Professionally Speaking

200 Top Tweets from #NSA12

NSA Convention
The annual National Speakers Association Convention was held July 14 – 17, 2012 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Indianapolis. I was not able to attend this year’s event, but took the opportunity to follow along on Twitter.

Over 1,000 professional speakers met for the four days and attended a series of main stage keynotes, break out sessions and informal workshops

893 attendees generated over 6,000 tweets (compared to 4,300 back in 2010) under the hashtag #NSA12.

Twitter is ephemeral. It only maintains 10-14 days of content, so this information will soon disappear. It’s with deep gratitude to all the attendees who posted their messages that this content has been made available worldwide on Twitter. Thanks!

Building on an idea of listing of “top tweets” I’ve experimented with at other conferences, I’ve curated a list of 200 tweets I found most content-rich, interesting or offbeat (who would’ve expected the shoe shine service at the hotel to tweet? See #64); adding links where appropriate for easy reference; consolidating others. Removing the re-tweets (RT’s) alone reduced the number of total tweets by 37%. The list below is in alphabetical order – no judgment is implied by being #1, #10 or #110.

Click to enlarge – Image by Wordle.

I feel that this summary listing demonstrates the power of social media to capture elements of an event that would otherwise have been missed. In fact, there were a number of us following the event ‘virtually’ on Twitter and Facebook from London, Scotland and California.

Please share your own experiences of the event in the blog comments (or on Twitter!). I apologize in advance if I omitted your favorite tweet – feel free to add it to the comments below.

