In the 1960s there was a Batman TV show, based on the DC comic book superhero. It stared Adam West as Bruce Wayne (Batman) and Burt Ward as Dick Grayson (Robin). If you never saw it, it was super camp — totally overacted with obviously phony special effects.
A couple of things to learn.
#1 It made fun of itself. A very effective and safe way to include humor in any presentation. My good friend, Jeff Justice, taught us many moons ago in his Master Comedy Class, “You should only make jokes about a group you are a member of.” That’s exactly what Batman did.
We are always in our own personal group. Go ahead poke fun. Especially if you are gently teasing yourself with something that has obvious universal concepts.
Your audience is probably smart enough to catch the lesson you are teaching them by making fun of yourself. Plus, it can show you off as a more humble, genuine and transparent person. All good things.
Well…HOLY COW SPEAKER GALS AND GUYS here is the #2 lesson from Batman. Their camp treatment of the story line was unique. No one else was doing it. For this show it was their signature. It made them very successful.
GOSH! GOLLY! When you set yourself apart with something unique like this it may fall flat. BAM!!!
Or it may, HOLD ON EVERYONE!!!, soar to amazing heights.
My suggestion, whatever your unique deal is, whether it is a special talent, trick or gimmick, go for it. Try it out. Your audience will let you know pretty quick if it works.
Then you can regroup and/or refine.
Final point is, if you want to become an in-demand top level speaker, maybe even commanding more of the Penguin’s ill-gotten treasure as payment, look for and experiment with that WOW! Factor—the thing that makes you totally unique.
Juggle live puppies, paint landscapes blindfolded, give your entire talk backwards. Whatever it is, audiences enjoy unique. They want an experience they can tell the folks back on the farm about.
BIFF! BOOM! Just do it. It might even work.
If you are serious about your speaking career and want a 45-minute strategy call with me, then GOOD GIGGLY-WIGGLY what are you waiting for???
Serious talkers only.
Here’s the link to book a session with me
We’ll jump on the phone for about 45 minutes, and get you clear on:
- Where you are as a speaker
- What your frustrations and strengths are
- Where you want to be
- How we can work together to get you there
There’s no charge for this, but book a spot NOW…I only have limited spots on my calendar for these calls and spaces are limited.
To your amazing success,
Tom Nixon
Ready2Speak
