Member-only story
How to make more money as a speaker by doing less
Some things in life are delightfully counter-intuitive. Like the most expensive entrees are also the smallest, we equate vulnerability with strength, and exercising when you are tired can give you more energy.
Here’s something else that’s counter-intuitive.
When you present to an audience, the less you do the more valuable you can become.
Let me explain.
When I started my career on stage and in the corporate classroom I assumed more was better. More lessons, examples, Powerpoint slides and stories. More, more, more!
Just like the cheesy infomercial salesman shouting “But, wait! There’s more.” I always had one more lesson I wanted to include.
I assumed volume delivered was somehow related to value given.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The reality is that one well-chosen, highly relevant lesson or insight, well-delivered, is worth 10 random lessons delivered in machine-gun fashion.
It’s easy to find proof of this.
Think about a favorite movie: how much of it do you remember?
Think about a favorite self-help book: how many lessons do you remember or have applied in your life?