Success | Warwick Merry CSP CVP

Archive For: Success

How Getting Help, Helps Getting Good

I have a large awards event coming up with almost 200 people online.

It is really exciting! There will be video, slides, spotlighting of winners, spin the wheel prize games and a whole lot more. I know that everything the PCO and I have lined up is going to be fabulous. But I wanted to be sure!

That’s where my fabulous friends and colleagues came in.

You see, there was one thing I was going to do that I knew the theory of but I wanted to test it. To test it, I needed over a screen of people on Zoom – so over 26 people. I put the call out a couple of days before the Friday afternoon test and we were away.

People generously joined in knowing nothing about what I was trying to do. We tried a few different things and people all shared their thoughts and ideas and now I am concretely positive that what I want to do can be done.

Everyone then stayed on and swapped Zoom skills and ideas. It was a fantastic way for everyone to give a little and gain a lot. So a big thanks to everyone who jumped online. By giving a little help we all helped each other to get good, an Online Presenter Pro!

Where can you give a little help?

Let me know if you need a little help with your online events and presentations.

Warwick Merry on a screen at a desk with an incredibly surprised look on his face

You could have knocked me over with a feather!

Last week I was talking with a couple of clients. They had used me before on several occasions and I thought they knew what I did, particularly with my shift to online event production and hosting. I was certain I had even talked about with them directly.

Both of them didn’t realise that I was producing events (pressing buttons, mixing audio and video, showing slide decks, highlighting speakers) as well as being the MC for that online event. Following these conversations I have booked two gigs with them.

I thought I was talking about events too much. If it is even possible, I was almost getting tired of my own voice! I was certain that I had mentioned what I am doing several times.

Still, they didn’t really know. Hence, here I am talking about it again.

What about for you? What do you do that your customer doesn’t know about? Maybe they only know you for ONE of your services or products. How can you share with them some of the successes that you have achieved for your other customers? How can you let them know you do more than what you are doing for them?

From personal experience, your clients are busy. They often don’t hear your message – not because they don’t care but because they are focussed on THEIR customer. So how can you make it easy for them to hear about what else you do?

Meanwhile, I will keep spreading the good word about Online Events. (He says, warming up to tell you what he does).

So if you need me, I will be here in my studio. With my four computers, two cameras, vision switcher, audio panel, sound panels and green screen. I will be running my weekly live stream on events (sign up to my YouTube channel to keep in touch WarwickMerry.tv) , sharing content on LinkedIn, and coaching people with their Online Presence.

Let me know if you need help with your next online event!

If you want your next online event or meeting to shine, get in touch with Warwick for some ideas or assistance on how to make it energetic and engaging.
Simply email Warwick [at@] WarwickMerry.com or call +61 408 592 158

How Do You Get Better?

I have to say, I have been pretty busy the last few months.

From producing online events (mini brag here – they have been in Singapore, UK, USA and later this week in Hawaii!) to helping other speakers get their studios sorted for online presentations to working with corporates to making their online meetings engaging and… worthwhile!

Some people have been asking how did I get to know all I do about this online presenting stuff and how they can get better.

I love what the philosopher Kierkegaard said, “Life has to be lived forwards but understood backwards.”

I have been fortunate enough to have some amazing life experiences. Radio DJ, singer, recording music, acting in theatrical productions, improv, stand up, story telling, author, content creator and of course event host and producer. Looking backward, I can understand that each of these elements has taught me something that helps me with my online work.

As you would expect, this puts me in a unique position right now.

I am continuing to learn and get better at what I do. In fact, keep your eye out for something new I have coming soon where I share some of these secrets!!

But for anyone to get better at anything, the key thing is … to do it more!

Wanna be a better singer? Sing more.
Wanna be a better writer? Write more.
Wanna be a better cook? Cook more.

So what do you want to get better at?

Narrow wooden table on coasters made by the author

I spent the weekend working with some old hardwood timber I got from pulling down an old picket fence. My gorgeous wife wanted a narrow table to go behind one of the couches at the shed and who am I to not give her what she wants!! (Plus it was awesome to spend time away from the computer).

As with all things, if it isn’t on social media then it hasn’t happened. So I popped a couple of images there once I finished building it. (The oiling happens next weekend.)

