Writing Inrochester

As a freelance copywriter, I am keenly aware that my work will often be the first impression many people have of my client and my client’s product or service.

As in all areas of life, preparation divides the winners from the rest of the pack. But how can a freelance copywriter lay the groundwork to write great, compelling copy that produces new customers, new sales and new profits?

It comes down to two things: (1) Know your customer; and (2) Know your product.

Knowing Your Customer.
Why would a customer buy this product? What need does it appeal to? What reason motivates a customer to buy something like your product? If you cannot find the need you are appealing to, all the rest of your work will fall flat. I have explored this whole topic in another article called

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188 stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to heros-journey.info/ heros-journey.info/ for full details)

*****Inner Cave / Inner Challenge*****

It is the Inner Cave of the First Threshold where the Inner Challenge is made explicit. In Straw Dogs (1971), Amy is childish, flirty and horny in the car.

*****Final Conflict - New Self*****

Post the Unbearable Antagonism and Inner Resolve stages, the Hero completes the Transformation and becomes the New Self. In Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Bonnie writes a poem in the back of the car. Clyde sends the poem into the paper and it’s printed. “…you told my story…”

****Crossing of the Return Threshold*****

The place of the Final Conflict has certain characteristics, including:

Dangerous Place. The Hero will venture to a dangerous place. In Spiderman (2002), the battle takes place on a bridge high up above the water.

From a Distance. The battle will be viewed from afar.

Magnitude of the task. The overwhelming magnitude of the task will be noted.

Strangely Confident. The Hero will be strangely confident. After all, he has gained an Expansion of Consciousness and been Reborn as a New Self.

Physical Boundary. Some form of physical marker will signify the Crossing into the Final Conflict.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at monomyth.info/ monomyth.info/

188 stages of the Hero’s Journey can also be reached from story-structure.org/ story-structure.org/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

**********************************

Kal Bishop, MBA

[From our deconstruction of hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters and sitcoms at www.clickok.co.uk ; 188 stages of the Hero's Journey you need to know about...]

The Hero’s Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the Hollywood movies we have deconstructed are based on this template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.

The Hero’s Journey:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Interpreted metaphorically, laterally and symbolically, allows an infinite number of varied stories to be created.

and more…

The Hero’s Journey: Ice Age 2, the Meltdown (2005) deconstructed [basic]

FADE IN: Creatures in the Ordinary World: animals playing in the melting ice.

Context: global warming.

Meeting the Joker: Sid the Sloth.

Meeting the Hero and Loyal Ally: Manny and Diego appear.

Loyal Ally and Joker relationship: you’re now an idiot in two languages.

Developing Characters and Relationships: the kidz look up to me.

Joker’s Challenge: I can do stuff; I’m valuable.

Foreshadow of the Journey: Fast Tony’s spiel.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Sid attempts to commit suicide.

Loyal Ally’s Challenge: Diego is afraid of water.

Call to Adventure: they see the meltdown from high up.

Refusal: Manny tells everyone the valley’s going to flood but none believes him.

Overcoming Refusal: the vulture convinces them.

Foreshadow of the Antagonism: the frozen monster fish.

On the Journey / Toward the Transformation: on their way to the boat.

Antagonism: the monster fish strikes.

Meeting the Fool: the rat-thing trying to grab the Acorn.

Threshold Marker / Time pressure / Pushed into the Journey: the valley begins to fall apart.

Developing Characters and Relationships: Sid sings and Manny doesn’t like it.

First Threshold:

Outer Cave: Hero’s Challenge: Manny runs after the sound of the Mammoth.

Outer Cave: Meeting Allies: The Possums (Crash and Eddie) taunt Diego and Sid.

Middle Cave: Meeting the Romantic Challenge: Manny meets Ellie.

Developing the Fool: rat-thing still trying to grab the Acorn.

Middle Cave: Romantic Challenge: Ellie sees her shadow; Manny must be a Possum.

