This week, I delivered an opening keynote at a conference to an audience of 210 women. The meeting planner had selected a program I had crafted when I first started speaking. Over the years, I have tweaked, fine-tuned, added, deleted and edited many of the details. Although my signature story, the 3 bullet points and the close were similar to the original version, something about delivering it this time was different.

At the NSA Georgia March meeting, our program featured three incredible speakers who are members of our chapter (Dr. Gene Griessman; Kay duPont, CSP; and Jon Schwartz) and one guest speaker, Ryan Girard. The topic was building character. I had previously learned the value of bringing life to the characters in my stories. On an earlier edit, I had been able to eliminate “he said/she said” simply by adjusting my body stance, the sound of my voice and my facial expressions. It wasn’t until I was driving home after the March meeting that an idea came to me on how I could use my body in a more exaggerated way to emphasize one of my experiences I enjoy sharing with the audience. By combining several of the tips I had just learned from our 4 key presenters, I was going to be able to add yet another dimension to my signature story.

Several minutes into my program, I could “feel” that the audience was with me. It’s like having a sixth sense when you just know they’re having a good time and listening intently to what you are saying. The time came in my story to try my new gestures. I knew it was going to be risky. For a split second, I remember thinking, “Should I try it now or wait until I’ve tested it on a smaller audience?” Since I’m known to be somewhat gutsy and willing to take chances, I decided not to hold back, but to go for it!

The audience hesitated briefly, then seeing firsthand what their minds were imagining, they broke into spontaneous laughter. Because I had also learned how to expand the moment by using the “44 muscles in my face” and to enhance a look by striking a pose, they were given an opportunity to continue laughing. It was obvious they thoroughly enjoyed the addition to this segment. It always amazes me how one small change in a movement or how we phrase our words can make such a tremendous difference in the audience processes what they see and hear.

Although I don’t yet have a specific character who can present an entire program, I learned from Gene and Kay how to mentally transform myself into the mind, body and personality of a character. They have each mastered the power of the pause and how to change the pace and inflection of their voices for the greatest impact. From Ryan, I learned not to walk through, but rather over or around my imaginary props so I don’t cause confusion in my audiences’ minds. Next week, I have a program where I’m going to use the techniques he shared on a unique way of involving and controlling audience participants. What a great concept!

The learning for the day didn’t just come from our 4 key speakers. Ken Futch kicked off the newest feature at our meetings, “Lunch with a Pro.” Each month, one of our CSPs will host a table during lunch and share valuable tips on how they got into the speaking business and what has or has not worked for them. As Ken shared, the group listened and hung on his every word. His generosity extended for a full hour!

We are one of the luckiest NSA chapters I know for having such an abundance of professional wisdom and expertise that is so graciously shared! What have you done recently to seize the moment and take advantage of our incredible resources?