######################################################## Simply Speaking...Selling Yourself & Your Ideas E-Zine Volume 5, No 8, August, 2002 Published by Lenny Laskowski Copyright LJL Seminars(tm), 2002 All RIghts Reserved ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LJL Seminars (tm) 106 School House Road Newington, CT. 06111-4002 United States Of America (860) 666-4855 or Toll Free 1-800-606-4855 Fax: (305) 489-6481 Web page: ############################################################## ******************** JUST RELEASED !!! ********************** Lenny's new book, "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" is now available as an Audiobook. You can be one of the first to order. Take the link below: I have also provided an audio sample as well to listen to at the link above. Also, Amazon.com now offers a downloadable audio file of this book as well. ************************************************************** In this issue: 1. Location, Location: How the Setting of Your Speech Affects Your Delivery - Part II 2. Simply Speaking Discussion Board 3. How to subscribe / unsubscribe ######################################################## 1. Location, Location: How the Setting of Your Speech Affects Your Delivery - Part II from "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking" (Chapter 4 - pages 94 - 97) Copyright, 2001 Philip Lief Group Inc & Lenny Laskowski -------------------------------------------------------- In my last issue of Simply Speaking I discussed the first seven points listed below. In this issue of Simply Speaking I will be discussing the last seven points starting with Hotel background music. 1. Room location 2. Room size 3. Room layout 4. Chair and table arrangements 5. Door and window locations 6. Lighting 7. Signage: directing participants to the room location 8. Hotel background music 9. Room temperature control 10. Other functions taking place in the hotel or convention center during your seminar (find out what's going on in the room next door) 11. Food arrangements 12. Audiovisual requirements 13. Phone lines 14. Storage and security for seminar equipment 8. Hotel Background Music Music can be distracting during a presentation unless it's part of your program. If you find the room has music: * Find out how to turn it off. Some hotels have individual room controls, and you don't want to compete with the music, so ask at the front desk or speak to person in charge. Some rooms have controls where you can turn off the music yourself. * Use either royalty-free music where you don't have to pay royalties (a fee) to the producer or musical artist, or use music you received permission to play. Several companies on the internet offer royalty-free music. Occasionally I use lively music when the guests first arrive. I play softer music during the breaks. However, the music I choose isn't tied in to my presentation. 9. Room Temperature Controls It is important that the room be comfortable for you and your attendees. * Find out from the hotel or convention hall how to control the room temperature. Many hotel rooms or convention halls have thermostats, but many times these have a Plexiglas cover and are locked. * Ask if the lock can be removed during your seminar. * Get a name and number to reach the hotel personnel or convention hall manager if you are not permitted to control the temperature. 10. Other Functions at the Same Location Giving a speech is difficult enough. The last thing you need to worry about if the class reunion with the disc jockey next door. * Find out if any other functions are happening simultaneously with your seminar (such as a wedding) * If this is the case, ask if you can move your function to another room. If this happens at the last minute, ask for the hotel staff's help in preparing appropriate signage to direct attendees to the new room. This scenario has occurred only a few times in my professional speaking career. For example, if I learn a wedding is next door and I can't change my room, I try to get a time frame from someone involved in the wedding reception. I can find out when the "loud" portions of the wedding are occurring, such as introducing the bridal party and cutting the cake, so I'm not completing with the noise. 11. Food Arrangements If you are planning to have food served as part of your function: * Inform the conference director of your intent to serve food. Many hotels give you a better room rate if they know you are serving food. I have sometimes, received the room for FREE because each of my guests were staying in the hotel as well. * In the morning provide coffee, tea, juice, pastry, and fresh fruit (Don't forget those people who are diabetic). Many people need their coffee and may have headaches (or just become annoyed) by midmorning if you don't offer it. Provide soft drinks and light snacks for afternoon seminars, and always have ice water and mints available. NOTE: Keep in mind that offering this at your programs can cost a significant amount of money. * Ask the hotel or convention hall staff if you and your attendees can preorder from a menu sheet if you are not serving a set menu. Include the menu sheet in your seminar packet, so attendees can fill it out upon arrival at the seminar. Provide a box to put the forms in, and make sure whoever's greeting attendees lets them know they need to fill this out if they plan on eating at the hotel. * Arrange to have someone pick up the food if you are not ordering from the location's catering facility. * If you decide to have the hotel deliver lunch to your seminar room, let them know when to deliver the food. I usually have them set the food outside the room, so they do not disturb the seminar while in progress. Sometimes, I make it real easy and only provide box lunches. * If you are not providing refreshments, allow the group enough time if they have to go out for lunch. * I also ask the hotel to provide me with a list of local restaurants people can also eat at for lunch and dinner. Sometimes the hotel food is too expensive and people want to eat but not spend a lot of money. Give them this option. 12. Audiovisual Requirements It is always a good idea to make sure that all your audiovisual requirements are arranged well ahead of time. Don't assume that just because you asked or sent your requirements in writing that every detail will be taken care of to you satisfaction. * Arrive early and check that you have everything you need. * Bring your own equipment if you are speaking locally. This not only saves you money, but it guarantees you will have everything you need. * Test you audiovisual equipment. Plus in the slide or overhead projector and check that the bulb is working and also check that there is a spare bulb available in case the one you have now burns out during your program. Check that you slides are loaded properly in your slide carousel. Don't wait until during the program that your slids are upside down or backwards. 13. Phone lines Having the proper phone connections is crucial is you seminar involves using a modem or ethernet connection. I require phone lines when I'm doing my internet marketing seminars. Ask that you can check the connection the night before. * Arrange for phone lines when you book the room. Take into consideration that not every room in the hotel or convention center is equipped with phone jacks. * If the room has a phone on the wall and it's not part of your seminar, turn off the ringer so you and your attendees aren't distracted by a ringing telephone. 14. Storage and Security for Seminar Equipment Depending on the seminar topic, I sometimes require the use of a computer, overhead projector, LCD Projector, spotlight, or microphone. Here are some tips on the next way to store your equipment at your speaking location. * Make sure you have arranged well in advance, preferably when you book the room, for the proper storage of equipment. * Make sure you have access to the room if it's locked and you can lock it when the room is not occupied. I recommend getting a key from the appropriate personnel so you can enter and exit the room as you please. As you can see there is much more details you need to pay attention to regarding the setting of your seminar and it is YOUR responsibility NOT the hotels to make sure everything YOU need is there. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next issue: In my September, 2002 Issue I will be begin my discussion on Body Language and Voice. Until next month! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Can't wait for the next issue of Simply Speaking? Why not purchase a copy of my new book, "10 Days to More Confident Public Speaking". Click on the link below: My new book is now available as an Audiobook. Click on the link below: Also, Amazon.com now offers a downloadable audio file of this book as well. ######################################################## 2. Our Simply Speaking Discussion Board !!! ######################################################## Do you have some public speaking questions or questions dealing with presentation skills? Ask me directly and I will provide you with some sound advice and some immediate solutions using my on-line discussion board. Below is the direct link to our new discussion board. ######################################################## 3. How to subscribe / unsubscribe ######################################################## To subscribe to Simply Speaking visit http://www.ljlseminars.com or use the following links below: Subscribe Address: Unsubscribe Address: You may also send subscription requests to: and we will help you. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ LJL Seminars (tm) 106 School House Road Newington, CT. 06111-4002 1-860-606-4855 In Continental US call Toll Free: 1-800-606-4855 Until next issue! - Lenny Laskowski :-)