Many people commented on how talented I am. Let me be frank, I am not a talented woodworker! I am a “competent” woodworker and I have spent a bit of money on some tools to help make things easier (thicknesser, table saw, electric sander and so on). Nearly everything I have learnt has come from YouTube and conversations with others who are more skilled than I.

The one simple thing to becoming an expert (or at the very least getting better) is to have a go at it. Step out with confidence and give it a try. At nearly every stage along the way as I was building this I was thinking, “I hope I don’t stuff this next bit up!” But I didn’t let it stop me.

Oh and there were some stuff ups along the way. But that is how you learn. It is part of the “Fail Faster” approach. At the end I have a nice bit of furniture my wife loves, made from upcycled materials and that I can be proud of (plus I have had 2 people ask me to make them one!)

So what do you want to be an expert at?
What are you doing to build those skills?
How can you “Fail Faster?”

Warwick Merry on a computer screen holding up 1 finger.

I was thrilled to host and speaker at a 2 day sales meeting for a client last week. At the end of the event, the delegates, the CEO and the organiser were all going WOW. It was all due to one thing!

Now online meetings and events are almost old fashioned! We have embraced the benefits of online, addressed some of it’s misgivings and the future clearly has online events as part of it.

In fact many of us now how online social events. In the past month I have had drinks sessions, dinner parties, improvised theatre performances, cabaret performances, and some music concerts all from the comfort of my own home. My nieces, nephews and close friends all study online regardless of whether it is secondary, tertiary or post grad.

But there is one thing that takes it from “Meh” to “WOW!”

That one thing is having the right event host! (Naturally I recommend me!)

My clients were thrilled that I lifted their event from the regular sales meeting to something memorable, special and fun.

My nieces and nephews happily tell me of the teachers that really bring the session to life rather than the same old – same old!

The right host is the glue that holds everything together. They build the energy when needed, make sure the technology behaves itself (and when it doesn’t, they deal with it), and ensure that the focus stays on the delegates as the main players in the event.

Whether it is me as the host, the teacher, your managers, you as the team leader, or someone else, what are you doing to make your delegates go “WOW!”

PS Warwick talked about this topic in more detail on the recent episode of the Get Events Online Live Stream. You can see the recording here.

tulips growing in the garden with laden lime tree in the background

Let’s face it. This whole COVID thing sucks.

Having your life restricted, not being able to do what you want, business crumbling, let alone the health impact! It is also a major topic of conversation because we are all caught by it, impacted by it or influenced by it to some extent.

It is easy to get caught up in it – and that is perfectly natural.

What I try and do is focus on something glorious that makes me feel good. This image is of the tulips we have in the back yard. The kaffir lime tree is also laden and the jasmine smells fabulous. I can’t help but feel good when I see this.

I was fortunate to be in the audience of a show on Saturday night. The super talented Tash York put on a cabaret show that streamed on YouTube. It was a pay as much as you can and for 90 minutes I was entertained by her and also by the comments as the whole audience got into the show.

On Sunday, I was thrilled to be part of an Improv show, Virtually There, hosted by Paper Goat, a NZ based, world focused Improv collective. You can probably see the recording on Facebook.

Friday night I was having a Zoom call with a friend, solving the problems of the world.

Each of these things brought me some kind of joy and delight. Most of these things didn’t cost me any money. For the time I was present in those events, COVID and it’s impact were forgotten. It was an enjoyable escape.

I have found so many ways to shift my focus from the troubles and issues I am facing to something that makes me feel good, even if it is only a temporary reprieve.

What are you doing today to get your burst of feeling good?
(At the very least, check out these tulips!)

Over the weekend, I made these Cinnamon Scrolls and without meaning to, I became an Influencer!

Now I am not saying there was a rush on cinnamon, but I do know that three other people made cinnamon scrolls and tagged me. That is certainly exerting some influence. Often that is all it takes. Just a nudge to two or three people and you can start something.

(By the way if you want to make these scrolls, the recipe is here.)

On a different front, I exerted even more influence.

