The SHARP Method of Structuring a Speech
A speech is written for the ear and not the eye. Unlike reading an essay, a person cannot go back to review what you just said. Your audience is forced to go at your pace. Therefore, a speech must be clearly and simply organized to help your audience follow your line of thought. This post […]
Public Speaking: How to Manage the Fear, Part 3
Many people will say that you need to change your feelings and beliefs (the inner game) before you can change your actions (the outer game). However, I believe they are interrelated. You can change one to affect the other. In public speaking, you can “fake it till you make it” to a certain extent. You […]
Public Speaking: How to Manage the Fear, Part 2
The most important action you can take to manage the fear of public speaking is the unseen mental preparation, the inner game. The Inner Game 1. Know Your Audience If you are not familiar with your audience, you will need to do a little research. For my professional speaking presentations, I will conduct 3-10 informational […]
Public Speaking: How to Manage the Fear, Part 1
I am not going to tell you how to overcome the fear of public speaking. Instead, I am going to offer suggestions on how to manage the fear so that it is not debilitating. If you try too hard to suppress the symptoms of speaking anxiety—the shaky hands, the red face, the stiff or jerky […]
Digging Up Stories: Ask Questions
A great way to dig up stories that could be used as speech material is to ask yourself some questions. You can also ask other people these questions (great for interviewing older family members or retiring employees). Here are a few to get you started: What did you want to be when you were a […]
Help Me Write a Book on Public Speaking
Would you like to have input into a book on public speaking? What are the things you really want to know? What do you wish you knew earlier? I’m actually thinking of getting a quick Kindle book out in about a week or so using mostly a selection of my 2012 speaking tips that you have […]
Digging Up Stories: Every Face Tells a Story!
Almost any presentation, even business presentations, can be enhanced by using personal stories to anchor your points. But, how do you recall and apply those personal stories? One technique is to look at photos, specifically photos of yourself and try to recall where you were at in life and/or the story behind the photo. Often […]
Be an Audience Magnet with One Simple Act
Do you want to be a people-magnet when you speak? Did you know there is one thing that you can do that will increase your trust-level, likeability, perceived confidence (and competence) and your attractiveness? That one thing is to smile–your genuine smile! Smiling can reduce the levels of stress hormones and increase the levels of […]
Create Your Killer Keynote in a Day!
“Diane pointed out several things that will help me engage my audience better, while communicating the topic more thoroughly. She offered great insight into both the delivery of the speech and the structure so that my audience hears a clear call to action.“~Bill Svoboda, owner Coed Monkey Create a Keynote Speech in a Day Workshop […]
Speech Class for Teens Book Now Available!
Do you remember taking a speech class in high school? That pit in your stomach? Sweaty palms? What if you had become a more confident speaker as a teen? Would that have made a difference in your adult life? In your career? The number one job skill cited by CEO’s again and again is communication […]