That question, "WHAT topic should I speak about?" comes up often. Sometimes, it's an easy answer: If it's job-related, the subject matter may have already been chosen by a manager or program director. If that's the case, have a conversation with them and, together, list bullet points you agree should be Read More
Developing A Presentation/Speech
A DISCLAIMER, early in your Presentation will . . .
Help Your Audience GET IT! If you deliver information an attendee doesn't agree with they may start to view you with a bit of disbelief. If this occurs several times, they might tune you, and your message, out completely. FREE InfoGraph: 17 Nuggets to Lessen The Fear of Public Speaking That's a shame because they might Read More
Asking early for “Lessons Learned” will . . .
Help Your Audience GET IT! Before taking questions and closing my presentations, I often asked the audience to share something they learned from my talk. Occasionally, very few hands were raised. That frustrated me because I knew I had presented a lot of great material. Why weren’t folks raising their hands? I Read More
The Laws of Presentation
To be successful in delivering outstanding presentations, there are Very Specific Laws that apply. These are not suggestions! The following Laws of Presentation are tested, proven, and essential if you want to have a high quality talk. Read them - Study them - Apply them! Know your "Stuff!" This is the first Read More
Great Presentations include a BACKSTORY . . .
It’s All About the Backstory. You have a story, don’t you? Rarely, when asking this to students, seminar attendees, and clients, do I not immediately see a twinkle in their eye. That non-verbal communication is saying things like: If you only knew! or Absolutely, and I need to write a book. and sometimes Read More
ZOOM BACKGROUNDS: Pet Peeve
Zooming? Get a good Checklist first! CLICK HERE Transcript Fred Miller, "NO SWEAT Public Speaking!" Let's talk about one of my pet peeves on zoom - Backgrounds! Now this one, this is pretty good. It looks like a microphone. It'd be appropriate for me. I speak, coach, and write about networking, public speaking, Read More
Virtual Video Meetings:
Challenges and Opportunities
Many meetings, conferences, and seminars are now on-line. These virtual gatherings are very different from in-person, live events. Attending can be challenging. Presenting can be extremely challenging, but it can lead to New OPPORTUNITIES! Get this ZOOM CHECKLIST for yourself and attendees. The Challenges. Lots Read More
Habits of a TERRIBLE Zoom Presenter
Even to those of us used to presenting to in-person audiences, virtual platforms like ZOOM present challenges. If you’re called on to present virtually and don’t correctly prepare for your "Speaking Opportunity!" I guarantee you will bomb! DON’T DO these things and you could become a TERRIBLE Zoom Presenter! Update Read More
Let me tell you a . . .
Story! The body of a presentation consists of facts, and stories supporting those facts. A Story, in this context, is a description designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the audience. Narratives are excellent for clarifying messages because those hearing them go into the hard drive of their brains and find files Read More
The Bookends of a Speech Are . . .
The Opening and Closing. The Law of Primacy and Recency says the audience best remembers the first and last things you, the speaker, say and do. This is crucial for the goal of having those attending your presentation GET IT! GETTING IT! is the goal of all communication; verbal, written, or visual. The audience may not Read More