Unforgettable Presentations

Everyone enjoys a good story, and unforgettable stories contain certain essentials.  In this episode, Mark and Darren expound upon three of their five story essentials, showing not only how they work, but why. This is PART 1 of 2.     SNIPPETS:   • STORY is a FORCE MULTIPLIER   • Define the HERO/protagonist/main character   • Help your audience to SEE the character   • Give the audience a reason to identify with the character   • Give one physical and one emotional characteristic   • Consider giving a character name   • Be very clear on the hero's DESIRE; declare what they want   • Get to the depth of desire…WHY they have the desire   • Listeners lean in to the WHY   • Establish the CONFLICT, the challenge, the obstacle   • Escalate the conflict, and escalate it even more   • Show the INTERNAL and EXTERNAL conflict   • Use inner dialogue, the voice inside a character's head   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

How are writing and producing films connected to delivering presentations and storytelling? Mark and Darren get answers from award-winning filmmaker/director/producer/actress Susie Singer Carter as she shares her perspective on telling powerful stories. Her insight provides tools for telling memorable stories that resonate with any audience.     SNIPPETS:   • Avoid being preachy   • You can confront and entertain in a seamless manner   • Balance your message without being too heavy   • Resonate with as many people as possible   • Let your audience shift their perspective and see themselves in your story   • Find the memorable moments in your story   • Don't be married to any part of your story; editing is key   • Uncover organic humor   • Give your audience permission to laugh   • Your title should be like a book cover, and your content must support it   • Tell your story from the heart   • Leave a call to action that galvanizes   LINKS TO HER FILMS:   My Mom and the Girl   No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé   http://nocountryforoldpeople.com'   https://www.roar4ltc.org/   Susie's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Susiesingercarter   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Every once in a while, speakers encounter circumstances that they didn't see coming. How can you handle them and make the best use of them in the future? Today, Darren and Mark share their experiences and offer meaningful suggestions for handling situations that you don't see coming.     SNIPPETS:   • Situations occur that will keep you in check   • You never know when your misfortune can serve others   • Anticipate the unanticipated   • Ask: What can go wrong   • Cover all your bases   • Leave a good buffer of time before you present   • Arrive a day early   • Contact event planner with challenges immediately   • If you get a gut feeling, follow it   • Have a back-pocket Plan B   • Don't be afraid to over-communicate   • Learn from experiences that you didn't see coming   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

  Emerging presenters and professional speakers want to know best practices and proven processes for running a successful speaking business. You would be hard-pressed to find a more reliable source than business growth innovator and Hall of Fame speaker, Ford Saeks, co-founder of the Million Dollar Speakers Group. In today's conversation with co-hosts Mark and Darren, he reveals five insider secrets that will help you build an unforgettable speaking business.     SNIPPETS: • Be great on stage, on screen, and on demand   • Hit your audience's key targets   • Share data, information, knowledge, wisdom, and tactics   • Have a clear value proposition   • Identify the problem you solve that people will pay you to eliminate   • Establish your revenue model   • Create a menu of services   • Display your menu clearly on your website   • Don't tie your identity to a delivery method   • Maintain an active digital footprint   • Develop a coherent, lifestyle-friendly sales and marketing playbook   • Use social media tools, a blog, podcasts, etc.   • Apply the 'Create, Borrow, Buy' technique     Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

What does it take to create maximum impact while serving your audience? To find out, Mark and Darren chat with business growth innovator and Hall of Fame speaker, Ford Saeks. Ford clearly lays out principles, practices, and perspectives that presenters must embrace to create maximum impact and become unforgettable.     SNIPPETS:   • Your impact depends on your intent and your audience's reception   • Always provide high value   • Your keynote is judged by its description   • Your description and bio should be benefit-driven and compelling   • You must be coachable, open-minded, proactive, and accountable   • When using AI, never lose the human loop   • Use AI wisely and strategically   • Don't get seduced by technology   • Always offer ways for clients to learn more from you   • Future-cast and be a guide   • You're responsible TO clients, not FOR them   • It's not what you know; it's what you do   • EXECUTE Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Anyone can give a presentation, but what does it take to truly OWN the stage? Calling back to a recent OWN THE STAGE 3-day workshop, Darren and Mark provide some key insights and principles that will help any presenter to own the stage and deliver an unforgettable presentation.     SNIPPETS: • Care more about being world class that delivering one good presentation   • Structure is important; the order matters   • Great speeches aren't written; they are re-written   • Be willing to experiment   • Let your audience picture the scene and characters   • Reactions tell the story   • Use the stage as a prop   • People often see the result, not the work   • World-class doesn't happen alone   • Your audience helps you write your speech   • With effort and help, anyone can own the stage   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

