If You Absolutely Want to BOMB! Don't practice your presentation. You've given it before - no big deal. Don't visit the facility before your talk. Don't find out what style of seating is in place and don't rearrange if not best for you. Don't check the lighting; natural or in-room. Don't find out Read More
Misc.
Nine Ways to Guarantee
OK. They asked me to be a Speaker.
What do I talk about?
Start with Passion and Knowledge . . . You first choice is to have the opportunitiy to talk about a subject you are passionate about. Ideally, it's also a subject about which you possess a high degree of knowledge . It might be work, family, or health related. The topic could be a personal hobby, charitable cause, Read More
Time to Hit the Refresh Button?
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
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
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
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 you! YIKES! Who wouldn't be 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
How Do You Know Your Audience “Gets It!”?
Constantly, Take Their Temperature! The Goal of all Communications; written, spoken or visual, is the same. We want the recipient(s), as quickly as possible to 'Get It!' They may not agree with all of our message They may not agree with any of our message. But unless they 'Get It!' we can't have a meaningful Read More
Content Part #4
The Formula for the Body of the Speech
Make a Point – Tell a Story
IMPORTANT: Make it a Personal Story! Here's the time tested Formula for the Body of your Speech. Make a Point - Tell a Story Make a Point - Tell a Story Make a Point - Tell a Story Do this three to five times. Each Point, and the accompanying Story, should support your main theme. Stories are a great Read More
But, I Don’t Speak in Front of Groups.
So Why Should I Care about Public Speaking?
My response: "Do you ever speak to an Audience of ONE?" I'm sometimes asked a question like this when approaching a group about being a guest speaker. It happened recently when the meeting planner told me, "We have a group of people who are sole proprietors in their businesses. Quite a few work from home. They have Read More