“I believe the #1 thing we should be doing as speakers is trying to give speeches as often as we can because every single speech is a treasure trove of feedback and information.” - Joey Coleman

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Speakers need to have strong beliefs, lightly held.

Yes, there’s contrast in that statement, but contrast is the beauty of performance. The job of a performer is to deliver a strong message while simultaneously being open to audience feedback. This is the tricky, two-sided nature of the job—one must possess the skills to provide both a powerful experience for the audience and a relatable openness during the socialization that occurs after a speech.

On today’s episode of Steal the Show, we are joined Joey Coleman. For over a decade, Joey has helped organizations retain their best customers and turn them into raving fans through his entertaining and very actionable keynotes, workshops, and consulting projects.

In this conversation, we unpack Joey’s Wall Street Journal bestseller, Never Lose A Customer Again. Joey provides insight for anyone trying to take their career to the next level. From the novice public speaker seeking his/her first paid gig to the amateur writer attempting to finish his/her first book, Joey’s insights will prove to be valuable.

You can order Joey Coleman’s Never Lose A Customer Again here.

“The more we spend looking at other people, the more we realize that often—they’re holding up a mirror. They’re holding up a mirror for us to understand something about ourselves.” - Joey Coleman

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Steal the Points

• Contrary to popular belief, not every relationship needs to be a long-term relationship.
• Usually the audience’s expectations are extremely low.
• The tactics speakers use to make themselves feel comfortable typically make the audience feel uncomfortable.
• Connection happens quicker when the people are at eye-level.
• Research shows that humans are afraid of those who are bigger than them.
• Figure out what the audience needs before stepping on stage, and deliver that to them.
• Listen to all of the speakers to hear what the audience has already heard.
• When giving a speech, recognize that it’s difficult to be in the audience.
• Many audience members need time to process the speech before asking questions.

“You can’t shortcut feet on the stage. You can’t wish or pay your way to being a better speaker. Speak, speak, speak—that’s the way to get good at speaking.” - Tami Evans

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Public speaking isn’t for everyone.

But before we cross it off our list, we have to make sure we’ve given it a fair shot. That’s because the best public speakers—while they may appear naturally gifted on stage, it is most likely hours and hours of rehearsal driving the performance. In public speaking, there is no such thing as god-given talent or a ‘knack’ for performance. Rather, success on stage boils down to work ethic, rehearsal, and practice.

On today’s episode of Steal the Show, we are joined by the humorous speaker Tami Evans to clear the mystery of performing on stage. With a Master’s in Classical Acting, Tami has been performing in some way, shape, or form for most of her life. She is the former president of the New York chapter of the National Speakers Association, and today works on the public speaking circuit.

In this conversation, we unpack all topics related to public speaking—what makes a great public speaker, why introverts do well on stage, how the public speaking industry is evolving to be more inclusive of diversity, and much more.

Learn more about Tami Evans and her humorous motivational speaking style here.

“When someone looks so effortless, it’s because they have put in so much time and effort to get it that way.” - Tami Evans

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Steal the Points

• Rehearse to the point of clarity where improvisation doesn’t feel intimidating.
• The best way to begin something is to start it.
• Try to have slogans that are easy to understand and remember.
• Join the National Speakers Association (NSA) to make public speaking a less isolating career.
• There is no clear path in the public speaker industry.
• Content creation is a messy process that involves diving into the unknown.
• Being authentic becomes easier through preparation.
• There is becoming more equalization of gender and culture in the public speaker landscape.
• Public speaking is shifting from a stylized, scripted talk into a more conversational delivery.
• Many of the best performers are actually shy and introverted.
• Adjusting on the fly becomes comfortable with more experience.
• Some people are energized by interacting with other people, and others are depleted by it.

“True professionals rehearse so much that it looks like they didn’t rehearse at all.” - Jordan Harbinger

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Starting over requires channeling frustration into focus.

Instead of thinking of “the past” as a object to cast aside, remembering the struggle can enhance performance—to create something bigger and better.

On today’s episode of Steal the Show, we are joined by Jordan Harbinger to discuss how he recently started over. In 2006, Jordan was one of the first to podcasting, co-founding the very popular show, The Art of Charm. Just last year, Jordan parted ways from that team to start his own venture, The Jordan Harbinger Show. In the 11 weeks it’s been on air, his new podcast has received over 3 million downloads.

In this conversation, we unpack everything from what makes a great public speaker to how working is the best form of recovery during times of crisis. Whether or not you’re starting over, tune in to learn these lessons so you know what to do in case that situation presents itself.

Learn more about Jordan and his new podcast, The Jordan Harbinger Show, here.

“You will drive yourself to the brink of exhaustion, burnout, and craziness if you try to do everything yourself.” - Jordan Harbinger

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Steal the Points

• Emotionally positive people should be key supporters in times of crisis.
• Simultaneously build technical and interpersonal skills; focusing on one will give competition the advantage.
• Ignore the temptation to do everything yourself; instead, outsource tasks to save time.
• Resist the temptation to seek out shortcuts that negatively affect quality.
• Work ethic supersedes talent. The best performers are the ones who rehearse the most.
• Be skeptical of the public speaking classes that don’t deliver results.
• Craft is a mastery of skills, not a formula.
• Transformation is normal when working with a master coach or director.