"I don’t want to be boring."

This is one of the main things my clients tell me when they come to me.

They don't want their content to be boring.

They don’t want to waste people's time.

They don't want their audience to tune out.

And they’re right to be worried – no one wants to sit through a boring presentation.

But here’s the problem with spending your time worrying that your content is boring:

• You rush through your presentation because you want to get it over with

• You don’t prepare because you don't think it will help

• You focus on your notes instead of the people in front of you

As a result, you don’t connect with your audience and your presentation is boring.

So if you want to give a presentation that’s engaging, where everyone is paying attention and people leave ready to take action, check in on your mindset and follow these tips.

1. Stop thinking your presentation is boring

Instead, focus on the thought that you have value to share and get to work making it interesting.

2. Build in audience interaction

Whether you’re presenting at a conference or delivering a webinar, your job is to create an experience. Share stories, ask questions, show pictures, include an activity.

There are so many ways to pique curiosity – just remember to keep your audience in mind and talk directly to them.

Need ideas? Read 3 Secret Weapons to Engage Your Audience.

3. Get clear on your message

Your audience won’t remember everything so you want to be really clear about what you want them to walk away.

You should be able to articulate your objective in 1 sentence. If it’s not clear to you, it not clear to anyone else.

Want a template? Grab this easy 5-minute planning tool to Get Clear on Your Message.

Hi, I’m Madeline.

I help quiet leaders and organizations communicate their story and invite audiences into their world.

Together we’ll transform how you communicate, at work, at home, in life.

Last week, the electricity went out while we were cooking dinner.

My 6-year-old said “Here’s what we should do. Don’t panic." And then he proceeded to panic.

My husband and I surveyed the status of dinner.

Rice was done, check.

Food was on the grill, check.

Candles, flashlights and solar charger were located, check.

I moved a video call to a phone call.

Things were under control… until cell service went dead in the middle of my call.

 
As I sat in the dark contemplating my options I thought back to February when our gas was shut off. If there’s one thing I learned from 82 days of cooking in an instant pot and toaster oven, it’s that having the right tools matters.

Having the right tools is key at home and in  the workplace.

Companies and leaders often assume that if you’ve reached a certain level, you should already be comfortable presenting your work. 

Organizations take for granted that their people know how to do something when they haven’t invested time or energy to teach them.

I’ve worked with many leaders who have risen to positions of authority but aren’t confident in their communication skills.

They put undue pressure on themselves, not to mention shame when they shy away from opportunities instead of investing in resources to help.

Investing in communication skills increases confidence and productivity. It improves trust, retention, collaboration, and innovation, and those are just a few of the benefits.

Don’t take it for granted.

I train leaders and teams to communicate their story and craft clear, compelling messaging that invite audiences into their world. 

Do you want help? Let's talk. 

Book time here or email me at madeline@madelineschwarz.com.

Summertime has baking on the brain.

Baking is one of those activities I find comforting.

It utilizes your hands, it occupies the brain, and the end results are a little bit magical.

I like things that have order and it got me thinking about how creating a presentation is like baking a cake.

First you need a foundation – you need to bake the cake – but it’s the finishing touches that make your cake outstanding. 

The same goes for presentations – first you want to get clear on your topic so you have a strong foundation – but pictures, props, and personal stories are what make it stand out. They’re the frosting, sprinkles, and candles on your presentation.

Read my blog post for Fly Female Founders to get tips on how to engage your audience and make your work stand out.

PRESENTING IS LIKE BAKING A BIRTHDAY CAKE — THE RIGHT MIX OF INGREDIENTS GUARANTEES SUCCESS

Twelve years ago, I went on a trip to Peru with my newish boyfriend and did something scary.

I went camping.

This was not our first camping trip as a couple, this was my first camping trip EVER.

And while my travel companion thought trekking through the Andes was glamping (glamorous camping), I didn't find anything glamorous about it.

Sleeping outside on the ground, waking up to unexpected snow, roughing it (or not roughing it depending on whether you asked me or the Eagle Scout in our party) was massively out of my comfort zone.