@VerniceArmour: 12% decline in NSA membership over last year. Stay strong and stay in he network. We can grow together!
@LarryChiang: 200 of the fortune 500 won’t be Fortune 500 inside of 10 years. @loiscreamer
@thomsinger: 2012 National Speakers Association “Learning Lounge” Agenda… Still need some room host volunteers.
@allankarl: 3 ways SlideShare helped me grow as a speaker
@hduckworth: 3,000 books released into the market each day. How will yours compete? @clintgreenleaf
@dnewman: 47% of LinkedIn users are decision makers. Avg income $106k. @linkedinexpert
@allankarl: 5 x 1 principle for each tweet promoting yourself tweet and promote 5 others @jaybaer
@allankarl: 800 left turns at Indy 500 not a political statement from a red state Indianapolis.
@allankarl: 90% think they’re more intelligent yet only 39% think they’re fascinating-why? learn how to be un-boring @SallyHogshead
@allankarl: 9am best time to post to Facebook and photos get most views. People want to see pics @JeffreyHayzlett
@patrickleroux: A common dominator from the speakers on the million dollar group panel was that they are all niche with a particular industry.
@Toni_Newman: A metaphor creates a movie in the mind of your audience. Storytellers PEG.
@Toni_Newman: A pink towel on the table when you are recording a video will make you look better! @GinaCarr Who Knew???
@dougdevitre: A value proposition is something you do based on the other persons perspective. via @jillkonrath – Brilliant!
@impromptuguru: About to work on a Findability Action Plan focusing on business’ SEO “findability”.
@PatrickMaurer: @AllisonMassari is such a great storyteller. Youth are entranced. You can hear a pin drop [Picture]
@JeffreyHayzlett: All I have is a horse. RT @dnewman: #nsa12 Chad Hymas has a bus and Rory Vaden has a bus. Holy smokes – I need a bus!!
@CoachSeanC: All info ever known will be Online free in next decade. Still think you’re in the content biz? @workforcetrends
@alisonrbcm: Already been impacted by tweets from #nsa12 and have set up an Ah ha board on pinterest thanks @coachseanc
@ActivationCoach: Always sell the result, not the service, change or idea. #CraigValentine
@Price_Points: Am I through only one that wasn’t surprised that trust was the least common personality trait at #NSA12?
@mhills: Amen. RT @cheshirelad: @hduckworth Would love to see backchannel on screens. — It’s a 2-edged sword.
@WellConnectLead: Are you off balance on purpose – with a plan and stretching into uncertainty or getting knocked off balance? @DanThurman
@allankarl: Ask instead of tell: How to move from monologue to dialog. One of many messaging tips from @samhornintrigue
@ActivationCoach: Association speaking is the gateway to more corporate bookings. @PamLontos
@allankarl: Assume people are lazy-Give links, use attachments, put your address/phone numbers. Factor convenience in marketing @JeffreyHayzlett
@allankarl: Attitude is the one-percent degree of separation between those who get what they want, those who don’t @rory_vaden
@ActivationCoach: Attn span of ur audience is that of a goldfish, fascinate 2 keep them from swimming away. @sallyhogshead
@jeffllewellyn: Authors, write shorter chapters and tweetable titles to build attention. @jeffreyhayzlett
@WellConnectLead: Average attention span is 9 seconds’ says Sally Hogshead per study by the BBC. She studies fascination.
@allankarl: Average business book sells 7,000 copies. @JeffreyHayzlett
@TerryBrock: Be a speaker critiquer @ChadHymas
@ADreilingPhoto: Be driven by purpose, not process. Lesson learned, wisdom earned.-Steve Gilliland
@TerryBrock: Behave like you are an owner of their company when with the client. Act with urgency.@ChadHymas
@allankarl: Belief is not required to achieve your goal. You need: Clarity. CIP. Profound reason. A coach. Others belief in you @iamjeffbracey
@stevecohncsp: Best sessions and speakers for me at #NSA12: Jeanne Robertson, @TerryBrock, @SteveGilliland, @ToniNewman,@AlanBerg.
@WellConnectLead: Book is catalyst and front loaded project. It is messenger for our message – use to build visibility & find opptys. @SamHornIntrigue
@allankarl: “Brace Yourself” sounds like Irish foreplay, Dale Irvin tells us @iamkevinbracy
@dnewman: Calling all women speakers – please lose the funny hats. @pfripp owns that and all you do is remind me of her.
@WellConnectLead: Capitalize on what’s current – make it joyous and juicy – and that will be what makes you stand out. #nsa12 @SamHornIntrigue
@DonCooper: Cavett Award presented to Stephen Tweed!
@ButterflyHerder: CLEVER idea fr @JeffreyHayzlett – Chapter titles are no more than 140 characters. Why? They’re perfectly tweetable phrases! LOVE it!
@CareyLohrenz: Content is valuable, but it is NOT everything – @JeffJarvis
@WellConnectLead: Create a theater of the mind for your listeners – help them see, taste, experience what you are speaking about. Tim Gard
@dnewman: Day 1 nuggets: in marketing, email is never enough. Reach ppl via channels they prefer. Not what you prefer.
@dnewman: Day 1 nuggets: There is such a thing as too much prep, staging, mechanics in a speech. Let loose to go faster.
@GinaCarr: Demos cool tools for video: Sanyo xacti camera with external mic. @terrybrock [Picture]
@Price_Points: Did anyone get the license of that truck that hit me last night? oh wait. Nevermind. It was Cigar Peg.
@hduckworth: Did you know 42% of college grads never read a book after college. @clintgreenleaf
@WellConnectLead: Don’t speak every point at the same pitch & energy level. If every picture in a gallery was bright red we would leave in 90 seconds.
@hduckworth: Don’t think the work is done when you finish writing your book. You still have 90% of the work to do. @clintgreenleaf
@JezebelSinfell: Drinking with this group is what drinking with Don and Roger from Mad Men must be like.
@hduckworth: Ebook sales grew 330% last year @clintgreenleaf
@ActivationCoach: Eloquence is a way of living, not just speaking. @GlennaSalsbury
@WellConnectLead: Embrace who you are and sell that. Don’t change your message, change your audience. True for speakers and everyone in wrong job.
@ErinEWells: Every day you wake up you need to check your passion. It’s your fuel to make a difference. -Steve Gilliland
@PegineMotivateU: Exhausted exhilarated grateful joyous blessed happy honored humble feeling good.
@DonCooper: Expertise is the enemy of innovation. -Stephen Shapiro
@CookseyConnects: Expertise. Eloquence. Enterprise. Ethics. That about sums it up!
@donnacutting: @ExtremeMeetings just led whole audience in a flash mob. Cool.
@Toni_Newman: EyeJot great service for sending video by email. Helps gets video through when firewalls might block video attachments. @TerryBrock
@allankarl: Forget crowds. You don’t want to be ONE of MANY you want to be ONE of a KIND @samhornintrigue – YES!
@TerryBrock: Get your fee, do it for free or flee! @Connie_Podesta
@ShinolaShines: Get your shoes shined for tonight’s reception. 2nd flr. By Starbucks. Don’t be a Mr Bungle!!
@SergioABello: Getting ready for the closing of an amazing convention, I did learn so much I am Overwhelmed.
@WellConnectLead: Great books drive media and that gives you the credibility to get the C-Suite to take your calls to get speaking gigs. Dianna Booher
@patrickleroux: Great content on how to open a speech. @PFripp Don’t start with I, but with YOU instead. Engage the audience right away.
@neenjames: Great ideas for speakers who write: 25 Ways to Create Contagious Content [Infographic]
@dkittleson: Great message from Peter Sheahan. Narrow your focus to do more business
@bizauthor: Here are the slides on #marketing for authors for my presentation to the Writers/Publishers PEG
@cheshirelad: Here’s the full Agenda for #NSA12
@GinaCarr: Hot tips for effective skype presentations: use ethernet connections (not wifi) on both ends. ~ @TerryBrock
@1080Group: Humor, application, and varied pace/rhythm …three marks of expert storytelling (via @GlennaSalsbury)
@PRPRPublicity: Humor, it’s what’s for breakfast! [Picture]
@Miss_Dazey: I am writing a story about Jeanne Robertson, Twitter & #NSA12. Lots to cover, but fun stuff.
@Frontrowgirl: I couldn’t do athletics or academia, those trees have already been peed on! Loved @SallyHogshead
@Price_Points: I hope @houston_nsa doesn’t take my podcast with @ThomSinger on Networking at #NSA12 the wrong way.
@neenjames: I love it when a city is so cool with their social media presence! @lovesellingindy
@RobBogue: I see the tweets, where is the conversation?
@1080Group: “Idea donations” are for charity, not for cheapskates. It’s why I just turned down your invite to speak for free.
@PattiDeNucci: If you are a speaker and not in NSA by next year it will be futile to resist. That’s how awesome we will be. Chapter Leadership mtg
@TerryBrock: If you don’t know what you’re worth, no one else will. @Connie_Podesta
@TerryBrock: If you don’t understand social media–don’t tell people. You look stupid! @Connie_Podesta
@alisonrbcm: If you’re speaking, attending or organising a conference you may like my blog on how to get the most from twitter
@dnewman: Ignore the negative nellies, psychos and backstabbers. Most speakers need therapy. Amen. via @Connie_Podesta
@PatrickMaurer: I’m grateful for the people who book my dad” – great youth response from the youth program to @mikedrobbins
@jeffnisch: Instead of speakers being the content, speakers are accelerators for collaborative conversations creating new thinking. @jeffjarvis
@PegineMotivateU: It is 4am and I am working on my program. No handouts, no PowerPoint, just tellin it like it is. Loving this conference
@ActivationCoach: It is difficult to be creative in isolation. @pfripp
@allankarl: It’s not about spewing content – it’s about getting somewhere @jeffjarvis
@allankarl: It’s not called The New York Times BestWRITING list it’s the BestSELLING list – know how to sell your book! @rory_vaden
@ColorYourEvent: Jeanne Robertson hilarious. Check out her classic routine: Don’t send a man to the grocery store!
@Miss_Dazey: Jeanne Robertson received the NSA “Master of Influence Award” Here is a list of past winners
@allankarl: @JeffreyHayzlett got TUMI client by using twitter and saying nice things . Twitter works!
@MBucaro: Just another fabulous day, drinking from the firehose at #NSA12 Let’s do this!
@mpaynknoper: Just saw video of 1 year-old who sees a magazine as iPad that doesn’t work from Graeme Codrington. Wish every school admin saw it.
@DonnaCardilloRN: Learn as much (sometimes more) in the hallways talking to colleagues as from the presenters at #NSA12
@pamgilchrist: Learn how to capitalize on constant chaos and disruption. Those who bring clarity add the value.
@WellConnectLead: Learning about publishing at #nsa12 – did you know there are over 3000 books published every day? $21M in ebook sales, $336M in print a year
@allankarl: Lecturing is an artifact in the old age of education @jeffjarvis
