicting advice  

• Each coach has their own ninja skill

• If you select a team of coaches, decide on your head coach

• You are the CEO of your speech

• Bring suggestions to your head coach and trust them to guide you

What makes a pro SHINE? Today Mark and Darren identify three techniques that true pros use to be unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Engage the audience instantly

• Stand out before you even say a word

• Be fully present

• The first second and a half is critical

• Note cards are not a liability  

• Don’t be concerned about perfection

• Love the audience, love the moment

• Work the room in your style

• Do what you must to hit your points and serve your audience

• Sit in audience seats beforehand to get their perspective

Stories can greatly enhance any presentation but they can be confusing if characters aren’t clearly identified. In today’s discussion, Darren and Mark explore the value of naming characters and they offer ideas for making your characters unforgettable.

SNIPPETS:

• Name every character for clarity

• Allow the audience to see the characters

• Avoid giving two characters similar names (Jane, Jean, Joan)

• Give a physical and characteristic and a personal trait

• Amalgamate characters for simplicity  

• Tell the emotional truth

• Use adjective names to describe characters (Patty Party Pooper)

• In conversation, let the characters address each other by name

Imagine hearing a presenter and thinking, “They remind me of Tony Robbins and Les Brown. The perfect Motivational Speaker!” Then you meet them in the hallway and they sound ‘normal’…as if they turned off their ‘speaker voice.’

In this episode, Mark and Darren discuss authenticity and pose the challenging question: Are YOU ‘Super Speaker?’

SNIPPETS:

• Be yourself. Bring your personality to every presentation

• If your assignment warrants a dramatic voice, then use it.

• No need to try being the ULTIMATE EXPERT

• Your audience is already there and they want to hear YOU

• Record and watch yourself on video

• Do a gut check and assess yourself

• Avoid the risk of seeming disingenuous

• Authenticity + Vulnerability = Credibility

“But it’s some of my FAVORITE MATERIAL!”  

We want to give our audiences ALL our wisdom and experiences. But that’s not always the best decision. Today Darren and Mark expound on three reasons why our favorite material must sometimes end up on ‘THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR.’

SNIPPETS:

• Your stories, anecdotes and references must serve your ‘PREMISE PURPOSE’

• The WEIGHT of your story may be heavier than your message

• Your content shouldn’t overshadow your premise

• Consider the RELEVANCE to your audience

• Your liking a story doesn’t mean the audience will

• If a story is too long for the allotted time, you may need to cut it

• Store Cutting Room Floor material in your Story Folder for later

• You can use Cutting Room Floor material to create handouts

• Test your content

Should we tell our most painful stories…the ones that take us to The Dark Place? Today Darren and Mark have a serious conversation about this touchy subject and offer solid advice about when to go to your Dark Place.

SNIPPETS:

• Your message is a MESS with AGE

• You must be able to laugh about your struggle before you can talk about it.

• Don’t abuse the privilege of the platform

• Your Dark Place story shouldn’t overtake your speech

• Go to your dark place when it’s appropriate and effective

• There may be value in going to your Dark Place

• Cushion the setup of your Dark Place story

• Be sure you can find your way back

• Be sure you have healed before going to your Dark Place

AI is everywhere. How can presenters use AI as a tool, without diminishing their expertise? Today Darren and Mark offer THREE specific ways that presenters can use AI advantageously.

SNIPPETS:

• Think of AI as an intern

• Speakers who don’t use AI could be replaced by AI

• Use AI to create ‘sticky’ phrases

• Use prompts to get the options you need

• The more specific the prompts, the better the results

• Meeting planners respond to catchy presentation titles

• AI can help you to customize your speech to serve different demographics

• AI can give good feedback, but will never replace a qualified coach