Easy FIX to a Common Speaker Problem!

I used to blame the AV folks or the meeting planner if my set up was not correct.

Now I blame myself ... it's 110% on me because there's ways to prevent it and ways to manage it onsite.

Every professional speaker is solely responsible for being set up onsite and virtually for success

I'll explain this phrase in just a moment, but first, some context ...

I had the privilege of speaking near New York City earlier this week --- definitely one of my favorite cities.

And after working hard, I played a bit harder ;)

In both of my engagements though, I was fortunately prepared for the same tech issue that I've watched other speakers massively struggle with during their speech. I've seen other speakers get completely sidelined because they weren't prepared to deal with the tech set up they were given.

My video below provides you the solution to this common problem every speaker experiences often.

BOTH my speaking engagements this past week had the same issue!

For years I struggled with it until I found this easy tech remedy I'm sharing with you.

Between speaking engagements, I took a 'tourist' day and somehow fit in The Book of Mormon, Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Ground Zero, 4 mile walk through China Town and Soho to Times Square and finally, the top of the Empire State Building.

A byproduct of speaking means I also get PAID to travel and experience the joys of so many beautiful and unique places.

Sometimes I take my wife and family ... sometimes I meet up with family or friends who live in that area ... and sometimes like this past week, I just travel solo and do my own thing. I love it all.

Imagine not only getting PAID to speak but also receiving mini vacation trips all over the world with your significant other and family .... speaking provides this.

What's the tech issue I'm referring to that speakers struggle with?

Envision having 500 people in front of you but your presentation slides are behind you.

You cannot see the slides unless you turn your back to the audience. Don't do that!

Perhaps you can lean to the side but you're still glancing backwards constantly. It just looks unprofessional and you'll feel out of place.

There might be an ugly lectern you can stand behind, but do you really want to stand behind that unprofessionally? Course not. And every time you walk over to it, the audience knows you are walking over the glance at your slides. I call this the "Joel Osteen" ... don't do it.

Also, imagine actually needing to occasionally glance at your slides to keep you on track during your speech? It's not possible when the screen is behind you!

Regardless whether you need to see your slides for content purposes or not, you must be 100% confident that the presentation slide you think you are on is the same one the audience is seeing. Make sense?

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT the screen set up is this way ... or is it?

It might not be your fault, but you shouldn't be surprised on site. There's something you can do about it as well.

Did you ask the meeting planner in advance what the tech set up was going to be? Do you have an AV Requirements document so they know exactly what you need as the speaker in order to be set up for success?

During my final "Touchpoint Call" with a meeting planner, we always discuss tech set up one final time. Both my "Pre-Event Questionnaire" and "Event Checklist" walk you through the same questions I ask during this final discussion.

I don't give these documents out, but they are available in "The Vault" which is a comprehensive GoogleDrive folder comprised of ALL the documents, contracts, checklists and samples I use in my own speaking business. (I'm always adding to "The Vault." In fact, I just added a revised speaking proposal this morning with a new clause I've never added before.)

So let's get to the point ... what if there was an EASY SOLUTION when the screen is behind you and you don't want to be shackled behind an ugly lectern unprofessionally? There is.

Watch this video below.

"Every professional speaker needs to understand they are solely responsible for being set up for success." Key word ... professional.

... and here's another example from a different engagement!!

Speaking Professionally Toastmasters is how you practice your speech, get the feedback you need, and get it polished and ready ... we meet the first Tuesday or each month, virtually. Click here to request an invitation.

Highlights from my newest 2023 blog posts below!

Whether you want to speak on the TEDx stage, learn how to find a few PAID speaking engagements on the side or learn how to actually build a consistent speaking business, below are several recent posts to guide you.

I write a new one each week and you can always find them on my "Speaker Tips" blog site here.

Earn greatness today! Onward and upward!

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Want to speak professionally, part-time or full-time?

Not getting PAID speaking engagements?

I've been honored to present for over 1,000,000 people through 1,150+ audiences in all 50 states and several countries. Whether I'm on a stage or in a training room with professionals or students, I absolutely LOVE motivating and inspiring people for higher performance. And in addition to my own speaking business, I have a passion for helping and coaching speakers learn how to catapult their speaking whether part-time or full-time. My book, PAID to SPEAK, outlines a proven model for speakers and is now an online course as well! Click here for online course info!

If you are serious about becoming a professional speaker, explore my coaching and mentorship options. I don't want you to flounder like I did and be frustrated.