WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO PUT "PIZZAZ" IN YOUR PRESENTATIONS?

There are many ways to get your audience involved in your presentation. Some are audience participation, stories, jokes, silly stunts, or songs. All of these work well, but they won't work if you are a dud!

Listen to these words: Sparkle, lighten up, silly - What do they mean to you?

Some days when you are doing a presentation you sometimes don't feel like being there or even being around people!
This normal, but everyone can spot it when you aren't all there.

NOTE#### You have about five seconds to grab your audience's attention before they go nuts on you!

There are four areas you need to work on to insure that "Pizzazz" takes place.

1. Your introduction: Do you know how to introduce yourself? Do you have a good handshake? Do you smile and look people in the eye? How do you look? Clean? A slob? Wrinkled?

2. Your surroundings: Does it smell? Is it to small? To big? To cold? To hot? To noisy? As you can see the list can go on.

3. Your presentation: Have you planned the program? Are you well prepared for emergencies? Is your presentation clearly outlined? Do you know what the outcome is supposed to be?

4. Are you fun to be around?: Do you have a sense of humor? Are you serious about non-serious things? Do you have an attitude? Do you complain in front of your audience?

KISMIF
(KEEP IT SIMPLE, MAKE IT FUN!)

OR

KISMIF
(KEEP IT SILLY, MAKE IT FANTASTIC!)

Questions Storytellers Need To Ask Themselves

· Who am I and why would someone hire me?
· Can I work a crowd?
· Can I work in any weather environment?
· What do I have to offer a festival or event?
· Can I be flexible enough to fit the needs of the audience?
· Can I be a team player? Will I be our partner to the producer?
· Will I promote the festival or event?
· Do I have any "non negotiable" points?
· Am I fun and enjoyable to be around?
· Am I comfortable around kids, animals, the elderly, etc.?
· Am you available for picture taking with audience? Autographs?
· Above all, can I be at the festival or event on time!!!?


Asking yourself these 12 simple questions can help you to decide if you want to perform at certain events or if you are what someone is looking for.

To make these questions work, first answer them in writing. Don't worry about the way it is laid out, just put the words down. Most of them are simple yes or no answers. Sure there will be some that you need to explain for example: Can you work in any weather environment? You might answer no with an explanation; I' m allergic to the sun. I can only do indoor or shaded events.

Some of the questions can be hard to answer. Am I fun and enjoyable to be around? Some folks might answer that one differently than you would! Be honest and once you've answered these questions you will be able to offer a quality program.

Remember if you don't ask yourself these questions event producers will!