Last week, Zoom released 5.2. While it has a few new, fun features, one really powerful feature is to be able to display your video overlaid on top of your presentation slides. When I read about it, I got a little excited (you can do it manually but this is easier).

I shot a short video showing how to do it and a few other fun things and then released it.

To date, that video has been seen on LinkedIn and Facebook about 10,000 times. It has generated some interesting responses, requests for help and a load of new connections.

In both of these examples, all I did was share something interesting, desired and put a funny, authentic twist on it. The key here is “desired”.

People were salivating over the cinnamon rolls and were excited about the new feature, especially in my network.

Could you do something similar?

What do you know of that is interesting, and desired that you can present with a funny, authentic twist?

PS You can watch that video here (now with the unintended joke at the end)

PPS The latest episode of the Get More Success Show is out.
This time I was thrilled to chat with Terry Brock. A technology journalist, speaker, humanitarian and all round nice guy. He is a man who LOVES cars, but doesn’t own one! Check the podcast for more.

Hybrid Events – Panacea or Pandora’s Box?

Are Hybrid events the panacea that they are being made out to be?
How do you get the best from the Hybrid format and avoid the pitfalls?

This is the Get Events Online Live Stream where we talk all about Hybrid Events.

With the world going into lock down, are hybrid events the answer to all of our problems or do they just add more?

Watch and find out more. Skip to the 5 minute mark to miss the intro video and get to the good stuff!

I am a big fan of The West Wing (the TV show not the present occupant). In particular, I loved how Jed Bartlet would always ask the question, “What’s Next?” He did what had to be done. Made tricky decisions and then moved on. What’s next?

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has just made a very big decision that has put the majority of our states population under curfew. It will also significantly impact our economy and more than likely people and businesses will suffer financially. It would have been a tough call to make.

To me it represents strong leadership. He and his team have looked at what is in the best interest of all of our people? Their decision means that we will all suffer a little bit so that a few don’t have to suffer a lot.

His focus is on a healthy, functioning Victoria and what is the safest, quickest and most cost effective way to get us there.
Not the most popular, the one that makes the most money, but the one that is in the best interest for us all.

To me, that is strong leadership.

Where is your focus?
What tough decisions do you need to act on?
What’s Next?

Zoom Fatigue – Fact or Fiction?

As part of my new weekly online stream show about Get Events Online, I talked about the issue of Zoom Fatigue. What is it, is it real, if it is how do you deal with it?

It’s only 11 minutes of goodness and it even harks back to Victorian times as well as talks a bit about socks. I know right!

Let me know how you go dealing with your Zoom Fatigue (spoiler – I think it’s a furphy!)

If you want to see more of my live stream, head to my YouTube Channel and subscribe or join my Facebook page. I would love to connect with you there!

Montage of small poodle not looking at camera next to bed of daffodils just starting to bloom

I was trying to get a shot with Winston the Wonder Poodle next to the almost blooming daffodils. I wanted him to look right down the barrel of the camera. As you can see, I failed. No matter what I said, promised, clicked, whistled, or did would get him where I wanted.

It feels like the same thing is happening in the world right now.

We are trying to get people to follow the rules and guidelines, yet they won’t. It is lock down in Melbourne and you are not allowed to have people visit, so one group of people decided to have a birthday party with 16 people. They got caught and now have over $26,000 in fines.

Another group of people lied about their prior whereabouts when entering Queensland and got fined $24,000. Some even tried to run from the car when they were being pursued.

So this poor behaviour means COVID19 case numbers are rising. More businesses are being locked down. Peoples lives are being put at risk. This means that they are even discussion a return to Level 4 lockdown in Melbourne.

Many people are feeling out of control, and rightly so.

So how do you deal with being out of control of so many important aspects of your life all at the one time?

One simple strategy is to be where your hands are. Our lack of control comes from thinking about the future and projecting how things will be in a time we are not even in yet.

Being where your hands are means considering, what can I do RIGHT NOW? What is my focus RIGHT NOW? What is one thing I can do RIGHT NOW that will benefit me, those around and me and move me closer to my goals.

Bringing that focus back to the here and now means you are not thinking about what could, should or would happen but on what IS happening.

