Tammy Levent

SPEAKING.COM: What do you want people to learn/take away from your presentations?

LEVENT: My story alone will inspire anyone who has doubts of being able to achieve greater success. We tend to always say ”this or that happened” and then give an excuse as to why things don’t work out or why we don’t keep growing. When I speak, I make sure that everyone in the room understands that we are all at the same level. We all have the same issues, the same challenges, the same problems. It’s a matter of perspective and how to overcome those challenges for us to be able to get to the next level.

I have had so many unforeseen misfortunes: armed robberies, near death experiences, murders, hit and run accidents, cancer, an elevator crash – I lost all my money twice! In facing the most extreme situations, I became stronger. I think that my stories help the audience connect with me. They don’t feel sorry for me, which is what I don’t want happening; rather, I just want them to comprehend that we all have bad days – some worse than others. It’s your actions and your reactions that will make the difference in the direction you take in your life.

I’m also able to have them understand that no matter where you are in your life, you need to have many strategic partners to get further. The right partnerships will get you to unimaginable success. That’s not something easy for most people to teach, but the way I share my story and my success helps my audiences get it and apply it immediately, even before leaving the room.

SPEAKING.COM: What kind of special prep work do you do prior to an event? How do you prepare for your speaking engagements?

LEVENT: I always take the time to learn about the demographics of my audience. While I can talk to anyone – whether they are corporate or a group of students – I always make sure I know exactly who I’m talking to. This way I can choose the best topic and apply it to them. I have spoken to audiences from 12 years of age all the way up to 90, and enjoy it all.

I also find out a little about the company or organization that hired me to speak, which makes for good business sense.

SPEAKING.COM: Have you had any particularly memorable speaking engagements/unusual situations arise while on the road?

LEVENT: One of my more memorable speaking engagements was when I had a small speaking event with a group of troubled teens, I was asked to speak to them about accountability and what happens to your future if you don’t do what you’re supposed to do.

At first they were ignoring me and on their phones. I stood there thinking, This is going to be just great. I can’t even get them to look up at me. So I just started speaking. The first words out of my mouth, which were not rehearsed were, “When my son got arrested the first time, he was 8-years-old.”

Well, that was it! Every phone went down and every head looked up. Like I said, I have a way of always connecting with my audience.

The hardest keynote speaking engagement for me was only a couple of years ago, I had just found out I had breast cancer and had to speak to about 600 people on wellness in Canada. I stopped in the middle of my speech and said, ‘You know what, I’m going to share with you something I just learned yesterday!’ It turned out to be one of my best speeches. I was real, I was human and I had a line of about 200 people waiting to talk to me afterwards. It was incredible and the support for just being you and being real so that people can relate makes it worthwhile in the end.

SPEAKING.COM: What types of audiences would most benefit from your message?

LEVENT: Any type, but I especially love to talk to people who need help growing their business or company sales teams. After all, you can still build a strategic partnership while working for someone else.

I take the time to talk to my potential clients about the message so they can understand exactly what it is they’re trying to accomplish. Audiences interested in getting more sales, or learning creative ways to grow their brand or start-up companies that may not have direction will surely benefit.

SPEAKING.COM: Which of your keynote speaking topics are your favorites and why?

LEVENT: My favorite keynote is building strategic partnerships for greater success, because I am living proof it works! I have built my business from minus to millions and continue to work that same formula day after day. I set up my latest strategic partnership while sponsoring and speaking at a women in film and television industry event. I have been approached by 3 Emmy award-winning producers to do a TV travel show, a series and a movie based on my life. A couple of hours with me and your life changes.

The runner-up would be on branding. I have been able to successfully brand my business, my own name, my tv segments on national tv, my book, my consulting business and so much more. I can show my audience how to brand their name and image where they understand and apply what they learned from me with immediate results.

SPEAKING.COM: What inspired you to start doing speaking engagements?

LEVENT: I have been speaking since I was in high school and had the best speech teacher, Mrs. Marilyn McDonald. I was the one who was always in the front line of debate battles, speaking in front of many audiences.

I think it was evident I was destined to do this once I had a story to share. My very first speaking event in front of an audience of about 150 was 15 years ago at an E-woman networking event. I was asked to speak and tell my story and I shared as though it was only 4 of us at dinner sitting around and just chatting. I had so many people laugh and cry and tell me I was one of the most moving speakers they ever heard or met.

From there, I did my own mini workshops to gain some exposure and polish my speaking skills. My first event opening for a famous speaker was for Les Brown, and that further inspired me to move into the speaking space and also write a book on my life story. At the end of the day, though, what inspires me most is inspiring others.

SPEAKING.COM: How do you keep your audience engaged and actively listening during your keynotes? Do you use case studies, personal stories and/or in your speeches?

LEVENT: Engagement with the audience is crucial. I often choose a couple of people in the audience and ask them some questions to elaborate on what I am speaking about, and that engagement is well received. People tend to communicate more and really understand what I’m saying when it applies to real life situations and it’s my favorite part of speaking.

I may use a power point as a guide, with more photos than anything, and humor is a definite. I’ll bring in an example of what I’m talking about and compare it to a real-life news story that they can relate to. It’s always done in good taste but gets a laugh every time. Again it goes back to knowing your audience and what they expect, while giving them more than they ever imagined.

SPEAKING.COM: What are some of the successes you’ve helped clients achieve?

LEVENT: I advise clients that if they want success they can simply follow my proven formula. I often speak at events where we have both vendors and clients and I always make it a goal to introduce people who I think may form a great relationship with each other. I’ve done this so often, these relationships have easily resulted in millions of dollars in revenue. I have created brands for start-ups that have no direction, no goals, and no vision. Many of those brands are now multi-million dollar companies. One of the best things I can do is help get their brand on TV, a feat that is doable but not easy.