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 […]

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“Good structure gives you the confidence to be creative.” Patricia Fripp How often have you sat in an audience and been mesmerized by a speaker? Was it their compelling content? Were their stories scintillating? Were they able to reach out and grab you in such a way that you thought, “Wow, the speaker is talking […]

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Opportunity does not knock once. It knocks all the time, but we do not always recognize the sound. Early in her career, TV host Joan Lunden received great advice from Barbara Walters. “Take every crumb they throw you, and handle them magnificently.” You never know which magnificent crumb is going to be your big break. […]

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What makes a Hollywood movie great? Exactly the same principles that will make a good keynote speech great. A great story with a message. Screenwriter Robert McKee says, “Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience.” We all love stories because when told well,  have larger-than-life characters, […]

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This Episode Includes a Lesson from Great Comedians “In 2001, I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech at the Toastmasters International Convention. In this 10-segment series, you will view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. Enjoy segment 6. “Now, think about that. That was a speech called ‘Opportunity Does Not Knock Once.’ “I […]

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Back in 2001, at the Toastmasters International Convention, I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech. In this 10-segment series, you view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. (1 of 10) You will notice I have made comments on how I would give advice to the 2001 speaker…who is me! Come out punching. The […]

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Every presentation you deliver needs to be built around your premise, central theme, or big idea. Your next step is to organize your “chunks” of content in a way that they are easy for you and your audience can remember your message. The first chunking example: Explanation, Example, Application Once you introduce your point of […]

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Clarifying Your Central Theme or Premise (Part 2) Your first step in creating your speech structure is to answer this question: “Based on my subject, what is my premise or central theme?” This is the big idea you want to get across. Every TV show, movie, and book has a clear premise. So does your […]

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If you do not enjoy the position, salary, or respect your feel you deserve, I recommend you dress and speak for the role you aspire to, not the one you now have. When I was growing up, my mother gave me great advice. She said, “Patricia, of course, it is the inner you that is […]

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