Me! Jim McCraigh is the founder of The Consultants Connection, a professional group he formed to help consultants get more clients. His Consultant’s Connection Group was created so coaches and consultants could get fresh perspectives on getting new clients in today’s world of crazy-busy prospects. In his forum, Read More
Lessening the Fear of Public Speaking
Teleprompter or Not?
oIt Depends. . . President Obama is a master at using the teleprompter. I don't believe anyone does it better. He doesn't just "read" the words on the screen to his audiences. His inflections, varying cadence, gestures, body language, and facial expressions take his rhetorical skills to levels most never attain. He makes Read More
The Fear of Public Speaking is an. . .
oEqual Opportunity Fear! It doesn't care about your age, education, or occupation. Young or not, highly educated or not, white collar or not - The Fear of Public Speaking affects up to 75% of the population. There is even a word for it - Glossophobia. It comes from the Greek language: Glosso - tongue, Phobia - Fear. Read More
Watching the Olympic Trials, I Noticed. . .
0All Those Great Athletes Have COACHES! They are the Best of the Best because they had great COACHING. Many were born with a lot of natural talent. They continually work out and hone their skills. Most have been doing this for years. More than one left home and moved hundreds, even thousands of miles, to work with the Read More
WHY Speak? Because:
0"Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities!" Have you ever been expected to, or wanted to: Make a Speech. Deliver a Presentation. Present an Award. Accept a Prize. Introduce a Speaker. Toast a Bride and Groom. Hold a Press Conference. Conduct an Interview. Be a Read More
One of the Greatest Fears of Public Speaking is. . .
0"I've Got Nothing to Talk About!" "The audience probably knows way more than I do about the topic. If they don't fall asleep during my presentation, they'll be fidgeting, checking email, and looking at the clock, hoping I'll soon conclude." That is a major fear many have when it comes to public speaking. They are Read More
Speakers: Authenticity Connects. . .
0You to Your Audience! WE'RE IN THE ELECTION SEASON! Candidates are debating and delivering speeches. Speakers can learn from comments like these: • "He's Authentic." • "She's scripted, and not Authentic." • "That candidate is connecting with me." • "I have no confidence in them." • "I trust them." • "They Read More
Speakers: Perfection in Your Presentation is. . .
0Not Necessary! If you're in a marching band, you better be in step with your fellow band members. If you are in a play, chorus, or orchestra and forget your lines, the song, or play your instrument at the wrong time - you're in a bad place! When delivering a presentation, it's an entirely different story. No one, Read More
Your Presentation: It Doesn’t Have to Be. . .
PERFECT! Transcript Fred Miller, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” When you’re giving a presentation, it's not the same as being in a play, singing a duet, or being a participant in a marching band. It doesn't have to be Perfect! If you're not giving the presentation you wanted to give, or the one you've given before, it Read More
The Formula for the Body of a Speech is. . .
oMake Points and Support Them with Stories. Transcript Fred Miller, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” The formula for the body of your speech is: make several points, tell stories to reinforce those points. Personal stories if possible. One of the fears people have of Public Speaking is, “I've got nothing to talk. What Read More