8 Tips for Better Virtual Presentations

Presentation skills are important for a successful career.  You are always judged by how you speak and share ideas.  Being able to clearly and concisely get your point across with confidence is necessary if you want to be viewed as an expert.

Presentations, however, are not limited to live in-person gatherings.  Most assume these skills are for "giving a speech" at an internal meeting or industry conference.  But in today's world there are countless virtual meetings that require professionals to join the conversation.  Stumbling on a teleconference or webinar can damage your reputation.

Knowing how to present is critical no matter if you have five minutes or forty-five minutes.  Do not assume that a short talk on a call is less important.  You need to plan for all presentations... even those that are impromptu.

When delivering a virtual presentation, to your peers or as part of an larger meeting, you need to follow many of the same tips for live presentations:

1.  Be prepared.  Winging it is a common cause for missed opportunity in delivering a presentation.  People often assume they know their information, and just begin to talk aimlessly.  It is easy to sound disorganized, especially when you are not in the same room.  People's minds fill in the blanks for what they cannot see, and your rambling on the phone can quickly cause the listeners to lose interest.  If presenting on video your lack of preparation can be magnified.

2.  Keep it simple.  A virtual presentation is usually not the place for complicated theories and explanations.  People already have short attention spans, and that can be magnified when listening to a webinar or teleconference.  

3.  Energy.  Be yourself, but your most energetic self. When there is excitement in your voice, the people on the other end will pick up on that.  Nobody want to be on a call with someone drones on without inflection in their voice.  If on a phone call, standing up and moving around while you speak is a great way to raise your energy level.  Having energy will show itself in a good pace in your voice.  

4.  Tell stories.  4000 years ago our ancestors did not sit around the camp fire and read statistics and share information by spreadsheets.  They told stories.  People are wired to learn and connect by hearing a story.  Make sure that the points you are making are anchored with meaningful stories.

5.  Smile.  There have been studies done with telemarketers, and those who smile while they talk are more connective to the people on the other end of the phone.  I do not know why, but your smile comes through in your voice.  Telemarketing firms actually put mirrors in the cubicles so that those making calls can see themselves smile.  

6.  Test your equipment in advance.   If speaking on a cell phone, make sure your battery is charged and that you have good receptions.  You also want to ensure that you are in a quiet room, as background noise can ruin your presentation.  If using an online connection for a webinar, make sure that you have uploaded all the needed software and that you have the most recent versions.  You do not want any technical difficulties that can be avoided.

7.  Don't tell a joke.  If you are not a professional comedian, avoid telling jokes.  The age old thought that a joke will soften your audience is bad advice.  Telling a joke live is risky, it is even worse in a virtual environment.  If the joke falls flat you many never recover.  You also have to remember that many of the calls you participate in could involve an international audience, and jokes do not always translate.  Humor is a good idea, but canned jokes should be avoided.

8.  Do not dress like a slob.  This one is for webinars.  If the camera is on you, do not show up looking like a mess.  Even if your company is "casual", if you work from home and look like you have not showered in days, it will distract from your presentation.

In our ever-changing business world we are all going to have more opportunities to present in a virtual manner.  Do not overlook the power of how you present, be it in person, on the phone, or web.  You are judged by how you communicate.  Take the virtual presentations seriously and you will find more opportunities!

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

*** I now teach a corporate seminar for groups of 10 or more employees on how to communicate in virtual meetings.  For more information contact me at 512-970-0398.

To Heck With New Years Resolutions - Set Clear Goals Every Month!

There are mixed opinions on the practice of setting annual goals or creating "New Year's Resolutions".  Some people achieve great results from mapping out a plan for their year, others feel that it is a recipe for failure.

I have long been a goal setter and each January I come up with a list of targets and a theme for areas of improvement for the year.  Sometimes I have meet my goals, other years I have come up short.  Either way, I find the process of creating targets and using them to assist in my decision making process over 12 months has  helped me advance my career.

The problem for many is that the new year only comes once.  If you fail to coordinate a realistic and actionable plan by the first few weeks of the year, the odds are that you will not do it at all.  Plus, the best conceived plans can easily get derailed by the realities of life (we all get busy).  Far too often when little gets accomplished, the whole plan is abandoned by Memorial Day.  I am writing this post with five months of 2012 already behind us, and many I talk with feel they have been working hard, but they have not capitalized on all their opportunities.  Time is slipping past.