Warning: Diego warns about the thin ice.

Antagonism: the monster fish are nearby.

Inner Cave: Meeting the Antagonism: Sid falls in the ice and is attacked.

Inner Cave: Loyal Ally’s Challenge: we’re living in the Melting World; you’ll have to face your fear sooner or later.

Developing the Fool: rat-thing attacked by Piranhas.

Inner Cave: Manny swings Crash off a tree.

Pushed to the Transformation: what’s holding Manny back? Not saving the species is just selfish.

Belly of the Whale: Ellie asks for Manny’s help; Ellie remembers that she was a lost Mammoth.

Pushed to the Physical Separation: as far as Mammoths go, you’re attractive.

Resisting the Transformation: you′re not saving the species tonight or any other night.

Time Pressure: the Valley’s cracking up.

World of the Trials and Transformation:

Developing the Fool: rat-thing battles the newly hatched chick for the Acorn.

Loyal Ally’s Challenge: Sabre Tooths have no fear.

Trial 1: balancing on the rocks and surviving.

Trial 2: Sid the King Sloth sequence.

Time Pressure: water is rising.

Warning: the vultures are just waiting; the vultures singing.

Foreshadow of the Elixir: seeing the boat.

Trial 3: the hot eruptions.

Separation: Ellie and the Possums leave the group.

Trial 3: passing the hot eruptions.

Foreshadow of the Sword: have you seen a mammoth?

Time Pressure: the valley bursts open.

Meeting the Oracle: the Possums tell Manny that Ellie is trapped.

Loyal Ally Overcoming Challenge: Diego jumps in the water to save Sid.

Guardians of the Sword: Manny beats off the monster fish.

Seizing the Sword: Manny rescues Ellie.

Near Death Experience: the rat-thing falls from the canyon.

Reward / Challenge Conquered: Diego wants Sid to stay.

Atonement: more Mammoths arrive; they’re not extinct.

Apotheosis: Diego and Sid let Manny go with Ellie.

Ultimate Boon: Ellie wants to be with many too.

Master of Both Worlds: Ellie and Manny join Diego et al to make up the herd.

Freedom to Live: rat-thing finds Acorn heaven.

Comedy: Sid pulls rat-thing back.

FADE OUT.

Learn more…

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at clickok.co.uk/ clickok.co.uk/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. His specialities include Knowledge Management and Creativity and Innovation Management. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached at clickok.co.uk/ clickok.co.uk/

Have you ever felt like you’ve had an interesting life, and someday you’d like to write a book? Have you wondered how would I write a book about my life. 200 years ago it would be almost impossible, even 100 years ago it was pretty difficult, but in the last 20 years since the advent of computers writing a book has become easier and easier. I’ll give you the lowdown of how I wrote a book in just a few short months on my life.

In fact, you can write a book, even if you hate to write. The new voice recognition software products out on the market can take the pain out even the most reluctant typist. And if you don’t want to go that route, there is transcription services that will transcribe your audio at really reasonable prices.

When I sat down to write a book about my life, I sat down and brainstormed. I thought quite a bit about what I wanted to write, and how I wanted to write it. I didn’t write anything down for a few days, I just let it stew in my brain.

Then I sat down to get a little more organized. Ran down to Walgreens, and picked up a few packages of 3ҵ index cards. I sat down for a few hours, and poured out in very broad terms my topics. For instance one of my index cards simply said. Dog bite-hospital-pee.

After a while, I would get more detailed. I would write a little more ideas free form on the card about the topic. Just some memory points, anything that won’t fit on one side of the card was too much and probably deserved a separate topic.

Once you have a bunch of ideas jotted out. Now it’s time to organize them. Put them in the order you’d like to write in. Get rid of some of the cards you no longer want(or rather put them aside, you never know when you might want that card again).

