howdopmea.info

Are you worried about giving the perfect speech? Does the thought of having a minor typo on your Power Point slides or saying, “Uhm” once or twice, terrify you?

Don’t worry. You do not have to be perfect from a “speech contest” point of view, in order to make a positive impact on most audiences. Instead, think about the best speakers you have seen. What impresses you about them?

Usually, the best speakers are passionate and care deeply about their message. They may not be technically perfect in their delivery. But, it does not matter. Their passion and connection to the audience makes the difference.

Focus on your message, not your mechanics:

I have studied presentation skills for the past 20 years. I have learned dozens of great techniques. But, I got trapped into trying to be “technically perfect.” I worried about using the perfect gesture or Power Point slide rather than focusing on my message. I became too mechanical. I looked wooden on stage.

I needed to focus on my “message”, not my “mechanics.” Once I started focusing on my audience members, I was more passionate and had greater impact.

Your message is what counts:

Your message is more important than being technically proficient from a “speech contest” viewpoint. What is your message? Why is it important for your audience to hear it? Why are you the best one to deliver this message? Once you answer these questions, your passion will shine through to your audience.

Make a connection with your audience:

One of the most important skills I teach in my “Delivering Persuasive Presentations” seminar is how to connect with an audience. Your passion shows in your eye contact, voice and body language.

Don’t read from a script. Instead, talk to your audience. Don’t hide behind a podium. Instead, step in front of the podium and connect with your listeners. The more passion you show, the more you will connect with your audience.

Go to as many training courses as possible. Learn new skills. Practice your techniques ahead of time so they become second nature to you. Then in front of a group, deliver your message with passion!

Remember, “You don’t have to be perfect to have an impact!”

© 2008 Reflective Keynotes Inc., Toronto, Canada

Everyone dreams about leaving the daily grind and their nine to five jobs behind in favor of a home bases online business. You may be one of the many who is thinking about this day in and day out, but the problem lies in knowing how to get started. Before you can have a successful online business you do in fact have to start one and knowing the process of doing so will help you realize your eventual dream of being self-employed.

There are number of steps that should be taken in order to start your home business online. Here are some steps you will need to complete in order to get your business rolling:

1. Decide what you want to do: How do you propose to make a living online? While there are many avenues that you can take you must first decide what you will do in order to know where to go. For example, if you decide you are going to start a business selling items online you need to decide whether or not you will have a website to sell your items, sell on eBay, or do a combination of both. But again, you need to first determine your plan for a business.

2. Decide to incorporate or not: Depending on the business you set up you may want to incorporate as a C Corp or an S Corp. Then again you may want to stay as a sole proprietor. Whatever you decide, you do have to pick something. The best thing to do when making this decision is to make an appointment with your accountant and have them explain to you the pros and cons for each in regards to the business you are planning on opening up online.

3. Find out about licensing: With whatever business you decide to do online you will more than likely at least need to obtain an occupational license. Furthermore you may have to get licenses specific to your state or even your county and city. There may even be additional licenses that are required by the industry in which you will be participating in accordance to the law. The point is you need to find out what licenses you will have to obtain in order to do legitimate business online.

4. Promote Yourself: The last step in staring your home business online is to promote yourself and let it be known by all that you are coming out of the gates with thunder. It isn’t enough to just have a plan, but you also need to let others know that you are out there and let them know exactly what it is that you will have to offer them.

While working for yourself is probably the most rewarding job of all, if not started properly you can be in for a big disappointment. By taking the appropriate steps to start the business off the right way you too can be up and running with a home business conducted online that will allow you to leave the rat race far in your rear view mirror.