I didn’t get the photo I wanted with Winston the Wonder Poodle, but I did get some fun shots. I could then move on and focus on the next thing on my list, which was to reward him for a good walk and then give him a big belly rub.

Now that made both of us happy!

One of the classic lines from the movie The Castle is whenever one of the sons asked the dad about an object for sale in the paper, he replies with, “How much do they want for it?” No matter the amount, his comment is always, “Tell ’em they’re dreaming!”

With all the talk about face to face events at the moment, I can’t help but feel the same way!

Don’t get me wrong, I long to get together with my friends, delegates, conference organisers and other speakers and exhibitors as we talk about the industry, the topics, the issues and network with each other. As I write this, I am in day one of another six week lock down in Victoria. It is not pretty!

But let’s ignore that. Let us consider where we are at.

The Space

For some places, they are allowed four square metres per person and others two square metres (that is about 40 square feet and 20 square feet respectively). For any event in a seated area, your audience will look like this (this image is a COIVD proof seating plan for Berliner Ensemble):

From a speakers perspective, the energy in the room would be so low and dispersed. The connection would be so distant. No one would leave that presentation feeling like they had been uplifted, inspired or connected. What’s worse, they wouldn’t want to go back for the next session as it would feel empty.

But we haven’t even talked about the biggest danger…

THE PEOPLE!

As evidenced, people won’t do as they are directed. The number of people assembling on closed beaches, panic buying toilet paper, sneaking through borders, and taking part in restricted or unhealthy behaviours during this time has been astounding. We don’t even need COVID to prove this.

How many events have had the vegetarian food eaten by non-vegetarians, emergency doors opened because “I just need to get outside”, phones going off in session, PEOPLE ANSWERING PHONES in session, getting people to sit in a certain area, getting people to leave, getting people to turn up… the list is endless.

I know I have heard senior event people say, “But our events are different. Everyone is registered, we know who they all are, it is not just members of the public coming and going so we should be able to run these events.” Are you willing to risk it?

Are you willing to be the one who hosts and event and people get very unwell or even die because of an asymptomatic carrier who comes to the event?

The Disease

You know what? I am not qualified to talk on this. All I know is that the experts that I have listened to don’t know enough details. COVID19 is having long term impacts we are only just seeing.

What I do know is that the risks are too high. A bit of short term pain to prevent the possibility of spread has to be worth the long term gain doesn’t it?

What’s The Alternative?

Welcome to the world of Virtual or Online events.

OK so there are many aspects that are nowhere as good as face to face, but there are some elements of online events that are far better.

You get to see the speaker face to face in an online event. On screen you are right up close.
There is a level of intimacy and privacy of online events unmatched in a crowd
Pants are optional!
You can easily get instant feedback from the delegates
You can swiftly move to breakout rooms without losing time
You can have far greater reach as geography is no longer an issue (but internet access and speed is)
It is easy to give supporting resources to delegates
There are many tools for connection, collaboration and creating ideas together
It is very cost effective
Catering and special dietary requirements are no longer an issue!

I am sure the list goes on.

What Now?

Personally, I can’t wait to get back to live events. But I am willing to wait if it makes people safe. So why not focus in getting your event online. At the very least, consider a Hybrid Event so if you have to cancel the face to face at the last minute you already have your online set up.

Like all things, don’t go it alone. Get some expert advice or guidance to make it work. Naturally I am available to help wherever you are in the world and there are many other experts in their field too.

It is time to Stop Dreaming and get your next event online. Head to GetEventsOnline.com if you want a free strategy call on your next steps.

—————-

If you are looking for some help for your next event to go Bigger, Bolder, Better, then Warwick is definitely the right person for the job. He has hosted and produced events around the globe.

Call his office today on 0408 592 158 for more information or head to WarwickMerry.com and book a free strategy session.

Warwick Merry is a Certified Speaking Professional and a twice Certified Virtual Presenter. He also authored “Get More Inspiration”, a book specifically designed not to read, and hosts the Get More Success online show.

Discover more at WarwickMerry.com, and GetMoreSuccess.com

In this messed up, stressed out, dressed down kind of world we are currently in, it can be a challenge to find some where and some time for yourself.

