Ahhh, the elusive demo reel. You can’t get hired for events without video footage of you speaking. But how do you get footage of you speaking if you can’t get events?

 In addition, what is it meeting planners or hiring committees want to see?

 Here are some tips and things to keep in mind regarding creating a demo reel that actually gets you hired.

1.        Quality of Footage:

There is a saying I have heard amongst speakers that the amount you want to make per event is the amount you should spend on a demo reel shoot. Basically, if you want to make $10k, then you need to spend $10k.

 Uhhh, no thank you. I come from the film/commercial world, and I do not see a reason to spend that kind of money. Ahhh, the elusive demo reel. You can’t get hired for events without video footage of you speaking. But how do you get footage of you speaking if you can’t get events?

 In addition, what is it meeting planners or hiring committees want to see?

 Here are some tips and things to keep in ...

10 Tips for Improving Public Speaking Skills: Become a Confident Speaker

Public speaking is an essential skill that can significantly impact your personal and professional life. Whether you are delivering a speech, making a presentation, or speaking in front of a group, honing your public speaking skills will help you convey your message effectively. This article presents ten invaluable tips to help you become a confident speaker.

Understanding Public Speaking

Public speaking involves delivering a message to an audience, and it encompasses various elements including content, delivery, and engagement. Mastering public speaking skills can enhance your communication abilities and boost your confidence. As a speaker, you must be able to connect with your audience, adapt your message accordingly, and deliver it with clarity. Understanding the nuances of public speaking is the first step in improving your overall performance.

The Importance of Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking...

https://youtu.be/DvYPAdH2_WQ?si=iHyQwhcKKgnigmu0

Slides are some of the most misused valuable real estate you own as a speaker. There's a lot to that statement. I'll do a whole other video on slides and why they should never be covered in stats or re-iterating what it is you've already said.

In the video above, I have a small segment in one of my speeches where I make fun of slides. In other words, the slide becomes my punch line.

The reason it works is it is completely unexpected for the audience. 

You will notice me looking a little too much at the remote. There was a slight delay and some issues with connectivity in the ballroom between their laptop and the remote and the screen. This is nothing unusual and you should always be prepared for anything technical to not run smoothly.

I encourage you to re-think what's possible when it comes to your slides.

I had so much fun shooting this with the fabulous, Corey, and the RVS Small Business Network Show.

You can watch the full episode here: https://rvasbn.com/featured-interviews/boost-your-business-speaking-with-humor-and-authenticity/

Below is a recap:

Welcome to another episode of The RVA Small Business Show with your host Cory Mosley. In today’s segment, we are joined by Stacy Pederson, Speaker Coach, and Funny Motivational Keynote Speaker.

Stacy is a well-known expert who helps speakers add entertainment value to their speeches.

WHEN IT COMES TO AUTHENTICITY, FOR ME, ON STAGE IS BEING COMFORTABLE ENOUGH IN FRONT OF THE AUDIENCE TO MAKE MISTAKES, TO BE MYSELF, TO SHARE MY STORY, TO NOT ACT LIKE I HAVE MY LIFE ALTOGETHER. -STACY PEDERSON

Speaking: More Than Just Words

You’ve probably attended dozens of seminars or business events. Remember that one speech or presentation that had you hooked? The odds are that it wasn’t just the content but the speaker’s delivery that made ...

Update 2024. I have my EXACT sales process I use on, "The Bash" (formerly Gigmasters) available on my on-line course section.

You can find it here: https://app.kajabi.com/admin/offers/2149585513/checkout

**(Update-See Bottom of Post for Update Regarding My Experience With Each Through Covid.)**

I often see questions or threads regarding the validity of two online booking website, “GigMasters” and “GigSalad”. I’ve belonged to both for several years as a speaker and clean comedian and here is my honest experience and advice on investing in either.

The Difference I Found Between the 2 Sites:

GigSalad:

-Easy platform to use

-Most often much lower paying gigs compared to GigMasters

-Most gigs are direct inquiries so you are not competing against other people to be booked

-Easy to target certain areas of the country

-I met REALLY nice people who booked me through this platform that have become dear friends. Not sure why this site draws really personable people, but it does.

Above is a video that gives an overview of my morning routine for when I do motivational speaking for out of state events.

I have different routines I've developed over time. One for later in the day events, night events, in-state, out of -state etc. If you are new speaker or performer who is starting to travel you will develop your own over time.

I remember googling and trying to find ANYTHING that could give me an idea of what to do when I traveled. I found nothing. That's why I made this video.

If you'd like more videos on public speaking, performing (behind the scenes), then you can watch the video here and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/vKg69eDLIjc

Kindly, Stacy P.