In 1924, Ralph C. Smedley held the first meeting of what would eventually become Toastmasters International, created to train young men in “the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings.” In those days, the word “toastmaster” referred to a person who proposed the toasts and introduced the speakers at a banquet. Smedley named […]
Read More...Practice Does Not Make Perfect – Are You Reinforcing Bad Habits?
Are you practicing to improve? Or are you inadvertently reinforcing bad habits? Sure, the old adage says that practice makes perfect. But in fact, practice makes permanent. Practice can help you become a better speaker, but it can also make you more comfortable with your public speaking mistakes – unconscious language or gestures that detract […]
Read More...Toastmasters’ Golden Gavel Award
Before I became a professional keynote speaker, before I had the honor of serving as the first female president of the NSA (National Speakers Association), and long before I became an in-demand speech coach… I joined Toastmasters. Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network. […]
Read More...What Makes A Good Presentation Great?
What makes a good presentation great? A great presentation connects with your audience, holds their attention, and has the power to delight, inspire, persuade, or inform. Exceptional speakers know how important it is to start every presentation with a compelling opening; this sets the tone for your presentation and provides momentum for everything that follows. […]
Read More...Two Ways to Connect with Your Audience – FrippVT Video
To become an effective speaker, you must learn how to connect with your audience both intellectually and emotionally. I share this brief video sample from FrippVT to help you learn more about connecting with your audience:
Read More...Pursue Your Passion for Presenting – April 26, 2014 Skokie, IL
Where will you be on Saturday, the 26th of April 2014? If you would like to improve your presentation skills and are anywhere near Chicago – and certainly if you are a District 30 Toastmaster – you will be joining me for the District 30 Toastmasters Spring Conference in Skokie, Illinois. District 30 has planned an […]
Read More...Public Speaking – Why Rehearse?
If you want to deliver a successful presentation, you will spend a lot more time preparing for your presentation than you will speaking. Even highly experienced speakers must devote time to preparation, including rehearsal. My friend and colleague, Rob Biesenbach names inadequate rehearsal as one of the “11 Deadly Presentation Sins.” In his recent book […]
Read More...How to Close Your Presentation – Expert Presentation Advice
The first and last thirty seconds of your speech have the most impact on your audience. Last words linger. Unfortunately, there are some common mistakes you can make in closing your presentation that will actually undermine your message. Learn how to craft the closing of your presentation so that it reinforces your message. In this […]
Read More...How to Evaluate Your Presentation Flow?
The Wit and Wisdom of Phyllis Diller My friend Brian Palmer is one of the most creative and ethical professionals in our speaking industry. He is president of the National Speakers Bureau which was founded by his father, John Palmer. Back in the day, John was a well-known bandleader and performed with Phyllis Diller. Brian […]
Read More...Michael Hauge Remembers Legendary Hollywood Screenwriter Syd Field
Legendary screenwriter Syd Field was true Hollywood pioneer. He is regarded as the first to reveal the inside secrets of Hollywood screenwriting. His bestselling book, Screenplay is known as the “the screenwriting bible.” I feel fortunate to have attended his screenwriting seminars over the years; Hollywood knows how to emotionally connect with their audience in […]
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