For my boyfriend (the Eagle Scout) this was just another walk in the woods.

For me, camping was unfamiliar and anxiety-producing. Two days without a shower or flush toilets was not my idea of a vacation.

This might seem contradictory for someone who grew up on a farm in the country, but camping was not part of my childhood, and it definitely wasn’t part of my adulthood in NYC.

Trekking through the Andes was an adventure. It was cold (we were not expecting snow in July), it was challenging (my legs have never been so sore), and it was invigorating.

I got to see some of the most amazing terrains I’ve ever experienced, I got to breath into a paper bag when I hyperventilated at 12,000 feet, I got to watch the sun pass over Machu Picchu, one of the most awe-inspiring places I’ve visited.

And most importantly, I proved to myself that I can do new and unfamiliar things.

I’ve been camping a number of times since then, all with the same man who’s now my husband, and sometimes with our kiddo in tow.

Camping is something I've come to enjoy, even in the rain, and I’ve been on a lot of rainy camping trips!

This is all to say that perspectives change.

But you have to try new things.

It might be scary at first. It might be unfamiliar.

But it helps to have a guide, accountability partner, and a plan.

Making a plan is easy. Following it is harder.

That’s the beauty of coaching.

I can help guide your plan, make sure you’re walking in the right direction, and hand you a paper bag before you start to hyperventilate.

You don’t have to walk through the wilderness on your own.

Whether you’re standing on stage, presenting on zoom, or leading a team, it’s better with a guide. Let’s talk.

Do you save the fortunes from your fortune cookies?

Every so often a fortune seems handpicked for me and I tuck it in my wallet for safekeeping.

I recently stumbled across this one:

“Accept something that you cannot change, and you will feel better.”

How are you handling the current changes?

There are days when I feel like I’ve settled into lockdown, homeschool, and coworking as a family, and then there are days where I’m in resistance, in a state of denial and disbelief.

If you’re having trouble accepting changes in your life or accepting coworkers (or quarantine mates), I want to share this super simple mindset exercise my friend Gary Ware shared with me.

It’s called Fortunately, Unfortunately. Here’s how it works:

Anywhere you’re feeling stuck, pining about what could have been, who you want people to be or what you want them to do, use this exercise to reframe your thoughts.

For example:

Unfortunately, I’m trapped inside a NYC apartment with a hyper 6-year-old.

Fortunately, my kiddo loves the extra attention and entertains himself bouncing off the walls, the bed, and the door frames. (#truth)

Unfortunately, I’m long overdue for a haircut.

Fortunately, silver hair goes with everything and I've long wondered what my hair would look like if I grew out my pixi cut.

Unfortunately, events are canceled.

Fortunately, I’m able to work from home and teach workshops online.

Unfortunately, my kiddo woke me up an hour before the alarm.

Fortunately, I got lots of snuggle time before breakfast.

Now it’s your turn. Are you able to change your perspective?

Can you find the opportunity in circumstances you can’t change?

We can’t change the pandemic, but we can change our mindset.

• We can change how we’re spending our time.

• We can change how we’re showing up everyday.

• We can change our skills.

Want to change how you communicate with other people?

Gary Ware and I will be going live on LinkedIn this Friday 5/29. We'll be sharing our favorite tools to listen better and respond smarter so you can uplevel your communication game (Gary is a play specialist so he knows a thing or two about games). 

Want to transform how you present your ideas and communicate with other people?

I work with people one on one to create clear messaging, build confidence communicating in any situation, and craft signature talks and presentations that inspire action. Let’s talk.

Are you struggling with what to say in week 600 of lockdown?

Not sure how your message fits into the current world?

Does your discomfort keep you from saying anything at all?

My business is devoted to helping your voices be heard.

Whether you’re a business owner or a corporate professional, we need more people speaking up, and we need your ideas now more than ever.

If you’re out in the streets protesting, thank you.

If you’re working from home, don’t let social isolation keep your voice hidden.

My last few months have been a flurry of virtual workshops, trainings, and collaborations.

