As a seasoned professional speaker, I am frequently asked for advice by up-and-coming speakers. They enjoy my programs on How to Open Your Presentation with Impact and Under the Magnifying Glass: Good to Great Presentations. However, there is one piece of advice they do not always like. “You may not lack the talent to become […]
Read More...Why the Best Business Deals Are Won Before the Numbers Are Negotiated
Why the Best Business Deals Are Won Before the Numbers Are Negotiated When my friend Michael Sipe, a brilliant mergers and acquisitions specialist, was building his reputation as a business broker, I helped him craft speeches to market his expertise. Mike has always understood something many professionals overlook: Most business deals are not won on […]
Read More...The Appalling State of Applause
The Appalling State of Applause At the National Speakers Association, we joke that everyone—including the salad chef—gets a standing ovation. Funny, yes. Accurate, no. Most conferences are far more restrained. My other association family is the Professional Speechwriters Association, and this year’s conference was one of the best I have ever attended. Early on, we […]
Read More...The Secret of How To Get Remembered, Rebooked and Recommended
If you’ve ever watched a presenter who seems to be speaking directly to you—as if they somehow knew your challenges and goals—you’ve experienced the magic of customization. That isn’t luck; it’s strategy. In Deliver Unforgettable Presentations, my co-authors Darren LaCroix, Mark Brown, and I emphasize that when you customize your presentation, it is one of […]
Read More...The Phrase That Pays: How to Be Remembered and Repeated
Every day, we are bombarded with more information than we can remember. Whatever your role—executive, manager, salesperson, or team leader—you want your message to be remembered and repeated. When your words travel beyond the room, you are speaking not only to your audience but to the audience of your audience. That’s how ideas grow, reputations […]
Read More...A New Market for Me – Who Knew?
For years, I have tracked who followed me on YouTube. The numbers were consistent: 99% were men, and the largest group was ages 55–64. Then I checked my stats for the last 28 days. Imagine my surprise—today, 75% of my viewers are 25–34, 25% are 55–64, and 58% are women. Quite a shift! Even more […]
Read More...What Hollywood Teaches Us: 7 Ways to Become a Speaking Star
To become a better speaker, consider going to the movies. That is the premise of my popular presentation, How to Add Hollywood to Your Presentations. Think about it. If you had unlimited resources to design the keynote that would make you the most in-demand professional in your industry, where would you go for the best […]
Read More...Why Your Audience Connection Determines Your Presentation Success
When preparing for a presentation, most speakers focus on their content and slides. That’s important—but it’s not enough. The real question you must ask yourself is: Who is my audience, and why should they care? Your content may be brilliant, but your impact depends on the relationship you build with your listeners. Do they feel […]
Read More...Do You Want to Inspire Action and Commitment? Use More Active Verbs
At an all-day event, my client asked me to speak briefly to promote my afternoon session. I said, “I know your morning is full, just give me three minutes.” I only took two and a half. I began with an amusing story about a request for an interview, which made the point that your message must be of […]
Read More...Are You Missing Out on a Great Way to Improve Your Presentations?
From Good to World-Class: How to Improve Your Presentations Socrates said, “Know thyself.” I say, “Put your words under the magnifying glass.” If you want to improve all of your presentations, here’s a simple process that works for seasoned professionals as well as ambitious beginners. Step 1: Watch Yourself Like a Coach Take a video […]
Read More...