Now you’re ready to put the pen to the paper. What I found is that the beginning is the HARDEST part of the book to get right. I might rewrite my opening paragraph and opening chapter dozens of times. So, I want to whip through it the first time through, no thinking, just blaze away, I know I’m going to rewrite it numerous times anyway, and I would hate to get held up on this part.

If you’re going to get the book done, you have to have a schedule. I knew I wanted to write for two hours a day, and finish my first draft in six weeks. Then I’d spend the next 3 weeks doing revisions. I’d let some friends read it, give me broad impressions, then revise some more. Put together your own game plan.

It took me a month longer than I expected, but I got it done. I like it, it’s not going to get me any literary awards anytime soon. But, it’s something very special that I can pass down to my children. The biggest key to success in writing your own book is to get started. Eventually you have to write. Even Ernest Hemingway had to stop partying and start writing someday. Here’s to reading your own life story soon.

Alan Raimes is a dedicated father, and a comic in his own mind. Now there are no guarantees, that anyone is going to write a blockbuster life story, but with the proper organization, creativeness and determination, anyone can put together their life story much quicker than they believe. For help on writing your own life story, and an amazing blueprint for step-by-step creating your own compelling story, visit his gimmeananswer.com/Writing/ writers resource center.

Information overload can be quite a common complaint for anyone searching the internet. More often than not, when people search for information they get hit with the same content over and over again. It may come in the form of different headlines but when the page is accessed it is the same information.

When clients hire you the content you provide them with is then used to email their list or put on their website. Now their main aim is to generate loyalty with their readers and subscribers and they need quality content that hasn’t been seen before. They need to appear as experts in their chosen field. This is why your research is vital.

If this seems to make sense to you and you can understand the value of quality content, here are some ideas that you can use that will help you to gather the best possible information and allow you to create unique articles with minimal amount of effort and time.

When you are given a topic to write on what is the first thing that you do? For many it is just a basic web search via Google, Yahoo, or MSN and that’s it. Let me tell you this really isn’t creative and this is a big mistake. You need to dig further to develop quality content for your clients.

So let’s look a little deeper

1 - Did you know that Google has lots of tools besides just web searches. You can check the latest news. ( news.google.com) for your chosen topic. What you will find will be enough information for you to easily create a summary of some of the top stories and take what you have learned and turn it into an article for your client. But let’s not stop there.

2 - Google also has “groups.” ( groups.google.com/) These are people who come together to to discuss in detail their chosen subject. Why not look up your clients topic in Google’s groups and see what you come up with. I find that this information is the best because what you get is genuine people that are passionate about your topic.

Google has other tools, too. You can even get research info from universities by looking up here. google.com/intl/en/options/

3 - My next method is a real gem: Do this search (keeping in the punctuation as written): yourtopic free filetype:pdf

What you will get here are free downloads in pdf format about your topic.Now obviously you can’t simply copy and use it as your own information. You have to create your writing in your own words and these pdf files are a great place to start, plus they will contain more information than what you find on an average web page.

4 - Go to Alexa.com. Do a search on your topic. What you will get back is the exact same result as Google but Alexa goes one step further.

When you do the search, you won’t be looking to click on the link that takes you to any of the sites listed. Instead what you will be looking for is the link that says “Site Info”. When you click on this you will find a section called “People who visit this page also visit.” This information is extremely useful because it will show you what your clients marketplace is interested in and you can therefore tailor your clients information product to what people want.

These are just some of the easy ways that you can get better research
and in very little time.

Discover how you can turn your writing skills into a fabulous ghostwriting career. Amanda Evans’s e book “Ghostwriting Uncovered: How I Quit My Day Job & You Can Too” at ghostwritinguncovered.com/sl.html ghostwritinguncovered.com/sl.html takes you from novice to pro ghostwriter in step by step format. Packed with information, the e book also tips and advice that will help you secure endless clients. You could be signing up your first clients within two days.