• I facilitated a virtual training for Mt. Sinai Medical Center on capturing audience attention and 3 key questions to answer before any presentation, whether it’s an online panel, classroom presentation, or conference talk.

• I did a Linkedin Live with my friend Gary Ware about how to build your communication muscles and navigate tricky conversations with more empathy. We shared 3 skills to improve your listening, build consensus, and respond to feedback even when you don’t agree.

• I’ve taught a number of workshops with copywriter extraordinaire Danielle Hughes on putting together brands with personality.

Are you using this time to reposition yourself because you’re pivoting your business or looking for work?

Join us for Make Your Mark in 1 Month, a hands-on workshop with Danielle Hughes.

Here are 6 Reasons You Know If This Workshop is For You:

1. Your LinkedIn profile is begging for an update
   

2. You never know what to say on Zoom calls and networking events

3. You have so much to say but don't know where to start

4. You’ve promised yourself you’ll finally get around to writing your message/ bio/ pitch but it never makes it to the top of the list
   

5. Your writing just doesn’t sound like you, instead it sounds like a stilted, stuffy version of you
   

6.  You've seen what else is out there and let's be frank, you can definitely do better

Give us 4 weeks and we’ll give you a brand. You’ll learn how to communicate your brand in a way that’s memorable and stands out from the crowd. 

The world needs to hear from you. Do you know what to say?

Join us. We start June 25th

Last week was a big week in quarantine land. My 82-day Instant Pot challenge came to a close.

In some unlucky (or lucky) timing, a gas leak was discovered in our building and gas was shut off several weeks before New York City was shut down. 

While I was slightly grumpy about this circumstance before quarantine, I was a lot grumpy about it when we were ordered to shelter in place.

While other people were baking sourdough, cookies and muffins, we were cooking dinner in teeny tiny batches in our toaster oven and getting more and more creative with our Instant Pot.

Oatmeal, yogurt, soups, stews, tacos, pasta, beets, salad (#kidding on that last one) – if it needed to be cooked and didn't fit in the toaster, it went in the Instant pot.

This single appliance cooked nearly 100 meals in the last 3 months and I feel confident we got our money’s worth.

It's more efficient than a hotplate, larger than a toaster oven, and now that we’re back to an oven and 4-burner stover, I can definitively say that having the right tools makes all the difference.

The same goes for investing in yourself. You might at the outset wonder if it’s worth investing time or money in taking a class or hiring a professional.

You might wonder if it’s going to work.

What I've learned is that things go quicker and smoother when you have the right tools. Professional guidance and feedback, templates and processes, make life easier.

Communication skills are your workhorse appliance, they're the Instant pot of your kitchen tools. You will use them again and again, in this job, in future jobs, in looking for jobs, and in business ventures,

Warren Buffet said:

"If you can’t communicate and talk to other people and get your ideas across, you’re giving up your potential."

Do you want to craft clear and compelling messaging that gets your clients and teammates to take decisive action?

Here are 3 ways I can help:

1. Want to crush your next work presentation, business pitch, or interview? Join us on 5/20 to craft clear and compelling messaging Create an Engaging Presentation Chock Full of Personality

2. Want more tools to navigating challenging client and team conversations? Join us on 5/13 for a virtual workshop: The Magic of Empathy: Communicating in Crisis

3. Want to create your signature talk, multiply your confidence and lead through change? Let’s work together one on one. Reach out to me at madeline@madelineschwarz.com   

But whatever you do, make sure you have the right tools.

If you still have a job and you're not on the front lines, you're probably spending a lot of time on Zoom. 

This might feel awkward at first, but just like public speaking and learning to play a new sport, it gets easier with practice.

I was already using Zoom to connect with clients, but now that leaving the house isn't an option, I've been spending a lot more time having virtual meetings, coaching sessions, coffee chats, happy hours, seders, craft dates, birthday parties (I turned 43 in quarantine), you get the idea. 

That's why I was delighted to share virtual work hacks, along with 4 other smart thinkers, to make your Zoom meetings more engaging in this #CareerCraft article for Brightly.

