####################################################### Simply Speaking...Selling Yourself & Your Ideas E-Zine Volume 8, October, 2005 Published by Lenny Laskowski Copyright LJL Seminars(tm), 2005 All Rights Reserved ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LJL Seminars (tm) (203)375-5617 or Toll Free 1-800-606-4855 Fax: (800) 743-3314 www.ljlseminars.com ------------------------------------------------------- This E-Zine meets the requirements of the "Can Spam Act of 2003" (S.877), passed by President Bush on December 16, 2003 ------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: You are receiving this E-Zine because you have subscribed via our website or by email. If you did not subscribe, removal instructions can be found at the end of this newsletter. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ How to Prepare for the Unexpected from my National Best Selling Book "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" (Chapter 6 - page 144-145) Copyright, Lenny Laskowski ------------------------------------------------- Expect the Unexpected There comes a time when you have out your heart and soul into prepraring your presentation. You have spent hours, if not days, making sure you have reviewed all your notes, visual aids, and gestures and verified that the room in which you will be giving your presentation is reserved. However, when you arrive at the location, you find that something is wrong with the room, the equipment, or both. Preparing for the unexpected, such as your slides falling in a puddle or drawing a complete blank just as you step up to the lectern, is the focus on my next few "Simply Speaking...Selling Yourself & Your Ideas" issues. I will provide you with tips and ad libs to use when you find yourself in trouble. Furthermore, I will share secrets that professional speakers, trainers, and entertainers use to get themselves out of a jam. These ideas and suggestions will work only if you plan for them beforehand and practice how to handle them. The more you anticipate problems ahead of time, the better prepared you are if they should happen. And believe me, there will come a time when something will creep up on you before or during your presentation. Worrying about these situations leads to speaking anxiety, nervousness, and a lack of self-confidence; however, if you accept the fact that problems happen, you can better prepare yourself for the unexpected. How to prepare for the unexpected Novice speakers believe that their presentation needs to be perfect or the audience will not respect them. This belief couldn't be further from the truth. Audiences, by nature, want you to succeed and are willing to help make it happen. Let's look at some classic problems that many speakers (including myself) have experienced, such as problems with microphones, PA systems, overhead projectors, slide projectors, etc. In addition, over the next few issues I will discuss real-life situations that have occurred for many professional speakers and offer solutions to prevent, or at least minimize, these problems. Microphone Problems Today speakers use several different types of microphones, and each takes practice to learn how to use properly. For instance, holding a microphone in your hand while speaking is different from speaking into a microphone attached to the lectern. Problem #1 - The microphone goes dead in the middle of your presentation. Solution: In the event your microphone goes dead in the middle of your presentation, and you don't have a spare, turn off the microphone. Apologize to the audience. Then walk out to where the audience is sitting so they can hear you and make sure you project your voice to the back of the room. When you reach a breaking point in your speech, stop and see if you can locate another microphone. Problem #2 - Distortion problem. This includes problems such as popping noises - sounds caused by your mouth when say words that begin with the letter p. Solution: Move your mouth farther away from the microphone and turn your head away slightly. If you are using a wireless microphone, adjust it by moving it to another location near you. NEXT ISSUE: I will be discussing Visual Aid / Media Problems ***************************************************************** ++++++++++++++++ S - P - E - C - I - A - L ++++++++++++++++++++ ***************************************************************** OCTOBER 2005 SPECIAL - 50% off all products if you order today! Order ANY Of our Special Discount Packages, or any of our CD products or product bundles by Midnight (EST),October 15 and I will knock off 50% off the total order. Order by this Friday, October 7, 2005 and I will also include, ABSOLUTELY FREE, a copy of my book, "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking PLUS the companion MEM-Cards". This is an additional $ 20.00 savings. We accept ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS! To get the 50% special rate, you MUST enter "50 PERCENT" in the Special Discount Code box at the bottom of the order form. Below is a link to our on-line catalog. ++++++++++++++++ S - P - E - C - I - A - L ++++++++++++++++++++ Lenny's book, "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" is currently on the National Best Seller List for Non-fiction books and is the hottest selling book on Amazon.com for public speaking. It has now entered its 5th printing! To own your own copy today by take the link below: The book is also available as an Audiobook. Click on the link below: Lenny's book is now available as Mem-Cards: - An exciting deck of 28 cards which provide the key nuggets from Lenny's book. To order a set of these exciting cards, Click on the link below: --------------------------------------------------------------- Until next issue! - Lenny Laskowski :-)