Articles

Topics include:

  • The art and business of professional speaking

  • How to book, write, and deliver TED-style talks

  • Principles of compelling communication

How to Entertain Audiences, Even If You're Not An Entertainer (Tips for Speakers and Presenters)

Explore effective strategies for leaders and experts to captivate audiences through meaningful engagement in presentations, emphasizing authentic connections over mere entertainment, and offering practical insights for impactful, substance-driven public speaking.

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How to Charge Whatever You Want For Speaking Engagements

Explore effective strategies to accurately price and confidently charge for your speaking engagements. Learn to identify your audience, leverage market knowledge, and build self-assurance in your value. Our guide provides actionable insights for professionals aiming to secure fair compensation for their expertise.

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How to Know Exactly What Event Organizers Want

Unlock the secrets to success in the speaking industry with key insights from the AAE Speaking Industry Benchmark Report 2023. Discover the most sought-after topics, optimal pricing strategies, and the importance of keynotes in our comprehensive guide. Enhance audience engagement and secure your spot as a top speaker by understanding event organizers' needs and mastering audience connection.

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TED-Style Talks Worth Studying in 2024

As the founder and principal consultant of Conquer the Red Dot®, I've helped dozens of experts and leaders book, write, and deliver the talk of their lives on the most prestigious stages. I pay close attention to what kind of talks are getting booked and shared. So, here is my personal list of 6 talks that all aspiring speakers should study in 2024.

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5 Unexpected Reasons Why Great Speakers Give Terrible Speeches

This article explores five common mistakes great speakers make that lead to unengaging speeches, including prioritizing story over substance, solutions over understanding the status quo, entertainment over engagement, misordering ideas, and not focusing on audience needs. It offers practical insights for impactful public speaking.

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19 things I do to make every speaking engagement a success (that have nothing to do with the speech)

Professional speaking engagements are not just about the time you spend on stage. Here are 19 things to consider doing before, during, and after the event to ensure success.

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How to win a speaking competition: Insights from the judging table

Discover key techniques for successful speaking: Learn how to create clear, engaging messages, provide actionable takeaways, and develop a unique hook. This article offers insights from Speaker Slam, demonstrating how to enhance presentations for TED-style and professional events, ensuring they resonate powerfully with audiences.

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Dreaming of the Red Dot? Focus on these 3 things

Taking the stage at a TED-style conference is, for many, the ultimate dream. It's not just about being under the spotlight; it’s about sharing a truly Big Idea - that could ignite change and inspire action.

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I Hated Slides and Now I Love Them: How I Built a Captivating Keynote

We've all suffered through those 20-minute presentations featuring slides brimming with bullet points, inscrutable graphs, and bewildering stats. But are slides themselves the culprits, or is it about how they are used? As speakers we all want to deeply engage our audiences, provide them with actionable takeaways, earn rave testimonials, and over-delight our clients.

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The Wallpaper Blunder: How to Leverage Failure as a Thought Leader

Learn why vulnerability is an asset in thought leadership. This article explores how admitting and learning from failures builds trust and fosters engagement. Discover the key principles that turn setbacks into stepping stones for you and your audience. Master the art of relatable, trustworthy leadership.

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How to network when you just don't care

This article redefines professional networking as a meaningful, inclusive practice. Learn how to grow your network genuinely by focusing on problems, not transactions. Discover how curiosity and authentic engagement can transform your networking experience.

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6 Killer Business Books To Close Out 2023 Strong

Discover curated top business books from the inundated market. Brian Miller handpicks transformative reads for professionals and entrepreneurs, blending classics with recent gems. Dive into insightful reviews and make the most of your reading time with these standout publications.

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Want a successful business? Learn from toddlers.

Learn from a toddler's puddle play and explore practical strategies for tackling common business challenges. Get reminded of simple strategies on generating leads, closing sales, and managing customer requests while navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.

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The 1 Thing as Important as a Speaker’s Message

Unlock the power of body language and stage presence in this compelling article, revealing the hidden key to speaker success. Overcome common non-verbal communication pitfalls and learn effective strategies to captivate your audience, create unforgettable presentations, and elevate your speaking career. Make your message resonate and leave a lasting impression with every talk.

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The Simple Way to Sell "Beer Cheese Potato Sausage"

Explore the importance of clarity in communication with a funny, relatable story that illustrates the impact on marketing and branding. Gain insights on how to effectively state the problem your brand solves. Enhance your messaging strategy and audience connection with 2 valuable messaging tips.

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Why Core Messaging Skills Matter Beyond Business

Effective communication is key to success, both in business and in personal relationships. The core messaging work that Clarity Up does isn't just for TEDx talks or businesses - it can also be applied to personal relationships. In this article, Conquer the Red Dot™ Master Coach Lindsay Rae explores the importance of having a clear and concise message in all aspects of life.

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An Opinion is Not an Idea

Many people today mistake their opinions as facts or ideas, leading to a lack of critical thinking and analysis in our discourse. This blog aims to explore the difference between opinions and ideas, offering steps on how to turn personal views into well-informed and thought-out solutions to problems. By gathering information, critically analyzing it, and proposing a solution, we can turn our opinions into ideas with the power to change the world.

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Practical Advice on Clear Communication

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Topics include:

  • How to book, write, and deliver TED-style talks

  • Clear and consistent messaging

  • Professional speaking