I taught 2 workshops last week, one for a nonprofit client on public speaking and one a collaboration with Danielle Zeitlin Hughes.

We had a great response and it turns out a lot of people want to create presentations (and Linkedin profiles and About pages) chock full of personality so keep your eyes peeled for more workshops coming your way. 

Last night I was reading to my 6-year old and thinking about how reading in character, acting out gestures, and being really playful with storytime is a great way to practice your speaking skills.  

So while you're at home, whether you're quarantining with children or without, I encourage you to make the most of your practice time, and try out these 9 steps to Emerge from Quarantine Speaking Like an Expert.

If I can be helpful in building your presence, putting together your signature talk or communicating with your team and clients through crisis, reach out. 

Just because the world is in chaos, doesn’t mean your communication has to be.

For the last few weeks, I’ve had this eerie experience waking up in the morning. 

Just before I open my eyes, I wonder whether the current state of the world is truly happening. 

For a split second I think maybe, just maybe, the twilight zone will end and I'll open my eyes to the New York I remember, to Brooklyn pre-coronavirus.

Raise your hand if you can relate. 

So how do you get out of bed when you'd rather stay under the covers?

Here are a few things that keep me going:

1. I have a 6-year-old.

Staying in bed is simply not an option.

2. I have work to do. 

Last week, I facilitated a workshop for the Jewish Museum that was supposed to be in person but moved online. I feel grateful that my work translates to virtual and that I have the luxury of staying home.

I love bringing people together for laughter and learning, and empowering others to speak up, share their ideas, and lead their teams. Work grounds me in purpose when the world has turned upside down.

3. I have people to lean on and people leaning on me.

I might be on physical lockdown but that doesn’t keep me from connecting with my community.

In March, I took part in Jenn Da Silva's Connect4Women challenge, to help women foster strong female networks.

When I wanted help spreading the word about Nancy Rhodes NYC Face Masks Initiative, I went to my network.

When I needed someone to pick up groceries for my brother (he's a nurse and has been sick with covid), I reached out to my network.

#Connect4Women is continuing into April so if there’s someone you want me to connect you with, reach out. That goes for everyone reading, regardless of gender identity.

And if we’re not connected on Linkedin, connect with me here.

4. Quarantine or not, I still have my creativity.

As my wise friend Jeff said, I’m pretty good at entertaining myself.

What I’m not so good at is homeschooling and teaching reading. So for right now, we’re focusing on activities that feed our creative spirit, things we both enjoy like coloring and crafting.

What about you?

Can I be helpful during this time?

If you’re looking for ways to talk about your work or yourself in authentic fun ways, join next week’s workshop Create an Engaging Presentation Chock Full of Personality. I’m teaming up with Danielle Zeitlin Hughes for 90 minutes of hands-on activities to help you create content that highlights your creativity - content you can use to update your Linkedin profile, write a new About page, or finally start that signature talk,

Tickets are here and limited to 15 people so grab an early bird ticket now.

If you want help engaging your team and communicating remotely, I'm here to support you. Email me at madeline@madelineschwarz.com.

How are you doing?

School closures, shelter in place orders, new coworkers in your home office – it feels like a month has gone by and it's only been a week.

Coworking with my hubby and 6-year old was about what you'd expect... loud, lots of juggling, and a fair amount of crying on the floor.

Some members of my household cried... and the rest wanted to. 

What about you? How are you holding up?

People are coping in such different ways so today I wanted to share 4 resources that might be helpful in providing stress relief, laughter, and connection in this time of physical distancing.

1. Feeling anxious? Check out the work of Jud Brewer. He has an amazing mini-course on Insight Timer and you can watch a recent interview here. 

2. Need a reason to get out of bed and get dressed in the morning?

Join Elysha Lenkin's creative styling challenge to create outfits from what you already have in your closet. Join the Closet Shopping Collective here.

3. Feeling isolated?

Add some laughter to your life and join an improv playdate.

I spent last Friday afternoon playing improv games with Gary Ware and it was a much needed mental break, offering laughter and lightness at the end of a loooong week. 

