Whenever you open your mouth – whether your audience is one person or a thousand – you usually want to get a message across. Maybe you want your opinions heard at meetings, or you’re giving a formal presentation. Possibly, you’re even in a position to advise your sales team or CEO on an important presentation. […]
Read More...Your Presentation – Remember the Three S’s of Dynamic Stories
As an executive speech coach I’ve had corporate speakers bring me sheets of statistics and say, “Here’s what I want to talk about.” “Why should your audience care about all this?,” I ask. “Where is the excitement? Where is the story?” Then we set about turning the numbing data into stimulating descriptions of what it […]
Read More...Want to Become an Effective Public Speaker? Ten Intriguing Rhetorical Devices
Ragan Communications is a great source of information for communicators. They hold various conferences including the Ragan Speechwriters Conference that I have been honored to keynote. The more you study writing and public speaking the more you realize there is to learn. This list is challenging me and certainly teaches me new information. Hope you enjoy!
Read More...Executive Presentations Need to Sound Original and Thoughtful
Frequently I am asked if executives should dumb down their communications. No, not necessarily. The Patricia Fripp suggestion is to speak conversationally. If you would use that word or phrase at the dinner table, or in your boardroom include it in your speech or conversation. However, you must also consider whether you sound original and […]
Read More...Ever Wondered How to Open Your Presentation with Impact?
Ever Wondered How to Open Your Presentation with Impact? This is how I opened my keynote presentation for District 12 Toastmasters Spring conference. “In July 1978 at the Galt House Hotel in Louville, KY at my second NSA convention Dr. Kenneth McFarland who was considered the Dean of all American speakers and the person we […]
Read More...Communication Skills: Can You Do Better?
Even as an expert in business communications I constantly learn from my friends and mentors in the National Speakers Association. Don and Kathleen Thoren write, speak and coaching on Life Enriching Tips. Enjoy…. WHAT DO I SAY NOW?! Has someone said something and you weren’t sure what to say back??? Seconds tick by and your mind […]
Read More...How to Deal with Distractions During Your Presentation
As an executive speech coach I am sometimes asked, “How do I handle distractions?” Ringing cell phones and computer crashes can challenge anyone delivering a presentation. My friend Rob Sherman wrote this helpful article. How to Deal with Distractions by Rob Sherman Presentation distractions are inevitable. You can’t avoid them. These unplanned events that divert […]
Read More...100 Top Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter
Who knew? Wow, I was looking at my retweets and saw at least in Evan Carmichael’s opinion I am one of the top 100 Top Leadership Experts to Follow on Twitter. Even though I have slipped a couple of places from last year I feel pretty good. Thanks Evan. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Business-Coach/4492/April-2013-Top-100-Leadership-Experts-to-Follow-on-Twitter.html Patricia Fripp is an executive speech […]
Read More...Have You Ever Wondered What to Do With Your Hands When You Are Speaking?
Have you ever wondered what to do with your hands when you are speaking? I want to share what speaking guru Jerry Weissman says about this… I agree!
Read More...Edit Your Speech to A Nub
Here is your public speaking lesson for the day… Edit your speech to a nub. Edit out the words that have no meaning. For example, if you say, “Each and every one of you in this room…” you are using nine words when you should just use one. Just say, “You.”
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