I am also finding that everyone, including myself, is falling prey to shorter attention spans.  A year just seems so long, who can pay attention in January to results for December?

I have begun working with select coaching and consulting clients on creating more short term goal plans (for an individual or company), and then helping them have a laser focus on taking action.  With a whole year to get the ball rolling, it is easy to procrastinate.  With only a few weeks, there is only now. Success or failure depends on today.

The "New Month Resolution" is a term some use to describe this process. The purpose is to create one or two intense goals that require immediate action and can be accomplished in 30 days.  Think of it as the "Twitter of Goal Setting" (short bursts of goals).  Much like Twitter limits the user to 140 characters, this process limits the goal setter to two things they must do by the end of the month.  Yes, other things can be accomplished, but these two goals are a defined priority.

Most people struggle at first to figure out what they should select as a month goal, but after the first month or two it becomes simple to identify what needs to be accomplished to see meaningful results.  Sales professionals often need to set goal on making calls to more prospects, as this is the life blood to their success, but easily skipped when busywork is created.  Entrepreneurs tell me it is the marketing and branding activities they need help getting done.  Attorneys find it is their networking and reputation building that gets forgotten when they are serving existing clients.

Ask yourself these questions:

1.  What do I know I should be doing that I never seem to get done?
2.  Why am I not doing the things that will help me succeed?
3.  If I did this, what would be the short and long term results?
4.  What are the obstacles, real or imagined, that are in my way?
5.  Can I get this done in 30 days?  If not, what part can I get done in 30 days?
6.  Do I really want the success?
7.  Will I take action, or is this just a dumb exercise?

To be successful you must have an accountability partner.  This can be your paid business coach, consultant, mentor, friend or co-worker, but the person must be reported to regularly and they cannot let you slide for lack of action.

Try it for the month of June.  What are two things you know you should do to get closer to your own long term success, but never seem to take action?  Get a coach or friend to help you define the actions needed, and then get rid of all the excuses.  Take action.  June 30th will be here fast.  No time to dilly dally.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Stay You

The Holiday Inn hotel chain is running a national advertising campaign with the slogan "Stay You" (playing off the word "stay" as meaning both remaining and as a hotel visit).  This blog post has nothing to do with the pros or cons of choosing your lodging..... but we all need the reminder from time to time of "be TRUE to yourself".

"Staying you" is important, and there is often a lot of pressure to the contrary.  In my profession as a motivational and educational speaker and trainer I often see many of my peers who build their presentations around a "SCHTICK", or preach values they do not live by on a day to day basis.  Many are proud of the personas and gimmicks they wear like a costume when doing their jobs.  They are being actors, not speakers.

The best compliment I ever received was from a friend who saw me present at a conference.  After the speech he walked up and said "wow, you have created a job where you just get to stand up and be 'Thom'".  He had known me for a long time and felt that my style was authentic to my soul.  His words have stayed with me for years as I have expanded and grown my business.... I try to make sure I stay "me".

In all professions people feel the need to forward a facade.  But there is no reason for not being true to yourself.  Most of the successful people I know are very comfortable in their own skin.  They are confident in their experience, beliefs and abilities.  The best among us are often aware of their faults and are not trying to disguise their short-comings.

Take a minute to think about this post and share it with others.  Are you staying you?

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Law Firm Partner Retreat Speaker

If your law firms is seeking an educational and motivational speaker who will inspire your team and create meaningful conversation on how to navigate growth in your business community.... look no further.


My experience in business, marketing, coaching and consulting includes considerable time working with attorneys.  I worked inside two AM LAW 100 firms in marketing and business development roles, and since launching my consulting and speaking business I have worked with hundreds of lawyers.


Law schools do not teach basic business skills, causing many to mistakenly assume that marketing is not important to a successful practice.  Understanding how  to create a personal brand, network, sell their services, and present themselves to the community can seem "easy", but are frustrating to many lawyers who would prefer to do good work and serve interesting clients.


I will engage the partners and associates in your firm in a way that many have never experienced.  Challenging how they have looked at the power of business relationships, I will leave them better situated to grow their reputation and discover more business opportunities.


More information at www.ThomSinger.com.  (512) 970-0398.  thom (at) thomsinger.com.