@mpaynknoper: Life is not about balance, it’s about alignment. Well said, @DanThurmon. And quite amazed to see him do handstand pushups on podium.
@VerniceArmour: Life must be off balance to grow. Are u off balance on purpose? @DanThurmon
@impromptuguru: Like the clever play on words: brandstorming vs brainstorming. Personal Note: Probably best done with others (and with wine).
@EastMentor: LinkedIn is for people you know. Facebook is for people you used to know. Twitter is for people you’d like to know. @dnewman
@TerryBrock: Listening to Rob Friedman of Ely Lilly at Global Speakers Network. Very good speaker w/gr8 info!
@GinaCarr: Look for gr8 markets in search of gr8 speakers. Lots of vertical markets like construction. ~ @Winninger
@MyBizPresence: Loved being able to sit in from home on Ruby’s webinar about webinars. My dream is 1 day this conf will be live streamed.
@teresaduncan: Loved this blog post by @jeffkorhan Read it, loved it, living it! See you in Indy.
@jobsearchjungle: Make your twittermunication a two way dialogue with powerful questions. @jeffjarvis
@ActivationCoach: Movement must match your message-have a purpose. @pfripp
@Mark_Sanborn: Multi-tasking is a myth. @danthurmon
@allankarl: Name video clips after what the content is about – bureau advice to speakers.
@ActivationCoach: Never be the guru of your own story, it lets the audience down. @CraigValentine
@MeetingMaximize: NSA Goers – hotel closet situation [Video].
@missfitts: NSA is like IKEA. They supply the materials, you supply the tools and elbow grease. @SallyHogshead
@PatrickMaurer: NSA youth made over 11,200 meals in less than 3 hours! #service pls RT [Picture]
@DaveLieber: Obama: My Biggest Mistake Was Not ‘Telling a Story’ So come to my Monday storytelling talk at #NSA12 Mr. President.
@WellConnectLead: Overheard at #NSA12 – They suggested we find our book titles in nursery rhymes. How about “Mary Had a Little Breakdown”?
@1080Group: Overheard at the bar… “These NSA people… they have BALLS.”
@ActivationCoach: People are crazy busy, at best they look at your email 2.7 secs, subj line and first sentence. @jillkonrath
@hduckworth: Peter Sheahan wins prestigious CPAE from #NSA12 #ASAE Congrats and gratitude for all you share in the world thru the power of spoken word.
@ActivationCoach: @pfripp shares she rehearses on the treadmill to get energy thru her body.
@PatrickMaurer: Please join me in thanking @AllisonMassari @mikedrobbins @DateSafeProject for speaking at the youth event. Great messages!
@jobsearchjungle: Procastination is most expensive cost in corporate america today. @rory_vaden
@donnacutting: Put as much money into your video as you want to earn in a single keynote. @SallyHogshead
@ButterflyHerder: Quick! Read this before heading to the convention! – How to Live-tweet from an Event.
@allankarl: Re: quality of video for speakers (not production value) – you’ve got to hear it-audio quality and content matters most.
@kate_holgate: Really grateful for all the #nsa12 tweets- those of us who aren’t there this year really appreciate it; thanks for keeping us posted!
@GinaCarr: Recommended for video creation: imovie, final cut pro, sony vegas studio, adobe premier. @TerryBrock
@TerryBrock: Reference letter is more important than gold – @ChadHymas
@SpiritOfCavett: Remember there are no BIG SHOTS and NEWBIES. Every person at #NSA12 is brilliant and should be treated as such.
@cheshirelad: Rob Friedman of Eli Lilly rocked the Global Speakers Network. Read his motivational speaking tips.
@WellConnectLead: @Rory_Vaden took 5000 copies of galleys of his book @ $1.34, sent to media/clients etc. Made best seller before book published.
@ButterflyHerder: Sad to hear about Stephen Covey’s passing today. Sending big hugs to his ‘real’ family and also to his ‘speaking’ family here at #NSA12
@salesfoundry: Sally Hogshead tells Natl Speakers Assn Get your F-score
@TerryBrock: Sense of authenticity when using your SmartPhone for video that U don’t get with pro video @SteveSpangler
@ActivationCoach: Sharing your failures is the quickest way to build your speaking biz. @CraigValentine
@clintgreenleaf: Sheahan: This business isn’t about you, it’s about the people who write checks for what you do.
@RonCulberson: So honored to be installed as president if the National Speakers Association today.
@ButterflyHerder: Social media followers like to know you’re “human,” so it’s OK to have semi-personal posts. Give them an inside view of your world.
@GinaCarr: Speak to ONE but look to ALL. (Direct your presentation to a SINGLE person.) ~@CraigProSpeaker
@WellConnectLead: Speakers are not in the content biz, they are in the relationship biz. Speakers are the sparks of new conversation. @jeffjarvis
@dnewman: Speakers: come to grips with this new reality. 1-way show is over. Let the anarchy begin. @jeffjarvis rocks!
@MeetingMaximize: Speakers, test out your material at Speakers Corner. Monday, 3:45pm [Video].
@WellConnectLead: Start by connecting with your audience – take a moment before you jump in to your talk to look people in the eyes. – Max Dixon
@NSASpeaker: Starting in 15 minutes! Learning Lounge: TED-Style Talks, How-To Demos and Roundtable Chats [Agenda].
@martydickinson: Still recovering from Jeanne Robertson’s amazing keynote.
@impromptuguru: Stories are an asset; The most powerful sales tool. @BillWhitley
@VerniceArmour: Stories are your path to Success! @Connie_Podesta
@PowerTraining3: Story telling has 4 crucial elements: scene construction, dialogue, point of view, status details. Dave Lieber the Yankee cowboy!
@neenjames: Suggestion for meeting planners inc Twitter handles on PPT slides,handouts & name badges as requirements.
@yns1: Suzie in the 3rd row doesn’t care about your content or you. She cares about Suzie. Show her how your content is about Suzie.
@KMSchriver: Taking a couple days to work ON the business not IN the business. Great day!
@DonCooper: Technology causes efficiency, not necessarily growth. –Jeff Jarvis
@hduckworth: Thank You @petergsheahan only speaker so far to list his twitter handle from the screen.
@LiveYourBrand: The 7 triggers of fascination are Power, Passion, Mystique, Prestige, Alarm, Rebellion and Trust #SallyHogshead [Screenshot]
@ProSpeakCoach: The ability to systematize is the key to sustainable growth. @prospeakcoach
@CathyPaper: The average business book sells 7000 copies. Jeffrey Hayzlett author of Running the Gauntlet.
@CoachSeanC: The barrier to entry in being seen as an expert is lower than its ever been. @workforcetrends
@DonCooper: The Crowd wants entertainment. The Curious wants information. The Committed wants change. –@Steve Iwersen
@DonCooper: The form of the lecture is kind of ridiculous these days. –Jeff Jarvis
@alisonrbcm: The power of twitter – even from here in Scotland challenged, enlightened and fascinated by what you said at @SallyHogshead
@WellConnectLead: Think about the possible impact of your writing in advance – will it stand up to the test of time?
@AnomalyAtLaw: This year’s NSA convention in Indy was top-notch!! Thanks to all who planned, presented and participated! #NSA12
@WellConnectLead: Thoughtfully target cos you want to work with using salesforce.com, netprospex, Hoovers, LinkedIn @jillkonrath
@jobsearchjungle: Tie blogging and topics to current events to give your platform legs for years. ‘@SamHornIntrigue
@ActivationCoach: Time frame to get attention for your book?….two weeks. @JeffreyHayzlett
@DaveLieber: Time off from my newspaper job begins NOW. Ready for #NSA12 I’ll present “Your Story Blows Me Away.” Video preview.
@sharperlawyer: Tip for speakers “Tell your stories in the present tense.” Dave Lieber.
@donnacutting: To go from a speaker to CEO you must continually live in the 10 years from now. @PegineMotivateU
@teresaduncan: Told by meeting planner that my handling of audience?’s is what sealed my return invite. Most valuable feedback!
@GinaCarr: Too funny: Cavett Robert’s daughter Lee just told the Academy that NSA founder Cavett had extreme stage fright as a child.
@christieturley: Tough times will either make you bitter or better, weaker or stronger. – Steve Gilliland’s Mom
@GinaCarr: Use CamtasiaMac, screenflow, camtasiastudio (window) to record Skype presentations. ~@terrybrock
@ActivationCoach: Use hypnotic language, small tweaks make a big difference. Use you. @pamlontos
@WellConnectLead: Use metaphors and more visual storytelling – when you talk about 18 foot long canoe – show the length on the stage. Max Dixon
@NSAAccelerate: Use this tool to ensure you get a return on attending #nsa12, then join us for the ROA session Sun am w/ @ChrisChange
@TerryBrock: Watch local back channels(Twitter) to learn what audience is saying, even if it is painful @JeffJarvis
@TerryBrock: Watch this funny video -Global Speakers Network-10:00 scheduled meeting-apparently cancelled??
@PatrickMaurer: Watching @AllisonMassari use technology to allow #nsa12 #youth texts ?’s for a great Q&A. Don’t fear cell phones–utilize them!
@allankarl: We are in an age of magnificent disruption. @jeffjarvis
@jeffllewellyn: We spend more time dreading a decision than actually acting on that decision. Find focus for your organization.
@doug_brock: What a great concept: Happiness = Results – Expectations. Heard at #NSA12 applicable everywhere. via @BackFromRed
@WellConnectLead: What if professional speaking (one way) comm were about to be disintermediated (like book pub)? What would you do differently?
@WellConnectLead: What strength do you have that keeps you from developing the skill that you need? Max Dixon
@GinaCarr: When you are crafting your letters/emails/pitches, you need to hear the recipient/audience say “WHO CARES?!” ~ @PamLontos
@WellConnectLead: Who needs a runway – take off from where you are. @VerniceArmour
@MyBizPresence: Winter Conference is in SF?? Hooray!!!
@christinecashen: Wishing there was a Nap Peg @ #NSA12 #tiredpuppy
@hduckworth: Women buy 80% of all books out there. @clintgreenleaf
@DaveLieber: Wonderful Dale Irvin video on cliches.
@allankarl: Work double time part time for full-time free time @rory_vaden
@ActivationCoach: You are paid to deliver your core message you create value by customizing. @pfripp
@MyBizPresence: You don’t become successful without embracing a little scary along the way. — @TerryBrock
@allankarl: You have 3 elements of energy: Your face, your voice, and your body. Is one of them sabotaging your success? (via @ConnieDieken)
@VivianBlade: Your blog is the heart of your social media strategy. @bizauthor
@makingitallfit: Your brain is hard-wired to fascinate and to be fascinated @SallyHogshead
@allankarl: Your materials shouldn’t be five years ago, they should be where you want to be 5 years from now @SallyHogshead
@hduckworth: Your message must be in total alignment with who you are. Then you will fascinate. @SallyHogshead
@DonCooper: YouTube reports 3 billion hours of video streamed per day. –@TerryBrock

