You may have read one of my previous blog posts about my uncle, Alfie Fripp who passed away in 2013 at 98. A WW II veteran, he was the oldest surviving and longest-serving British prisoner of war. He was “Uncle Bill” to me and my brother Robert Fripp. I would like to introduce you to another hero of WW II, Van T. Barfoot who died at the age of 92 on March 2, 2013.
Remember the guy who wouldn’t take the flag pole down on his Virginia property a while back?
You might remember the news story about a crotchety old man in Virginia who defied his local Homeowners Association, and refused to take down the flag pole on his property along with the large American flag he flew on it.
Patricia Fripp, Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker
Whether your goal is to deliver an effective business presentation… or to become an in-demand professional speaker your presentations must contain great content. Public speaking classes are full of tips on what to do with your hands, how to stand, and how to make eye contact. As important as mastering all of these public speaking techniques is developing good original content.
As an executive speech coach I am frequently asked, “What on earth do I talk about? Where do I find examples to illustrate my key points?” My secret of developing good content is simply this – live an interesting life and talk to interesting people.
Make Lists
To help you get started… make a list of all the people who have influenced you in your life.Lists are a great way to gather useful content for your presentations.
Patricia Fripp, Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker at Lady & The Champs Speakers’ Conference
I advise speakers to, “Edit out the words that have no meaning.” Thought you would be interested in this article from Ragan Communications by Rob Reinalda. Rob and I obviously agree that “specificity builds credibility.” Thanks Rob for your good work! Your pain is adding to my education… Patricia Fripp
Writers, Purge These Redundancies!
Today’s ‘writing’ teems with superfluous words and phrases. With attention spans short and time limited, readers (and listeners) seek brevity and clarity. Deliver.
by Rob Reinalda
I commute. Not every day but a couple of mornings a week, I walk to the train station and catch the 7:50 (or occasionally the 8:20) and ride into Chicago. At the station I hear this announcement:
The Late San Francisco Comedy Legend, John Cantu with Patricia Fripp, Executive Speech Coach
Frippicism: It is difficult to be creative in isolation.
Collaboration is beneficial in much of what we do. Collaboration works for speakers, especially when we are trying to come up with new or improved speech ideas.
I often brainstormwith copywriting genius David Garfinkel and the two of us used to collaborate with the San Francisco comedy legend, John Cantu when he was alive. At one session, John was just out of the hospital after serious cancer surgery. David and I asked him to describe his experiences. In a few minutes, we were all laughing so hard that I ran and got a tape recorder. “Start over,” I said.
Salespeople put themselves and their companies on the line with every word…
Sales professionals put themselves and their companies on the line with every word. Here are the 12 most common sales presentation mistakes I see when companies hired me to help them get better results from their important conversations and presentations and how to avoid them.
1. Unclear thinking. Want clarity? Imagine that a busy executive says, “You have ten minutes to tell me about your company. In one sentence, how should I describe your benefits when I talk to my managers tomorrow?”
Are you confident your sales presentations are more compelling than your competition?
Do your sales presentations connect to your audience intellectually AND emotionally?
My friend Joe, a sales manager for the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, called me for help. He was confident in his one-on-one salesmanship, but he’d lined up an eight-minute presentation to a 10-person convention committee considering his property for an association event — and he was nervous. They’d be staying in the hotel for two days, and he’d have a chance to wine and dine them a bit so they’d know him before he spoke. But the possibility of losing a $500,000 sale to a San Diego competitor loomed large in his mind.
Patricia Fripp, Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker & Executive Speech Coach – Speaking for ADP
If you are looking for the number one best way to make an impact with your speech – the answer is simple. Customize!
Be aware of your audience’s needs and concernsas you develop every aspect of your speech. Here is an overview of top techniques to customize your presentations. These techniques are used by top professional keynote speakers. However, my corporate speech coaching clients have been incorporating many of them into their presentations with great success.
Top Techniques to Customize Your Presentation
1.) The number one customizing technique… ask background questions.
2.) Interview for examples of the skill you are helping the audience improve.
Don’t make predictable sales mistakes – like this one:
At the close of a sales presentation when thanking your prospect for their time, you might say, “Thank you for your time today,” and then you might think, “That was nice and simple. I was polite.”
If I have described you, think again. This is a mistake, because at the close of your sales presentation it is critical that you add specificity to your words of thanks. You do not want to sound like every ordinary sales person trying to sell something. You do not want to sound like the copier sales person – especially if you’re selling professional services, or a $500,000 investment strategy!
Executive Speech Coach & Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker – Patricia Fripp CSP, CPAE
Legendary Hollywood producer Sam Goldwyn said, “If I want to send a message, I’ll use a telegram.” Yet, all great films – and good speeches – have a message. Some recent movies go on and on with explosions and car chases. They’re exciting, but at the end, the audience is often left with a big, “So what?”
In a speech, the funniest or most exhilarating story will be pointless if you don’t tie it into your theme and provide a lesson for the listener.
Executive Speech Coach & Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker – Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE
One of my really good pals, a great high energy professional speaker and fellow members of Speakers Roundtable, got so excited in a presentation that he lost his voice. He found this solution and said it worked! Thanks so much Adam Drake for sharing this information. I recommend you take Adam’s tips to protect your voice. However, if you find yourself with a voice or throat problem, you will want to keep this list handy. I will!
Patricia
How to Purge Effects on the Voice Box
By Adam Drake, eHow contributor
Our voices are like barometers that indicate our overall health and well-being. Voice is produced through the delicate interaction of three different systems — air flow, vibration and resonance. When there are difficulties in any of these areas, because of illness or accident, the voice can become weak, painful and ineffective. Damage to the vocal cords, which are in the larynx (voicebox), can occur after prolonged periods of infection, such as laryngitis, or loud speaking or shouting. Reduce or eliminate unwanted effects with some simple vocal exercises that will return your voice to optimum condition and performance.
Instructions
1. Sit or stand with a straight back and place your open hands flat on your stomach with the fingertips just touching. Breath in through your nose and push out your stomach. Your fingertips should separate. Count to three in your head, then exhale while slowly drawing your stomach in. Your fingertips should touch again. Repeat this exercise five times.
2. Shrug your shoulders up to your ears then relax. Repeat this movement five times.
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How to Present and Teach in the Virtual World…and More
Receive free, on-going Fripp webinar invitations, sales and presentation skills information, and special discounts from Executive Speech Coach, Sales Presentation Trainer, and Professional Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE. As an added bonus, sign up now and receive a free copy of Patricia Fripp’s How to Present and Teach in the Virtual World.
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You may have read one of my previous blog posts about my uncle, Alfie Fripp who passed away in 2013 at 98. A WW II veteran, he was the oldest surviving and longest-serving British prisoner of war. He was “Uncle Bill” to me and my brother Robert Fripp. I would like to introduce you to another hero of WW II, Van T. Barfoot who died at the age of 92 on March 2, 2013.
Are you confident your sales presentations are more compelling than your competition?
