Category Archives: Uncategorized

Anyone Can Be A Good Public Speaker

Uncategorized, ,

There, I’ve said it. Anyone Can Be A Good Public Speaker.

Some are naturals who take to it like ducks to water but the majority of us are terrified by the thought of having to speak in public.

 

According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

― Jerry Seinfeld

 

Jerry Seinfeld, public speaking Good Innings Media
Jerry Seinfeld

Despite what Jerry Seinfeld said, public speaking is something we are all capable of. In fact, everyday of our lives we engage in public speaking, ordering a sandwich, buying a train ticket, talking about “the big game’ over a coffee, chatting with work colleagues.

That all qualifies as public speaking, although it is a matter of scale.

Talking one-on-one is less intimidating than an audience of 250,

However the principles are the same. Know your audience, know your subject, make in personal, and leave them wanting more.

The benefits of being a good public speaker manifest themselves in all areas of your life.

Obviously on the work front the ability to stand up in front of colleagues and clients and outline the companies philosophies and attributes will put you at the head of the promotional queue.

Going through your personal life there are many times you may need to say a few words. At your 18th, 21st birthdays. Engagement parties, weddings, major anniversaries.

If you get a reputation as someone who can speak on their feet the word will spread and you will be much sought after.

That doesn’t go unnoticed in the professional world.

Type “public speaking” into Google and you’ll get plenty of free advice and most of it you can use to practice and hone your public speaking skills. You’ll be amazed at how you can improve and gain confidence by practicing in front of a mirror.

However, if you think you need some one-on-one professional help contact me at   Good Innings Media.

 Anyone can become a good public speaker, some will go on to be great. 

 – Graeme Goodings

9 Tips for Great DIY Videos

Uncategorized

More and more businesses who appreciate the value of video to promote their product/services are turning to inhouse productions.

With technology the way it is this is very doable – Smartphones shoot high quality pictures.  The vision can be edited on software that is freely available on Windows and Mac.

Nine quick tips for making your own videos

  • If you don’t have a high quality video camera a  modem smartphone will do
  • If using a smartphone shoot landscape format not portrait
  • Audio is every bit as important as the video – Invest in a microphone
  • Lighting – where possible use natural light – if not invest in a small set of lights – cheap on the net
  • Plan your project before you start.  What do you want to achieve? How to best deliver your message
  • Make the video entertaining.  No one will sit through a boring video not matter how worthy
  • Keep the video short.  60 seconds is a good length.
  • A videos success  can depend on the way it is edited.  Keep each shot fairly brief.  Make sure each shot flows into the next
  • End with a call to action.  What do you want your viewers to do next?

For more information call 0403 929245

Dale Carnegie and Richard Branson both can’t be wrong

Uncategorized,

Dale Carnegie - self improvement guru
       Dale Carnegie            

 Self improvement guru Dale Carnegie once said “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

If there’s one thing we all love it’s to talk about ourselves.  If that’s the main aim of two people in conversation, well, a lot will be said but how much will be heard or for that matter learned?

You know what I’m talking about.

You’re listening intently, not to what’s being said by the other person but, waiting for a gap to jump in with your story.  

It’s no sin, we all do it, but  think ahead to next time you engage in conversation. Instead of leaping in at the first breath pause, bite your tongue and listen, or even better,  ask a question based on what you have heard.

It’s called ‘active listening’ which may sound easy but does take  some effort. It means listening to not only what the other person is saying  but reading the thoughts and feelings that are unsaid.

Be Patient

It’s also important not to reach conclusions on what you’re hearing before the person has finished.

Good listening also means total commitment to the conversation. Put your mobile phone away and any other distractions out of your head.  If your trying to think of what you are going to say next your not listening.

Michael Parkinson the art of TV interviewing Good Innings Media
Michael Parkinson English broadcaster

If you want to see a great conversation first hand look at the work of Michael Parkinson, the finest TV interviewer I’ve ever seen.  

In fact interview is not the right term at all, when Parky speaks with a guest it’s like a chat between two old friends.  

He never has to ask the blunt question to get a headline reply, instead he will gain their confidence, make them feel they were talking just to him, and invariably they open up and reveal all.

Know your place 

While Parkinson was every inch a star, he knew his place in an interview was to be the conduit to get the best out of his guests.

While your ‘interviews’ mightn’t be seen by millions, the principle is the same.  If you make the other person the centre of your attention you’ll learn plenty and get a reputation for being a caring, well-rounded human being.

Richard Branson 'the most effective leaders and entrepreneurs listen more than they speak.'
Richard Branson, CEO Virgin Group

To quote  Richard Branson, Virgin  Group CEO        ‘the most effective leaders and entrepreneurs listen more than they speak.’

It’s worked for Richard and it can work for you.

If you want to brush up your presentation and public speaking skills or if you need executive coaching contact Graeme Goodings now.

