You will not improve what you are not aware of. We can blame a couple of years of near isolation and less in-person meetings. Without knowing it, you may be turning into a sloppy and non-specific speaker who dilutes their message. As an executive speech coach, my job is to help my clients sound as […]
Read More...Welcome Back to Live Presentations
Seven simple steps to your speaking success. You have probably complained about delivering virtual presentations and that you are much better speaking with a live audience. Now that you have the opportunity, you are terrified. In case we have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am presentation skills expert, Patricia Fripp. As your personal […]
Read More...How to Deliver a Tribute at a Celebration of Life: In Honor of Roger Dawson
Roger and I were both born in England and immigrated to California. Roger in 1962 me in 1966. We both came to America to find fame and fortune. I am not sure about Roger, I thought everyone in America was rich and the streets were paved with movie stars. We are both proud to have […]
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...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...The Perfect Way You Can Begin Your Panel Discussion: A Specific Example
One January, Mark, a district sales manager from a biotech company, was preparing to moderate a panel at the Las Vegas National Sales Meeting. He was nervous about his new role in front of a 100-person audience. In our pre-coaching communications, I noticed his email signature line included a quote about “moving fast.” He explained […]
Read More...The Inside Secrets of How You Can Effectively Moderate a Panel
Congratulations! You’ve been asked to moderate a panel. This is a great opportunity to build your reputation and add value to your customers. Moderating a panel can be more challenging than delivering a keynote speech. As you probably realize, when you moderate a panel discussion, you have multiple responsibilities and many more elements to stay […]
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?
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: Do This and You Will Never Get Invited Back
True Professionals Do Not Do This I’m frequently asked, “Patricia, what are some of the mistakes that speakers make?” One is to act like a prima donna rather than a partner with the person who invited you to speak at the meeting. Don’t be an ass. Be nice. Be friendly. Remember your place. You […]
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