Guest Posting: The Slow Speech Movement, by Lee Glickstein

Lee Glickstein is the founder of Speaking Circles International. This article first appeared in his Relational Presence Newsletter. Lee will be talking about the Slow Speech Movement at a no-fee Masterful Public Speaking teleclass on Tuesday, July 10, noon-1 pm Pacific Time. If you are inspired to join him, click here to register.

The Slow Speech Movement: Holding Forth at the Pace of Listening, by Lee Glickstein

Lee Glickstein Time continues to speed up for so many of us and it shows up in how we communicate and I’m not here to suggest you slow down and take a pause between what should be shorter sentences because you’ve got so much to do and so do I and we don’t have control anyway of the accelerating demands of this quickening electronic pace of life that continually threatens to leave us behind if we try to catch our breath and take a moment to feel into what the next sentence wants to be, but…..

{Full breath}

If you happen to be talking to clarify, inform, or inspire, speaking at a typical pace as in the paragraph above actually wastes time and energy through miscommunication and missed communication.

When it is truly important to be heard, whether eye-to-eye or on the phone, we want to attune to the pace of actual listening. Short sentences, rather than those strung together with “and” or “so,” and without filler words such as “uh,” “um” and “you know,” are listener-friendly. A pause between sentences, within sentences, and a longer stop between spoken paragraphs are listener-heavenly.

