This is the second of two Open Letters to upcoming audiences. The first summarized my responsibilities. Dear Audience: Read, Understand, and Follow these Suggestions: The essence of my first Open Letter was: I know you are investing time, perhaps money, and opportunity cost, meaning you could be doing something else, Read More
Presentation Training
Dear Audience: I’ll be your speaker . . .
This is a Open Letter to upcoming audiences. Dear Audience: I'll be your speaker for the upcoming event you're scheduled to attend and want you to know several things before arriving. I know you are investing time, perhaps money, and opportunity cost to attend. Opportunity cost means you could be doing Read More
EXPRESS Elevator Speech:
Start with a Question, then . . .
Your WHY and, another Question. The Ultimate Goal of an Elevator Speech is a Conversation with someone who has a sincere interest in knowing more about your products and/or services, how you work, and what it cost. The Immediate Goal, especially when one-on-one, is to DIS-Qualify! Everyone is a not a prospect. You are Read More
Question:“What do you do?” Answering. . .
Depends on the Audience, Goal, & Time. The Audience could be a Group or Individuals. If a group, it could be large or small. A Group scenario for this question occurs when attending a networking event, social function, or seminar where the individual in charge says; "Before we get started, let's go around the Read More
Speakers: Deliver a Shoutout to . . .
Folks in Your Audience! Everyone loves to be recognized; Especially in front of others! When you, the speaker, gives a shoutout about someone in your audience, it can literally make their day and raise your prestige in the eyes of your attendees. Has a presenter ever mention you during their talk? If so, you know what Read More
Before Speaking: Eat/Don’t Eat These . . .
Foods and Beverages. Foods and beverages consumed, the day before and day of your presentation, can have positive or negative effects on your talk. Have you ever heard this statement? "Before I deliver my presentation, a glass of wine or a cocktail will calm my nerves." Seriously? If you really believe alcohol will Read More
Fear Public Speaking and Failing?
They Go Hand-In-Hand! Both hold many back from reaching their goals. Face those Fears! Failing is a good, but often tough, way to learn. Many of us avoid activities where the odds of "failing" are better than those of succeeding. It's a mistake to do that! Think about this: "If you get it right the first time, you Read More
Clichés: Avoid Them Like . . .
The PLAGUE! Oops! That probably is one! "Perhaps, Clichés are a necessary evil. Some say, 'It is what is is.' I think there is light at the end of the tunnel for ridding presentations of them." "Even against all odds, because they are often in our DNA and we always give 110% and think outside the box," we can do Read More
Speakers: Use a “Sidebar” to . . .
Emphasize and Clarify. For writing articles or books, a Sidebar is separate from the main text on a page. It is often a shorter piece of information related to the main topic or gives another point of view about the topic. For Presentations, a Sidebar can be a pattern interrupt that grabs your audience's attention. It is Read More
INTRO and AFTER-DUCTIONS can . . .
Add Enormous Value to your Presentations. The Introduction is an integral part of your speech, not your Bio, and your responsibility to write! Your audience doesn’t care where you went to school, how many dogs you have, and the fact you like to hike at national parks. Unless that information is relevant to your Read More