We′ve been talking mainly about how to conduct effective public speaking and in particular, overcoming the inevitable “Nerves″. However, these dreaded nerves or “stage fright” as some like to call it, are not just confined to public speaking, but can affect us at many important moments of our lives, such as the important job interview, the first night performance, the meeting with the boss, the big game or race, or maybe just the simple toast at a family gathering.

So you feel nervous prior to your performance, your interview or your race, or even your beloved game. – Well, you’ll be pleased to know that you’re not alone.

We all feel nervous at these very important occasions on our lives and usually the more important the occasion the more nervous and tense we feel.

However, although we all experience the dreaded nerves, we all react in very different ways.

I can recall being on the bill with many top entertainers who were greatly affected by nerves before a performance. Some were physically sick, others were never away from the toilet and some would pace around and constantly chatter, whilst others preferred to sit alone in silence. Some performers preferred never to look at the audience before the moment they went on stage.

I much preferred the opposite. I liked to get among the audience and get chatting to a few people. I felt it created a friendlier bond right at the outset, at least with some of them.

I know that in a theatre setting, where there are maybe several thousand in the audience, it’s not possible to mingle with them prior to a performance and some artistes can’t bear to look at the vast array of faces because they feel it only adds to their nerves.
However, I like to have a good look at the audience before hand and try to picture them as friends and visualise them laughing at my jokes, being amazed at my magic and thoroughly enjoying my performance.

One old experienced performer once told me that he always made a point of looking out at the audience, no matter how large, and telling himself that there was no-one in that crowd that could do what he was about to do.

This helped him feel confident, because he was the only person there that could perform his act.

The important things to bear in mind are:-

1. The feeling of nervousness is natural.

2. You are now aware of the cause and therefore you need not fear it.

3. You know that if you’ve prepared well, nothing is likely to go wrong.

4. You know that the audience is on your side. They want everything to go well and are there to be entertained.

5. Take my word for it, that the worst nerves are felt before your performance.

6. You now know that it will quickly diminish and will eventually disappear. - Just begin.

7. You must stop seeing this nervous feeling as a hindrance and use it as a guide and stepping stone to a good performance.

So you just have to believe me, that once you start your performance the nerves will definitely go, so it’s important to get your act off to a good start.

Rehearse your favourite opening trick; (or opening sentence or two) right down to the way you’re going to stand, your facial expressions and even the words your going to say to start your act. That way you’ll be off and running, the audience will be right behind you and you’ll be so busy concentrating on entertaining them with the rest of your act that the nerves will be gone.

Your nerves may still be there when you get to your feet, of course, but you will be too busy to worry about them unless things do go wrong and even then a mistake will make you seem more human.

In fact, if you make a mistake in front of an audience or someone gently heckles you and you cover it with an amusing comment, you will find that it may actually help you to relax and perform better.

On the subject of relaxation, it will help during these tense nervous moments while you’re waiting to perform, to try to relax as much as possible.

I’ll touch on relaxation in another article, but in the meantime, you can get plenty more advice and information at:

effective-speaking.talktactics.co.uk Effective Public Speaking

You can become a “Public Speaking Superstar” - Just take a look at:

talktactics.co.uk/speaking-tips/ “How To Conduct Effective Public Speaking”TODAY!

Johnnie Gentle, made a reputation as a leading magician and entertainer at the height of the Cabaret and Theatre Club scene in the UK.
Now retired, he provides a revealing insight into the mysterious World of Magic, providing a host of magical effects that are fully explained and can be done by anyone and giving advice on public performance and personal development.

Get your FREE Magic eBooks and tips on Performing and Public Speaking at this Unique World of Magic at: magictouches.com/” target=”_blank The Magic Touch | Free Magic Tricks

FORWARD

The 188 stage Hero′s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188 stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE 188 STAGE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Tells you what to write. For example, at a certain stage of the story, the focus should be on the Call to Adventure and the micro elements within.

