Speaking Tips from TEDTalk #9: The SixthSense Interaction (Pattie Maes)
Video and transcript here The Big Idea: An inexpensive, wearable device (SixthSense) can interact with our environment to give us easy access to relevant information to help us make better decisions. The overall construct of the speech: A demonstration, mostly via video. The demonstration was of a device that functioned somewhat like Google Glass, but […]
Speaking Tips from TED Talk #10 The Puzzle of Motivation (Dan Pink)
This is the first in a series of 10 posts, looking at the public speaking lessons from each of the top 10-most viewed TED Talks. Dan Pink: The Puzzle of Motivation video and transcript here The Big Idea: Science has proven what business is only slowly realizing: Using incentives as rewards in business doesn’t work […]
Preview: Public Speaking Tips from the Top 10 TEDTalks
Short, but powerful talks. Although typically fewer than 18 minutes long, TEDTalks pack a punch: unique ideas presented with passion. Inspired by a recent NSA-MN Chapter meeting speaker, Hayley Foster, who spoke about creating TED-style talks (post here), I decided that I (and you) could probably learn some public speaking tips from TEDTalks. For the […]
How to Create a TED-Style Talk: Advice from an Expert
Imagine standing on a TED stage, sharing your passion with the world. Maybe that’s not your dream. But, wouldn’t you like to have a powerful, TED-like presentation? TED-style talks aren’t just for TED events. They are becoming more popular at conferences, too. On Tuesday, the Minnesota Chapter of the National Speakers Association hosted a presentation […]
FREE KINDLE BOOK until 11/16: 12 Ways to Be a Confident Speaker
If you’ve enjoyed my recent tips on becoming a more confident speaker, you will want to get your FREE Kindle book, 12 Ways to Be a Confident Speaker. But, hurry! The book is only free through Saturday (and after that, it is available for only $2.99–It’s a short book!) And, I have a BIG favor to ask you! Will […]
How to Prevent Speech Disasters
You’ve seen it happen. Maybe it’s happened to you. The microphone cuts out. The PowerPoint slides don’t work. Your presentation time gets cut. Can you recover when things go wrong in a speech? Can you plan ahead to manage the risk? Yes and yes. The 3 key ways to reduce risk: Checklists, Dress Rehearsal, and […]
Talk from Your Belly Button: Project Your Voice
“Your carefully chosen phrases will be meaningless,” I told my presentation client, “if no one hears you.” My soft-spoken client was preparing for an important presentation and we were doing a rehearsal in the large meeting room where it would be held. I sat near the front. I sat near the back. I tried to […]
Smile! Don’t be a Stiff Presenter!
Which person’s presentation would you rather attend? This person’s presentation? Or, this person’s presentation? In the top picture, I am displaying my neutral face. I am neither happy nor sad. But don’t I look a little sad, maybe even angry? I also look every one of my 51 years. Gravity is starting to give me […]
Speak with Confidence: Perfect Practice
“How many times a day should I practice my presentation?” my client asked me, after she and I had just spent nearly 2 hours on a Sunday afternoon rehearsing her presentation in a large meeting space at one of the big corporate campuses in the Twin Cities. Her presentation was the following Thursday. The CEO […]
Nuts to Notes?
Have you ever given a prepared speech without notes? I remember the first time I did–it was for a Toastmasters speech contest. I was nervous that I’d blank out, or that I wouldn’t say exactly what I had so carefully crafted on paper. It was only a 5-7 minute speech, and I didn’t win the contest, […]