2-Minute Tip: Don’t waste you first 10 seconds

And when I found magic, I just threw everything out the window, and it's been that way ever since. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

When you go out on that stage you are a blank slate with the audience . They don’t know you. They’re not bored with you — yet. Now is when you have the best chance to grab their attention and interest.

So plan it out. Don’t leave your opening 10 seconds to chance or peter it away on, “How is everyone doing today?”

Tell a story. Tease the content. Surprise them. Comfort them. Or get right down to valuable business. But whatever you decide to do, make it deliberate and within your control.

I'm using the humor and the magic to help them promote their cause and get their message out there in a clear way. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

Post Tip Discussion: Meet Magician, Speaker, and Coach Matt Fore

Matt Fore’s career has really been full of adventure. From proudly showcasing magic in high school, to jumping on last minute cruises as a performer, to coaching entertainers hoping to grow their own businesses, he’s got stories to fill 10 episodes.

What jumped out about him in this conversation is the humbleness with which he presents himself. There’s no over-the-top bragging here. It’s just a lot of simple practical advice and moments that had me laughing throughout the episode.

There's something wrong with me, but I've always loved being up in front of people. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

Bio

Matt Fore is a Humorist, Writer, Speaker and Comedy Magician who routinely serves as the main stage performer for Corporate, Association and Faith based events around the country as he has for more than twenty-four years. 

He has performed for Carnival Cruise Lines, The Magic Castle in Hollywood and has appeared on several national TV Shows including The Crook & Chase Show on TNN, Fox Sports and Swan’s Place on Odyssey. Matt is a contributor to Success.com, Entrepreneur.com and is the author of two books, “The Five Essential Elements – A Simplified Road to Success,” and his very popular comedy devotional “The Truth Shall Make You Laugh.” He is a lecturer among his peers in the areas of entertainment, sleight of hand magic and effective marketing.

He lives in Johnson City TN with his author wife Jo Ann. They have three or four kids. He is not sure because he spends much of his time on the road. 

I'm far more comfortable on that stage talking to the whole crowd than I am when the show is over, when the message is over and I'm off the stage. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

Minnie Pearl

Matt’s early efforts at speaking in grade school were centered around Minnie Pearl. But what if you don’t know who Minnie Pearl is? Well, that’s why God and Google gave us YouTube

People are drawn to confidence. They want to connect with somebody that's confident, and they want to stay there. You kind of create an atmosphere with them. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

Introverts vs Extroverts

Matt describes himself as an introvert. Many speakers do. Personally, I go back and forth between the two poles so I guess I’m more of an ambivert.

A lot of people assume introvert means shy so how can an introvert be comfortable on stage?

Because the concept of an introvert is more nuanced than that. Generally, introverts lose energy engaging with other individuals and recharge in more quiet, individualistic activities. Extroverts are just the opposite. They soak up energy from the people around them. They thrive on personal engagement with other people.

Public speaking at first glance seems optimized for extroverts since you’re in a room with dozens or hundreds or thousands of people.

In reality, though, you aren’t in a personal engagement with all those people. You are on stage doing your own thing. You’re working to engage all those people at once and, while it’s important to think about those people and the value you are there to deliver, it’s ultimately a solo activity. It’s you and the concept of the audience. It’s an individual approach. You can leave all your energy on stage to land your message and succeed.

It’s a heck of a lot easier than schmoozing at the networking party later.

I think people often perceive us speaker/entertainer types as extroverted people, but we're not. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

Let People Help

After and before an event, people may want to help you out. If you’ve been doing this a while, you may not need that help. In fact it may slow you down and throw off your entire routine. Or you may want to not burden those folks. Let them help, anyway. Prepare ahead of time some tasks you can ask folks to do when the offer assistance.

You’re doing them a favor.

Them offering to help you is how they are trying to forge a connection or a relationship with you. Most of us aren’t “famous” in the traditional world, but in the context of a speaking event, the speaker is a star. For some people this will be their brush with fame for the day, and they’ll be thrilled to talk about the part they played in your day in the years to come.

Accepting help also validates that they have value. That they can contribute even in some small way.

And that’s a simple thing you can do to leave an even more positive feeling with your audience.

People need happiness. They want happiness. They're looking for happiness. And yet I don't think people really make a connection between how happiness actually affects your business and your success. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking… Click To Tweet

Links

But if you're batting 700 as a speaker, you're out of business, so you got to make an adjustment. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

Call To Action

• Visit MattFore.Com to learn more about Matt and his projects, or check out the Entertainer’s Marketing Academy to learn how you can book more gigs.
• Subscribe to 2-Minute Talk Tips in your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode
• Don’t get best…get better.

You can just knock down all kinds of walls in just a couple of minutes just by being happy. — Matt Fore #PublicSpeaking #StoryTelling #2MTT Click To Tweet

2-Minute Talk Tips is the public speaking podcast that helps you become a more effective speaker in as little as 2 minutes a week.