At the time, there were few women speakers who fit in several categories as I did. I was entertaining, yet not a humorist. I had been successful in a male dominated industry. Plus, my energy and personality was a match to the business like it had been in hairstyling. Mike reported, “Men and women like you, and so do young and mature audiences.”
Most of my early engagements came at the recommendation from speakers bureaus or people who had heard me and knew what they were getting.

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Public Speaking: Nervousness is good!
If you’re nervous when you get up to speak, good! It’s the price you pay for being a race horse instead of a cow. As long as you’ve done your homework, nervousness gives you nothing to worry about and much to be grateful for. When you rehearse and you prepare, nerves are evidence that you care. They give you energy to spare, and help you fill the air with your passion and your flair.

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Gail was the Association Executive when I was president of the National Speakers Association. We planned the board meetings ahead of time at a health spa in Palm Springs. We would exercise in the morning, plan in the afternoon. The tough job for an Association Exec is that they have a new president every year, […]

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Appropriate fees for business executives seeking engagements  I am often asked what fee CEO’s and business executives should charge. Many have expertise, or have run a good business, and would like to gain national media attention and exposure. Recently I was asked, ” Is there a national list or organization that posts that type of […]

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Every speaker wants to captivate their various audiences. If that is your goal, find and perfect your own stories. Stories create an emotional bond with your audience. We all know stories make a speech, sales presentation, or staff training more interesting.  Some of the best stories for your presentations are those you select from your […]

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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, […]

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Last week I received an email asking, “I would like to know your rates and process for executive speech coaching.”  I responded, “That all depends on my client’s situation. Our first logical step is to have a conversation. Based on your experience and budget I can advise you.” Next, she admitted she wanted to do […]

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Open Hot, Close Hotter     As an executive speech coach and public speaking trainer for executives and professional motivational speakers, here is some of the advice I give. To grab audience attention and be remembered and repeated, start the presentation with a bang, not a limp, “Thanks, it’s nice to be here.” The first […]

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