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, […]
Speak with Confidence: You’re An Expert
Have you ever felt like a fraud? An impostor? Many years ago, when I was a new engineer, I felt that way. I was assigned to work on a special project, part of a much larger effort. The other engineers all knew more than I did. So did the guys in the shop. Even the […]
Public Speaking 101: Top Online Resources
Masters in Communication has laid a feast of the top online public speaking tips before you! Click here for the top 101 online resources in public speaking! This blog is #28!
Speak with Confidence: How to Speak with Passion
Mr. Murdoch eyes shined when he talked about the periodic table of the elements. Clearly, my high school chemistry teacher was passionate about chemistry, and even more passionate that his students understand the subject. Mr. Murdoch’s zeal for science was so contagious that I not only went on to take two more classes from him […]
10 Ways to Be a More Confident Speaker
“We met with someone before you . . . it didn’t go well,” said my prospective client, the president of a small digital marketing firm that was looking to hire me to do some presentation skills workshops for their employees. Our meeting had gone quite well. We had dates on the calendar for the workshops. […]
10 Ways Professional Speaking is Different than Toastmasters
Have you thought about becoming a professional speaker–speaking as a way to share your expertise, or your inspiration? Perhaps you are a Toastmaster and have wondered how being a professional speaker is different than being a Toastmaster. I’ve been a Toastmaster for ten years, and a professional speaker for two. Here are the top […]
Improve Your Image, Improve Your Business
People form first impressions in a fraction of a second. Before you say a word, your image speaks volumes. You can go to this website to improve your marketing tenfold but this will only help so much if you’re not providing a very good first impression when you speak to your clients. You could generate […]
Tips for Presentation Handouts
To have a handout or not? That is the question. Almost any presentation could be enhanced with a handout. Handout benefits to the presenter: Your presentation will be more memorable Audience members can easily contact you Establishes your credibility Shows that you care about the audience You can have additional information on the handout A […]
Can They Hear You Now?
You’ve spent hours perfecting your presentation. You have crafted engaging content. You have practiced your delivery. You will have wasted your time if your audience can’t hear you. Three of the top reasons that the audience might not hear you are: Inadequate amplification (or distorted amplification) Background noise Hearing impairment Inadequate amplification Many speakers think […]
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 […]