Have A Great Day.


thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do - Chad Goldwasser's "Rock 'n' Restock" Benefit Concert

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their work and personal lives.  

Chad Goldwasser and Goldwasser Real Estate are hosting the 9th Annual "Rock 'n' Restock" Concert (Benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank) on Friday, June 22, 2012. (7Pm at the Zilker Clubhouse in Austin, Texas).

Chad, one of the country's most successful real estate brokers, has a huge love of live music.  Nearly a decade ago he began producing this annual concert to take his passion for cool bands and turn it into something that can help the greater community.

I have attended the event for several years, and not only is there always great music (This year featuring Quiet Company and Matt the Electrician), but it is also fun to see Chad both host the event and revel in the fun.

Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.RockNRestock.com.

***Note, Chad is also my co-author for the book "Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Real Estate"

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Conferences Deserve New Ideas - 6 Ways To Put A Spark Into Your Next Event

Conferences matter.  Since the beginning of time man has congregated to celebrate, learn, share ideas and socialize.  The advent of social media does not replace the human desire to be part of a community.  Even the recent years of recession could not stop the most desirable conferences from growing (SXSW exploded from 2009 to 2012).  People want to come together, and when a meeting has impact.... they come back year after year (and bring their friends!).

Some have argued that traditional live meetings are "old school" and have outlived their usefulness, but I disagree.  Boring live meetings that are not challenging the experience of attendees are the problem.  In a recent conversation with an association executive in charge of a large convention, she said "While our numbers are dropping, our board is not ready to try anything new this year".  If not now, when?

We do not need to fully re-invent the structure of meetings.  Venue space, hotel rooms, and other human needs dictate some of the formatting of conferences.  But that does not mean the agenda must look the same every year (fill in the blank conferences) or need to be the same as every other event (cookie-cutter conferences).

Mini-societies are created when people attend an event.  The people in these societies deserve a fresh approach. In fact, many are demanding a new experience, and if they are not getting it they are not returning.  Those who organize conferences and make the final decisions must be willing to try new things in order to discover the opportunity to make people say "wow".

Here are six ideas to consider when looking to create a fresh experience at a conference:

1.  Try new formats.  Do not make every keynote and breakout the same length or even the same format as the others.  In this I suggest more than some with a speaker, and others with a panel.  The2011 and 2012 PCMA Annual Conferences had an entire ball room dedicated to alternative learning styles, small round-table conversations, and hands on learning.  Their "Learning Lounge" was unique, and is being immolated (not copied) by several other associations.

2.  Have shorter speeches (with more discussion time).  The popularity of TED has made the 18 minute presentation very popular.  But that alone does not guarantee a good talk.  Be sure that the speakers are experienced with this format and give people time to talk with each other about the topics they heard about.

3.  Have longer speeches (that are interactive).  Not everything can be communicated in 18 minutes.  Sometimes you need to have master-class sessions that are several hours long.  Be sure the speakers are energetic and interactive, as nobody wants three hours of "blah".  But the right topic and teacher can make time fly in a long format breakout.

4.  Hire speakers with unexpected topics.  Too often planners are nervous about topics that do not match directly with what the audience might expect at a conference.  However, some of the best attended breakouts at technical conferences can be the "soft-skills" topics.  Do not be shy about keynotes that do not seem to be a fit, as a variety of information is what challenges the mind to find the connections.

5.  Host unique meal gatherings.  Look for ways to make the happy hours and meals different.  The 2012 TEDx Austin event had five different restaurants cater lunch and had 5 unique "restaurants" set up in the dining area.  Attendees were pre-assigned an area, and it was a the most unique dining experience I have ever witnessed at a conference.

6.  Host unique off-sites.  Get the attendees away from the meeting venue for an educational or social adventure.  This is more than just hosting a party at another venue, but instead taking everyone on a hike to a picnic or some other un-expected but engaging activity.  Remember to take into consideration people with special needs, so that they are not excluded from participation!

7.  Give people something extra.  If you tell them there will be six ideas, make it seven.  People love a bonus, and when your event delivers more than they expected they will feel great about it!

Trying something new involves a risk.  It might not work out the way you had hoped, or could not be well received by your attendees.  But no risk means no reward.  If you do not make an attempt, then you are promising people a routine experience.  Those who are scared to take action are telling their attendees they do not deserve "wow", but instead are destine for "blah".  Everyone deserves WOW!.

