I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked, “Am I supposed to memorize my presentation?”
My standard — and slightly confusing — answer is, “No … and yes … but mostly no.”
Let me explain. Memorizing your entire presentation is not recommended, nor is it reasonable because …
If speaking in public is the greatest fear, then speaking on TV must be off the charts. I have seen many experienced speakers freeze when that little red light comes on. Heck, many years ago, it happened to me. It was my first time on TV. I was a guest on a Miami morning show. I didn’t necessarily freeze, but let’s just say it wasn’t be best public appearance.
If you have this problem, that’s okay. My guest, Stephen Brooks, is here to help bridge the gap between speaking on stage and speaking on TV.
A key tenet of sales is to make it easy for your prospective customers to buy from you. Making the process too convoluted, it’s believed, increases the likelihood that they buyer will become confused or frustrated and ultimately opt out of the buying process.
The same is true when it comes to public speaking. If we, as speakers, confuse or frustrate our listeners, they won’t buy what we’re selling – be it a product, service, or message.
However, many of us unknowingly make it difficult for our listeners to, well, listen. One of the ways we do this is …
Public speaking may not be the greatest fear in the world, but it certainly scares a great many people. Some get nervous when presenting to large groups, while others break into sweats at the mere thought of speaking to even a small group. But as my guest, Frances Cahill, will share with you, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can be more comfortable when speaking in public.
There is no doubt about it, we live in a video world, and that’s a scary realization for many. The thought of seeing themselves on screen — or even worse — others seeing them on screen — makes their hearts pump faster, causes them to sweat, and … well, they react in the same way as someone who is afraid of speaking public. Thankfully, there are people like Elsewine Rietveld who can help us be more confident and more comfortable on camera.
When it comes to any art or science, there are certain things that establish a foundation … that you absolutely need to know. In this episode, speaker, coach, and author Tyler Foley shares with you 5 insider tips that you, as a speaker, need to know.
Be sure to listen now and get these essential tips.
When we think of public speakers, we might not include teachers, but we should. Teachers present more often than those in just about any other profession. They present to their major audience — their students — five days a week for three quarters of the year. On top of this, they often present in meetings — whether it’s school related or otherwise.
Tune in as Megan Sweet, a teacher and public speaker, shares what she learned from experience and what you can learn, too.
People tell introverts that they have an edge when it comes to public speaking. Maybe this is to bolster their confidence; maybe there’s some truth to it. But in my case, anyway, as a proud, card-carrying introvert, I’ve found a great deal of comfort, if not relief, in this adage.
Join me and my guest, Matthew Pollard, author of “The Introvert’s Edge” series of best-selling books, as we discuss the advantage introverts actually have.
When it comes to speaking at events, there are several ways that public speakers usually get the gigs. They’re invited. They’re hired through speakers bureaus. They respond to a call for speakers. Or, they make the connection through their own prospecting.
But there’s another way, and in this episode, Rich Brooks, founder of the Agents of Change Digital Marketing Conference, shares the ins and outs of creating your own event.
Having your audience hear your presentation is one thing. Having people digest and process your point, and even more so remember it, requires that you simplify the complex. Listen is as presentation coach Brian Krogh shares how you can simplify complex data and make your presentations more effective and more memorable.
Everyday work conversations should be clear, concise, and get to the point quickly. The problem is we don’t always know how to do this. Because what does it mean to be concise? And how can you summarized a complex topic in just a few lines? My guest, Chris Fenning, author of The First Minute, has the answers to these and other questions.
You chose to be a consultant so you could help people overcome obstacles and achieve their objectives, and that’s a worthy and lofty goal. But, if you’re like many consultants (dare I say most consultants), you struggle to consistently acquire high-quality, high-paying clients.
In this article, you’ll learn one of the most effective ways to develop a steady flow of clients. As a result, you’ll be …
Every presenter — novice and veteran alike — gets nervous when speaking in front of others. The difference from one presenter to another is how well they manage this anxiety. While some do not know why this happens to them, others understand why it is happening and how to turn this nervous energy into positive enthusiasm.
In this episode, you’ll learn why you get nervous, that it happens to everyone, and most important, how you can tame your nerves.
Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson each point to public speaking as the most valuable business skill for building a career. Going even further, Buffett, the billionaire investor and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, whose every investment is analyzed and scrutinized, has stated that developing his public speaking skills is arguably his greatest investment.
Why would he give so much credit to a “soft skill”? Buffett has answered that question, saying he realized at a young age that for others to understand his visions, objectives, and initiatives and to get the greatest return on his efforts, effective communication would be essential.
Check out seven ways that developing strong public speaking skills helps you move your career forward.
The interest in guest podcasting is growing, and opportunities to increase your exposure and credibility abound, but, if you’re like many perspective guests, you do not know how to reach podcasts without using an expensive PR agency, insider network, or extensive influence.
In this episode, Case Lane helps entrepreneurs, writers, and professionals deliver value to podcast audiences by recognizing the importance of speaking on podcasts to deliver a message, promote a product, and enhance authority in a subject area.
When you’re developing a presentation, there’s no doubt that you give thought to the words you will use to convey your message. But how often do you consider when you’ll pause during your talks? My guess is seldom, if ever. Hopefully, that will change after you learn how the often-ignored pause can transform what would otherwise be a rambling monologue into an engaging and interactive presentation.
