Speakers Need To Know What Comedian Phyllis Diller Can Teach Them

Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp (Photo Courtesy of Richard Mayer Photography)
Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp (Photo courtesy of Richard Mayer Photography)

John Palmer was the founder of the National Speakers Bureau and before that a well-known band leader. Brian Palmer, his son and now the President of the NSB is known as one of the most creative and ethical professionals in our speaking industry. As part of a recent interview with Brian these were his closing remarks:

“..here’s one of my favorite stories from my dad. He worked as a bandleader with legendary comedienne Phyllis Diller, who was constantly working on her craft. He’d be off on the side of the stage, and she asked him to look at his watch and write down every time there was a laugh, and measure the amount of time between laughs. He believed that speakers should have the same understanding of their presentation flow.

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Want to Increase Sales? Remember, It is Not Your Client’s Job to Remember You

It is not your client’s job to remember you; it is your obligation and responsibility to make sure you are unforgettable.

Here is a great action step for you to take… Call your five best clients – those whom you currently use as references. Even if you leave a voicemail, say, “Bob, I never get tired of telling the story about how we (fill in the name of an important project you worked together on). Would you mind telling me in your words what your experience was? Did we reach or exceed your expectations? Did we come in under budget? With your permission, I’d like to make an appointment and record your comments. Can I use you as an example in my sales presentations? Let me know when we can talk.”

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This Premier Learning Event in the Speaking Industry Only Happens Once a Year… February 22-23, 2014 Las Vegas

Patricia Fripp delivering a keynote speech
Patricia Fripp Delivering a Keynote Speech at Lady and The Champs 2013

Lady and the Champs How to Speaking Conference 2014

February 22-23, 2014 at the Palms Hotel, Las Vegas

Presentations will include Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp sharing her expertise.

Keynote – Under the Magnifying Glass: From Good to Great on Steroids

In this entertaining, thought-provoking keynote speech you will learn four specific techniques that will guarantee both you and your presentations are memorable.  You will understand how to:

  • Present in a way that your audience can better visualize what you are saying
  • Understand how to review past presentations to improve them
  • Add clarity and comprehension to benefit your audience.
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How to Keep Your Audience From Going to Sleep

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE - Executive Speech Coach & Hall of Fame Keynote
Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE – Executive Speech Coach & Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker

What to do when you’re losing your audience…

Are there a lot of yawns and sleepy eyes in your audience? Use these tactics to pep up your talk and keep your listeners’ attention.

Audience members’ attention will fade over time unless you take specific steps to keep them engaged.

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How to Follow Up with Potential Clients – Give Benefits to Earn Business

We all have to discover the best way to follow up with our leads.

  • “What is your sales process?”
  • “How do your leads come in?”
  • “What do you do with your leads?”
  • “How do you follow with prospects?”
  • “What process do you use to get to a formal presentation?”

An example of my process with a potential client who is in need of executive speech coaching:

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How to Be Creative in Our Modern World

On Wednesday, August 21, 2013 the members of the Golden Gate Breakfast Club in San Francisco will host Alfonso Montuori speaking about how to be creative in the modern world. Alfonso is one of my friends, first introduced to me by my brother Robert Fripp. In you live in San Francisco and like to get up early to have your mind stimulated we will be at the Marines Memorial Club on the 21st at 7:10am. Breakfast is 7:30am program at 8:00am.

Enjoy this preview:

EXPLORING CREATIVITY IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Leonardo. Newton. Einstein. Van Gogh. Picasso. The lone genius used to represent the epitome of human creativity. In the 21st century, things have changed.

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Giving a Speech? What is Your Main Point?

Executive Speech Coach Patricia Fripp with Coachee at Recent Speech Coaching Camp
Executive Speech Coach Patricia Fripp with Coachee Dave Chase at recent Speech Coaching Camp

If you follow my blog you probably have heard me mention before that I have spoken at the Ragan Speechwriters Conference in past years. Ragan Communications publications are a wonderful source of information on communication – both in writing and speaking. The first time I spoke at their conference the opening speakers were Bill Clinton’s speechwriters. As you can imagine, these people write for history! The opening video introducing them featured Bill Clinton saying, “I have these three guys who write my speeches. I told them, ‘When I was Governor of Arkansas I gave four speeches a day and wrote them all myself. Why do I need you?’ They tell me now that I am the President if I say the wrong thing I can start a war.”  Here is some advice from White House speechwriters reminding us that – a speech should focus on ONE topic!

Former White House Speechwriter: Focus on Just One Thing

Clinton speechwriter Jeff Shesol tells how to focus your speech, become educator-in-chief, and write like Hemingway, not like Faulkner.

by Russell Working

Former White House adviser Rahm Emanuel, now mayor of Chicago, was a demanding message cop for President Bill Clinton’s speechwriters.

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How Do You Get People to Read Your Messages? 10 Tips for Writing Outstanding Email Subject Lines

Executive Speech Coach & Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE
Executive Speech Coach & Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

Many of my readers know I am a great fan of Ragan Communications newsletter, which provides great information on speaking and writing more effectively.  Email is often overlooked as an area in which we can demonstrate excellence in our business communications. I hope you find this as helpful as I do:

10 Tips for Writing Outstanding Subject Lines

by Teresa Dankowski

They’ll never read what they don’t open.

Brevity, clarity, and honesty are just three essentials for inducing your readers to actively receive the brilliance you’ve sent their way.

If the eyes are the windows to the soul, then subject lines are the path to successful email marketing.

Romantic, huh?

Writing a high-quality subject line takes practice and know-how.

1.) Make it brief.
Writing a subject line that is 50 characters or fewer is generally recommended, as some email clients might cut off longer subject lines. According to MailChimp, subject lines of 28–39 characters have the highest open rate. The exception is for highly targeted audiences.

2.) Say what’s in the email.
Don’t worry about being funny or catchy; being direct with your recipients is far more effective. One study found that a clear subject line gets 541 percent more clicks than one that’s clever.

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What do National Speakers Association Awards Mean?

Patricia Fripp, Executive Speech Coach, National Speakers Association Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker
Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE, Past President of the National Speakers Association,  & Executive Speech Coach

This week I will be attending the National Speakers Association’s National Convention in Philadelphia.  As a Past President of the National Speakers Association and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker I am sometimes asked, “What do National Speakers Association awards mean?” These awards and designations give meetings planners confidence. Here is a brief explanation:

The CSP designation is conferred by the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the Global Speakers Federation (GSF) only on accomplished professional speakers who have earned it by meeting strict criteria. CSPs must document a proven track record of continuing speaking experience and expertise as well as a commitment to ongoing education, outstanding client service and ethical behavior.

The Cavett Award is NSA’s most cherished award. It is presented annually to the member whose accomplishments over the years have reflected outstanding credit, respect, honor and admiration in the Association and the speaking profession, and whose actions (in terms of sharing, guiding and inspiring other members) most closely parallel the illustrious career of NSA’s Founder Cavett Robert.

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