Every now and then, I get an email inquiry about my presentation coaching services from someone I never met before. Recently, I received an email that was direct and to the point: I am interested in some coaching–can you give me some information about you, rates, and your philosophy?
I’ll share my answer below, but I’d like you to think about how you would answer the “Who are you?” question–what information would you share? If you have a salaried job, you might not have “rates.” But, do you have a philosophy about what you do and how you do it?
Who you are and your philosophy in what you do should be apparent in your communication, including your presentations.
Now when someone asks questions like that, ideally, you would know something about them so you can tailor your answer (that’s “audience analysis”). I answered her questions in email first, as that was how she initially communicated with me. So, all I had was her name, her title, and the website of where she worked and a phone number. I looked her up on LinkedIn and checked out the website. I noted she was on the East Coast.
Now I could respond to her questions with a little more insight.
After some pleasantries and also a statement that I looked her up on LinkedIn and saw that she worked in the fitness industry and also had a business in the fitness industry, I jumped into answering her questions:
About me: I’m a professional speaker (http://smalltalkbigresults.com/), an author on communication topics (http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Windingland/e/B004AXXPXW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1), a presentation coach (http://www.virtualspeechcoach.com/), very involved in Toastmasters International, (public speaking and leadership development), a wife, a mom of 3 grown children, grandma of 4 . . . and just because you are in the fitness industry . . . I lost 50 lbs last year by changing to a mostly Paleo-style of eating, using the MyFitnessPal app and walking 3-4 days a week. In my 40’s (I’m now 52), I started karate and achieved a second degree black belt (I don’t do karate anymore, after moving away from the studio 3 years ago).
My rates: http://www.virtualspeechcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Virtual-Speech-Coach-Fees2.pdf Note that an initial 30 min. phone consult is free.
My philosophy: The most important thing in a presentation is the audience. With that belief as the foundation, I help presenters craft and deliver content that is audience-centered and that gets results (which could be leads for a business, support from key stakeholders, buy-in to action steps, etc.).
How I do that is first through an informal intake interview conversation, talking about where you are at and where you want to go with your speaking, and if you have a specific event you are preparing for, I have additional questions (I can send you the questions ahead of our free phone consult if you like).
Based on the information you provide, we come up with an initial plan to meet your goals and then work on the plan.
Many clients come to me thinking they just want help on delivery skills, but most end up spending more time working on audience-focused presentation structure. That is the second most important thing in a presentation: the content. Delivery is third. And delivery is important. I believe most people should give a presentation with minimal notes for maximum authenticity. Working on delivery at a distance can be done in several ways (from using Skype to using video).
Of course, I ended the email with offering times, in both my time zone and her’s, for that free consultation!
So, take a moment and reflect on how you would answer the questions from a client or a prospective employer: What is the information you would share about yourself and what is your philosophy?
If you think I could have given a better answer, please let me know that, too!