How Would a Presentation Expert Help You Talk About Your Success?

If you are asked to deliver a speech about you and your success, most likely you are nervous about sounding “too big for your britches.”

The Secret: Give Credit to Those Who Guided You to Success

If you are a successful business professional, you will be asked at some point, within your company or your community, to speak about your success. Most people feel anxious about that. We’re programmed by our mothers not to “show off.”

Patricia Fripp delivering a keynote speech.

Structure your presentation based on one simple strategy, and make it easy on yourself.

Every speech is organized around a key issue. For the “about me” speech, it is this: No one becomes successful alone. Give credit to the influencers, the models, the mentors who have guided you through your career.

The story of your personal success gives credit to them and their guidance.

Look at your life story as if it were a play: Act I: When you were young;

Act II: When you were more mature and starting your career; and

Act III: When you actually achieved success.

Alex a successful executive, a multimillionaire, asked me to help him write the most important speech of his career. He was the president of a real estate franchise and was speaking at their annual conference. 700 realtors there knew he was a multimillionaire. They did not, however, know of his humble beginnings as an illegitimate child.

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Secrets to Make Your Speech Great

Save time and learn from my decades of experience

Advice from THE executive speech coach.

You do not have to be perfect, rather be personable.

Your audience needs to see the person behind your position.

Find ways to make an emotional connection.

Your audience is always thinking, “What is in your message for me?”

The shorter your report, presentation, update, or demo, the more power each word has.

Be specific. If you say “thing” what do you mean?

Movement often distracts from your message.

You will not improve what you are not aware of.

The written word is for the eye, the spoken word is for the rhythm.

Rehearsal is the work. Performance is the relaxation.

The best advice is to save time by learning from an expert who has already learned what you want to know.

Learn more secrets to make your speech great with FrippVT  Powerful, Persuasive Presentations online learning platform.

“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

“To watch how our veteran group of salespeople became involved in your Storytelling to Increase Sales was impressive. We are excited to continue your training with FrippVT Sales.” Jeff Walters, Vice President, North American Sales, Peak-Ryzex

“The information in FrippVT is as valuable as any college course I’ve taken. This is a resource that everyone needs. The investment is worth ten times more than I paid and has been life-changing. My fees, recommendations, and referrals have increased dramatically. I am delighted. For the first time in my speaking career, I know exactly want I am doing when I walk on stage. One technique in course 11 helped me win an international speech.” Mitzi Perdue, author of How to Make Your Family Business Last

“We consider the investment in Patricia’s coaching a ‘must-have’ part of our events. Since Patricia has been working with our expert technical presenters our customers rate their performances superb.” Greg Smith, Vice President, Product Marketing at Nutanix

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Are You Looking for #1 Best Way to Write a Presentation?

Are You Looking for #1 Best Way to Write a Presentation?

The answer is to learn from an expert.

In the last forty years, I have delivered 3,500 live presentations and hundreds more virtually, thousands of business and professional speakers have benefited from my techniques.

Now you can. In 2021… Don’t wait… create!  A great signature talk is your best marketing tool. You can deliver virtual presentations for promotion or for fee. You can add to your website, YouTube, LinkedIn and blog.

To simplify what you may feel is a complex process, I am making it easy for you.

These brilliant people can’t be wrong.

“We consider the investment in Patricia’s coaching a ‘must-have’ part of our events.” Greg Smith, Vice President, Product Marketing at Nutanix

“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, Bestselling author.

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How to Write a Great Commencement Speech

Wanda’s speech was featured in the March 2021 issue of Vital Speeches of the Day.

The TV Show West Wing Made Speechwriting Sexy

At least when Rob Lowe is the speechwriter and he is writing for the President played by Martin Sheen. However, the members of the Professional Speechwriters Association, some of who have written for US Presidents, felt a certain pride, at least when the show was running. Speechwriters are usually behind the scenes while our words make an impact and sometimes history.

As an executive speech coach, I have the honor of helping my clients create a variety of speeches. This was the first Commencement Speech I have helped a client wordsmith and polish. However, once you hear this seven-and-a-half-minute speech, you will have to admit Wanda had a great story to tell. As I am often asked for great speech examples, this is worth sharing.

Have you ever heard a really great commencement speech?

As with any great speech, when you deliver a commencement speech you must be inspiring, make a connection with your audience, paint scenes in their minds, and tell a really great story.

With short presentations, every word counts.

Wanda Hope, Chief Diversity Officer, Johnson & Johnson delivered her Penn State Commencement Speech on December 19, 2020.

Wanda is very active in the Penn State Alumni Association. You will be glad to know Tillie is alive and well and lives with Wanda and her family.

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How to Make Your Leadership Presentations Memorable

Robert Fripp’s Influence on Leadership Presentations

Leaders always need to communicate, and in challenging times, even more frequently.

