Your Introduction, Opening, Speech, Closing - Is it time to Update Them? One of the only things in life that's certain is - Change. And if you're not continually updating and changing your Introduction, Opening, The Body of your Speech and Closing on a regular basis, they will get stale and lose the impact it Read More
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You’re Scheduled to Speak at 10:00
Arrive Early!
Seriously, there are Lots of reasons to arrive that early! We all know that 'Stuff' happens. Arriving early, some may say very early, is not an option for the speaker who is on top of his/her game. It's your presentation, and your responsibility to yourself and those who will be attending, to do the best you can to Read More
Presentation Tip # 2
Use a Mind Map!
Ever looked at your notes when giving a presentation and everything is a BIG BLUR? Not much fun when this happens, is it? Nervous or not, reading notes at the lectern is often a tough thing to do. Reading black text on a white background doesn't stimulate our minds as quickly as looking at images do. This is one Read More
Practice Tip #1 – Read Aloud!
Reading Aloud Will Improve Your Delivery. Practice -Practice -Practice We've all heard that mantra, and it's true. And one of the best ways to improve your voice is to: Read Aloud - Read Aloud - Read Aloud Hearing yourself as you speak, and listening to a recording of yourself, are two of the quickest ways to Read More
The Fear of Public Speaking
How to Lessen It
The Fear of Public Speaking: First of all, You are not alone ... There is comfort in numbers. Public Speaking, in survey after survey, has been shown to be most people's greatest fear. Some fear it more than dying! It's a natural fear to have. You are standing, alone, in front of people who are fixated on Read More
I Ask for Questions, but No Hands are Raised –
Now What?
My Presentation Was So Good, There Are No Questions - Correct? Don't bet on it! Many people are shy, and your audience may be full of people who want to ask something, but don't want to be the first to raise their hand. Some are concerned about asking a question that you covered well, and they Read More
Brand Yourself: One Way –
Have a Signature Closing!
I have a 'Challenge - and a Prediction' for You! Brand Yourself! If you're a fan of Zig Ziglar, the famous motivational speaker from Yazoo City, Mississippi (he mentioned it often, and sadly, the location of a recent deadly tornado) you're familiar with his signature close. It was always, "And I will see You At the Read More
Speech Content – Part #5
The Conclusion
Two Elements Here: Tell them what you told them. Conclude with a Strong Closing! One of the ways to reinforce a message with the goal of the audience 'Getting It!' is to repeat that message. This is why the first part of the Conclusion is to 'Tell them what you told them." Restate, in a slightly different manner, Read More
Speech Content – Part #1
The Title
Think of your Speech Title as if it were the Title of a Book; displayed on a shelf at Barnes & Noble. When someone is eyeing the selection on the shelves in the section where they have an interest, yours should jump out at them! The Title should jump out so much that the person actually takes the book from the Read More
EVERYTHING Must Be In SYNC!
If You Want Your Audience to "GET IT!", Everything Must be in Sync. Otherwise, you’re sending mixed messages. The audience will be confused, and they won’t receive the information you’re presenting the way you intended. If there is a disconnect between the words spoken and the way the speech is delivered, it will Read More