But trying to follow these guidelines as a technique won’t do it. The Slow Speech Movement requires shifting where your voice itself is coming from. On the phone I put my hand on my belly or my heart and feel the vibration of the sound emanating from the center of my body. I feel the pleasure of my tones flowing from my being into my listener(s).

In front of a group, I often start with my hand on my heart, and go there and take a breath any time I sense I am beginning to speed.

For dramatic indication of how my own voice has transformed in the month since I started paying attention to where it is coming from, compare my voice in the video above this article with that in the current website video.

Filler Words

“Uhs” and “ums” signal you are speaking from your head. When you speak from your body you do not use filler words or string sentences together with “and” or “so.” It is not these words themselves that create disconnect with your listeners. Rather, it is where they are coming from that irritates the flow of comprehension.

Maintaining Relational Presence through your eyes with one person at a time supports the natural connection from the center of your being to theirs (or from the connection at the center of the earth if that image works for you). On the phone, without the visual support, Relational Voice requires extra attention to the body and earth connection.

The Slow Speech Movement gently asks us to practice slowing waaaaaay down with a supportive listener or group, on the phone or eye-to-eye. This may be quite uncomfortable at first and you may imagine that this pace is too boring and impractical for the “real world.” But when you finally lock into the pleasure of this way of holding forth when being heard is a priority, you will be able to pick up and vary your pace without going back into your head and losing presence.

And here is the best part. When organically arrived at, Slow Speech allows you to access more of your natural brilliance and essential clarity. The sound and feel of your voice generates pleasure within yourself, allowing your listeners to relax into their own deeper intelligence.

Watch Lee’s opening to last month’s Speak with Ease Relational Presence Training introduces and demonstrates Relational Voice. It also models the “Slow Speech Movement” discussed above.

Interview: Aaron McDaniel, young professional

Aaron McDaniel is a corporate manager, entrepreneur, public speaker and community leader. Aaron has held diverse management roles at AT&T, being one of the youngest to serve as Regional Vice President. Still in his 20’s, Aaron is a serial entrepreneur and founder of multiple ventures including Young Professional’s Edge (YP Edge), a company focused on empowering young professionals to succeed in their careers. A graduate of UC Berkeley’s Undergraduate Haas School of Business, he taught a highly rated student-led course on leadership.

Outside of his professional life, Aaron is an avid international traveler, having visited 33 countries to date. Passionate about giving back, Aaron founded the Jill Wakeman Foundation for Equality and is an active community volunteer in San Francisco where he lives.

Young Professionals Guide Aaron is also the author of The Young Professional’s Guide to the Working World: Savvy Strategies to Get In, Get Ahead, and Rise to the Top, due out in late September of this year. In the book, Aaron provides key insights relevant to young professionals who are looking to build successful careers, including providing the 25 attributes that all successful young professionals need to develop.

Pro-Track Profile

I talked with Aaron recently about his background. To hear what he told me, and the specific advice he has for young professionals who want to be successful in their careers, as well as his impressions of the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class that he is part of, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:26 — 1.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Relevant Resources: AV supplies for professional speakers

I help edit SPEAKER Magazine for the National Speakers Association (NSA). Each month I curate the Relevant Resources column – a list of time-saving tools and technologies.

The June 2012 edition listed AV supplies for professional speakers. Speakers for speakers, so to speak…

Professional speakers have a multitude of AV needs in their home offices as well as on the platform. Whether your goal is to make money in your jammies or reduce noise interruption when presenting to live audiences, you should consider investing in your own audio products. Get started with this assortment of quality microphones, recorders, speakers, software solutions, and accessories.

Pop screen

You know when you say the letter “p” into a microphone and you hear that annoying pop noise in the audio recording? It doesn’t have to be that way. Pop filters are screens that filter the popping sounds that occur when you speak into a microphone (not to be confused with the foam covers that function as windscreens). Using a pop filter can make a significant difference in your sound quality. Check out this filter for only $15 on amazon.com.

How to Record Skype Calls

CallBurner is an application that works with Skype to record your calls and convert them directly to mp3 or wav files for the best quality. Ideal for business meetings and podcasts, CallBurner creates crisp, clean, professional recordings, and is great for keeping a call archive. PC only. Free 30-day free trial, $49.95 after.

A Simple Audio File Editor

Audacity Audio Editor Whether you’re new to editing, or you’re a pro who just wants an easy, yet powerful, solution, Audacity® is the package deal. A free, open source, cross-platform software for recording and editing sounds, Audacity supports mp3, wav and aiff files; allows users to cut, copy, splice and mix sounds together; and you can also change the speed and pitch of recordings. This is the software I use to edit all my podcasts. Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

A Quality Digital Recorder

Olympus Digital Recorder A digital voice recorder, like the Olympus VN-8100PC Digital Voice Recorder 142600, allows you to record your own presentations and interview audience members for testimonials. This one features 2 GB memory, USB connection, support for mp3 or WMA formats, a large LCD screen, and a long battery life. $82. Use it with the Olympus ME-15 Microphone. $22.

The Snowball Microphone

Snowball Mic If you’re looking for a simple plug n’ play mic that connects to your computer and is ideal for podcasting, check out the Snowball USB Microphone. Snowball is the world’s first professional USB microphone that sounds just as good on your desktop as it does in a recording studio. The retro design is attractive and its three-way switch can handle a variety of recording applications. Connects with PC, Mac, or iPad. $66.

Screencasting

Want to speak, train, and sell more? Camtasia® Studio makes it easy. With this software, you can record presentations, product demos, and sales presentations; create interactive “screencast” training videos; and add a boost to your blog without going over budget. Available for PC and Mac. $300.

An Invisible Mic

Tech-geek speakers who want the ultimate cool onstage presence will love the Countryman E6 Omni Earset Mic. Practically invisible to live audiences, this headset captures sources clearly with excellent rejection of ambient noise, and it is incredibly comfortable to wear. $325.

A Rechargeable Wireless Microphone System

VocoPro Wireless Mic Save cash without compromising quality when you opt for the VHF-3300 2 Channel VHF Rechargeable Wireless Microphone System from VocoPro. While not in use, set microphones in the charging port on top of the receiver. The set features Squelch Circuitry to eliminate background noise, individual volume controls, LED indicators to monitor signal strength, and a range of up to 150 feet. $142.

