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
presentation
Non-Verbal Communication Element # 5 –
Speech Competition
There's really only one person you need to compete with . . . Toastmasters, and other speaking clubs, sometimes have speech competition called Speech Contests. When I was a Toastie, I entered several. I'm sure I won a few, but know I lost more than I won. I hate to disagree with the famous coach Vince Lombardi, but Read More
Verbal Communication Element #3 – Inflection
Did you ever hear a presenter speak in Mon-O-Tone? Did I hear some say, "R2D2 of Star Wars fame? If you did, you probably couldn't wait for the talk to end, and it's doubtful you remember anything from the speech. Inflection, or Voice Modulation, is “change in the pitch or tone of the voice.” Varying your tone Read More
The Law of Primacy and Recency
First and Last - If you want it to Last! For any presentation, people are more likely to remember the first and last parts. This is one reason it is so important to give lots and lots of consideration to your Speech Opening and Speech Closing. This is what your audience will remember, so it best be something very Read More
Handouts – Hand them out Later!
If you 'hand out' Handouts as the audience is getting seated, they'll be looking at your brochure, fact sheet, contact information, etc., while you're giving your presentation. This can be as bad as having the door to a noisy kitchen open or the the lights go out as you're demonstrating something. A speech is always Read More
The Fear of Public Speaking & Giving Presentations
If just the thought of speaking in front of a group gets you nervous - You are not alone! Survey after survey says many people would rather die than give a speech. It's the Fear of Public Speaking! Actually, some nervous energy is good to have! Harness it, and turn it into enthusiasm for your subject. In Read More
When Presenting, We Want Them to GET IT!
The Ultimate Goal of All Communication: Written, Spoken or Visual, is that the audience, as quickly as possible, - "Gets It!" If they don't understand your message, good communication can't go much further. The audience may not agree with everything you said. They may not agree with anything you said. But if Read More
Taking Questions
Often, speakers start taking questions after they've completed their talk. Usually, this is not the best time to do this because the audience doesn't leave having the impact of your closing on the their minds. In fact, depending upon the questions and answers. they could exit with a completely different mindset then Read More
Props Help the Audience “See” Your Points – Maybe!
Since people learn in different ways, the more senses incorporated into your presentation, the better the meaning of your speech will be conveyed and information retained. However, no prop, sound or scent will ever come close to what your "brain" can see, hear or smell. I once heard the late Gene Siskel and Roger Read More