Whether you are already a speaker or aspiring to become one, these blogs offer stories and tips.
I share my experiences from over 1000 keynotes and 2 TEDx speeches worldwide. From successes to bloopers, common mistakes to insider tips.
I am curious about your story…
I have been a motivational speaker for more than 25 years. Each of the 1000 keynotes and 2 TEDx speeches was special. Either because of the location (Qatar, South Africa, Lithuania, New York, in a zoo, in the money museum during my collection of €16 of foreign coins for charity) or because of the special connection I had with the audience (entrepreneurs, travellers, professional women, veiled or not). I treasure the messages people sent me afterwards; how my story changed their lives and motivated them to quit their jobs, become entrepreneurs or make another important life decision after hearing my talk. Some events stood out. In this blog, I share some of my most memorable events, bloopers, and some tips for speakers at the end.
Net als veel andere creatievelingen deed en doe ik heel veel verschillende dingen. Ik vind dat leuk, ik ben er goed in en ik help er anderen mee. Maar steeds vaker kreeg ik de vraag: “Wat DOE je nu eigenlijk?” Er stond zoveel op mijn website, dat bezoekers door de bomen het bos niet meer zagen.
“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater…” Sure, it’s expensive, but it’s also the most exclusive ‘unconference’ I have ever heard of. $10,000 gets you 4 days on a private island in Croatia, with 200 incredibly sharp and accomplished people, who have left their ego’s at home
When Facebook showed me the picture below as a memory of 5 years ago, I decided to share some tips and 'do's & don'ts' for aspiring speakers. All of these come from my experience in more than 1000 keynotes and 2 TEDx speeches in the past 18 years as a professional speaker.
Regardless of whether you’re a speaker, coach, consultant or business person: what works better than explaining on your website just how good you are? Exactly: letting your clients do the talking. But do you recognize the situation in which a hugely enthusiastic client – after your presentation, consultation or other contribution – faithfully swears they will write a reference for you, only for it to be quiet… for a very long time? And then when you, very carefully and with the greatest diplomacy, remind them by mail or phone about it, that you receive a very ‘glossless’ and formal reference?