What makes a Hollywood movie great? Exactly the same principles that will make a good keynote speech great. A great story with a message. Screenwriter Robert McKee says, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience.” We all love stories because when told well, have larger-than-life characters, […]
Read More...Success: One Frippicism at a Time – Opportunity Does Not Knock Once
It Knocks All the Time, We Do Not Always Recognize the Sound. I have had the good fortune to be successful in three careers: as a hairstylist, a professional speaker, and now as an executive speech coach. Although they may seem dissimilar, they have many aspects in common. For one, I have had the opportunity […]
Read More...Enjoy the Security of Knowing How to Build an Astonishing Relationship with Your Audience
Your relationship with your audience is a major key to your presentation success. How do you speak with confidence? One of the secrets is to know how to build an astonishing relationship with your audience. The first two ways you will connect to your audience of 5, 50, or 500 are intellectually and emotionally. Logic […]
Read More...Do You Enjoy the Luxury of Being Remembered and Repeated? Learn How to Make It Happen
Your Soundbite Statement, AKA Your Foundational Phrase Within many of your stories is a foundational phrase. This is a short sentence that gets your point across or summarizes your story. It adds clarity so that your audience grasps your message easily. These phrases are both memorable and easy for you and your audience to remember. […]
Read More...If Your Goal Is to Be Persuasive, Remember to Use the Irresistible
Nobody Can Resist a Good Story Well Told One of my favorite assignments is to work with sales teams and help them use stories to drive more sales. It amuses me to ask them, “Have you ever noticed that it seems as if our prospects are often trained to resist our sales presentations?” However, it […]
Read More...The No #1 Way You Can Close Your Presentations – Part 3
Welcome to part three of a four-part series on the best formula for a presentation closing that resonates. End on a high point. Options for Closing Techniques: The last thirty seconds of your speech must send people out energized and fulfilled. This means you need to finish with something inspirational that supports your theme. 1 • “The […]
Read More...The No #1 Way You Can Close Your Presentations – Part 2
Welcome to part two of a four-part series on the best formula for a presentation closing that resonates. If you plan to include Q & A, indicate how much time has been allotted. To keep the session flowing, I recommend that you say, “What are your short, specific questions?” Be sure to let your audience […]
Read More...The No #1 Way You Can Close Your Presentations – Part 1
Welcome to part one of a four-part series on the best formula for a presentation closing that resonates. Every great singer opens with their second-best song and closes with their best. In a perfect world, your close will be a highlight of your speech. This way you increase the likelihood that you will look out […]
Read More...You Will Never Guess What Lady Di Said to Toyah at the Head Table
Technique: Open Your Speech in the Middle of a Conversation Most presenters who know what they are talking about aren’t bad once they get started. Very few of the professionals I have worked with, however, know how to open and close their presentations effectively. No matter what opening option you use, good presentations begin comfortably. […]
Read More...The # 1 Way to Organize and Remember Your Presentation
Every presentation you deliver needs to be built around your premise, central theme, or big idea. Your next step is to organize your “chunks” of content in a way that they are easy for you and your audience can remember your message. The first chunking example: Explanation, Example, Application Once you introduce your point of […]
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