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Have you ever listened to Zig Ziglar tell a story? One of today’s most highly sought after speakers, this man captivates you with his true stories and anecdotes. His passion and enthusiasm are contagious as well which means he motivates his audience to action.
Audiences expect stories so if ... Views: 2299
Do you present and speak in public with confidence and project credibility? The way a professional delivers a message has a dramatic affect on the outcome. Discover the top secrets for maximum impact.
If you project authentic confidence, it comes through in all ways. Your attitude, demeanor, ... Views: 2299
Have you ever listened to a speaker who used so many ahs or ums that you started counting them? When that happens, you then lose the ability to concentrate on what the speaker is saying. Suffice it to say that the ums or ahs become the message.
Um, ah, uh and you know are verbal tics ... Views: 2296
The angst, the agony, the sleepless nights. The overwhelming dread that pervades your life knowing you are scheduled to speak, either for your business or personal life. It could be toasting the groom at your best friend’s wedding or giving the quarterly budget report for your company. It ... Views: 2295
Last week I was listening to this, you know, podcast. The topic interested me: it was, you know, how to set goals. And one of the two speakers sprinkled, like, empty words as frequently as I am, you know, doing right now.
Listening for the goal-getting gems was, you know, like panning for ... Views: 2294
Is it possible to overthink what could be a career-defining presentation?... In a word, yes.
If you’re in the midst of preparing for your next presentation and suspect you might be overthinking it, try this quick test.
Are you…
• Obsessing rather than progressing?
• Feeling as ... Views: 2284
Lack of volume in speaking is a big problem for many people. Unfortunately, this characteristic can label you incorrectly. While it is possible that your soft-spoken voice is due to a lack of confidence, it is also possible that you speak softly because you were raised to speak softly.
If ... Views: 2283
Without a doubt, you can learn much from Zig Ziglar, Anthony Robbins, and Brian Tracy and so you should. What you shouldn't do, however, is try to copy them. The best public speakers are themselves, first and foremost. They are not trying to be or to sound like someone else.
One of the ways ... Views: 2282
Before speakers used PowerPoint, there were overhead projectors, flip charts, handouts and white boards. Before that, there were slide projectors and movie projectors. Sometimes people used props. Before that, there were chalkboards and before that, well, there were just speakers! And believe it ... Views: 2281
Sent via email this week was ‘When it comes to speaking up in meetings, I just panic, my mind goes blank, I feel stupid and it looks like I don’t know my job!’
Yuck! Not pleasant, and yes we all know that speaking in public is a huge trigger of anxiety for many.
Here’s my reply and ... Views: 2277
A lot of people ask me what they should do with their hands when they are addressing an audience. My answer to them is simple. “What do you do with your hands when you are talking to your family, your friends or your colleagues?”
If you are not sure of the answer to the above question, ... Views: 2276
Last month, I gave a keynote speech in Chicago for a Fortune 500 Company. The theme of the conference was engagement. Over 200 human resource professionals from all over the world gathered to learn how to increase the level of engagement among their 80,000 employees in 23 countries. Their ... Views: 2274
Nothing is more frustrating than finding a topic for a persuasive presentation for your public speaking class or for Toastmasters, especially if you are not one to voice your opinion on subjects that could be controversial. If you are stymied for a topic, do some soul searching and make a list ... Views: 2273
A class participant recently emailed me with a question: "What if you find yourself in a discussion with quite a few people at a social gathering and you have an important point to make, but feel intimated by those around you? I find I get all tongue twisted and the words do not come out the way ... Views: 2273
When it comes to public speaking, do you welcome the opportunity or do you run for cover? Do you accept each chance presented or do you make up a long list of reasons to be excused from the task? If you answered NO to these questions, it is important for you to read this because public speaking ... Views: 2269
To yell or shout is offensive to your listeners’ ears and can be offensive to your throat and vocal folds (cords) as well. Over time, continual yelling can do untold damage to both your pharynx and larynx. So what is the answer when you need to increase your volume? Learn how to speak with ... Views: 2266
I hear it on a daily basis. People complaining to me that they are constantly hoarse, have a persistent sore throat, or lose their voice by the end of the day. The one I just read about is a young man who wants to speak louder in the clubs without hurting his throat.
