How to Smile More During Your Presentation
“When I see pictures or video of myself speaking, I look mean! Frankly, I look like a bitch,” said my new presentation client. “I smile in conversation, when I’m off stage, but I don’t smile enough during my presentations. What can I do?” My client clearly knew the value of connecting with her audience through […]
Smile More to Persuade
With very little effort, you can become a more persuasive speaker. It’s as simple as smiling more. Even the shortest of exposures to a smiling face can influence decisions. In a research project discussed in Francesca Gino’s recent book, Sidetracked: Why Our Decisions Get Derailed, and How We Can Stick to the Plan, college students […]
Why Do Some Speakers Shine and Others Choke?
Do you want to shine in front of an audience? To perform at your best? Imagine that you have been a public speaker for 10 years and that you are about to speak in front of a large audience. Do you think your performance will be enhanced or worsened compared to when you practiced alone? […]
Speak Conversationally
Have you ever given a prepared speech that fell flat? Have you gone into “speaker mode?” Has your speech felt a little stilted? Been there. Done that. A couple of years ago, I watched a video of myself in “speaker mode” or “performance mode” and I cringed. I had all the right elements: Carefully crafted […]
The Goldmine in Your Backyard: Turn Your Speeches into Blogs, Books and More!
Don’t let your speech be a “one and done” event. Multiply your efforts with multiple channels of distribution by re-purposing your speeches into blog posts, articles, books and more. By re-purposing your speech content, you can establish yourself as a subject matter expert, and earn additional income from speeches you’ve already written, or will write. […]
Does Your Presentation Pass the Hallway Test?
Imagine for a moment that you and I work in the same office building. One day, as I am passing you in the hallway, I look at you and say, “How many of you have ever eaten at Arby’s?” How would you react? Would you, confused, turn around to see if I was talking to […]
Easy PowerPoint Principles for Leaders Webinar
Don’t let your PowerPoint presentations be the cure for insomnia! In this one-hour webinar on PowerPoint (originally presented on 4/9/2013 for Executive Women International), you will: Learn how to plan your presentation Discover 4 easy design principles Learn a few tips and tricks Learn how to deliver with confidence Webinar (one-hour) slides only Click on […]
11 Tips for Your Graduation Speech
“Don’t be boring,” I said to the two young women who, as valedictorian and salutatorian, would be speaking at their high school graduation in early June. Their school had hired me to help them craft and deliver speeches on one of the most memorable of days in a young person’s life. Unfortunately, hardly anyone remembers […]
How to Be an Authentic Speaker: Keep It Real
At a recent Toastmaster contest, a young man told a story from his childhood, one in which he was left home alone one day while his mother, a single parent, went to work. My heart went out to him. When the winners of the contest were announced, he didn’t win, but several supporters congratulated him […]
Speaker Introductions: Get Your Audience Leaning Forward Before You Speak
“H-e-r-e-‘s Johnny!” Ed McMahon’s introduction of Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show was probably the shortest but one of the most famous introductions in entertainment. Usually, introductions need to be a little longer. Introductions fuse 3 elements: the subject, the audience and the speaker. The introduction brings together those elements and serves as a bridge, a […]