Do You Want to Know the Secrets to Deliver Unforgettable Presentations?

Presentation Experts Fripp, LaCroix, and Brown: Speech Openings That Are Remembered And Repeated

Whether you’re talking to one person or 100, you want to connect with your audience in less than one minute, if you want to be remembered and repeated.

Deliver Unforgettable Presentations, Fripp, LaCroix, Brown

“You have thirty seconds to immediately command the attention of your audience. Don’t waste it,” says Patricia Fripp, co-author with Darren LaCroix and Mark Brown of the book Deliver Unforgettable Presentations: How To Speak To Be Remembered And Repeated In-Person, Online And Onstage (2022, Indie Books International).

Fripp is past president of the National Speakers Association and LaCroix and Brown are both past Toastmasters World Champions of Public Speaking.


The authors agree at the beginning of a speech, presentation, seminar, client meeting, report to senior management, sales presentation, or any manner of presentation you deliver, you need to arouse interest in the subject. That means a strong opening.

“The purpose of your opening is twofold: to get the audience’s attention and to make an indelible connection,” advises Brown. “Ideally, a strong opening establishes a link to your audience and your subject.”

Whatever opening you choose, make sure it transitions into your premise. Here are some possibilities excerpted from the book:

A Story. This is always an audience pleaser. Consider using a story of overcoming a challenge or adversity or of a situation where a mentor showed you the way.

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Beware. You May Become a Sloppy Speaker and Not Know It

You will not improve what you are not aware of.

We can blame a couple of years of near isolation and less in-person meetings. Without knowing it, you may be turning into a sloppy and non-specific speaker who dilutes their message.

As an executive speech coach, my job is to help my clients sound as brilliant as they are. To build confidence in shy, modest, brilliant engineers. Drive more sales from my clients’ sales teams by improving their persuasive conversations. As I tell them, “You will not improve what you are not aware of.” Rarely will colleagues tell you of your digressions. They may be guilty themselves.

In team meetings, client meetings, and at the dinner table record yourself. Then listen carefully to identify and make an effort to eliminate all unnecessary words and phrases.  In the future, make a list and work to cut out any words that will dilute your message, including your personal verbal “tics,” clichés, and filler words.

Have you noticed many unnecessary words are inserted in sentences, and all they do is dilute the message and reduce the importance and specificity? If it drives you crazy, you do not want others to think that about you.

Just like “um” and “uh,” “literally” has become a common filler word added into sentences unnecessarily.

Adding to the list to become aware of: like, actually, so, honestly (have you been lying up until now?), simply, basically, things, stuff, super, tons, and bunches.

The remedies are simple. As mentioned, record yourself and listen. Speak in shorter sentences. Slow down. Pause and give yourself time to think what you want to say next. This also gives those you are speaking to time to digest what they heard you say.

The payoff will be tremendous. Increased credibility. A better delivery. Best of all, a clearer message without the distractions. Those you will now notice in others.

“For my most important speeches, I call Patricia Fripp.” Wanda Hope, Chief Diversity Officer, Johnson & Johnson Worldwide

“As a seasoned speaker being coached by Patricia Fripp has helped me deliver my game-changing message with more power and eloquence. My client testimonials and feedback prove it.” Ron Karr, CSP, Past President, National Speakers Association

“Patricia Fripp is a genius speech coach. Even for seasoned professional speakers.” Tracy Hooper, President, The Confidence Project

“Patricia Fripp’ s presentation skills training is the best non-technical training I have ever taken – it is very close to life-changing. Patricia is clearly an expert in her field and she puts so much effort into you as an individual during the coaching sessions that even as a grown adult you will be desperate to not disappoint the master.” Gary Little, Principal Engineer, Nutanix

 

 

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Welcome Back to Live Presentations

Seven simple steps to your speaking success.

You have probably complained about delivering virtual presentations and that you are much better speaking with a live audience. Now that you have the opportunity, you are terrified.

In case we have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am presentation skills expert, Patricia Fripp. As your personal speech coach, it is my pleasure to give you seven, simple, proven principles to set you up for success.

One: Preparation does not change.

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How to Deliver a Tribute at a Celebration of Life: In Honor of Roger Dawson

Roger and I were both born in England and immigrated to California. Roger in 1962 me in 1966.

We both came to America to find fame and fortune. I am not sure about Roger, I thought everyone in America was rich and the streets were paved with movie stars.

We are both proud to have accomplished our own version of the American dream.

