Building and Protecting your Reputation |
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We're nearly at the end of a very interesting year (yes, I know you may have other words for it). I saw this year and the next ones described like this:
2020 - A year of nightmares 2021 - A year of recovery 2022 - A year of celebration
Of course even in this tough time, there have been people with some things to celebrate. Just over half of the voters in the USA for example. The scientists who developed vaccines against COVID-19. Scottish football supporters (there you go, Stuart!)
I'm celebrating a few things myself. Firstly, and most importantly, the health of my family and most of my friends. We have lost a few alas, and we won't forget them.
I'm also celebrating the imminent publishing of the revised edition of The Exceptional Speaker, co-authored with my great friend Paul du Toit. I'm looking forward to the first proof copy arriving from our printers in Mumbai next month. I'll be giving you details of how you can buy - or even win - a copy very soon. |
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Feedback about my new black and white website has been great. And no, it's not like that because I'm a Fulham fan. It was a suggestion from my long-term friend Lesley Everett, who knows a thing or two about personal branding.
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Yes, there is still a place available on my speaker coaching programme for 2021. But don't take my word for how valuable it is.
"I engaged Alan for a year's coaching and although I was already an experienced speaker and media trainer he helped me to increase my confidence and also my fees. He is easy to work with and a genuine listener - you'll get sessions based on what works for you rather than what everyone else gets. Alan has been instrumental in helping develop my keynote, transform my business with the addition of a VA and he helped enormously with the development of my podcast. This is why I extended our year's coaching to two years and added periodic consultations for a third; selecting Alan Stevens as a coach and mentor has been one of the best investments I've made."
That's very kind of Guy. If you'd like to find out more, just get in touch. I'd love to help you get ahead of the game in 2021. |
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 | Roseanne Reid is a wonderful singer-songwriter that I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing last year. Last year she put out her first album, Trails, which was included as one of the Sunday Times best 100 albums of the year. She's just released a new EP (what a treat!) and will be touring in the UK next year.
She spoke about her music, coping with lock down and her plans for the future.
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The MediaMaestro truly deserves the term. It's the golfer and golf commentator, Peter Alliss, who died this week.
He was renowned as a fine golfer, and when he took up the microphone to provide a soundtrack to golf tournaments for many years, he became even more popular.
He had the rare ability to take whatever the camera happened upon and deliver a fascinating phrase or tell a little story about it. he once described a miraculous golf shot from Seve Ballesteros as "landing gently by the pin like a butterfly with sore feet"
"The most sane and comforting voice I ever heard," wrote John Cleese this week. "I always thought that I could cope with the ending of the world if only Peter was commentating on it."
What a marvellous legacy he left. |
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The MediaMug takes us to the USA and the continuing controversy over the Presidential election.
Just before retiring to quarantine with COVID, President Trump's lawyer, Rudi Giuliani, revealed his "star witness", a woman called Melissa Carone to testify to a Michigan legislative hearing.
She made a number of allegations about ballot fraud, though with no actual evidence. Observers suggested that there might be more than a hint of fantasy about her testimony.
At one stage, Ms Carone got rather carried away, and Mr Giuliani had to shush her to try to keep her quiet. He failed.
Her performance in the hearing has gone viral, but for all the wrong reasons. The case was dismissed, by the way.
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Speaking Tip - Give a gift |
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Many of us give gifts at this time of year. It's important to give a gift to your audience too. Delivering a speech is not about telling them your experiences. It's about using your experiences to give them something to take away. Just like giving a gift to someone you love, you need to think what they like and need, and tailor your gift exactly to their requirements. You need to plan carefully, wrap your gift in attractive paper and ribbons, and hand it over.
Can you deliver a gift in a speech in the same way as you hand over a present? I think you can. Here's what I mean:
- Tailor every speech to every audience
- Give them exactly what they need, at the time they need it
- Make it simple to use
- Allow them to use it over and over again.
- Give them something than can be handed on to others
- Make sure it's something they don't have already
- Give it to them with a smile
So next time you give a speech, make sure that you also give a gift. You will be remembered for it, and the audience will be suitably grateful.
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Media Tip - Who was it that said? |
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I've mentioned before that you should be sparing about the use of quotations. People want to hear your original insights, not your powers of recall. However, on some occasions, a pithy quote can ignite a TV or radio interview in a way that helps to get your message across with real impact.
Here are my tips for using quotations in media appearances:
- Always make it clear that it is a quotation. Never claim credit for someone else's wisdom
- Don't use your fingers to do "quotation marks" in the air. You will look silly
- If you can't find out who said something, use a phrase like "as the old saying goes..."
- Use quotes to make a point, not to try to get a cheap laugh
- Use a quotation to enhance your message, not overpower it
- Never, ever, quote yourself.
- Use quotes sparingly - one or two in an interview is enough
Alternatively, you could heed the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know." (yes, I know what irony means) |
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Social Media Tip - Post like a novelist |
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I downloaded David Baldacci's new book onto my Kindle this week. I'm already a long way through it (so don't email me the ending). It's the usual mix of suspense, evil conspirators, crooked politicians and jeopardy. What does it teach us about social media? This, I think:
1) Grab people immediately. David's novel opens with a very scary scene indeed. It's intriguing, and makes the reader want to know more. That's how everything you post should work - making people interested in hearing more.
2) Show your emotion In the novel, we hear about the feelings of the characters, and we empathise with them. If you tell people how you feel about something, it makes a much stronger connection than repeating a few facts.
3) Keep it going I can't tell you what happens at the end of the novel, because I won't spoil it for you, and because I haven't read it yet! I'm gripped by the narrative though. It's not just about attracting interest with your postings - the tough thing is keeping it going. That's how you win customers - consistency.
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An online speech to make? I can help.
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The information in this ezine may be freely re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line - "This information was written by Alan Stevens, and originally appeared in "The MediaCoach", his free weekly ezine, available at www.mediacoach.co.uk." |
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