ABRIDGED TIPS, EXCERPTS AND EXAMPLES:

(simply go to screenplay-structure.com/” target=”_blank screenplay-structure.com/ or story-structure.org/” target=”_blank story-structure.org/ for full details)

*****Call of the Woodsman*****

When the Hero is engaged in the Trivial Task, he or she is distracted and attracted by a force, which cannot be resisted. This pulls the Hero off the Normal Path. Knowing that veering off the Path is dangerous and that there have been warnings against it, this stage of the Journey frequently involves:

Haste. The Hero moves toward the Call hastily.

Stealth. The Hero moves toward the Call stealthily.

Dead of Night. The Hero moves toward the Call in the dead of night. In The Incredibles (2004), Mr Incredible visits Edna in secrecy.

*****Hero’s Allies*****

The Hero often has Allies in his Ordinary World that will accompany him on his Journey (often these are developed or more are encountered in the First Threshold). In Lord of the Rings (2001), Frodo has Sam and Pippin et al. It is these Allies’ Challenges that form the basis of the subplot.

*****Blood and Transmogrification*****

The progression of the Transmogrification - the physical change - is often symbolised by the appearance of blood. In Straw Dogs (1971), David shoots the bird…the bloood seeps out and onto his clothes.

*****Foreshadow of the Inner Cave*****

Foreshadows are underestimated. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), Ennis showers. The sequence leads the heroes to the Inner Cave.

*****Final Conflict*****

Often in the Final Conflict, it is the Hero that travels to a place of great danger (from his perspective). But the danger can come to him (or her). In Straw Dogs (1971), Tom et al drive to David’s house and once inside, become antagonistic (the pointing and pushing).

*****Push to the Crossing of the Return Threshold*****

The Rescue from Without pushes the Hero to the Return Crossing. In Brokeback Mountain (2005), “…is your Daddy the marrying kind?”

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at monomyth.info/ monomyth.info/

188 stages of the Hero’s Journey can also be reached from heros-journey.info/ heros-journey.info/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

There is a large variance even within the industry standard for copywriting. When setting rates, you have to look at several different factors including amount of work to complete the project, size of the project, your experience, and the budget of the client.

It’s possible to make up to $100 an hour copywriting, but that doesn’t mean that all of your projects can justify that kind of income. You will need to look at each project as a separate entity, and not as an entirety. You are not going to charge the same price for a 500-word web content article as you do for a complete advertising package.

Another you have to consider when setting rates is whether you are going to be doing the work yourself or outsourcing it. If you are doing to hire other writers to assist with the job, that will have a bearing on your rate, especially if you are going to pay your writers a fair rate. If this is a client who is going to provide a large amount of work, you might be expected to develop a bulk rate based upon that. This sometimes becomes more difficult because you want to accommodate your client’s needs and continue to pay your writers a fair rate for their work as well.

When you quote a price for a client you have to take into consideration how much work is involved to complete the project. A complete advertising package is going to take more time, and you want to price it accordingly. You may be willing to negotiate within reason, but sometimes you will find a client who is trying to get by as cheaply as possible, so you want to make sure that you don’t undercut your costs in order to provide for an unreasonable client.

Allow yourself to have the last word, even if it means that you may have to decline some projects because the client’s budget and yours just don’t seem to see eye to eye. Remember, if you take on a client who wants cheap rates, and you take on another project that pays more, you are going to put the lower paying project on the back burner to finish the one that pays more. In order to avoid that, stay away from projects that fall too far beneath your minimum rates. If you stand your ground, the clients will soon learn how much you will go and will adjust their budgets accordingly.

Azlan Kasim invites you to bid for job offers on copywritingbasics101.com copywritingbasics101.com and earn money while honing your copywriting skill. The more jobs you are awarded with positive feedbacks, the easier it gets for you to bid for higher value projects. To get job offers straight into your inbox, subscribe to the copywritingbasics101.com Jobs/Tips update.

