As a speech coach, I introduce my clients to the importance of using parallel structure in speaking and writing. Parallel structure, also known as parallelism, is the repetition of a grammatical structure within a sentence or multiple sentences. This technique can make your speech or writing more memorable and easier to understand. When you write […]
Read More...Want to Know the Secret of Powerful Presentations?
Emotional Connection To win over your audience, you must connect emotionally. With well-chosen words, you can open your presentation and establish an immediate emotional bond. s 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. […]
Read More...What Makes a Good Story Great? Your Personal Experience
Let’s look at some not-so-basic story basics. Stories and examples are best when they come from your experience. Your audience has a chance to relive them from their perspective. Here is an important point to make your stories credible. Point one, make your story part of your own experience. If you tell a story that […]
Read More...Are You Overlooking One of the Best Ways to Find Stories?
Had any good conversations recently? In this message, we’re going to clarify what you may believe are two conflicting ideas. The point of retelling stories you heard, and the idea of only telling stories from your own experience. If you are retelling stories you heard in conversation, and you make heroes of the people who […]
Read More...Would You Like to Know Two Words that Devalue Your Products and Services?
Watch Your Use of “Basically” and “Simply” Many of my clients offer complex solutions to solve their customers’ problems, streamline their businesses, and protect their valuable assets.
Read More...How Do You Accept An Award? Be Gracious. Be Modest. Be Prepared!
Tips on How to Give an Acceptance Speech Accepting an award is like walking a tightrope. You need to be gracious, grateful, and humble, yet not so humble or self-deprecating that the audience thinks you are trivializing the honor. In May of 2022, Dan Maddux, my best long-time client and Executive Director of the American […]
Read More...Powerful, Persuasive Presentations: 5 Techniques that Lead to the Results You Want.
Are you confident your important presentations always lead to the results you want? Do you have the peace of mind knowing everyone on your team communicates your message with clarity and consistency? Are you losing sales you feel you deserve to make? In case we have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am presentation […]
Read More...The Most Wonderful Advice from the Rabbi on How to Have Good Business
Marketing wisdom from an unexpected source. My brother Robert Fripp is the founding and ongoing member of the band King Crimson. Rolling Stone magazine named him the 42nd best guitarist in the world, living or dead. One of the thrills of my life is when I have the opportunity to share the stage with him when […]
Read More...Powerful Presenters Know the Importance of the Pause – Do You?
The Importance of the Pause in Public Speaking and Executive Presentations can not be over estimated. Continuing my comparison with Hollywood..
Alan Alda says, “It is the stuff between the lines that makes it a great performance.”
(I know I hate that word stuff. However, it is an actual quote.)
When you pause the audience has time to digest what you have just said. The faster you speak, the more you have to open up your talk with silence.
Consider where you have a comma, period, paragraph, and exclamation mark, an underline or … Use this as a guide for pauses.
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: The Extra Effort Will Not Get the Result You Want
Don’t Write Out Your Complete Speech I’m frequently asked, “What are the mistakes that speakers make?” One is thinking they have to write out their complete speech. What I recommend you do instead is follow a logical presentation preparation process. Think, what is the big idea of your speech, your premise, or your central theme?
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