To meet customer demand, organizations take inventory, then replenish and upgrade their offerings. As a presenter, it's wise to take inventory of your speech…and everything that surrounds it.   Today, Mark and Darren focus on your Speech Skills Inventory and offer suggestions for upgrading your speech over the next 12 months     SNIPPETS: • Upgrade your speech   • Decide how you want to improve each facet of your speech in 12 months   • Your speech title is your unique identifier   • Craft an unforgettable Foundational Phrase   • Tell better stories, and tell stories better   • Transform case studies into case stories   • Improve laugh lines   • Rewrite your introduction   • Consider a video introduction   • Work on your open and close   • Use Toastmasters as a practice ground   • Let audiences give you their perspective   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Audience members can have different experiences depending on where they sit in a meeting venue. Darren and Mark explain and give some sage advice on how the meeting space can maximize your audience's experience.     SNIPPETS: • Arrive at the venue at least a day early if possible   • Sit in the four 'worst' seats in the house   • See what the audience sees   • If necessary, reset the angle of large screens in conference rooms   • Be aware of distracting sounds from neighboring breakout rooms   • Ask: "What is the audience HEARING?"   • Move the platform lectern to the side and back if feasible   • Educate meeting/event planners about logistical concerns   • Make the environment conducive to learning   • Ask: "What adjustments can I make to facilitate learning?"   • Make it a habit to connect with the four corners of the room   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Last week Darren and Mark shared effective ways to embody characters physically. Today, they share the impact that we can have when we do the same with vocal techniques.     SNIPPETS: • Selectively use dialogue instead of narration   • Vary your vocal volume   • Volume variances depict emotion   • Energy and intensity do not have to be loud   • Modify vocal pitch appropriately   • Different speaking rates can show demeanor and state of mind   • Use congruent facial expressions   • Attitude and posture can say a lot about a character   • Body language will show emotion   • Stress, fatigue, pain, and illness can be portrayed with body language   • Employ an accent when comfortable, competent, and confident   • Be careful not to offend when using accents   • Use age-appropriate vocal characterizations   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Our stories are more vivid when we embody the characters, and today, Mark and Darren explore simple yet effective ways to embody characters physically. With these techniques, characters are easily identifiable without a word.      SNIPPETS:   • Use their gait and walk as the character would walk   • Identify and portray mannerisms   • Observe family members to show character quirks – 'QUIRKOLOGY'   • Suspend quirky movements to show emotional change   • Look for your own mannerisms by recording and watching yourself on video   • Use congruent facial expressions   • Attitude and posture can say a lot about a character   • Body language will show emotion   • Stress, fatigue, pain, and illness can be portrayed with body language   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

It's always helpful to know your audience's pain points. However, your pain points can be an avenue to building a relationship with them. Today, Darren and Mark share how to do just that, with ideas that can help you be unforgettable.     SNIPPETS:   • Explore your pain points   • Pain points are connectors   • Give your audience the gift of your story   • Capture your pain points and the lessons learned   • Find common pain points in travel stories   • Uncover the joy in your pain   • Your pain can change their perspective   • There is power in your pain   • Your pain story can trigger your audience's memories and experiences   • Ask yourself: "What was my worst (fill in the blank)   • Ask friends and family about frustrations and pet peeves   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Once in a while, an audience is less emotive than most, leaving a speaker to wonder, "Are they listening?" Mark and Darren discuss that question today while providing perspective, context, and solid suggestions for presenting well in those circumstances.     SNIPPETS:   • Always be present   • Bring your 'A GAME'   • Don't let a stoic audience affect your mission   • External factors may affect audience response   • Not every audience emotes   • Create an environment that is conducive to listening   • Be aware of the atmosphere and read the room   • Consider the context of the event   • Look for the audience member who is ALL-IN   • Feed the audience members who feed you   • Find a way to eliminate a center aisle when possible   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

"I just need…" is a phrase that eager speakers often use when asking for advice. Oftentimes it's followed by "a few tweaks," "a punch-up," "to add humor," "a little polish," or something similar.   Today, Darren and Mark analyze this simple phrase and offer a perspective that will inspire you to examine it more closely. This episode will help you identify what you REALLY need, to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • You don't know what you don't know   • Don't just add a little humor; uncover it   • Your NEED could only be a WANT   • You may need much more than you think you do   • Learn what you need by watching yourself on video   • Consult pros and experts   • Change "I just need" to "What do I need?"   • Set ego aside   • Determine what's best for your audience   • Leave no stone unturned as you strive to serve your audience   • Seek ways to improve on every presentation     Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