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Thom Singer is known as "The Conference Catalyst". He works with meeting planners and conference organizers to set the tone for a meeting. His presentations educate, inspire and motivate attendees to engage deeper in the event and make meaningful connections.  http://www.conferencecatalyst.com 

www.ConferenceCatalyst.com

Book For Graduates - FREE ON KINDLE THIS WEEK

My publishing company, New Year Publishing, is hosting a promotional deal with Amazon.com which allows you to download a free copy of "Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Graduates" FREE on Kindle.  This offer is good for Monday and Tuesday only (May 21 and May 22, 2012).


The book is a perfect for anyone who is about to graduate from college (or recently graduated in the past few years), as networking skills are essential over a lifetime.  The job market is still tight and recent grads are concerned with finding their first job or making a move to a more fulfilling career.


If you have a Kindle, jump over to Amazon.com and get this book (and enjoy reading it!!!).  If you know any college students, new grads, or others.... send them the link!!!


Parents with recent grads should definitely want their kids to read this book!


Everyone likes FREE STUFF -- Especially when it is this book!!!


Have A Great Day.


thom singer

Facebook Is A Tool (But How Long Until It Is Yesterday's News?)

Facebook went public on May 18, 2012 (Yesterday).

Mark Zuckerberg and others with stock options certainly had a life changing event, but overall nothing changed for most of the world. Yes, his company has had a huge impact over the past few years, but where will it find itself in when this week is in the history books?

In our social media crazy world the tools are changing all the time.  Today Facebook is on top, but will they remain a leader or will some other entrepreneurs come up with a new-new thing that will make us forget Facebook?  When Netscape went public in 1995 it set off the boom that changed Silicon Valley and made the internet a household utility, but it did not last forever (not long at all in the big picture).

Our society loves social media tools, and Facebook is one of the leaders.  But social media does not replace or recreate human-to-human relationships.  It is simply a tool.  New tools are always being created and those that make it big eventually become common place or are replaced.  It was only 110 years ago (barely more than a single lifetime) man learned to fly.  Now we hardly see airplanes as revolutionary technology.  I was on four planes this week alone.  Before airplanes we took trains.  I have not been on a train since I was a kid.

People need people, not digital links.  While we are spending a lot of time lusting after the newest apps, there are people around us who could bring real opportunities.  But we ignore them and instead check Facebook on our smartphone.  This is true everywhere that people gather.  The "Phone Zombies" walk the streets, offices and convention hallways oblivious to what could come from face-to-face conversations.  We are so into what is happening somewhere else, we do now pay attention to what is happening around us.

I predict that some enterprising Generation Y entrepreneur will create a movement toward noticing the people who are in the same room.  We call it "networking" or "connecting" in today's language, but this guru of human interaction will give it a new name and the masses will embrace it as if meaningful conversations were revolutionary.  The pendulum will swing back and we will once again have discussions that do not use digital tools.

This does not mean we will discard social media.  It will simply take its place as a tool we use to advance relationships.

People matter, and we can link to strangers all day long,.... but it is those with whom we really create mutually beneficial and long term personal relationships that we will remember on our deathbed.  I do not imagine anyone reaching the end of their life asking to to scroll their Facebook status update stream one more time.

What do you think?

Have a great day.

thom singer

Cool Things My Friends Do - "You According To Them" - A New Book by Sara Canaday

Each Friday on this blog I enjoy highlighting some of the cool things my friends do in their work and personal lives. 

Congratulations to my friend Sara Canaday who is releasing her first book this month!!!


"You According To Them: Uncovering the blind spots that impact your reputation and career" is a guide for those who seek to navigate their path toward more success in their career.  

There are many books of career advice, but Sara's unique perspective makes her the one to turn to if you are looking to go to the next level.  She draws on her years of corporate experience and research to not only explain WHY smart people can end up with stalled careers, but also HOW they can fix the problems (or avoid them in the future). The timing for this insight couldn't be better, given today's increasingly competitive work environment.


Sara is a corporate trainer, consultant, professional speaker, and career coach.  She is also the president of the Austin Chapter of the National Speakers Association.  I have had the pleasure to know her for several years, and I am very excited to see her complete this project.  

It is very cool to see a someone you know and respect accomplish great things.

You can pre-order her book at Amazon.com or at YouAccordingToThem.com

Have A Great Day

thom singer