4. Want to communicate like an expert? 
Join me tomorrow for the Introvert's Guide to Public Speaking. Lunch Ladies NYC is going online and I'll be teaching a live workshop at noon, Tuesday March 24th and sharing strategies to:

• Increase your presence

• Manage your anxiety & stage fright

• Create content that resonates with your audience

Can I be helpful during this time? 

• Is there someone you want me to connect you with? 

• Do you need help keeping your team engaged?

• Do you want to communicate your message with impact?

Reach out to me at madeline@madelineschwarz.com. I'm not going anywhere!

How are you doing? 

Are you staying sane?

If you've been finding it hard to strike a balance between staying informed and not getting lost in the news, by being a responsible citizen and carrying on with life in some form, you are not alone. 

I want to share a couple tips to stay grounded amidst the current chaos.

These are the techniques I go back to again and again, whether I'm working with clients, or trying to slow down my own racing mind. 

Try out these 3 tips and let me know what works for you:
 

1. Visualize a calmer time 

When I work with clients on a presentation, I ask them to picture themselves in a place where they feel calm. 

You might be standing in front of a room full of people, a computer screen of colleagues, or a TV full of gloom and doom, but if you change your mental picture, you can change the way you feel. 

Instead of watching the news 24-7 (all covid-19 all the time), I encourage you to picture your favorite vacation spot, hiking trail, beach – a place where you feel calm and grounded in your life. 

When you find yourself going down the rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios, go back to this picture. 

2. Breathe

Plant your feet on the floor, place your hands on your abdomen and take a big deep breath. 

Putting your hands on your abdomen helps you breathe  from your diaphragm, the exact place you want to activate when you're giving a presentation.

3. Focus on Gratitude  

I will admit that I haven't done the best job of staying calm the past week but I got a helpful reality check on  Friday.

I was on a group call with Ilise Benun from The Marketing Mentor and she started by saying "if you're on this call, you are one of the lucky ones." 

It was the reminder I needed and you can check it out here. 

Sure, there are many unknowns and things to adjust to, but I'm grateful to be healthy right now.

It reminded me of a gratitude practice that I picked up from Brené Brown years ago and how much better I feel when I focus on gratitude.

It's something I've recommended to many clients and it's called TGIF.

You journal on the following prompts:

T- Something you're trusting 

G- Something you're grateful for 

I- Something you're inspired by

F- Something you're practicing faith in

Fridays (and every day) might look different in the age of Coronavirus but I find journaling incredibly calming, both a place to work out my fears and place to be thankful for all the good in my life. 

I'd love to hear your TGIF.

If you’re looking for tips to speak clearly and concisely and lead your team through crisis, I can help.

Reach out to me madeline@madelineschwarz.

Experiment.

This is my favorite mantra for public speaking.

Someone recently asked me if I had advice to get past her fears of public speaking and start talking about her business.

My answer was experiment.

If there's one mindset shift that will help you move past perfectionism and the crippling anxiety that keeps you from speaking up, it's to adopt the mindset of experimenting. 

I talk about this concept a lot with my clients and in my group class Speak with Impact Lab.

Often people are embarrassed to practice in front of their peers. 

• They're worried their content isn't ready.

• They're worried about making mistakes.

• They're worried about looking foolish.

Doing a practice run in front of other people might feel awkward, especially if you're not used to getting feedback, but it's never foolish.

Because you know what feels amazing? 

Walking into a meeting ready to rock your presentation.

The only way to find out if your message is clear, if your story is engaging, if your pitch is intriguing, is to TRY IT.

You have to experiment.

There is no crystal ball – that's the bad news.

The good news is I have a process to make it easier. 

Join us on March 17 for Secrets to Engaging Presentations. In this interactive webinar with the Cheerful Mind, I'll be teaching you the secrets to presentations that showcase your creativity and make your work stand out. Register here. 

Join us for a live workshop on March 24 with Lunch Ladies NYC: The Introvert’s Guide to Public Speaking. Learn with other introverts. It's open to women and man-bassadors and you can register with discount code FRIENDSFORLUNCHLADY.