As CEO of The Property Education Company, Louise holds conferences twice a year in Melbourne and Brisbane, and she also hosts many other events including seminars and webinars for clients to teach them about buying property and investing.
What prompted you to study with Michelle?
I loved Michelle’s book – ‘Don’t Picture Me Naked’ and thought she had such practical and fabulous ideas for structuring presentations and methods like 4Mat and Storyboarding for helping me remember all of my presentation, no matter how long. After I found out that she also ran 2-day masterclasses I just had to attend!
How did Michelle’s teaching change your attitude to presenting in business?
Michelle’s methods are very structured and organised so I now feel a lot more confident when presenting a keynote. This is because she helps you recognise how to analyse the audience which is the most fundamental part of preparing your talk. Analysis makes sure what you say is relevant and specific, it’s not just what YOU want to say.
In general, what positive outcomes have you achieved from improving your presentation skills?
My attitude has changed as I prepare a lot earlier and a lot more thoroughly and then of course I feel a lot more confident presenting. The magic is that my clients think I sound more natural and relaxed – as though I didn’t prepare at all. Perfect!
I have presented for the last few years at the Small Business Festival in Victoria and have been asked back again. I am also a regular presenter at the seminars run by the Bayside Business Network in Melbourne.
In what specific ways have your presentation skills improved since learning with Michelle?
Finance is something that many people find confusing and even stressful. I have improved my results after studying with Michelle because I am better able to express my message so I am way more easily understood. I have also found that I am better able to introduce myself and my qualifications without sounding like I am boasting or bragging, I just sound credible.
What were your top three take aways from Michelle’s teachings?
- Analyse your audience so you know who they are, what they are thinking and feeling and what they need to hear from you.
- Practice your talk out loud many times before you have to give it. Perfect Practice makes Perfect.
- It’s important to remember to include the ‘What if?’ and ‘what else?’ at the end. It forces you to give your audience a clear summary so they take away the key messages.
- Let people ask questions before you finish and then have a final round up so the last thing your audience hears is your positive closing statement.