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
Presentation Training
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
Speakers: Open and Close . . .
Strong and STRONGER! The Law of Primacy and Recency says your audience will best remember the first and last things you say and do. This is why Q&A, if you have it in your talk, should be before your Closing. In your Opening, give the Menu of your talk. Letting the audience know when you'll be taking questions: Read More
Speakers: Write a Book Because . . .
It MATTERS! Authoring a book gives you HUGE Credibility. Just as we perceive really good speakers as Experts, people have the same perception of those who have published books. Whether true or not, they are seen as very knowledgeable on their topic. "The Learning is in the Doing!" Every chapter of each book I've written Read More
Your Audience Wants to Know: WHY. . .
YOU? People attending speaking events are "Investing:" Time. Money. Opportunity cost. They could be doing a number of different things rather than attending your talk. Being at your event better have more value than being somewhere else! An event planner or committee chairperson may have chosen and booked Read More
Business Networking Basics: P-I-F
Plan Implement Followup Business Networking is meeting people at events, social functions, and seminars. The goal is to develop sales opportunities and contacts, based on those you meet through your own efforts and introductions. Business Networking doesn't work unless you P-I-F P = Plan What events will you attend Read More
Best Speaking Tip Ever!
Speak! Speak! Speak! The Learning is in the Doing! You can think about it, watch videos, read books, and attend seminars about public speaking. Those activities will give information, but real progress can't be done unless you Do It! (Get a measure of your present skills HERE.) Take and Make LOTS of "Speaking Read More