Great Self-Contained Speaker System

Behringer Speaker System Say goodbye to those backbreaking floor wedges when you discover the 150-Watt Behringer EUROLIVE B205D Speaker System, an ultra-compact PA speaker with amazing sound quality. Featuring revolutionary amplifier technology, a 3-channel mixer, two mic preamps with phantom power, dedicated stereo input and more, Eurolive delivers high power and tremendous functionality at a great price. $150.

Shure Wireless Mics

Shure Wireless Mic When onstage, a hands-free lavalier microphone provides freedom of mobility. The Shure SLX124/85/SM58 Dual System features a Shure SLX4 Diversity Receiver, a Shure SLX2/58 Handheld Transmitter with SM58 Microphone, a Shure WL185 Cardioid Lavalier Microphone, and a Shure SLX1 Bodypack Wireless Transmitter. In addition to serving as backup, the second (handheld) wireless mic is a great way to perform Q&A with your audience without the hassle of cables. $889.

Portable Presentation Speakers

GoSpeak Portable Speakers Like the Behringer Eurolive, the GoSpeak! Pro Portable Presentation Speakers are extremely portable and pack an impressive list of features, but at a slightly higher price point. These 13 x 9 inch flat panel NXT® technology speakers slide into your laptop bag with ease and provide uniform volume throughout a room with up to 200 people. Plug them into a regular microphone, CD player, laptop, or other sound source. $290.

You can subscribe to SPEAKER magazine on the NSA website.

Conference Best Practices: The Tech Policy Summit

The recent Tech Policy Summit at the Silverado Country Club in the Napa Valley was a well organized and engaging event. Too many conferences are painful to attend; lengthy keynote speeches in windowless hotel rooms, rubber chicken and endless PowerPoint conspire to dull the senses. This event was an exception. Here’s a list of the best practices that made a difference:

Location, Location, Location

Tech Policy Summit 2012 The Silverado is an hour’s drive north of San Francisco, just far enough away to encourage those who could afford to stay over to do so, but an easy drive for anyone who wanted to commute. This eliminated the temptation for people to leave early and swing by the office. The conference “room” was a deck overlooking the golf course and the Napa Valley hills. It might have been distracting, but the a/v system overcame ambient sound from the fairways and the temperature in the shade was just right. People stay awake out of doors; in darkened conference rooms they fall asleep.

An Active Backchannel

Over 900 tweets were generated on the first day of the event alone. The Agenda listed the #TPS2012 hashtag together with Twitter handles for all panel members. There was excellent WiFi and a majority of the audience engaged with the backchannel on their laptops and smartphones.

While some attendees provided a valuable “live tweeting” service listing the main points being discussed, others offered reaction, opinion and responses. For those of us who were following (and this was not confined to those who were there in person) the tweet-stream augmented the event.

There was even the phenomena of greeting people in person who you’d previously exchanged tweets with:

@KatieS: New phrase coined at Tech Policy Summit for meeting people in person after twitter chats – TWIRL: #Twitter In Real Life.

Panels Not PowerPoint

Tech Policy Summit 2012 Panel The agenda was exclusively comprised of panels. No keynotes, no PowerPoint, hence no need for a darkened room. The panelists often presented ‘point/counterpoint’ viewpoints that generated lively, sometimes heated, debates:

@kitode: Spirited debate on copyright between @mmasnick and @jttaplin of @USC @annenberg

@emilycastor: It’s getting heated! “You [@mmasnick] are not a neutral blogger, you are a shill for the technology industry.” – @JTTaplin

They checked most of the boxes in the Tips for panelists that I’ve listed in the past. Any exceptions were called out by the audience:

@pine_apple123: can we have a “Do Not Pitch” setting for @joshgalper?

Diversity

The event attracted a diverse audience: from Hollywood to Silicon Valley; the East and the West Coasts; Geeks and Legal Eagles. Tech Policy touches many areas: privacy; innovation; entrepreneurship; censorship; competitiveness; cybersecurity; a path for responsible online access; kids on Facebook; charges of incompetence and corruption in governments; complaints about the hubris of start-ups; and more, much more.

Diversity of viewpoints made for a vibrant event.

@redgraveK: love that there are 3 women (1 man) and a woman moderator on #tps2012 panel! @changetheratio #xxintech

Competent Moderators

As lively as the panels sometimes got, the humor and intelligence of the moderators was appreciated.

@whafro: You all know I appreciate a good panel moderator (99% of them suck), and @declanm is doing a mighty fine job with this one at #tps2012

Lesson Learned

Kudos to Natalie Fonseca, Co-founder and Executive Director for planning this event.

The lesson I took away was that, as the closing words from the first day stated: participants must learn to tell their stories to effect change in Tech Policy. People need to seize every opportunity to bring these issues to audiences in ways that everyday people can understand. And, as powerful as the panels at this event were, that might mean crafting an elevator speech or position statement that calls on the skills of a competent technology speechwriter.

I’m standing by … 🙂

Interview: Ann Rea – Artist, Speaker, Businesswoman

Ann Rea San Francisco-based artist Ann Rea creates an Experience of Art™ for select patrons that is an innovative blend of new and old world mediums. Patrons choose their favorite landscape and join this nationally acclaimed artist for a tour of that special place, one that holds their heart’s most meaningful memories.

The artist returns to paint several studies in oils on canvas, shaping colors inspired by sunlight. Week by week, patrons witness the evolution of their painting by way of a dedicated online creative diary. They then choose one or more studies for Ann Rea to reinterpret on larger custom canvases.

A beautiful signed storybook chronicles this personal experience.

Ann Rea draws on the tradition of the French Impressionists and the influences of her mentor, contemporary painter Wayne Thiebaud, an American art icon. Rea continues to garner national media attention, including in magazines such as Fortune and Wine Enthusiast. Ann Rea hosts a limited number of in-studio visits as well as Art & Wine Pairings.

She is also a spellbinding guest speaker at conferences and business events where she shares her inspiring personal story and innovative business approach to the art market. Visit her website to see samples of her amazing art.

