To win over your audience, you must connect emotionally. With well-chosen words, you can open your presentation and establish an immediate emotional bond. As a presentation skills coach, when I work with a group, I’ll invite individuals to come to the front and deliver their opening lines. On one occasion, up walked Stephen. He began […]
Read More...Don’t Waste Words and an Amazing Opportunity When You Open Your Presentation
When you open your presentation, you have just thirty seconds to command your audience’s attention. Don’t waste your opening words. Prepare a winning opening and give it extra attention as you rehearse your presentation. A relevant and compelling quote is one way to open a presentation and engage your audience. General Eisenhower said, “Leadership is […]
Read More...Don’t Make This Mistake and Be Confused. The Written and Spoken Word?
The National Speakers Associations’ first president Bill Gove told me, “Fripp, the written word is for the eye. The spoken word is for the rhythm.” Understanding the difference between the written word and the spoken word was just one sign of Bill’s brilliance as a speaker. Imagine you are having a conversation with a friend, […]
Read More...What Does it Take to Make Your Presentation Introductions Exciting?
The purpose of a speaker’s introduction is to establish their credentials, to create interest from the audience, and often to sell the importance of the subject to that audience at that time. Recently at a client’s conference, one of my roles and responsibilities was to introduce other speakers, all of whom I had recommended. A […]
Read More...Great Advice from the Rabbi that Robert Fripp Never Forgot
My brother Robert Fripp, is an internationally-acclaimed guitarist, founding and ongoing member of King Crimson worked in a hotel dance band while going to college. It may interest you to know that he took the job over from a friend who moved to London. His friend was Andy Summers, of the famed rock band, The […]
Read More...Find the Power in Interesting Statistics and Little-Known Facts
Are you ready to take your presentations to the next level and captivate your audience from the very beginning? One surefire way to make a memorable impact is by incorporating interesting statistics and little-known facts into your opening. In this article, we will explore a brilliant example of how industry expert Lisa Poole used these […]
Read More...Everything Begins With a Love Story: Robert Fripp & Toyah Willcox
Yes, everything begins with a love story. Happy 35th anniversary! This will be of interest to you if you are a friend or fan of my brother Robert Fripp, legendary guitarist of King Crimson, and his very talented wife award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress Toyah Willcox. This is a tribute to them on their 35th […]
Read More...How to Write a Great Commencement Speech
The TV Show West Wing Made Speechwriting Sexy At least when Rob Lowe is the speechwriter and he is writing for the President played by Martin Sheen. However, the members of the Professional Speechwriters Association, some of who have written for US Presidents, felt a certain pride, at least when the show was running. Speechwriters […]
Read More...Are You Guilty of This Goof That Hurts Your Credibility?
When I am working with speech coaching clients or delivering presentation skills training, I ask the question, “Are you guilty of this goof that can hurt your credibility?” If you’re asking yourself what difference it could make, I’ll tell you. A huge one! In any professional setting, you are hired because what you say sounds […]
Read More...How to Make Your Virtual Presentations as Effective as In-Person
Your virtual presentations can be as effective as in-person presentations – even better! Virtual presentations can have a lasting impact. When you make your message memorable, your communication clear, and your presentation powerful, you position yourself for success. Can Virtual Presentations Really Be as Effective as In-Person? As THE presentation skills expert, I’m suggesting that […]
Read More...