The Hero’s Journey (Monomyth) is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188 stage template.

Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters. This is the template you must master if you are to succeed in the craft.

[The terminology is most often metaphoric and applies to all successful stories and screenplays, from The Godfather (1972) to Brokeback Mountain (2006) to Annie Hall (1977) to Lord of the Rings (2003) to Drugstore Cowboy (1989) to Thelma and Louise (1991) to Apocaplyse Now (1979)].

THERE IS ONLY ONE STORY

THE HERO’S JOURNEY:

a) Attempts to tap into unconscious expectations the audience has regarding what a story is and how it should be told.

b) Gives the writer more structural elements than simply three or four acts, plot points, mid point and so on.

c) Gives you a tangible process for building and releasing dissonance (establishing and achieving catharses, of which there are usually four).

d) Gives you a universal structural template upon which you can superimpose your situational story. This is why stories such as Alien (1979), Gladiator (2000), Midnight Cowboy (1969), American Beauty (1999), The Graduate (1967) and many others (all deconstructed at the URL below) appear to be different but are all constructed, almost sequence by sequence, in the same way.

and more…

ABRIDGED TIP(S):

*****Hero’s Quality*****

The Heralds are attracted to the Hero because he demonstrates a quality. In The Magnificent Seven (1960), the farmers are impressed by Chris and Vin. In Star Wars (1977), music when Luke appears signals that there is a quality about him.

Learn more…

WRITE THAT SCREENPLAY!

The Complete 188 stage Hero’s Journey and other story structure templates can be found at clickok.co.uk/ clickok.co.uk/

The Managing Creativity and Innovation MBA dissertation, DIY creativity Audit, Powerpoint presentation and Good Idea generator software can be found at managing-creativity.com/ managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made, the author’s name is retained and the link to our site URL remains active.

No matter how good you are as a presenter, there will be times when you need to make sure you exude power and authority. If you are ‘the boss’ and want to be certain the staff will do your bidding you will need to come across with power and authority. You will also have to come across authoritatively when presenting at a large conference when your competitors will also be present. Equally you will need to be seen as powerful if you are wishing to make a name for yourself within your industry. However, even though you may want power and authority in these settings, you will not wish to appear arrogant or bossy. Using these ten tips you’ll achieve the right balance.

1. Think the part!
If you believe you have the power and authority to say what you are saying this will help tremendously. You really need to see yourself as brimming with power, authority and gravitas.

2. Dress the part!
Powerful people wear powerful clothes. They appear smart, even in casual wear. They take care of their appearance and generally look good. Purple and blue are seen as powerful colours by an audience.

3. Speak the part!
Use power language. Don’t say ‘perhaps’ or ‘maybe’ be certain. Powerful and authoritative people speak with absolute certainty – even if they are not really sure.

4. Act the part!
When you are on stage stand up straight, look people in the eye and dominate your stage with definite and decisive gestures.

5. Move
Move around your stage. Start off in the centre front and then move so you cover a lot of ground. Static presenters are not seen as authoritative.

6. Create powerful associations.
Link yourself to other powerful and authoritative people by agreeing with what they say. Use quotations if necessary.

7. Be short and sweet
Speak with short sentences and leave pauses for people to absorb what you have said. Long, convoluted language makes you appear unintelligible and therefore you have no power or influence.

8. Have a stunning opening
Start with a dynamic and interesting opening that connects with your audience immediately. Mention them, use a personal anecdote or ask a question.

9. Power pack your ending
Make sure your ending is power-packed. Like a great overture you need to end with a rousing crash! To do this, summarise what you have said and then give your audience an action you need them to take.

10. Stand still at the end
When you have delivered your final words – stand still, centre stage looking your audience in the eye. Stay there and pause for several seconds before leaving the stage.

Graham Jones runs The Presentation Business at presentationbiz.com presentationbiz.com which helps people become great presenters.