How to Run Seminars and Workshops Presentation Skills for Consultants, Trainers, Teachers, and Salespeople

How to Run Seminars and Workshops is the classic guide for trainers and presenters in any industry. Packed with clear advice and real-world practicality, this book covers all aspects including planning, setup, delivery, coaching, and more—including valuable guidance on selling your services. This new Fourth Edition has been updated and expanded, with new information on training simulations, self-marketing, and online delivery. New templates and worksheets help you sell your presentation more effectively, and insider tips leave you equipped to handle any situation that might arise. Novice presenters will find extensive guidance for every phase of the process, and even veteran presenters will learn how to fine-tune and adjust their methods to suit their audience and mode of delivery.

Most trainers and presenters know all they need to know about their chosen topic, but very few know how to present it effectively. For more than a decade, this book has been training the trainers—from behind-the-scenes preparations to "in the pit" performance and working with trainees hands-on, straightforward guidance shows you how to:

• Capture and hold the audience's interest with expert pacing and visual aids
• Take advantage of new technologies that make training more accessible
• Prepare each session thoroughly to avoid mistakes, malfunctions, and delays
• Offer effective feedback, fine-tune delivery, market your services, and more

As training departments shrink—many disappearing entirely—more and more companies are turning to keynote and workshop delivery as a way of reaching key clients. Podcasts are replacing live training, and new technology is continually changing the way presentations are made. Professional trainers and speakers must understand the nuances of any audience/delivery permutation, and tailor their methods to match. How to Run Seminars and Workshops is a trusted resource for presenters seeking to boost their effectiveness at any level, in any industry.

A sought-after speaker and bestselling author, ROB JOLLES teaches, entertains, and inspires audiences worldwide. He is president of Jolles Associates, Inc., an independent training consulting firm, and a training consultant for more than 100 Fortune 500 companies, more than fifty financial institutions, numerous universities, and powerhouse organizations like Disney, Toyota, Northrop Grumman, and NASA. His bestselling books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland. For more information, visit www.jolles.com.

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xv

PART I GETTING STARTED

Chapter 1 Creating a Seminar Business 3

Chapter 2 Working with Adult Audiences 29

Chapter 3 Recognizing Trainees’ Levels of Behavior 47

Chapter 4 The Personality Parade: Training All Different Types of People 55

Chapter 5 The Pace Race: How to Train Groups with Diverse Needs 85

Chapter 6 Anatomy of an 8:00 a.m. Start: Finalizing On-Site Preparations 93

PART II DELIVERY: THE ART OF MAKING GREAT PRESENTATIONS

Chapter 7 The Secret of Success: Selling Your Presentation 113

Chapter 8 Thirty Tips on Maintaining Interest 141

Chapter 9 The Art of Effective Questioning: Getting Trainees Involved 167

Chapter 10 Using Visual Aids 193

Chapter 11 Technology and Training 203

Chapter 12 Taking Your Training Online 221

Chapter 13 Giving Feedback and Coaching 235

Chapter 14 Tricks of the Trade 243

PART III IMPROVING THE TRAINING PROCESS

Chapter 15 Inside the Mind of a Professional Speaker: How to Present Your Best Self 267

Chapter 16 The Value of Good Training: Hiring Effective Trainers 281

Chapter 17 Avoiding the Training Trap: Problems with Relevance and Respect 289

Chapter 18 Developing a Training Staff 297

Chapter 19 Evaluation and Support 303

Chapter 20 Adventures in Cross-Training 311

Epilogue: What’s Next? 319

Index 323

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