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
Speaking/Presenting
I Ask for Questions, but No Hands are Raised –
Brand Yourself: One Way –
Have a Signature Closing!
I have a 'Challenge - and a Prediction' for You! 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 Top!" This was Read More
Speech Content – Part #5
The Conclusion
Two Elements Here: Tell them what you told them. Close your speech. 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, the main points 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 Deliver the Same Message. 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 Read More
Verbal Communication Element # 5 –
Pause
Silence is Golden! And an important element of Speaking! The last element of good verbal communication is the Pause. It’s the last element of our verbal communication skills discussion, but it should be the first thing you do when reaching the lectern, or center stage, after the Master of Ceremonies introduces Read More
Verbal Communication Element #1 –
Pronunciation and Enunciation
If You Don't Do This, You Might as Well be a Mime - And you better be a Very Good One! The first element of verbal communication is Pronunciation and Enunciation: Pronounce all words correctly and enunciate clearly and distinctly! Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it’s one of the verbal elements that Read More
Non-Verbal Communication Element # 5 –
Body Movement
Move Your Body - Deliver a Message! Picture this: The six foot, five inch, python armed bar bouncer just spotted someone in the club he ejected the previous night. The baby-faced kid had shown a counterfeit ID while trying to purchase a beer. Now that same 'punk' was holding a Bud Light up to his mouth. How do Read More
Non-Verbal Communication Element #4 –
Posture
There’s one chance to make a first impression! You’ll make that impression on the audience as the master of ceremonies ends their introduction and you start walking to the lectern, X spot, or wherever you’ll speak the opening words to your talk. Walk with deliberate steps that give the non-verbal message to your Read More
Here’s a Question for You . . .
When is the Best Time to Answer Questions?
Time to Answer Questions: It's Not the Last Thing to Do First of all, you may not have a Question and Answer Session as part of your presentation. It may not be necessary or appropriate. Possibly, the answer to any questions the audience might have is to see you after the talk, or email you their questions. This Read More