How Often Have You Hear Imitation is The Sincerest Form of Flattery?

No, it is NOT!

How often have you heard, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” and believe it or questioned it?

Comedian Jack Benny’s classic pose

This is only the first part of a quote from Oscar Wilde.

It’s absolutely clear what Oscar Wilde meant (so many forget the second half of the quote) when he wrote “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”

As a speaking coach and professional speaker and long-time member of the National Speakers Association, I strongly advise against the practice of imitation in your public speaking.

Please be inspired by great public speakers. Learn to analyze what they do well and adapt to your own style and message. While it may be tempting to try to replicate the message, style, or mannerisms of a successful speaker, doing so will definitely be detrimental to your own growth and development as a speaker.

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Do You Want to Know What You Maybe Overlooking in Your Sales Process?

Rehearsal Is the Work in Sales Presentations

Oscar winner Sir Michael Caine said, “Rehearsal is the work; performance is the relaxation.” That applies equally to delivering a sales presentation.

When delivering a recent sales presentation skills training Dan, the national sales manager, told me, “It takes us a year to have the opportunity to deliver an hour presentation to executives from the company of one of our prospects. At that point, a new relationship is worth

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What Happened on April 18? A few highlights.

On the evening of April 18, 1775, Dr. Joseph Warren summoned Paul Revere and gave him the task of riding to Lexington, Massachusetts, with the news that British soldiers stationed in Boston were about to march into the countryside northwest of the town.  Paul Revere never shouted the legendary phrase later attributed to him “The British are coming!”

April 18, 1906, the San Francisco Earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, shook my now hometown and ranks as one of the most significant earthquakes of all time.

 April 18, 1956, Actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco. They met filming the Hitchcock movie, To Catch a Thief (1955) in the French Riviera. For her, it was not love at first sight.

April 18 my birthday. I will not tell you what year I was born. Just let it be said that my good friend Steve Gerardi said, “You look like you are in your 40s…

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Looking for a Great Suggestion to Help You Make More Sales?

Stories are the #1 way to increase sales

Have you noticed, some of your prospective clients act as if they have attended a seminar on How to Resist a Good Sales Presentation?

Even the most hardened prospect can’t resist a good story when it is well told. Keep in mind, when you tell stories of satisfied clients in the same situation they are in, they will not remember everything you say. They will, however, remember what they see and feel while they listen to you. Especially when you select a story that they relate to.

You can be confident this powerful story formula is invaluable.

Formula 1: Situation, Solution, Success

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This Habit Will Dash Your Hopes of Success. Do You Irritate Your Audience?

Whenever you open your mouth, whether your audience is one person or one thousand, you want to get a specific message across. Maybe you want your opinions heard at a meeting, or you will be giving a formal talk. Perhaps you deliver sales presentations. To present, persuade, and propel with the spoken word, be aware of this major pitfall: irritating non-words.

“Ur, um, ah, you know, kinda, well, like…”

Pay attention to whether you are unconsciously using these common non-words.

Non-words, also known as filler words or vocal crutches, are meaningless sounds or words that speakers use to fill the silence or pause between words or ideas. These non-words can include “um,” “uh,” “like,” “you know,” “so,” “well,” “actually,” and many others. While using non-words may seem like a natural part of speech, they can greatly detract from the effectiveness of a speaker’s message.

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Want to Know a Terrific Technique That Transforms Speaking and Writing?

As a speech coach, I introduce my clients to the importance of using parallel structure in speaking and writing.

Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is the repetition of a grammatical structure within a sentence or multiple sentences. This technique can make your speech or writing more memorable and easier to understand.

When you write the copy for a presentation, or have your talking points on a PowerPoint slide, begin with a verb. Verbs inspire action and commitment.

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What Do You Do with Your Hands When Speaking?

As a speech coach, one of the most common questions I am asked is, “What do I do with my hands when I speak in public?” It’s a question that is natural to ask. This is what I tell my clients and audiences.

It’s important to remember that your hand gestures are best when in sync with your words. If your words are powerful and impactful, your gestures should be as well.

Remember, in public speaking your hands are a powerful tool.

They can be used to emphasize key points, make gestures, and create a sense of connection with your audience. However, if not used effectively, they can also be a major distraction and take away from the impact of your message.

Keep in mind that your hands should be natural and relaxed. Avoid any unnatural or forced gestures, as they will come across as inauthentic and distracting. Instead, focus on using natural gestures that help you emphasize key points and connect with your audience.

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Want to Know Why Your Weak Words Are Taking Away Your Power?

My speech coaching clients frequently hear me say, “Are you going to do it, or kind of do it? Remember, you do not kind of or sort of do anything.”

Even seasoned executives who should know better, use these weak words and phrases. Often, I believe they are attempting to sound humble. However, it only makes them lose their power in conversations and presentations.

We are talking about speech qualifiers.

Nothing is better than enthusiastic coaching clients. With Tom Ferry Speaker Bureau members.

Speech qualifiers are words and phrases that we use to weaken our statements or soften the impact of our message. Some common speech qualifiers include “kind of,” “sort of,” “maybe,” “probably,” “just,” “a little bit,” “try,” and “I think.” While these words and phrases may seem harmless, they can have a negative impact on the effectiveness of our communication. Here is why.

First, speech qualifiers can undermine our credibility.

When we use words like “kind of” or “sort of,” we suggest that we are not fully committed to our message or that we lack confidence in what we are saying. This can lead our audience to doubt the validity of our message and question our expertise or knowledge on the topic.

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Help! How Do I Deliver a Great Presentation? Lose Your Sloppy Language

Patricia Fripp explains that specificity builds credibility through Fripp Virtual Training.
Executive Speech Coach Patricia Fripp explains the importance of specificity The World is Full of Sloppy speakers through Fripp Virtual Training.

The World is Full of Sloppy Speakers…You Do Not Want to Become One

Many excellent presentations sound “conversational.”  However, be aware that there is a distinct difference between an ordinary conversation (with run-on sentences, unfinished thoughts, sloppy language) and a presentation delivered in a conversational style.

The best way to improve formal presentations and reports is to clean up your daily language used in informal interactions.

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Do Your Irritate Your Audience With Non-Words

Great Advice I Have GiverDo Your Irritate Your Audience?

Whenever you open your mouth whether your audience is one person or one thousand, you want to get a specific message across. Maybe you want your opinions heard at a meeting or you will be giving a formal talk. Perhaps you deliver sales presentations. To present, persuade, and propel with the spoken word, be aware of this major pitfall: irritating non-words.

“Ur, um, hr, u know, kinda, um, ya know…”  

Pay attention to whether you are unconsciously using these common non-words.

Read More...