In the classic movie Gone with The Wind, Vivien Leigh captures the audience from her first moment on screen. Grab your audience in the first 30 seconds. If you don’t, you will lose them. This is true both in movies and in public speaking.
Read More...Lost Without PowerPoint? 7 Tips to Make It Powerful
Does your PowerPoint support your message or distract your audience? Understanding when and how to use PowerPoint for maximum impact, you can make it powerful.
Read More...For Engineers – How to Speak Effectively at Customer Conferences
When you’re an engineer presenting at a user meeting or customer conference, you are the expert on the topic you plan to deliver to your customers. Remember, your audience does not want to know everything you know; they just need to know about the subject of your presentation. You can connect with your audience, regardless […]
Read More...Why Is Eye Contact Important? How Long? When?
Your presentation can be powerful and persuasive when you connect with your audience both intellectually and emotionally. Eye contact is essential to creating an emotional connection with an audience of any size. This is true whether you’re speaking one-on-one or delivering a formal presentation from the stage. Eye contact gives you an edge in business. […]
Read More...Want to Be Regarded As A Brilliant Conversationalist?
What makes someone a brilliant conversationalist? Brilliant conversationalists engage others by asking excellent questions. You can improve the quality of all of your conversations, professional and personal, when you ask good questions and then listen, really listen, to the responses. This is also one of the best ways to get smarter. Maybe you know of […]
Read More...Do Your Presentations Bore The Boardroom?
Learn the Right Way to Prepare a Presentation At every stage of your career, when you open your mouth you sell yourself, your ideas, your value, and your ability. Fortunately, even if you’re not a born communicator, the ability to deliver a powerful presentation can be learned. I share this story about one intelligent and […]
Read More...Want to Know the Secret to Sell Yourself and Your Ideas to Senior Management?
As a Presentation Skills Expert, I’m often asked, “Patricia, how do I report to my senior management without being nervous?” The secret is to be prepared, clear, concise, and to act confident. Now, how do you appear confident when you’re nervous? First, prepare. Script out exactly what you are going to say, at least the […]
Read More...Why Video Matters & How to Make It Work for You
With current technology, you might not be surprised at how often I’m asked, “How do you use video in your business?” As often and in as many ways as possible! We have a green screen, professional lighting, and great recording equipment, and my assistant has become highly proficient at adding backgrounds, images, and branding. This […]
Read More...How Can You Grab Your Audience? Expert Advice
Do you know how to grab your audience? The first thirty seconds of your presentation are critical, like the first page of a book or first seconds of a TV show or film. If you don’t make an impact and hint at more to come, you lose your audience. Good movies, TV shows, and books, […]
Read More...Why Stories Matter & How to Use Them to Your Advantage
What is your story? What makes a great book, play, or movie? Exactly the same thing that makes a good speech – a great story! Long after we’ve forgotten the specific details, we still remember the stories and the messages that touched us. They become part of our lives and our culture. Use stories to […]
Read More...