Time to share what is going on with people like you.
Time to ask for help with no embarrassment or guilt from people like you.
Time to contribute thoughts, ideas and … well … maybe even poetry with people like you.

No judgement
No recordings
No bullshit

Just 100% caring, support and, dare I say it, love.

When setting my theme for 2020, I settled on More Love as I thought the world was getting to a place where it just seemed a little too … pushy!

WOW!!

If only I knew how much love it was going to need!

So I created the What’s Up Wednesdays. A simple place where people can get together and talk about “What’s Up?” It was so popular, some of my friends overseas asked for a second session that is more time friendly for them. So it happens twice a day on Wednesdays 8am and 4pm Melbourne time!

We have covered so many ideas and concepts. Some of them include:

Using Zoom better
Marketing ideas
Dealing with family ideas
Health – physical and mental
Digital sticky note boards
Referrals
Networking
Business ideas
But most importantly, Connection

So in this disconnected world, if you are looking for an hour to reconnect and meet fabulous people, please join us.

No need to register.
No need to pay money.
No need to send an email.
No need to do anything except wait until the session time and then head to JoinIn.WarwickMerry.com for the What’s Up Wednesday Session of your choice 8am or 4pm Melbourne time. Click here for a time zone converter to check your time.

It’s worth creating a recurring appointment in your diary with that JoinIn.WarwickMerry.com link to make sure you don’t miss it!

I look forward to connecting with you there. (But don’t wait until then if you need to connect, call me if you need!)

Warwick Merry on a screen pointing at the reader with a quizzical look on his face

Do you know how to get your online session attendees excited?
Can you make the audience laugh even if it is a serious or dry subject?
Can you make a recording of your presentation really POP?

There is one secret to successful and powerful online sessions, and so many people don’t know it.

This secret applies whether you are presenting online to thousands of people, having a virtual team meeting, or just catching up on Zoom with family and friends. Many people have HEARD the secret but then failed to take it on board. Truth be told, this same secret applies to face to face sessions, physical conferences as well as regular meetings.

That secret is this:

Your delegates and audience want the session to be done WITH them and not just TO them.

That means if you want to play a video of your presentation then get on the chat and engage with the audience as your video is playing. Add an extra dimension to your presentation.

That means if your are presenting, consider what you can do to get the delegates and audience involved. Simplistically, you can ask them questions and get responses in the chat. You could also use polling to ask them questions. Or maybe get everyone working on a Jamboard together.

There are hundreds of ways to make your session more inclusive and still support the theme and learning of what you are after. Find more ways to involve your audience or, quite simply, they will leave.

How will you make your next session something that is done WITH the audience and not just TO them?

Reach out if you need some help with it.

Eventprofs, Associations, and others putting on Online and Virtual Events, Can we Do Better?

Don’t get me wrong, some great things are being done, we have taken on so much really quickly but can we please do better? Your delegates are BEGGING you!

I don’t mean every one needs and expensive studio, top tier conference event apps or the massively overproduced event.

I means tell your industry speakers, hosts and leaders to actually ENGAGE with the delegates. Don’t just read to them

Have your camera at EYE LEVEL because we don’t want to see up your nose.

Find somewhere PRIVATE. We love your family and your pets but we don’t need to see them on the day of the conference. Oh and if you are using your bedroom, please make the bed and tidy the back ground.

Make sure we CAN SEE YOU. Get some lamps, torches, flouro lights, whatever but lets us see you.

PLAY WITH US. As delegates, our attention will drift. You are competing against email and Facebook. Have some fun, make us do something, get us involved so we stay with you.

Virtual and Online Events are AWESOME. But if too many people stuff them up, they will begin to be loathed. A little bit of guidance and direction will make all the difference.

Can we just do a little better?

Reach out if you need some help!

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Archive For: Success

How Getting Help, Helps Getting Good

It Is Not As Obvious As You Think!

How Do You Get Better?

One Simple Thing to Becoming an Expert

The One Thing You Need For Your Online Event To Wow

Do You Have Glorious Blooms that Make you Feel Good?

How To Be An Influencer

Hybrid Events – Panacea or Pandora’s Box?

Why Strong Leadership is All About Focus

Zoom Fatigue – Fact or Fiction?

How To Deal With Being Out of Control