There is a popular adage that says, "If you don't ask, the answer is always 'No'." In this episode, Mark and Darren talk about the benefits of asking for guidance, and how to respond, regardless of the answer. Asking can be your game-changer.   SNIPPETS:   • The answer is in the asking   • When you ask, you can become a mentor magnet   • Ask humbly, sincerely, honestly, and respectfully   • Learn all you can during your client pre-event call   • Ask more than one person/expert   • Be coachable and take their advice   • Respect their time and expertise   • Clarify your intent behind your ask   • Don't ask another question until you've followed the previous instructions   • Be understanding when the answer is 'No.'   • Don't take 'No' personally   • If the answer is 'No', ask for a referral or another resource   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

One way to increase audience buy-in is to customize your presentation.  Today, Darren and Mark dive into the why and how of customization. Applying these ideas will help any presenter to be unforgettable.   SNIPPETS:   • Customizing isn't just using the company's logo and name on your slides   • Do some homework and conduct research on your client   • Get permission to speak with 10 significant audience members beforehand   • Learn all you can during your client pre-event call   • Two weeks in advance, find out what's top-of-mind for your audience   • Arrive at the event at least a day early   • Attend mixers and social gatherings at the event   • Pay attention to hallway conversations   • Connect your material to their world   • Be flexible enough to make adjustments in the moment   • Use the Fripp Speech Model; it is easily customizable   • Replace one of your stories/examples with one from your client   • Take photos and video at the event and insert them into your presentation   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

To truly win your audience, you must identify and address their pain points.  In this episode, Mark and Darren discuss the importance of understanding them and offer suggestions for uncovering them.   SNIPPETS: • Pain points are triggers   • Learn your audience's pet peeves, pain points, and frustrations   • Identify what's top-of-mind to your audience   • Our responsibility is to connect our content to their pain   • Understanding pain points shows that you care   • To connect, you must first understand   • Understanding pain points can help you build community   • Research and confirm their pain points   • ASK about their pain points   • Stories from your life will connect to your audience's experience   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University:

The business of speaking can bring myriad complications and stressors.  But in the midst of all that, Darren and Mark offer a reminder to enjoy the privilege of the speaking experience. Remaining joyful despite all that comes our way, will help those around us to see us as unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Choose to find the fun…and the funny   • Remember your WHY   • Accept the challenges that come in the industry   • Relax. Breathe. Focus   • Use your frustrations as speech material   • Never lose perspective   • Don't forget the privilege   • Be thankful for the opportunity

It's easy to present principles, practices, and procedures, but the value is diminished when the speaker lacks experience. Today, Mark and Darren talk about the significance of bringing the lessons learned from your own successes and failure…the lessons that give you credibility and help make you unforgettable.    SNIPPETS: • Bring YOU to every presentation   • No one pays for regurgitated wisdom   • Transfer value from your own experience   • Share lessons from the life you live   • Credibility has an impact on your reputation   • Get experience in the area of your focus   • Let your passion drive you to do research   • Use your personal stories   • Live it, then give it   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Speakers often open a speech with a greeting, a story, a strong statement, or a question. However, comedians use a technique that many speakers haven't mastered. Humorist, Hollywood producer, and Stage Time faculty member Chris McGuire sits down with Darren and Mark to expand on this technique and shows how any presenter can find gold mines that can make you unforgettable.    SNIPPETS:   • Do what comedians do   • It's all about connecting first   • Use a 'warm open'; don't jump right in or use small talk.   • "Before we get started…"   • Establish Commonality through Incongruity   • Uncover the Gold Mines like the humble surroundings   • Address the elephants in the room   • Talk about what you have in common with the audience   • Respect and connect   • Your audience should feel that you wrote your speech just for them   • Use callbacks   • Sharpen your Humor Detector   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com

Would you be willing to face an international audience of thousands with a clear message about personal faith?   Today, Mark and Darren talk with a man who did just that in the 2025 World Championship of Public Speaking. Taylor Candella shares his path to the final and the conviction that drove him to take a significant risk. Taking a risk can make you unforgettable.   SNIPPETS: • Don't listen to negative voices   • Commit to your promise   • Take a risk   • Push yourself to compete   • Select your test audience   • Feel the room in advance   • If speaking first in competition, set the tone   • Get ready with your 'race day ritual'   • The reward should outweigh the risk   • Deliver your risky message respectfully   • Speak with CONVICTION   Work with Mark and Darren: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com/get-a-speaking-coach/   Check Out Stage Time University: https://www.stagetimeuniversity.com