To be a better speaker, sometimes it’s better to not to speak. Deliver your key phrase or question and then pause… and pause… and pause. Get comfortable with silence. Darren LaCroix is a World Champion of Public Speaking, professional speaker, and presentation expert. We team up for speakers’ conferences. I share this from Darren who […]
Read More...Toastmasters Awards Golden Gavel to Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization teaching public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network. I was honored to deliver the opening keynote at the 2015 Toastmasters International Convention in Las Vegas. The last time I addressed a Toastmasters International Convention was in 2001, when I watched my colleague, Darren LaCroix, win the World […]
Read More...Do Your Audience Members Tune Out Before You’ve Gotten Started?
Always start your presentation with a strong opening; this is the most effective way to ensure your audience is engaged, listening with thoughtful attention, and able to follow what comes next. It may seem natural to open with a greeting like, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be here with you today to […]
Read More...Thirty Seconds to Capture Your Audience
The first 30 seconds of your presentation is the optimum time for you to capture your audience’s attention. Don’t waste it! Give your opening words some extra consideration. Always start your presentation with impact. When you engage your audience immediately, you help to ensure the overall success of your presentation. Here are a few of […]
Read More...Public Speaking – Use Storytelling to Be Powerful and Persuasive
Top salespeople, corporate visionaries, and celebrity-level professional speakers may have significantly different business backgrounds, skill sets, and philosophies – but for the most part, they all share the ability to tell a good story. Public speaking is the number one tool of leadership. If you know you need to improve your public speaking skills, mastering […]
Read More...Public Speaking – You Cannot Take Your Audience for Granted
Preparation is the key to successfully delivering your presentations Whether you are delivering a business or sales presentation, it’s a mistake to think you can just “wing it.” If you have years of experience in your industry or profession, this still holds true. Even professional speakers must prepare for and rehearse before each presentation. My […]
Read More...Public Speaking – Three Options to Open Your Presentation
The opening lines of your presentation – whether it’s a sales, business, or professional presentation – can be compared to the opening scenes of a movie. We all know the thrill of a blockbuster that grabs our attention from the first frame, versus the agony of a slow-starter that leaves us squirming in our seats. […]
Read More...Storytelling – Help Your Audience “See” Your Characters
My friend, Michael Hauge is a brilliant Hollywood story consultant, author, screenwriting coach, and speaker. His experience as a top Hollywood script consultant is evident in his masterful ability to bring out the emotional potential of any story. Following his expert advice, both business speakers and professional speakers can learn how to tell their stories […]
Read More...Your Presentation – It Doesn’t Have to Be A Traumatic Experience
What’s the worst experience you’ve had delivering an important presentation? Have you forgotten what you meant to say? Realized you should have edited your slides? Or even noticed your audience slipping away? In this brief video sample from Fripp Virtual Training, I share one executive’s worst presentation experience:
Read More...Charisma – You Have It Too
I always say, “There’s no point in going anywhere if people don’t remember you were there.” Being memorable is key to effective networking, persuasive sales conversations, and powerful presentations. You can make yourself more memorable by building emotional connections and using “you-focused” language in all of your communications – and by cultivating your natural charisma.
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