Master of Ceremonies – a rude introduction

Uncategorized, , , ,

One of the joys of working in country radio was you got to turn your hand at everything, copy writing, commercial production, sales , news reporting.

It could be a steep learning curve but it certainly prepared you for almost anything throughout your media career.

When you’re in TV or radio you receive lots of requests to host or MC or compere events. It can be a nice little earner and there are plenty of opportunities to do something  for charity donating your fee back to the cause or simply not charging.

I have always been happy to do my bit for good causes as I believe most people in the media are.

However, if it’s a money making venture I like to take a slice of the action.

While to the outsider a Master of Ceremonies might look like a cosy gig there are many elements involved.  In fact if the MC makes it look easy and the event goes off seamlessly then he/she is just doing their job.

I learned early on to make sure enough work had been put into the planning and preparation.  Too often you’d turn up to an event to find a rundown (list of events to happen throughout the night) hadn’t been prepared.  And the organisers, and I use that term loosely, would often suggest you just ‘wing it. ” Or they’d hand you a hastily compiled list of introductions and interviews on a paper napkin.

I’ll never forget one of the early functions I compered  in Tasmania, a football night at a country local town hall.

One of the  basic needs when MCing is a good sound system so you can be heard.Cartoon Master of Cermonies Graeme Goodings

On arrival I asked about the PA system and was lead to a small room behind the stage.  Sure enough there was a microphone on a stand, I turned it on the and did a sound check. Even from the back of the stage the sound was good, I’d have no problems being heard over the rowdy football crowd.

Then I went through the rundown which was basic but adequate.  Right, everything checked out. Or so I thought.

The Club President thought it would be a good idea if he introduced me with the mike which I would then take from him and run out onto the stage making a grand entrance.

It all sounded pretty good. What could possibly go wrong?

“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the Cressy Football Club Ball”. 

“A big round of applause for our host for the evening from 7LA and Channel 9 Graeme Goodings.”

With that I grabbed the mike and set off  towards the stairs leading to the stage about 15 metres away. That’s when I discovered one of the basic rules of physics. A 10 metre microphone lead doesn’t stretch to 15 metres.

I pulled up 5 metres short and as the sporadic applause faded I did my opening welcome totally out of sight of the 250  confused  footballers their wives, girlfriends, families and friends.

And so it was for the rest of the night. Despite a frantic search the ‘missing’ microphone extension lead could not be found.

Oh!  I did try to work without the  mike but  these country folk were here to party not to listen.

A band turned up later in the night, they had microphones, and extension leads, but it didn’t really matter by then.

I’d sunk without trace.

The faceless MC. When you could hear him you couldn’t see him and when you could see him you couldn’t hear him.

I vowed I’d never go back, even if they begged me.

But they never did.

Originally posted in The Good Innings

Adding Video To Your Website Has Never Easier Or More Important

Uncategorized

Once upon a time websites were full of words and few pictures but as we didn’t know any better we were drawn to them like moths to a flame.

Check out how boring and uninteresting these old Apple and Twitter sites look now.

Early Apple Mac & Twitter websites
                  Early Apple Mac & Twitter websites

In 2016 we are far more demanding, if a website looks uninteresting or is too difficult to navigate we are out of there in a flash – within eight seconds according to the statistics.

A site must be visually appealing, have good content, be easy to get around and project credibility.

Video ticks all the boxes allowing you to have an interesting website, powerful content, and letting you demonstrate your credibility, your product and your services.

A Website with video will keep people watching on average, for two minutes. Plenty of time to get your message across.

Here are 5 ways to creatively add video to your website

  1. On your about page instead of words (or as well as words)  have a video where you introduce yourself telling a bit about your business and why you’re so passionate about it.

Here’s an example  by Christine (Chan) O’Donnell, founder of the Sukha Arts Centre using video to capture and engage her site visitors:

  1. Demonstrate your product.  Even if it’s as straight forward as a hose connector, let your customer see it in better detail.

  3.  If your product is a little more involved or the way to use is a bit tricky, have a detailed “how to video.”

A step by step guide into how to operate it. Set up and maintenance.

  1.  Video Testimonials – there’s nothing like satisfied customers telling how wonderful your product and service is, to generate new business.

   5.  Product launch or special event i.e  25 years of business. A video showing your longevity and commitment is invaluable. It could be as simple as a presentation to a staff member for good service.

Video is a vital part of content marketing and it’s going to become even more important.

Consider these facts

  • 90 percent of online consumers report that a product or service video helps them make a decision to buy
  • 65 percent of executives who watch work-related videos visit the business’ website afterwards
  • 64 percent of people who visit a business’ website are likely to buy their product after watching a video

If your competition isn’t using video on their website they soon will be.

There is no better way to engage, communicate and emotionally connect with your prospective clients than with video.

What are you waiting for?

Give us a call at Video Professionals  8325 2746