My journey into professional speaking and coaching began in an unlikely setting — a bustling salon on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. At 18, I worked with experienced stylists from the West End of London, masters of their craft who could whip up hairstyles I had never seen before. However, they thought […]
Read More...How to Be a Wild Success When You Walk off Stage to Applause
If you want your speech to resonate profoundly and earn enthusiastic applause, remember that success depends on what you say and how confidently and naturally you deliver your message. This means beginning your preparations earlier than you think necessary—the French call this “répétition,” emphasizing the importance of rehearsal.
Read More...Want to Have the Title, Salary and Respect You Want? Learn this Vital Secret
Growing up, my very glamorous mother, Edith, gave me excellent advice: “Of course, the inner you is important. However, you have to dress up and look good to attract others. They will then discover how nice and smart you are and how valuable you can be to them.” This advice has never steered me wrong. Edith […]
Read More...Want to Deliver an Unforgettable Presentation? Research Your Favorite Phrases
When you deliver a speech, do you research your favorite frequently-used phrases? One of my clients was preparing a keynote and wanted to use the phrase ‘burning the midnight oil.’ I asked, “Do you know where that comes from?” Together, we discovered it dates back to when oil lamps were used, perfectly illustrating the dedication […]
Read More...Do You Know the Best Technique to Build a Relationship with Every Audience?
I was once asked for the number one secret of presentation success. My reply was, “There is no one secret; however if there were, it would be that your subject is of interest to your audience.” Your relationship with your audience is one of the most critical factors in determining the success of your presentation. […]
Read More...As a Speaker Do You Enjoy the Luxury of Being Remembered and Repeated?
Your Soundbite Statement, AKA Your Foundational Phrase Within your stories is a foundational phrase. This short sentence gets your point across or summarizes your story. It adds clarity so that your audience grasps your message easily. These phrases are both memorable and easy for you and your audience to remember.
Read More...Let Us Set the Record Straight: Clarifying the 7-38-55 Rule
The famous 7-38-55 Rule from Albert Mehrabian’s research is often misquoted, especially when people try to apply it to public speaking or keynote addresses. Let’s set the record straight. What the 7-38-55 Rule Really Means Mehrabian’s research, from which the 7-38-55 Rule is derived, was actually about a particular kind of communication: situations where a […]
Read More...Want to Know the Secrets of How to Become a Speaking Superstar?
Want to Know the Secrets of How to Become a Speaking Superstar? If you want to become a speaking superstar, control your pace and embrace the power of the pause. Think of a pause as a tool, not a sign of forgetting what to say next. A well-placed pause gives your audience a moment to […]
Read More...Want Great Speeches? Mine Your Lessons Learned in Everyday Life
Have you often noticed how the most profound lessons usually come from the most straightforward everyday experiences? You might hear a funny or profound speaker seemingly talking about mundane situations, and you think, “Nothing like that ever happens to me.” Of course, it does, or you wouldn’t relate to it. That speaker has attributes meaning […]
Read More...Add Historical References to Add Interest to Your Modern Day Speeches
When you give a speech and use a reference from the past, do you research it? For instance, one of my executive coaching clients asked for help with his Father of the Bride speech. He wanted to use the phrase tying the knot. I asked, “Do you know the historical reference?” We researched it and […]
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