Pro-Track Profile

I talked with Ann recently and asked her about her background as a San Francisco-based artist and the inspiration for the unique experience of art she shares with clients. To hear what she told me, and her impressions of the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class that she is part of, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:42 — 1.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The Second Elizabethan Age

Queen Elizabeth II The first Elizabethan Age lasted 45 years from 1558 to 1603 and saw a flowering of English influence through international expansion and naval triumphs. It witnessed a renaissance in poetry, music and literature, most noticeably the works of William Shakespeare.

The Second Elizabethan Age began on February 6, 1952 and celebrations are currently being held to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. There has undoubtedly been a decline in English influence and, the Falklands War aside, few naval triumphs. Nevertheless, England produced the Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who and so was responsible for a renaissance of sorts.

Since my life has been almost exactly coterminous with the Queen’s reign I can claim, even more than Shakespeare could, to be an Elizabethan. Although I left England over 30 years ago, I still hold a British passport. I love my Marmite, Cheshire cheese & Branston pickle and admit to getting a chill down my spine when I heard them play Land of Hope and Glory on Sunday.

So here’s to Her Majesty who, as the Beatles sang is “a pretty nice girl, but she doesn’t have a lot to say.”

Guest Posting: The Five Roles of a Speechwriter, by Brian Jenner

Brian Jenner runs the European Speechwriters Network, an association that brings together international communicators to promote the craft and profession of speechwriting. The Network hosts conferences and organizes training; supporting like-minded individuals, working as freelancers, or within international organizations, to share expertise, exchange ideas and make new contacts. This is a transcript of a talk Brian gave to Toastmasters International on Wednesday 11 April 2012.

My name is Brian Jenner and I’ve brought a photograph to show you today. It’s me, with the tool of my trade.

It cost me £600 and it stands in my study.

It’s a lectern.

When I finish writing a speech, I print it off, go to the lectern and read it out. The lectern doubles up as a desk and I can make amendments in the margin as I go along.

Woody Allen said that 90% of being a success was turning up.

I’d say that you’re 50% on the way to becoming a professional speechwriter if you read out every speech you write.

You’d be surprised how many people don’t.

I spend quite a lot of time searching for the text of speeches on the internet. They publish the ones made by corporate CEO’s in banks, international organizations and insurance companies.

You soon realize that no-one could possibly have tried to read them out before they’re delivered – they’re so verbose and dreary.

I had quite a struggle before I decided it was my vocation to become a speechwriter. We all have natural abilities. Things that come easily to us. Ideally we need a job that uses all our talents to the maximum.

I’ve given it careful thought and I’ve come to the conclusion that I play five different roles as a speechwriter.

The first is that of a JOURNALIST

I trained as a journalist. I worked on The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.

The most important skill of a journalist is to be able to research a story. My clients don’t usually have the time to spend five hours looking deeply into a subject.

A newspaper has the resources to support a journalist.

I have reference books – and the equivalent of a cuttings library – a large collection of jokes and stories, which work well in speeches.

It means experience counts for something.

Most jobs require a little bit of madness, and a speechwriter needs to be a FANTASIST

I’m always puzzled by the number of people who accept reality as it is.

The Italian sociologist Pareto said you could divide the world into two types, people who are routine, steady going, unimaginative and conservative and those who are constantly preoccupied with the possibilities of new combinations.

My local councillors worry about pavements and parking.

When I moved down to Bournemouth in 2004, I thought I’d moved to a backwater for senior citizens. Then I realised the area’s potential.

If it linked up together with Poole and Christchurch, I see how it could become a great city like San Francisco on the South Coast.

It’s the job of the speechwriter, with a brooding and creative temperament, to manipulate the steady going, because we’re in the business of reconstructing the world with ideas.

The third skill you need is HUMORIST

I studied French at university. One of my favorite quotations comes from the French writer Rabelais.

Mieux est de ris que de larmes escrire
Pour ce que rire est le propre de l’homme.

It’s better to write laughs than tears because laughter is what being human is all about.

What’s the point of being boring?

What’s the point of complaining?

If you want to persuade people to do something new, it helps if you can make them laugh.

The fourth skillset is PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Speechwriting is a very intimate process.

You’ve got to get under your client’s skin.

When we speak in public we reveal a lot more about ourselves than we realize.

When a best man wants to go to a wedding and tell obscene jokes. That tells you something about his psychological problems. I help him conceal them.

However, when a father of the bride says he hasn’t got a clue what to say, it’s my job to probe, and encourage him to express feelings that he may have been too shy to admit to, but will give great significance to the day.

Lastly, a speechwriter is a FUNAMBULIST

For many the prospect of giving a speech is like a wire walk.

It fills them with dread.

The speechwriter has to walk their walk for them.

We can’t deviate from the path they set.

One of my heroes is Philippe Petit, the French funambulist.

He was inspired to begin his great project when he saw something in a magazine in the dentists in 1968 – a picture of the Twin Towers which were going to be built in New York.

Then he decided he was going to put a wire across the gap between the towers and do the tightrope walk.

The story of how he did it, which made a great book and film, epitomizes for me how an idea becomes a vision and a vision a reality.

If you want an image to express how the speechwriter supports the speaker, we’re like the balancing pole to the wire walker.

We’re there to add stability and improve co-ordination.

So I’m lucky. I don’t get to do just one job, I do five.

Journalist, fantasist, humorist, psychotherapist and funambulist.

Interview: Rachna Srivastava – Geek Woman Speaker

Rachna Srivastava is a passionate speaker. Her goal is to inspire and empower girls, women and other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering and math. Her vision is of a global program that nurtures and encourages technical and mathematical skills in women and other minority groups. Rachna is a software developer with 15 years experience in software analysis, design, development and implementation. Her educational background includes a Masters in Business Administration in Finance (MBA), Masters in Science in Statistics (MS) and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. She is currently a Software Engineer at HP working with development teams in a complex, globally-dispersed environment. Before joining HP in 2010 she worked as a Software Engineer at IBM for nearly nine years.

Women in Information Technology

Rachna asks, “Did you know that in the next decade, the national demand for scientists and engineers is expected to increase four times that of all other occupations? But where are women? The population of women in information technology has dropped from 40% of the workforce in 1986 to only 20% now and the number is still dropping.”

