Patricia Fripp Blog

Every story has a “Once Upon a Time.”

The place where the intricate weave of values, experiences, and influences begins to shape the fabric of our lives.

As a speech coach, I guide my clients to revisit their own “Once Upon a Time,” unraveling the threads of their past to better understand the tapestry of their present. It is here, in our early years, where the essence of our unique voices and our authentic selves are formed. My “Once Upon a Time” technique has etched a distinct pattern into my professional journey. Growing up in a time and place with limited expectations for girls, I began to envision a life that starkly deviated from the norm of a small town in the South of England. As a small girl, it was the vision and wisdom from my parents that laid the foundation for my approach as a speech coach and set the stage for a life I had dared to imagine and have very much enjoyed.

“Once Upon a Time”

As a speech coach, I always ask my new clients to go back to the beginning of their lives and tell me where they were born and what did their parents do? What advice did they give that helped to form who they are now? What other influences did they have?

When I was growing up in England, it was a time when nobody expected much of girls. Although I could not articulate it, I realized I did not want the same lives my friends had planned for themselves. We were expected to have a job for a few years, then get married and have children.

When we reminisce about Hollywood, it’s often the stories that movies tell that captivate us the most. Screenwriting teacher Robert McKee eloquently states, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.”

Storytelling: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership

Many of us are natural storytellers, captivating our audiences around water coolers and meeting tables. Yet storytelling isn’t limited to casual conversations. It’s a vital skill that business leaders, sales professionals, and even engineers can hone to engage and persuade. As someone who has spent decades teaching effective storytelling in corporate settings, I’m a firm believer in the impact of a well-crafted narrative.

Criticism, or as you may prefer to call it, “constructive feedback,” is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to refine their presentation skills. While the sting of criticism can be unsettling, embracing it as a tool for growth is a hallmark of a seasoned professional.

The Audience as Critics

In my extensive career as a keynote speaker and executive speech coach, I’ve faced critics every week—my audiences. They don’t just rate me with their applause or silence; they often fill out evaluations that meeting planners scrutinize. My aim? To make those meeting planners look like rockstars by delivering an impeccable performance.

In the competitive world of business, earning the right to win new clients is a crucial skill, especially for those early in their careers.

Whether you’re a financial planner, a salesperson, or an entrepreneur, the challenge remains the same: How do you earn the trust and business of potential clients? Let’s delve into some proven techniques and real-life examples to guide you on this journey.

The Ten-Minute Interview Technique

One young financial planner I interviewed had a unique approach to this challenge. He was new to the industry and had to build his client base from scratch. His strategy? He identified 20 influential individuals in his community and asked for just ten minutes of their time. The catch? He wasn’t selling anything; he was learning. He asked them, “What should I do to earn the right to do business with people like you? “

To win your audience’s heart and mind, it’s essential to forge an emotional bond right from the beginning of your presentation. However, what does that really mean, and how do you execute it effectively?

Case Study: Changing the Point of View

During one of my training sessions, Stephen, who has lived with deafness since birth, took center stage. He recited his opening lines, sharing factual aspects of his life from his experience. While the audience was sympathetic, the connection was missing. And worse, he was missing an opportunity to deeply engage his audience.

That Leads to Contacts and Contracts

Let’s talk about one of my favorite subjects: making an unforgettable impression in business. You know, the kind of impression that not only lands the deal it also solidifies your reputation as someone people simply must do business with.

A Tip of the Hat to Business Success

I’m sure you’ve seen me in one of my distinctive hats. It’s not just a fashion statement—it’s a strategic choice. When I don a fabulous hat, people often walk across the room just to compliment it. And just like that, we’re in a conversation. In sales and networking, starting a conversation is often the hardest part. With my hat serving as an icebreaker, we can smoothly transition into more significant topics, such as how my expertise can enhance their business.

You may be sitting on a goldmine of untapped stories to use in your presentations, and you don’t even realize it.

How? By paying close attention to your everyday conversations. Let’s explore two ideas that may seem at odds but can work in tandem: The merit of recounting stories you’ve heard from others, versus the advice to rely solely on your own experiences.

Here’s the rule of thumb: If you recount stories from individuals who aren’t professional speakers or colleagues, then make them the hero of the tale. That adds credibility and intrigue to your presentation.

Once you actively listen and keep your senses alert, you’ll find an abundance of stories to enrich your presentations.

A Lesson in Exceptional Service: The Story of Gary Richter

Early in my career, I was speaking on good customer service at a banking conference. In the coffee break that followed I had the pleasure of meeting a very colorful character I have never forgotten. He told me he was Gary Richter, and was President of a boutique bank in Naples, Florida. He asked, “Patricia, if an elderly woman calls our bank at 5:20 PM to cash a $200 check, and she’s twenty minutes away, but we close at 5:30, what does good service look like?”

Give a Speech!

Every service club and community group is looking for a free speaker next Thursday at lunchtime. Okay, it could be Wednesday morning at breakfast or even in Zoom. You get the point! If that is you, do not overlook a magnificent marketing opportunity.

Here is a roadmap of everything you need to know about preparing your first speech or presentation. You may find this advice will serve you for an entire career. This insight comes from a time when my hairstyling clients invited me to speak to their Rotary, Kiwanis, and Breakfast Clubs. After two talks I realized, “This is the most fun and inexpensive way I can build my business.”

How Do You Get Invited?

Tell everyone you know you are willing and available to speak. Understand this is not a sales pitch for your company. Your message must be of interest and value. Your introduction, which you write yourself, gives the audience your credentials. Your name, company, mini bio, and speech title will be advertised to their members. Take advantage of the networking opportunity, and you can invite guests––perhaps friends, supporters, or happy clients.

Captivate every audience with a great story with a message.

You have 30 seconds to command the attention of your audience. Don’t waste it!

Certain speech openings captivate, mystify, and create an emotional bond that keeps an audience in the palm of the speaker’s hand. What would you give to learn those essential opening moves? Those great ways to bond instantly with an audience so that you never see them dozing off or wandering out of the room?

Here are three sure-fire ways to start, whether you are a sales trainer, keynote speaker, business presenter, or any business professional who speaks in front of a group or would like to. It does not matter if your audience is in a board room, Zoom meeting, training center, or There is no right or wrong way to open, and these techniques are not presented in any preferred order. The best way to start depends on your style and the purpose of your message.

In today’s fast-paced world, capturing your audience’s attention is only half the battle.

The real challenge is to make your message stick, deliver it powerfully, and convert that engagement into successful sales. That’s where I come in.

Why Memorable Messages Matter

As you know from your own experience, the average person is exposed to thousands of messages every day—ads, emails, social media updates, and the list goes on. What sets your message apart? Specificity and relatability are crucial. Instead of generic platitudes, aim for targeted messages that resonate.

To create a memorable message, focus on:

Relevance: Tie your message to the needs and pain points of your audience or prospect.

Emotion: Stir feelings; people remember what made them feel, more than what they read.

Novelty: Offer a fresh perspective or innovative solution that differentiates you. I tell my clients, “If you sound the same are everyone else, you have no advantage.”

Expert Advice about Presentation Skills
from Patricia Fripp

Once Upon a Time Technique

Develop Your Storytelling Abilities: Life Lessons from Movie Stars and Hollywood

Storytelling: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership