Command the room. Own the space. Act like you belong there.

Have you heard this advice to speakers? Ever wonder what it means?

In today’s podcast, I’m going to tell you exactly what this means and how you can own the space on stage. (Or Court, or any presentation.)

​Give it a listen.

You might not have someone jeering and poking fun at you during a presentation, but you better be prepared when someone challenges your authority or asks you a question with the intent to derail you.
In today's podcast, learn "How to Deal with a Heckler."

DON'T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS:

• What is a "heckler?" [0:55]
• Hear one of Sari's experiences [1:46]
• Power nonverbal and when to effectively use them [6:12]
• Identifying if your heckler is a bully or not [7:42]
• Keeping the group safe and you in control [9:38]
• Why breathing and detachment are critical [11:39]
• Taking your cues from the group [14:40]
• Three possible scenarios [18:19]

RESOURCE LIST:

• Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton - Getting to Yes: How To Negotiate Agreement Without Giving In
• ​Presentation Prep Sessions with Sari

TRANSCRIPTION:

​In a world where everything is competing for our attention, it can be next to impossible to get, much less keep, an audience engaged in what you're saying. Welcome to Soundcheck. The podcast that gives you practical tools to help you command the room, whether you're speaking to groups of 10 or 10,000. This is the podcast for speakers by a speaker. Now your host, Sari de la Motte.

Hey everybody! Welcome to another episode of Soundcheck, and today we're going to be talking about 'how to deal with a heckler'. Hopefully, you are not dealing with people in your lives or giving presentations or speaking where there are tons of hecklers, heckling you. But, I believe that every speaker must have some tools in their back pocket, so that they're never caught off guard, should this happen.

So let's talk about what I mean by a "heckler". So this is someone who hopefully, isn't heckling you like, if you're a comedian up on stage and making fun what you're saying or trying to get your goat. But what this is, is someone who, in the middle of your presentation or otherwise, even in the question and answer part, challenges you in front of the audience. I think it's really important that you know that this can happen. And that you know how to deal with it should it happen. Because, you never want to get caught off guard in front of your audience. In fact, you've probably heard me say this before, 'the number one thing that an audience wants from its speaker, is to know that you've got this'.So that includes, not just having confidence as a speaker, but having confidence in how to deal with a heckler.

It's an annoying, bad habit. I'm talking about "speechy voice." Today we're going to talk about why you do it and how you can stop doing it.

DON'T MISS THESE HIGHLIGHTS:​

• The first phase every speaker goes through [2:15]
• Phase two in the speaker's development [3:12]
• Expert presenters live in the third phase [6:35]
• Why do people use speechy voice? [7:14]
• Faulty expectations [9:00]
• Why memorization is bad [11:22]
• How to fix the problem of speechy voice [13:05]
• The power of pause & gesture [14:57]
• The purpose of a presentation {17:40]

RESOURCE LIST

• Get caught up or review previous Sound Check episodes
• FIND your voice and AMPLIFY it
  

TRANSCRIPT
Well, hey, everybody, Sari de la Motte here, and it's been a while since we had a Sound Check podcast, I apologize for that. I have been busy writing my book which is now off to the publisher by the time you hear this, and will be coming out later this year. It is for trial attorneys, although it applies to a variety of different speakers. So, if you want to learn how to move any kind of hostile audience to one that wants to be there, you might want to pick up a copy when it comes out. It's called From Hostage to Hero. I'll be letting you know, of course, in the podcast when it is available and ready, but very exciting to have that finally done. 

​Well, in today's podcast we're going to talk about something that drives me nuts. So, of course, I have to talk to you about this thing that drives me nuts so that you will hopefully stop doing it, and that is speechy voice. Oh my god, you guys, I hate speechy voice, and yet so many speakers use speechy voice. 

Now, if you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm talking about the type of talking that people do when delivering presentations and they talk like this for the entire time that you are listening to them. That's what speechy voice is. And you know what, it's just annoying and I don't really want to make you feel bad about it if you do it, what I want you to do is to stop doing it. So, in today's podcast we're going to talk, about why you do it and how you can stop doing it. 

Getting and maintaining the attention of ANY audience these days is rare.
A good hook, however, can capture your audience,
​and is essential to any great presentation.

Don't Miss These Big Takeaways:

• Every presentation has to speak to your audience’s needs, interests and problems, NOT yours.
• The first thing that comes out of your mouth in a presentation has to engage the audience and make them want to continue to listen. 
  
• Ask the audience a question and then make sure your presentation answers it.
  
• Getting and maintaining the attention of ANY audience these days is rare. A good hook, however, can capture your audience, and is essential to any great presentation.
  

