Talk Like Trump
Love him or hate him, you can still learn from him. Sometimes, it’s what NOT to do, but in the case of his 2nd Inaugural address, Trump had some eloquent moments (I’m guessing he had a good speech writer). In the short video (1:29) below, you can see two examples of effective rhetoric, using parallel […]
Speak with Impact: Build Confidence and Clarity as a Communicator
Have you ever spoken up in a meeting, only to feel like your words disappeared into the void? Like no one really heard you? If you’ve ever felt invisible when you speak, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. Years ago, fresh out of college as a new engineer, I struggled to communicate my ideas. […]
Help! I Have to Write a Speech FAST!
Maybe you’ve been asked to speak at an event tomorrow or to present a speech at work, school, or Toastmasters. Maybe you are filling in, or maybe you procrastinated. No fear! You can write a speech quickly! Below is a 2-minute video and a PDF for you to use to create magic in 5 minutes! […]
Storytelling: The Basics of Why, What, & How
Why Tell Stories The answer lies in the inherent memorability of stories. Cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner suggests we are 22 times more likely to remember a fact when it has been wrapped in a story. Stories transcend the abstract, connecting directly with our emotions, making them not just memorable but also impactful. In the realm of […]
How to Create a Killer Keynote
If you’ve ever wanted to captivate a room with your words, impel your audience to action, and maybe even get paid to speak, you need a speech that engages. You need to create a Killer Keynote. In the video below, excerpted from a longer workshop, you will learn the steps to create YOUR Killer Keynote. […]
Breaking the Stage Fright Barrier: 10 Techniques
Have you ever experienced stage fright? You know, the butterflies in the stomach, the shaky hands, sweaty palms, and maybe rapid breathing? It’s not fun. This performance anxiety is common in public speaking and other performance-related activities. Many years ago, when my children were teenagers, I experienced performance anxiety when I wanted to encourage them […]
Top 7 Most-Desired Public Speaking Skills
Do you relate to these public speaking concerns? In the video below, I address the top 7 responses to my recent survey question, What do you most want to improve in public speaking skills?
“I Learned More from My Failures”: My Public Speaking Journey
Impromptu Speaking Book only $0.99 through 2/21/23
“Not only will this book help people improve their public speaking, readers will also improve their personal communications. I particularly liked the chapters on handling difficult situations. Diane offers terrific tips to deal with real-world examples. This book is a must-read for anyone who talks to people — which is everyone!”–Dan Janal “This book provides […]
4 Ways AI Can Improve Your Presentations
Is there anything AI can’t do? Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated the picture at the top, with the prompt, “A cute dog speaking at a conference, digital art.” AI even helped me write this article, in which I give you 4 easy ways that AI can improve your presentations and public speaking skills. The 4 ways […]