Preparing To Be A Brilliant Teleseminar Speaker

“Being a teleseminar guest…what’s the big deal?”

Actually, a lot. As a host, I can testify that it’s very hard to find a great guest: someone who keeps my audience intrigued, makes me look good (or at least doesn’t embarrass me), and shows up prepared and organized. And as a guest, I’ve been honored with tributes – even thank you gifts! I understand exactly where the host is coming from. I’ve been there.

Three BIG tips to get started:

Tip #1:  Manage your introduction

If someoe else introduces you, write out the introduction word for word. Your intro should include 3 W’s:

Why are you a good choice for this audience? What are your credentials? What do you deliver when you appear as a guest expert?

Be prepared: sometimes your host will lose the introduction or botch it completely. Have an extra copy and be ready if your host jettisons your carefully prepared remarks and says, “Why don’t you just tell us about yourself…”

If you introduce yourself, use the opportunity to share your “story of origin:” how you started your business and evidence of your success.  There’s no one best format. You don’t need a rags to riches story, especially if you never went through the “rags” stage and/or you don’t feel you are in the “riches” stage.

Tip #2: Give it your best shot, every time.

Recently I listened to a teleseminar on how to give great presentations – one of my favorite topics. The guest spoke in a monotone with lots of “ums” and “likes.” Whew … instant loss of credibility!

I’m sure the guest speaks more carefully when she’s “on” at a big event. But in my experience, it’s important to treat every communication carefully. You never know.

One business owner told me, “I would like to ask Tim to be on my teleseminar. But whenever we talk on the phone, he rambles on and he can’t express ideas clearly and simply. I can’t take the risk.”

Sure, this business owner might check out Tim’s seminars and be surprised. But he may not bother.

Some people benefit from speaking coaches and business groups like Toastmasters. I recommed recording your own calls and conversatinos. As you listen critically, you get better.

But…being confident and enthusiastic will help your overcome a ton of “ums.”

Tip #3: Respect the ground rules and the host.

Here are just two of the questions you need to ask:

Q1: “Am I allowed to promote a special? WIll the host want an affiliate link to get a commission?”

If your host gets a commission, it’s a courtesy to promote *only* the product you talked about.

And never, ever promote other programs or shows where you are appearing, even if you’re scheduled for Oprah the next day…unless you’ve cleared with the host first.

Q2:  “Will the host need a set of questions?”

Some hosts want you to send ten questions before you appear. Others prefer to be spontaneous and a few will turn over the program to you.  There’s no right or wrong way to do this … just the host’s way.

One of my guests showed up (virtually) with 17 pages of single-spaced copy, which she proceeded to read, word for word. She brushed me off when I tried to ask questions. I was appalled. People actually wrote in to say, “That was the worst telesemminar you’ve ever done.”

If you’d like to become a stronger teleseminar presenter and guest, you have many choices. Currently Lisa Sasevich is offering a FREE teleseminar to introduce a program she will be offering. The teleseminar is free so you have nothing to lose: http://bit.ly/dzz2ti

Just the free call will be beneficial. If you sign up for her program through my link, be sure to let me know: you get a free 60-minute consultation as a thank you.