Check Out These Highlights:

• ​Why is having a hook so important?  [1:38]
• What is a hook and what makes a hook great? [3:08]
• Hook Device #1: The Question Hook [5:03]
• Two reasons why the Question Hook is so effective [6:21]
• The Shock or Surprise Hook is Hook Device #2 [7:07]
• Hook Device #3:  The Incomplete Information Hook [8:39]
• Using the hook to KEEP your audience engaged [9:16]

Resource List:

• Catch up with Episode 2 - "What Radio Station Everyone Listens To: WIIFM - What's In It For Me?"
• Have a presentation coming up? Schedule your FREE 30-minute Discovery Session with Sari

TRANSCRIPTION:
You’re listening to the “Sound Check” Podcast, Episode #3:  “It’s ALL about the hook.”

​Welcome to “Sound Check,” a podcast by a speaker, for speakers. Are you looking to knock your next presentation out of the park? Well then you’ve come to the right place!  And now your host, Sari de la Motte…

“Thank you for that introduction. I’m so happy to be here. Today I’d like to share some research that I think is very interesting about…”
 
[Record scratch] Wait, what? That didn’t hook you? 

Yeah, I’m not surprised. Luckily today we’re going to talk about THE HOOK.

Welcome to “Sound Check!” My name is Sari de la Motte. I’m a presentation coach, speaker and trial consultant and I’m so excited that you’re listening to today’s podcast!
 
In my last podcast, I talked about how everyone listens to the same radio station: WIIFM - What’s In It For Me. Anyone in any audience listening to any speaker needs you to answer the question: What’s In It For Me? They’re asking themselves, “Why should I listen to you? How does this apply to my life? How can I use this information?”

 When you have a captive audience, it's important that you
make the most of the opportunity.  
​Learn how by looking at what your audience needs.
Listen to Ep. 2 - The Radio Station Everyone Listens To: WIIFM.

Don't Miss These Big Takeaways:

• Instead of starting with their audience in mind, speakers begin with what's important to them. 
• It's not your content that produces change, inspires or educates;  It's how, or IF, the content resonates with your listener
• The story only becomes meaningful when the audience can apply it to themselves.
• We're inundated with so much information that bids for attention have to immediately be of interest to the listener.  

Check Out These Highlights:

• ​[0:46] Summary of Episode 1 for those that missed it
• [1:25] The radio station everyone listens to: WIIFM
• [2:15] Elevating your presentation from a good one, to a great one.
• [3:39] Content doesn't matter nearly as much as resonance does.
• [6:20] Critical questions to ask to ensure content resonates with the audience.
• [7:58] Creating interest for the audience as a bid for their attention

Resource List:

• Catch up with Episode 1: Attention Is A Precious Commodity
• Annette Simmons The Story Factor
• Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic
• ​Schedule a free 30-minute Discovery Session with Sari

TRANSCRIPTION:
You’re listening to the “Sound Check” Podcast, episode number 2. “Everybody listens to WIIFM.”

​Welcome to “Sound Check,” a podcast by a speaker, for speakers. Are you looking to knock your next presentation out of the park? Well then you’ve come to the right place!  And now your host, Sari de la Motte...

Welcome to “Sound Check!” My name is Sari de la Motte. I’m a presentation coach, speaker and trial consultant and I’m so excited that you’re listening to today’s podcast!
 
In my last podcast, I talked about how attention is a precious commodity. And how everyone is a public speaker. Now, because attention is such a precious resource, as speakers we need to do everything possible to ensure that our presentation meets the needs of the audience. It is such an honor in today’s day and age to have anyone’s attention; it seems that everyone has their eyes glued to a screen of one sort or another. Therefore it is so important when we do have that attention, of that audience, that we make the most out of that opportunity.
 
So in today’s podcast we’re going to talk about how to do that, and we’re going to start by looking at what our audience needs.

When the stakes are high, giving a kick ass presentation
​is of utmost importance!   
Learn how to really deliver by listening to 
SOUND CHECK Ep. 1 - "Attention Is A Precious Commodity"

Don't Miss These Big Takeaways:

• Anytime you speak in public, you're a public speaker. 
• Advertisers are desperate to get your attention because they know you're being asked to give your attention to so many things everyday
• Speaking well has the power to change EVERYTHING!
• Every time you step in front of a group, your credibility is at stake.

Check Out These Highlights:

• Get to know Sari de la Motte [0:50]
• Is this podcast right for you? [2:37]
• Developing a passion for public speaking [4:13]
• What's at stake when you don't speak well [5:09]
• Why is listening to a bad speaker so maddening [7:15]
• Attention is a precious commodity [8:35]
• The Three C's [10:43]
• An invitation to take the next steps [12:01]
• Schedule a free 30-minute Discovery Session with Sari.

TRANSCRIPTION
You’re listening to the “Sound Check” Podcast, episode number 1. “Attention Is A Precious Commodity”

​Welcome to “Sound Check,” a podcast by a speaker for speakers. Are you looking to knock your next presentation out of the park? Well then you’ve come to the right place!  And now your host, Sari de la Motte…

Welcome to “Sound Check!” My name is Sari de la Motte. I’m a presentation coach, speaker and trial consultant and I couldn’t be more excited about the launch of this brand-new podcast for speakers.