In this episode, Zara and Troy take us behind the scenes of speaking and MCing as a duo.
This dynamic duo have been actors, breakfast radio broadcasters (winning best on-air team one year!), stand up comedians, Speakers, MCs, writers, producers and directors.
Zara has interviewed Chris Rock, Destiny' Child and Heath Ledger!
We discover how Zara and Troy met, how they spend 24hrs a day together and still call each other best friends: ‘we take ourselves lightly but we take our job seriously’.
‘We have a vital role to play to make sure everybody is connected, engaged and to make sure the message lands’.
They have a Positive Psychology background which is woven through all of their work.
Things we cover in this interview:
When MCing, you have to learn a little bit about a lot of things. So many different industries.
They unveil the client research they undertake pre-engagement.
People, mindset, relationships are at the very centre of everything we do.
You have to give the client what they want, but on the day, you’ve got to give them what they NEED.
The magical power of laughter.
‘If I can get you to laugh at me, you’ll like me better. If I can get you to laugh at a particular point I make, you acknowledge its truth’ John Cleese
Whether keynote speakers should do the same amount of pre-work as MCs.
The importance of improvisation skills (impro) for performers and ANYONE who needs to make quick decisions. In fact, Zara suggests we should have impro drop-in classes just like a yoga studio or gym. Visit www.impromelbourne.com.au and join a class in the meantime!
How to get into character when storytelling on stage. How important it is to FEEL the words you’re speaking / honor the language you are using.
Giving life to the PAUSE and all the magical ways you can use it.
We hear about the ‘kit bag’ of things we COULD do, and we’ll start with our script but pull things in from the kit bag if needed.
The different mindset needed for Keynote Speaking Vs MCing.
How to handle obstacles like floorplans, seating, AV. Before and DURING the event.
‘Vulnerability brings us together. We ADMIRE people who have it all together, but we RELATE to people who have a struggle and emotional range.’
Tips for overcoming nerves.
Eckhart Tolle : nervousness is selfishness. It isn’t about YOU. Your job is to make it about the AUDIENCE. When we share stories on stage, the goal is to awaken something in the audience. To entertain a new idea. You’re using your story as a context to evoke that response in an audience.
The magic formula for having your message stick. Why ‘delivering data’ is completely ineffective compared to using a story to give your point context.
Storytelling can assist to bypass judgement from the audience.
I put Zara and Troy on the spot for a bit of role play to demonstrate the difference between ‘delivering data’ and ‘using stories’. When they are doing this, FEEL the difference yourself.
Every time you become an explorer / an interviewer in your own life, you gain knowledge and you connect faster. The message lands quicker.
The value of using webinars to add value to your speaking negotiations.
How to handle the inevitable crash speakers face after the high-energy of a multi day conference and the importance of scheduling down time.
They are living proof you don’t always need a sophisticated Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn or website presence to have a successful business.
‘We just follow the leads’.
Zara says : Understand the responsibility of being on that stage. You can put people on a path to reinventing themselves and there’s a flow on effect in the world to that.
Troy says: Do your prep. Do your research but ALSO don’t be afraid to be in the moment.