Most speakers know about the importance of using “The Rule (or Law) of Three.” Most of us are not aware where it came from. We use this ancient mathematical law of proportion in ways we don’t even think about. Abraham Lincoln learned it in his one-room schoolhouse. Even Aristotle, in his Art of Rhetoric, referred […]
Read More...Get in the Game, but Not Without a Coach!
Get a what? Champions get coached. In 1999 I won the World Championship of Public Speaking for Toastmasters International and have been speaking regularly ever since. Several years later, after a disastrous speech in Montreal, I went back to my hotel room, threw my head on my pillow, and faced the following reality: I need […]
Read More...In-Between Time
In-Between Time by Craig Valentine In-between time is what I refer to as the time between your major points. Of course you need to use this time to transition into the next story or example, but how you use this time can make the difference between a dry speech and an exciting one. One effective […]
Read More...The Most Important Part of the Speech!
“Of the modes of persuasion furnished by the spoken word there are three kinds. The first kind depends on the personal character of the speaker; the second on putting the audience into a certain frame of mind; the third on the proof, or apparent proof, provided by the words of the speech itself.“ —Aristotle
Read More...Want Your Audiences to Remember What You Say? The Importance of Clear Structure
Your message, no matter how important, will not be remembered if you don’t recognize the importance of structure. Here are some practical ideas that can immediately make you more effective. Your Structure Can you write the premise or objective of your talk in one sentence? If not, the chances are that your thinking isn’t clear […]
Read More...Fat and Skinny Words a Great Technique to be Understood
This is a great technique to be understood. If your goal is to sound clear, concise, and credible this advice is invaluable. Nothing can turn your audience or prospect off faster… … than using fat words when they’re hungry for skinny ones. Or vice versa. I learned this exciting concept… … from Dr. David Palmer, […]
Read More...Your Important Talk
Dear Visitor, It never ceases to amaze me how often people call saying, “Help! Can you FedEx your video on how to give a talk. My speech is next week.” In July 2001, a gentleman inquired about my speech coaching services. He mentioned he was becoming the President of his Trade Association and would be […]
Read More...Why Accent Matters
Accent Reduction is a controversial subject. Some people believe that having an accent reflects one’s cultural and ethnic heritage and that by changing it we are being untrue or disrespectful to our ancestors or countries of origin. Accents can also be pleasant to listen to and can add “flair” or “allure” to the individual. Imagine […]
Read More...Accent Reduction Gives You a Competitive Edge
Rebecca Linquist helps Eugen Roman, lose his Romanian accent at her Campbell office as reported to Patrick Tehan of the San Jose Mercury News/MCT SAN JOSE, Calif.—Two decades after emigrating from Taiwan, Sean Chang’s accent was a barrier to friendships with Americans. Native English-speakers found it too much work when conversation went beyond small talk, said […]
Read More...10 Tips for Public Speaking from Executive Speech Coach Patricia Fripp
Giving a Speech? 10 Tips for Public Speaking
Read More...