The importance of inclusion and diversity

Rachna lists three reasons why we should care about having women leaders in technology:

A recent study done at MIT shows that a well-managed diverse group produces more innovative solution to problems than homogeneous groups. Why is so? We know that to create innovation we have to have diversity of thoughts and in order to have diverse thoughts we need to have diverse set of people bringing these ideas.
Women tend to be emphatic and empathy creates a more complete picture of issues, which contributes to changing consumer behavior. This understanding is critical to both product development and product marketing.
Women are good collaborators, they are more likely to ask for advice and consider other peoples opinion. They encourage employees participation, and when employees participate they feel powerful and important and get them excited about their work. This is good not only for employees but also for the organization.

You can read more on this and other topics on her Geek Woman Speaker blog.

Pro-Track Profile

I met with Rachna and asked her about her background and the initial steps she is taking on her journey to get the word out about her important message. To hear what she told me, and her impressions of the National Speakers Association Pro-Track class that she is part of, click on the podcast icon below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:06 — 1.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Relevant Resources: To conquor your creative block

I help edit SPEAKER Magazine for the National Speakers Association (NSA). Each month I curate the Relevant Resources column – a list of time-saving tools and technologies.

The May 2012 edition suggests resources to stimulate your creative juices. Creativity and fresh ideas are essential to the success of any professional speaker, and even naturally creative people lose their edge occasionally. Whether you’re struggling to write a book, revamp your business model, or just having a dull, uninspired day, turn to one of these resources to reignite your creative spark.

While You Were Sleeping

Pillow Speakers You already know that sleep is good for you, but did you know that we are at our most creative when we are dreaming? Listening to information while you are drifting into la-la land stimulates creativity and enables the unconscious mind to absorb information more effectively. Plug in the SoftSpeaker Pillow from NPR’s online store for the perfect combination of comfort, quality and reliable sound. The speaker is padded in soft foam and its cover is washable. $19.95. www.Shop.NPR.org

Drink Yourself Smart

A lot of “smart drinks” on the market claim to clear brain fog and stimulate creativity. Whether this one actually works or not, it packs an undeniable punch of herbs, natural compounds and organic agave syrup. The world’s first kosher drink of its kind, Brain Toniq from TrueToniqs is said to increase mental focus and help you conquer your day without all that caffeine. Order online or find it at your local health food store. $2.99/can. For a full list of ingredients, visit www.BrainToniq.com.

Add a Pop of Kuler

Adobe kuler Want to add pizazz to your PowerPoint®? Brighten up your branding? Kuler by Adobe is a unique website that generates color themes to compliment your marketing materials and inspire a myriad of new projects. No matter what you’re creating, Kuler lets you experiment quickly with color variations and browse thousands of themes from the Kuler community. You can also upload your own images and select matching or contrasting pallets. The best part? It’s free. www.Kuler.Adobe.com.

Stumble Through It

Discover new and interesting content on the Web via StumbleUpon.com. The site, which boasts over 20 million members, lets you browse random websites with the click of a button and indicate whether you “like” or “dislike” recommendations. As you provide feedback, StumbleUpon learns what best suits your tastes. You can also sign up for email updates that further assist you in uncovering hidden gems from across the Web that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Join for free. www.StumbleUpon.com.

Sleep on the Job

Metronaps Energypod Napping is highly underrated, and these days innovative companies like Google are encouraging it to help employees get the much-needed rest they need to regenerate ideas and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The EnergyPod from MetroNaps combines stylish design with ergonomic functionality to create the ideal environment for energy enhancement. It features a contoured shape to elevate the feet, semi-private sphere, and a built-in adjustable timer. Visit www.MetroNaps.com for more details.

Start Stacking

Stuck in a rut? Start stacking, that is, compiling a list of online bookmarks that showcase your passions. Delicious.com lets you take a look at what other people find interesting on the Web, create your own “stacks” – videos, pictures, tweets, blog posts – and personalize them with your own commentary to share with the community! Drop the Delicious bookmarklet in your browser to get started. Free. www.Delicious.com.

Tune in to TED

Tedx If you haven’t heard of TED by now, do yourself a favor and click on www.TED.com to find free videos on technology, design, business, and global issues. TED Talks are invitation-only events where creative powerhouses like Bono and Bill Clinton come together to swap ideas. For a live experience designed to stimulate dialogue on a local level, you’ll want to check out TEDx events, inspired by TED’s mission – “ideas worth spreading”. Visit www.ted.com/tedx to learn more.

Mind Over Matter

Group collaboration can be challenging. XMind makes it easy with a powerful and intuitive design, simple ways to express ideas and share information to your audience, and user-friendly project tracking and task management features. With this mind-mapping software, you can create and edit topics, drag and drop to reorganize, take “mapshots,” and add attachments. Free or $49/year for XMind Pro. www.XMind.net.

Turn to Toons

Gaping Void Brighten up your inbox with a daily cartoon illustrated by Hugh MacLeod, bestselling author and CEO of Stormhoek USA, which markets South African wine in the States. Drawn on the backs of business cards, these delightful messages are motivational and thought-provoking. When you subscribe on his website, you’ll get access to hundreds of limited edition prints and access to special offers. Sign up for free, and be sure to follow Hugh on Twitter @gapingvoid. www.GapingVoid.com.

You can subscribe to SPEAKER magazine on the NSA website.

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"…the most prolific blogger in the speechwriting business." – David Murray, Vital Speeches of the Day.

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The Slow Speech Movement: Holding Forth at the Pace of Listening, by Lee Glickstein

Filler Words

Pro-Track Profile

Pop screen

How to Record Skype Calls

A Simple Audio File Editor

A Quality Digital Recorder

The Snowball Microphone

Screencasting

An Invisible Mic

A Rechargeable Wireless Microphone System

Great Self-Contained Speaker System

Shure Wireless Mics

Portable Presentation Speakers

Location, Location, Location

An Active Backchannel

Panels Not PowerPoint

Diversity

Competent Moderators

Lesson Learned

Pro-Track Profile

Women in Information Technology

The importance of inclusion and diversity

Pro-Track Profile

While You Were Sleeping

Drink Yourself Smart

Add a Pop of Kuler

Stumble Through It

Sleep on the Job

Start Stacking

Tune in to TED

Mind Over Matter

Turn to Toons

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Archives

Search

Blogroll

Miscellany

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