If you are looking for the number one best way to make an impact with your speech – the answer is simple. Customize! Be aware of your audience’s needs and concerns as you develop every aspect of your speech. Here is an overview of top techniques to customize your presentations. These techniques are used by […]
Read More...Do You Thank Your Prospects for Their Time? Are You Making This Mistake?
Don’t make predictable sales mistakes – like this one: At the close of a sales presentation when thanking your prospect for their time, you might say, “Thank you for your time today,” and then you might think, “That was nice and simple. I was polite.” If I have described you, think again. This is a […]
Read More...Are You Clear on Your Own Message?
Legendary Hollywood producer Sam Goldwyn said, “If I want to send a message, I’ll use a telegram.” Yet, all great films – and good speeches – have a message. Some recent movies go on and on with explosions and car chases. They’re exciting, but at the end, the audience is often left with a big, […]
Read More...Ten Pitfalls to Avoid in Public Speaking
Whenever you open your mouth – whether your audience is one person or a thousand – you usually want to get a message across. Maybe you want your opinions heard at meetings, or you’re giving a formal presentation. Possibly, you’re even in a position to advise your sales team or CEO on an important presentation. […]
Read More...Your Presentation – Remember the Three S’s of Dynamic Stories
As an executive speech coach I’ve had corporate speakers bring me sheets of statistics and say, “Here’s what I want to talk about.” “Why should your audience care about all this?,” I ask. “Where is the excitement? Where is the story?” Then we set about turning the numbing data into stimulating descriptions of what it […]
Read More...Robert Fripp & Toyah Willcox on All Star Mr & Mrs
My brother, legendary guitarist Robert Fripp and my sister-in-law, British singer and actress Toyah Willcox recently appeared on ITV’s All Star Mr & Mrs hosted by Phillip Schofield. Brother is well known within the music industry for being erudite and very considered in his views. However, from Mr & Mrs his sense of play and […]
Read More...Want to Become an Effective Public Speaker? Ten Intriguing Rhetorical Devices
Ragan Communications is a great source of information for communicators. They hold various conferences including the Ragan Speechwriters Conference that I have been honored to keynote. The more you study writing and public speaking the more you realize there is to learn. This list is challenging me and certainly teaches me new information. Hope you enjoy!
Read More...Powerful Sales Presentations Focus on Client’s Problems
Powerful sales presentations are always focused on your client’s problem, goal or challenge – not on your product or the service you provide. If a client’s needs are not seen, or not of interest to you, the client will not want to talk to you. Remember, there is an underlying reason you’ve gotten an initial […]
Read More...Want to Improve Your Public Speaking? How about Awesome?
As an executive speech coach and frequent presenter on “How to Go From Good to Great to Awesome” I was interested and amused by this article from Ragan.com. Ragan first came to my attention when they booked me to speak at the Ragan Speechwriters Conference. Their newsletters are always amazing.
Read More...Edit Your Speech to A Nub
Here is your public speaking lesson for the day… Edit your speech to a nub. Edit out the words that have no meaning. For example, if you say, “Each and every one of you in this room…” you are using nine words when you should just use one. Just say, “You.”
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