Smile, You're on YouTube!

Back in 1947 there was a radio show called “The Candid Microphone”. Never heard of it? I have never heard of it either until I did some research recently. This radio show led to a television show most of you have heard of Candid Camera.  The original Candid Camera debuted on television in 1948 and was on until the 1970’s. It even made other appearances through the years with different hosts.

If you never watched Candid Camera, I can describe the show for you. Something would happen to a person (an intentional prank usually), the person would be shocked or embarrassed. After the audience would laugh, the host would say the famous words, “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera”, then the person who was embarrassed would laugh and know it was a joke.

If you think about the premise of the show, someone doing something funny, recording it, and showing it later to get laughs, does this sound familiar? Hello, this is YouTube, the Candid Camera of today!

While many of us have watched or recorded a YouTube video, we can probably agree they can be a time waster. Once you start watching the baby doing something silly or the dogs opening the front door, you find that they are entertaining and you end up watching a few more.  Everyday people can become a celebrity overnight when a YouTube video goes viral. Suddenly, they are an internet sensation.

Can YouTube help your business? Absolutely! You can record short videos about your business, training videos, or speeches. Once you have the material, you can create your very own YouTube channel, and upload the material. Unlike Facebook where it becomes difficult to find a video you once recorded, everything is listed on your YouTube channel. Viewers can like, share and post comments on your videos. If they like your videos, viewers can subscribe to your channel to get notifications of your new material.

If you are giving a presentation or doing a webinar, why not record it and add it to your channel? YouTube is the second most popular social media platform behind Facebook. This can be a great addition to your social media marketing plan.

Lights, Camera, Action!

 
Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Blog:  http://DGTrainingsolutionsinc.blogspot.com

Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/DG-Training-Solutions-Professional-Development-Meetup/


 

 

 

It Is Good to Be Different!

I have a confession to make…I am a serial networker. I love networking and meeting new people. I love to be able to refer them to others I know and help build beneficial relationships.

I started networking in 2007 while trying to find an opportunity in the training and development industry. I had just finished my master’s degree and was ready to get my dream job. But changing careers and especially industries, isn’t easy. You have to get out there and meet people. That is why in 2007, I started networking and have never stopped.

One thing I notice when I network is certain industries have many people networking and trying to obtain clients. Recently at a networking event, I noticed a few real estate agents, insurance agents and financial advisors. And this was all in one room! As they each gave me their “60 second commercial” I had the same thought, I would not remember one from the other tomorrow morning.

A mistake I see is people not taking the time to show how they are different from others in the same industries. Don’t just say, I can help you plan for your financial future. Mention something that will get their attention. “Wouldn’t it be nice to visit your children and grandchildren across the country without having to worry about the additional expenses on your tight budget after retirement”? This would stand out in my mind more than “I can help you plan for your financial future”. Draw a picture they can see, and remember. This will distinguish you from the others in the room.

It is good to be different! Tell your prospective clients why you are different and what you can do for them. Once you get into the habit of reframing your commercial to include this strategy, you will be surprised at the reactions you receive.

Coco Chanel once said, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”.


Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/DG-Training-Solutions-Professional-Development-Meetup/

What are you telling yourself?

I recently started to read Napoleon Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich” which was written in 1937. I have had this book for a few years and never read it. When I saw a local mastermind group forming dedicated to Think and Grow Rich, I knew it was a sign for me to join the group and finally read the book.

While only a few chapters into the book, one chapter resonated with me…autosuggestion. If you have never heard of this term, think of the law of attraction. Positive thoughts cause possible outcomes. Your autosuggestion will go into your subconscious mind and you will become what you believe you are.

Wow, how many times in the past did I think to myself, “I am not ready to give this presentation”, “I did not study enough and will not do well on this test”, and my favorite…”I will never get my bills paid off”?

Why do we put these negative thoughts into our minds? As a woman, I think it is easier for us to think we don’t deserve success or we are not good enough. Why are we defeating ourselves every day?

The next time you have a negative thought about yourself, your business, or your ability…stop yourself. Focus on autosuggestion by telling yourself you will be successful or will do a great job or will get out of debt.

Start today. Instead of being upset because you only crossed off half of your to do list, be happy you got 50% of your list done. Focus on the positives and you will notice your outlook will not be the only thing to improve!

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/DG-Training-Solutions-Professional-Development-Meetup/

Of course it makes perfect sense!

I remember it as it happened yesterday.  I was sitting in the audience at a Toastmasters function listening to the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking, Darren LaCroix, presenting a workshop.  Darren was speaking about trying to break into the business of stand-up comedy. His mentor told him never pass up an opportunity to perform.

Darren calls this “Stage Time, Stage Time, Stage Time” and this is his mantra in which he strongly believes. 

Of course, this makes perfect sense.  If you want to be great, you need to practice, practice, and practice.  If you want to be great in public speaking, you need stage time.

I never pass up an opportunity to speak in public.  It may be at my Toastmasters club when they ask if anyone can fill in and do an impromptu speech, or it may only be at a board meeting when I have to address my fellow board of directors.  It may be reading the past minutes from a meeting in a business networking group that I am a member.  This is all stage time.