Unfortunately, vocal ... Views: 2265
After you have given a presentation, and especially at the beginning of your career (and even when you are at a level of expertise), you should critique your presentation skills to improve. It’s safe to say the more proficient a speaker you are, the better the communicator you are. The better ... Views: 2260
You have been aked to present. Oh no…where do you start?
Here are several questions that will help you prepare:
Does the presentation fall within the scope set for the speech?
Is it too long – have you fallen into the trap of trying to tell your audience everything you know, ... Views: 2257
Definitely the biggest day of the year when it comes to sporting events in America, Sunday’s Super Bowl game will result in thousands of injuries for fans that most will not take seriously. No, it is not overeating, gastric reflux, or drunken stupors. It does not involve your legs, your arms ... Views: 2254
Have you ever sat in an auditorium, hall, church, or theater and listened to the coughing, sniffling, shuffling of papers and overall restlessness of those in the audience during a rather dull presentation or speech? It happens and it happens when the speaker is not very dynamic. Too often, ... Views: 2248
Great speakers are not born but made. You too can become a good orator by taking up the public speaking courses. The art of public speaking must be practiced by everybody who wants to reach great heights in their career. Those who are incapable of speaking infront of the public cannot come up in ... Views: 2244
There is a right way and a grossly unprofessional way to introduce yourself to a speakers bureau. Be sure you know the rules before you call.
Before you embarrass yourself, be sure to read my article, “Bozo or Pro? Ten Ways Speakers Bureaus Know.”
That will give you great insight into ... Views: 2243
Did you know that nervousness in public speaking is beneficial? While many articles are written to help you try to eliminate or stop those nervous jitters, I want the exact opposite. Yes, I want you nervous. However, I want you to learn how to take control of it.
When you can put your ... Views: 2241
You talk; they listen. You move; they watch. You make a joke; they laugh. You say something profound; they muse or applaud or frown. My question to you is whether you ‘listen’ to your audience or not. As much as you are the center of attention when addressing an audience, are you aware of ... Views: 2239
Nothing is more frustrating for your listeners then when they are unable to distinguish what you really mean by what your voice is or isn’t doing. Given the wrong tone, the wrong inflection, the wrong volume or a total lack of vocal variety and your voice could be saying one thing when you mean ... Views: 2237
If there is one thing I would never recommend for the novice in public speaking, it would be to ‘wing it’ or, in other words, to speak without note cards or some form of visual aid. You must have something to help keep you on track. If, however, you have been speaking about the same topic for ... Views: 2236
I drove by a neighborhood breakfast place the other day and felt a sense of sadness. We had given this restaurant several chances, but every time we went there, the food and service were just mediocre. Nothing special. The same old thing that half a dozen restaurants within a half mile were also ... Views: 2236
That is an interesting question. While I often use those two words interchangeably, there is a difference. I liken pacing to your overall speed. Do you generally speak slowly, quickly or at a moderate rate of speed? In North America, a good pacing is moderate. If you speak too fast, you will ... Views: 2232
Nothing is more frustrating than not hearing the person who is speaking. The problem for the soft-spoken, however, is that they do no recognize this problem for what it is. If you are soft-spoken, the reason you are being interrupted or talked over is because others tire of straining to hear ... Views: 2227
When it comes to public speaking, so much attention is given to the preparation and ensuing delivery of your material that the practice of your speech or presentation is often overlooked. I am amazed at how many people go over their script or their outline in their head and never say their ... Views: 2226
Are you a confident speaker? Many may think that they are but when looking at their body language it tells a whole different story. The real problem with being a confident speaker is not how well you prepare or how well you string sentences together. Its absolutely about what you project as you ... Views: 2225
All the talk about eliminating your nervousness, putting a stop to nervousness, or defeating your nervousness, misses the boat on one basic fundamental: nervousness is a bonus. It can give you an edge that is an asset if you learn how to control it.