In this episode, you’ll discover seven ways to implement pauses in your upcoming presentations so you and your audience members will have greater interaction … even when they can’t respond out loud.
Whether you’re presenting in meetings, in court, in sales situations, or on stage, it takes your audience just a few seconds to assess your level of confidence. How would they rate yours? In this episode of Public Speaking: Your Competitive Advantage, you learn several easy-to-implement tips that help you build confidence in yourself and your presentations. These tips include verbal communications, nonverbal communications, rehearsing, and more.
We’re always looking for a competitive advantage, and being an effective presenter provides you with that edge. But if you want to take your presentations to an even higher level, include meaningful stories. Storytelling adds magic to your presentations … yes, even business presentations. Listen in and learn how you can use stories to make your presentations more engaging and memorable, ultimately providing you with an advantage over your competition.
This episode focuses on three techniques that will help your presentations be more impactful, influential, and persuasive, including my favorite part of a presentation. Tune in and discover what these three techniques are and how you can add them to your presentations. Soon, both you and your audiences will hear and feel the difference.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to presenting is delivering their talk without rehearsing. They believe, “I know what I’m going to say, so I’m all set.” But for those who want to engage, persuade, and inspire others, rehearsing is part of their preparation. They wouldn’t skip this critical step. Tune in and learn not only the value of rehearsing, but also hear how you can make rehearsing easier and more effective.
We’re spending more time on Zoom than we could have imagined. It’s not only a new format for many of us, but it’s a whole new animal — one that’s difficult for some to tame. Zoom meetings aren’t going to end soon, so listen to these seven easy-to-implement tips that help you be as professional in virtual meetings as you are in face-to-face meetings.
In this brief episode, you learn how you can quickly differentiate yourself from other speakers, more effectively engage your audience, and have your audience understand what they’ll learn by listening to you. This is a winning technique you’ll want to use, whether you’re presenting in meetings or on stage.
Some public speaking myths have been around for years, and I have no idea how they continue to be perpetuated. But I do know that when people believe them, they are much less likely to deliver meaningful, persuasive presentations. Listen in and hear if you’ve been taking any of these myths as fact, and if you have, you can stop believing them and start delivering presentations that resonate with others.
Leaving a steady, secure job behind and transitioning to being a full-time speaker can be a nerve-racking undertaking, but it’s well worth the effort and stress. If being a professional speaker is in your future, be sure to tune in and listen to sought-after speaker Clint Pulver explain how he successfully made the move and the advice for others who want to make the jump.
Whether you are beginning your speaking career or are a veteran, writing a book on your subject may be one of the most advantageous things you can do to showcase your expertise. In this episode, John Jantsch and I discuss how writing a book could push your speaking career forward. As you’ll discover, it’s a daunting undertaking but is well worth your time and effort.
Public speaking is a craft — a craft that no one really masters. In this episode, award-winning speaker and best-selling author Joey Coleman explains how it’s a constant work in process and progress. Tune in and listen as Joey shares how he has shaped his craft and how it has shaped him and how it can do the same for you.
Contrary to what many people may think, speaking is a demanding profession. Developing your skills to the top of your game can be arduous and challenging. Listen in as Certified Public Speaker Sima Dahl shares her journey, discusses its rewards, and encourages you to do what it takes to achieve your goal of being a professional speaker.
What happens when you wear a nametag 24/7? Even to bed? Just ask Scott Ginsberg. In the beginning, it was just a gimmick to make friends. But soon, his crazy idea didn’t seem so crazy.
We all know how beneficial word-of-mouth marketing is, yet only 1% of businesses have a word-of-mouth strategy. This is because many believe that being competent in our professions inspires people to talk about us and our businesses. Oh, if only this were true. Jay Baer, Hall of Fame speaker and author of the best-selling book “Talk Triggers,” explains how you can use talk triggers and other tactics to grow your business.
Is being a speaker one of your goals? Then you’ll want to listen to this episode where Suzanne Evans, president of Driven, Inc., shares her experience and advice to up-and-coming and established speakers alike. Learn how perseverance and determination are prerequisites for achieving this exciting objective.
Storytelling has the power to educate, entertain, and connect with your audiences. It’s also an art — an art to be studied, practiced, and polished. Whether you are an entrepreneur, executive, lawyer, or salesperson, sharing well-crafted stories helps you make an emotional connection. Learn more from Dr. Ivan Misner, one of the most engaging storytellers I know.
When developing presentations, we often confuse a point with a title, a topic, an idea, or a theme. In this episode, Joel Schwarztberg discusses how a point is something more. It’s a contention you can propose, argue, illustrate, and prove. It creates a position of value. Joel not only clarifies what a point is, but he also shed light on how to determine if what you’re saying is a point or if it falls short. If you want to reach your audiences more effectively, turn in and listen to Joel’s point.
Whether you’re new to the craft of public speaking or an experienced veteran, you face a multitude of opportunities and challenges. In this episode, highly-sought-after speaker and best-selling author Bob Burg shares how he got started in the speaking business, the biggest challenge he faced on his way to becoming a captivating and purposeful speaker, and his most significant piece of advice he can offer to up and coming speakers. You definitely want to hear Bob’s advice.
Download more than 50 FREE easy-to-implement Public Speaking Tips that help you increase your impact, influence, and income!