To be an effective public speaker, you need to be a great communicator.  Hence…stage time, stage time, stage time as fellow Toastmaster Darren tells everyone.

Public Speaking means a variety of things to different people.  You may not have any aspirations to stand up in front of an audience of 1,000 people.  Public Speaking to you may mean teaching a workshop, giving a presentation during a staff meeting in your organization, or standing up in front of your congregation and reading scripture.  This is all public speaking!

Practice, practice, practice and you will see improvement.  But better yet, others will see your improvement.

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Blog:  http://DGTrainingsolutionsinc.blogspot.com

Meetup:  https://www.meetup.com/DG-Training-Solutions-Professional-Development-Meetup/

I Was Ready With a Plan B

I am a firm believer of always double checking everything before a presentation and having a Plan B in case something goes wrong.

That is exactly what I did last summer while preparing for a workshop I was presenting for 65 people. I saved my slides on a USB in case my computer didn’t want to work. I was ready! I made sure my computer was fully charged as well as brought my adapter, just in case. I was ready! I tried my projector, had extra batteries for my presenter and wrote down all my passwords I needed for the presentation in case I became logged out. I was ready! I even went out the day before and bought a 15-foot extension cord just in case I needed one. I was ready!

The day of the workshop I showed up an hour early to setup. The outlet was far from where my laptop and projector would be placed. Whew, I thought, good thing I brought an extension cord. When I went to plug my projector into the extension cord I couldn’t. My extension cord was 2- prong and the projector needed a 3-prong extension cord. What? Are you kidding me? These were the questions running through my head. I just kept holding the extension cord and the projector cord willing it to fit. It didn’t. Who would have thought to plug everything into the extension cord to see if it worked? Not me.

Always have a Plan B or C. No matter how much you double and triple check, something always seems to happen. Lesson learned.

Oh, my Plan C, the presenter scheduled after me had an extension cord and I used hers.

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Be Like Batman: Be Recognizable

I was at a celebrity autograph convention a few years ago, and was lucky enough to meet Adam West (aka Batman from the 60’s television show).  He was very funny and entertaining while answering the audience questions. When he walked into the room everyone yelled Batman.

A year or so later, I was watching The Big Bang Theory and Adam West was a guest star.  The guys on the show were driving Adam West somewhere when they started to discuss the various actors who have played Batman.  When they asked him what he thought about the actors he replied, “They walk into a room and say:  I am Batman. I never had to do that. I walked into a room and everyone knew I was Batman”.

What happens when you walk into a room? Do people say there’s Denise she does something with training and talks to people or do they say she works with organizations training their employees and teaches workshops to help people grow their skills?  Do people know what you do?  Do you know what you do?  Okay, you know what you do, but do you explain it to the people you meet so they can understand what you do?

If you have more than one business, do you confuse people by giving them too much information about all your businesses and they can’t remember what you do at all? Or do you customize what you say when you meet someone anticipating their needs? When you meet a potential client, only give the information you think they will need or want to hear that is applicable to them.

When we think about Batman, we can visualize what he looks like and what he can do.  Be like Batman, make yourself clear and concise when you are explaining your business and you will be remembered.  “Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane” …okay just kidding!

Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni

Keep Your Audience Talking

I recently did a presentation for a company with twelve people in attendance.  The topic was communication.  While this was a new topic I was presenting, I have been in front of audiences of all sizes for many years and have been able to engage them through questions and examples.

There were only two ladies in the group that would answer the questions I would ask.  A third woman would make negative comments throughout the presentation.  It was a difficult presentation and I struggled to get interaction, which I found surprising.  I would ask a question, wait for a response and not hear a thing.  What really made the whole presentation worse was one evaluation form I received back had a comment that I could not engage the audience!

What!! I wanted to scream when I read this comment later that night.  I did everything but stand on my head to get participation.

An audience that responds to the trainer will gain more from the presentation.  The trainer isn't asking questions to have a break from talking or cannot fill the allotted time.  The trainer wants the audience to be engaged to increase their comprehension of how the information can be used back in their work environment and how their fellow participants are processing the information.

Later that evening I thought about what else I could have done to encourage the rest of the group to participate.  I went through my experience: asking open ended questions, relate the information to their industry, ask how they could apply this information to their positions, give my personal examples, and listen to clues where some of the questions were leading.  Check to all the above, I did these things.

I realized some people will not say anything in a group.  I also realized some people just want to be heard and will try to hijack the presentation from the speaker.  It can be a challenge to find the balance.

Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you cannot keep an audience talking.  What other ways do you get an audience to keep talking?


Until the next blog, Keep Speaking!

Denise

Denise Ann Galloni, Owner & President

DG Training Solutions, Inc.

Website:  https://www.DGTrainingsolutionsinc.com

Email:  dgtrainingsolutionsinc@gmail.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deniseanng

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/DGTrainingSolutionsInc

LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/deniseanngalloni