Early in my career, one of my clients ... Views: 2224
If all the world's a stage, it's no wonder those with performing arts backgrounds do so well in non-theater jobs like lawyer, engineer, architect, marketer, educator or business executive. And it's no coincidence that many businesspeople are turning to acting classes to help build self ... Views: 2223
I love to hear the excuses my clients give for why they did not do well at their last speaking engagement. Whatever the excuse, in most cases, the real reason for this problem is lack of preparation. I cannot tell you how many people tell me that they went over their material several times and ... Views: 2222
Some years ago, two radio broadcasters were studying voice improvement with me. One, in particular, wanted me to make him sound like Paul Harvey. Paul Harvey was an icon and an original in the radio business. Part of his greatness was his originality. Wanting to emulate this announcer was ... Views: 2220
Do you know the difference between diaphragmatic breathing and what you are doing right now? The chances are good that you are a shallow or lazy breather because the majority of the population breathes in this manner. What do I mean by shallow or lazy breathing? Using the upper chest for ... Views: 2220
Whether it is for personal reasons or professional, improving the sound of your speaking voice is something people are becoming aware of because they realize it is part of the image they project. What does your voice (the one you hear on your answering machine) say about you?
In today's ... Views: 2208
The value of storytelling in public speaking is undeniable. Audiences love true stories especially if they are recounted with a good description. You may use them in your opening, your closing, or place them in the development of your delivery as long as they are relevant to your ... Views: 2207
The search for good public speaking or presentation skills is on the rise. People want to know how to improve or hone their abilities to address an audience. One thing that is often overlooked, however, is training for the speaking voice. When you hear yourself on an answering machine, ... Views: 2204
At some time in your life there is the likelihood that you will or have given a speech. Throughout your education, it is quite possible that you were required to speak on a particular subject at one time or another. Perhaps you toasted the bride or groom at a wedding or were asked to give a ... Views: 2204
It is important for every speech to have good structure. The delivery of the speech must reflect a sensible procedure made up of Beginning, Body and Conclusion. By way of an acronym, I like to call this the “BBC” of public speaking. This should be the standard process to be followed and ... Views: 2203
Whether you're speaking to an audience of one or many, it's important to make eye contact in order to connect.
Eye contact demonstrates your willingness to connect to the audience on a personal level. It also shows that you are confident and proves that the information resides in your head, ... Views: 2189
How are you telling your business story? Most often email marketing is a core part of how you are presenting your brand and business to customers and prospects.
This week, I got a remarkable email. Sounds funny, right? The reason it was remarkable was this: it was a story that got me to take ... Views: 2180
The last thing I want to hear when I’m in attendance for a 50-minute presentation is a speaker reading to me. My feeling is that if you are going to read your material, why not zerox it, pass it out and we can all go home or back to work. Better yet, email it to me!
The next to the last ... Views: 2175
I saw a painful surveillance video the other day showing a thief attempting an escape from police by climbing a ten-foot ladder. He plummeted to the ground on the first attempt. The sirens grew louder and he tried again, and fell. In fact, he fell five more times to the cement floor of the ... Views: 2170
The other day I watched an interesting documentary on military planes and the man describing the different parts of the plane ended every, single sentence on the up-swing. What this means is that the inflection he used with every statement sounded like a question. (Inflection refers to changes ... Views: 2162
Take a moment and think about how you coax an excited or emotional child to calm down. You might say, “relax” or “calm down.” The most effective technique is to ask someone to “take a deep breath.” Try to remember how you were advised to calm down and how you currently calm yourself. Do you ... Views: 2161
New speakers (as well as audience members) occasionally approach me after one of my keynote presentations and ask me how I knew I wanted to be a speaker. Well, that is certainly a good question that has many answers. However, the one resounding theme that percolates inside my head as to why I ... Views: 2160
The act of Public Speaking is feared by the majority of the population even more so that death itself, so major studies have revealed! It is however a fear worth defeating and a skill worth mastering if you can, as to do so will boost your confidence tremendously and enhance greatly your career ... Views: 2157