My brother Robert Fripp is 1 year, 1 month, 2 days, 12 ½ hours younger than I am. He often says, “I am not surprised my sister gets paid to tell people what to do. She was a very bossy little girl.”

I grew up to be a hairstylist and then a speaker and a speech coach.

He grew up to be an internationally acclaimed rock guitarist. According to Rolling Stone magazine, Robert is the 42nd best guitarist in the history of the world, living or dead. Excuse a proud sister. You also need to drop all preconceived ideas of what a rock star is. My brother is a quiet, modest, and very articulate thought leader.

Robert played on David Bowie’s Heroes.

One of the presentations we deliver together is “How to Be a Hero for More than One Day.”  Robert says, “There are 3 types of heroes.”

First, there is the occasional hero, the person who may rush into the street to save a child.

Then there is the everyday hero. The ones who consistently perform what is expected of them, plus 10%, without complaint, whether they feel like it or not. Our world and your company would not run without those often unnoticed and unappreciated everyday heroes.

Finally, consider the superhero. The superhero is the person who holds an overview of the entire organization. They know what happens in every department, on every floor, in every building. Not every company has a superhero.

I asked my brother how one can become a hero.

He said, “By performing an act of quality. Acts of quality are ungoverned by size. A small act of quality is as important as a large act of quality.”

May I suggest that an important act of quality for a leader, especially in challenging times, is to give honor to the everyday heroes who do what is expected of them, plus 10%.

Remember, Leaders always need to communicate, and in challenging times, even more frequently.

Would you like Patricia Fripp to help you become a great presenter? Good luck with your communications.

Why not take a trial at FrippVT.com

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Are You Guilty of This Goof That Hurts Your Credibility?

Patricia Fripp Presentation Expert Helps You Build Your Credibility
Presentation Expert Patricia Fripp explains how to avoid this common mistake that hurts your credibility.

When I am working with speech coaching clients or delivering presentation skills training, I ask the question, “Are you guilty of this goof that can hurt your credibility?”

If you’re asking yourself what difference it could make, I’ll tell you. A huge one! In any professional setting, you are hired because what you say sounds worth listening to. In the case of a speaker, consultant, or coach, you are hired because what you say sounds worth paying for.

All fuzzy, clumsy, and unclear language will destroy your credibility and your claim to professionalism. You might as well be delivering your message in Valley Girl speak, grinding your toe in the rug and murmuring, “Whatever.”

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Do You See Eyes Glaze Over When You Are Speaking in Front of a Crowd

How to Engage Your Audience

No matter who your audience is…

… how long you have to speak, what your subject is, or whether you are speaking in person or virtually, you can captivate your audience quickly and easily.

Learn from Hollywood movies, and consider the “flavor scene” you set with your opening remarks.

The purpose of your opening is to arouse interest in your subject.

When you look at the Fripp speech model, you will see a circle at the top and one at the bottom. These represent the first and last 30 seconds of your presentation. It is important to connect immediately with the audience and close on a high.

 We don’t necessarily write the opening of the presentation first.

However, you must be aware of how important it is. David Freeman, a screenwriting teacher, calls the opening the “Flavor Scene.” The audience will be influenced by the first 30 seconds to two minutes.

Arouse interest in your subject

We want them to think, “Wow, this is going to be good.” Or “What an interesting approach.” Or “This is better than I expected.” As you put together your remarks, ask yourself, “What is the audience thinking as they come into the presentation? Are they interested in my subject?” Or “Why is it of specific interest to them?” “Why am I the best person to address this subject?” “Are they aware of my credentials?”

 You need to be aware of who they are.

You need to be aware of who they are. Are there different segments or makeups of the audience? If so, make sure you know who they are.

After your opening, introduce your premise, your central theme, or the importance of the subject. As you heard in the last chapter, the dictionary defines a premise as “a basis of argument leading to a conclusion.” Once you have introduced the premise, the central theme, or the subject, use whatever phrase makes the most sense to you.

All presenters want to engage their audience.

Take these suggestions and you will never look out and see eyes glaze over when you are in front of a crowd.

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How to Be a Better Public Speaker by Developing Storytelling Ability

The story behind the statistics. Why and how storytelling matters.

When you improve your storytelling ability your presentations can be powerful and persuasive.

When we think of Hollywood…

what we usually remember most vividly are the moving, dramatic, and funny stories that movies tell. Screenwriter Robert McKee says, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact.”

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How to Make Your Virtual Presentations as Effective as In-Person

Your virtual presentations can be as effective as in-person presentations – even better!

Virtual presentations can have a lasting impact. When you make your message memorable, your communication clear, and your presentation powerful, you position yourself for success.

Can Virtual Presentations Really Be as Effective as In-Person?

As THE presentation skills expert, I’m suggesting that virtual presentations can be even better than in-person ones. The pandemic canceled a keynote speech I was scheduled to deliver in person. The subject was business storytelling, a skill this team knew they needed to master. I suggested that we could do this virtually.

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