Roger’s father was a taxi driver and his mother a homemaker and accountant. Although he said he came from humble beginnings, it might interest you to know that to become a London taxi driver takes 3-4 years of study. They are considered the best in the world.

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How You Can Write a Meaningful Eulogy That Informs and Honors

A eulogy is a speech given at a memorial service in memory of a person who has died.

The purpose is to recall the defining qualities and highlights of a life lived in a way that benefits the audience, particularly the family.
It should capture the essence of the life lived. That means it can be a historical snapshot and amusing as well as poignant.

As you will read from this example from my brother Robert Fripp, it gives the background and insight into the loved one’s life for those who do not know the entire life story.

A Blessing of Tears Eulogy for Edie Fripp by Robert Fripp

The Eulogy for Edie Fripp was delivered by her son Robert at Wimborne Minster on July 30, 1993, during the service to celebrate her life and commemorate her death.

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How Do You Accept An Award? Be Gracious. Be Modest. Be Prepared!

Tips on How to Give an Acceptance Speech

Accepting an award is like walking a tightrope. You need to be gracious, grateful, and humble, yet not so humble or self-deprecating that the audience thinks you are trivializing the honor.

In May of 2022, Dan Maddux, my best long-time client and Executive Director of the American Payroll Association honored me with their inaugural Partner of Excellence Award. This was presented at the opening General Session. Dan told the audience, “This award is for Patricia’s 30 years of contributing to the leadership development and presentation skills of APA’s members and leaders.”

Although Dan told me I could take as long as I wanted, it was more appropriate to be short and sweet.

In my short presentation, I said, “It is a privilege to be honored for my contribution to the success of others. For decades, I have sat in the audience and felt like a proud parent as I watched APA members and leaders deliver powerful and important presentations. Thank you for the award. As long as you invite me, I look forward to being with you.”

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The Most Wonderful Advice from the Rabbi on How to Have Good Business

Marketing wisdom from an unexpected source.

Robert and Patricia Fripp keynoting a conference.

My brother Robert Fripp is the founding and ongoing member of the band King Crimson. Rolling Stone magazine named him the 42nd best guitarist in the world, living or dead. One of the thrills of my life is when I have the opportunity to share the stage with him when he has not strapped on his guitar. Robert is a deep thinker. Certainly, one of the most articulate speakers I have heard.

Enjoy this excerpt from our speech, Beginner to Mastery. In most of our speeches, I ask Robert questions. His answers are brilliant and his stories amusing. His comments are well thought through.

While attending college, Robert worked in a hotel dance band.

Robert tells the audience, “In 1966-68, when I was 18-21, I paid my way through Bournemouth College, where I was studying economics, economic history, and political history with a special paper on social conditions 1850-1900, by playing at the Majestic Hotel in Bournemouth. The Majestic was a well-known Jewish hotel, run by the formidable Fay Schneider.

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The Perfect Way You Can Begin Your Panel Discussion: A Specific Example

One January, Mark, a district sales manager from a biotech company, was preparing to moderate a panel at the Las Vegas National Sales Meeting.

He was nervous about his new role in front of a 100-person audience.

In our pre-coaching communications, I noticed his email signature line included a quote about “moving fast.” He explained that he had a new role and was “moving fast” to understand new products, clients, and products.

His panel’s task was to encourage the audience to embrace new jobs in different areas and to realize that they would have to move fast to get up to speed in different roles in new territories.

Mark did not have any idea how to set the tone for the meeting.

I asked, “What experience do you have with Las Vegas?”

He said, “After last year’s sales meeting, my wife Tammy came in for the weekend. We went to see David Copperfield, and he made her disappear.”

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The Inside Secrets of How You Can Effectively Moderate a Panel

Congratulations! You’ve been asked to moderate a panel. This is a great opportunity to build your reputation and add value to your customers.

Moderating a panel can be more challenging than delivering a keynote speech.

As you probably realize, when you moderate a panel discussion, you have multiple responsibilities and many more elements to stay aware of. You will set the tone for the session, raise the audience’s expectations, and keep the discussion cohesive so it moves along well. These thirteen strategies can help you:

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Powerful Presenters Know the Importance of the Pause – Do You?

How to Make a Powerful Impact in Your Presentations

Never Make the Mistake and Underestimate the Power of a Moment to Reflect

Alan Alda says, “It is the space between the lines that make it a great performance.”

That means you must never underestimate the power of the pause. This is true in acting as well as in speaking and music.

My brother Robert Fripp, the legendary guitarist and one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists,” explains, “The music is between the notes, not in the notes.”

Your words do not simply convey your message; it is also with your pauses.

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