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Articles from Gilda Bonanno | Selfgrowth.com
- Public Speaking Fear? Drown Out That Negative Voice In Your Head! - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2008 from Gilda BonannoIf your stomach churns just at the thought of speaking in front of a group of people, you're not alone. In fact, Americans rate public speaking as their number one fear - even ahead of death (hence the old joke that you would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy)! Think about what's ...
Views: 1151(2 votes) - Take Your Presentations from Okay to Outstanding - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2012 from Gilda BonannoEver feel like you're presenting on "auto-pilot"? Or like you've gotten to the point where you present okay, but still feel like you could do better? Here are four suggestions for taking your presentations from okay to outstanding, so you can really connect with the audience and convey ...
Views: 1167(2 votes) - Think of Yourself as a Speaker - by Submitted on Nov 10, 2008 from Gilda BonannoOften, people tell me, "I'm not a speaker so I don't have to think about presentation skills." I disagree. I think we are all speakers – yes, even you. Whether you talk to a small or large audience or in a corporate, academic or community setting, you are a speaker. If you give an update ...
Views: 807(2 votes) - Using a Microphone Like a Pro - by Submitted on Jan 14, 2009 from Gilda BonannoIf you have the option of using a microphone for your next presentation, use it. You will be able to speak at your normal volume while also allowing the audience to hear you without difficulty. Here are five tips on how to use a microphone effectively, without it being distracting: ...
Views: 928(2 votes) - Voice Power in Public Speaking - Speak Loudly and Slowly Enough - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2009 from Gilda BonannoA key component of non-verbal communications is your voice. Along with eye contact, gestures, movement and facial expression, your voice can communicate meaning and help your audience focus on your message. Your voice has an incredible range and ability to convey meaning and emotion, yet ...
Views: 3073(2 votes) - Cut Out These Cliches, Overused Expressions & Tired Words - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2009 from Gilda BonannoIs your communication full of clichés and tired old expressions? In public speaking, frequently using phrases like "you know" and "see what I mean" can be just as distracting to your listeners as frequently using filler words like "um" and "ah." These tired and overused words and phrases ...
Views: 3857(3 votes) - Keeping Your Voice Strong While Presenting - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2009 from Gilda BonannoSometimes when you're presenting, introducing yourself or answering questions in front of a group, your voice trails off at the end of the sentence. Your audience can't understand the last part of your sentence and you may sound nervous and unprepared. Here are four tips for keeping your voice ...
Views: 1445(3 votes) - Meetings That Work - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2009 from Gilda Bonanno"A meeting is a place where people take minutes and waste hours." Is this statement true of your meetings? Here are four tips for running meetings that are more productive and don't waste hours: 1. Have a Purpose for Meeting "We always meet every Thursday at 4" is not a sufficient reason to ...
Views: 802(3 votes) - Public Speaking - Dress Rehearsal for Your Presentation - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from Gilda BonannoA few days before a play or musical opens, the entire cast and crew conduct a dress rehearsal. They do a complete run-through of the script on stage, dressed in their costumes, with the full scenery and lighting in place and the pit orchestra playing. The purpose of the dress rehearsal is to ...
Views: 2706(3 votes) - 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Gestures - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2012 from Gilda BonannoNon-verbal communication, or body language, is an important part of presentation skills and how you gesture is an essential component of that body language. At the very least, your gestures should match your words and not distract the audience. And with a little practice, they can help you ...
Views: 1844(2 votes) - 10 Tips for How to Use Notecards Effectively When Presenting - by Submitted on Dec 07, 2012 from Gilda BonannoIt's okay to use notes when presenting, especially if you're speaking on a new topic or to a new audience. The key to using notes effectively is what is included in your notes and how you use them. The following ten tips will help you use notes effectively to remember the key points of your ...
Views: 2451(2 votes) - 10 Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills - by Submitted on Dec 07, 2012 from Gilda BonannoHere are 10 tips to improve your public speaking skills, whether you are presenting at work, giving a toast at a wedding or receiving an award. 1. Have a Message What is the one thing that you want the audience to remember from your presentation? Put it into one sentence and you have your ...
Views: 1605(2 votes) - 4 Presenter Mistakes to Avoid, Or Please Don't "Vomit" on Your Audience - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2012 from Gilda BonannoAt the end of my session at a conference, one of the audience members came up to tell me about a bad session she had attended. She said, "The presenter vomited his content on the audience. It was awful. I would have walked out if I wasn't sitting in the front row." That's pretty strong ...
Views: 1318(2 votes) - 4 Reasons Not to Start Your Presentation With a Joke - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2012 from Gilda BonannoIn my presentation skills training programs, people often ask me, "Should I start my presentation with a joke?" My immediate response is "No!" Now I'm a fan of humor as much as anyone – and in fact, probably more than most people, since I've been performing onstage with an improv comedy ...
Views: 1505(4 votes) - 5 Reasons Why Presenters Won't Use a Micrphone - by Submitted on Dec 13, 2012 from Gilda BonannoOften, I have seen people refuse to use a microphone when they're presenting, whether at an office meeting, community event or industry conference. Yet, using a microphone correctly can make it easier for the audience to hear you and understand your message - which is the whole point of your ...
Views: 1358(2 votes) - 7 Steps to Successful Storytelling in Your Presentations - by Submitted on Dec 07, 2012 from Gilda BonannoRelevant and engaging stories can be a compelling part of your presentation – whether you are presenting at a board meeting, an industry conference or an awards banquet. Here are 7 steps to follow to make your storytelling successful: 1. Pick a relevant story. Think about the story from ...
Views: 1416(2 votes) - 8 Tips for Handling Radio Interviews Like a Pro - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2014 from Gilda BonannoA presentation skills coaching client recently landed a radio interview. She was excited because it would help her build her business, but also nervous because she had never been interviewed on the radio. After we got done celebrating, here are the 8 tips that I shared that will help her ...
Views: 1753(2 votes) - 9 Tips for How to Present While Seated - by Submitted on Dec 07, 2012 from Gilda Bonanno"You can't start a fire sitting down" is an old cliché that I used in graduate school to explain to the supervising professor why I taught my American history class section standing up. (I also thought to myself, "it's harder for them to shoot a moving target.") The professor preferred that I ...
Views: 1365(2 votes) - Cut Out Your Sloppy Language When Presenting - by Submitted on Dec 07, 2012 from Gilda BonannoLanguage is a tool that helps you communicate your message to your audience. Sloppy and imprecise language, however, can interfere with your communication. Here are six tips for eliminating sloppy language: 1. Mind your grammar You don't have to be a grammarian to follow basic grammar ...
Views: 1420(2 votes) - How to Introduce Yourself Quickly - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2012 from Gilda BonannoSometimes you have to introduce yourself in 60 seconds or less. This type of introduction is not your "elevator speech" – it's a brief introduction only long enough to outline the basics. For example, at some networking events, everyone sits around a large table and then each person stands ...
Views: 1631(2 votes) - Management by Walking Around (MBWA), or Please Don't "Prowl, Growl and Scowl" - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2012 from Gilda BonannoManagement by walking around (MBWA) is a common management practice that can be very helpful in managing and engaging employees, setting a good example, and staying in touch with what's really happening with employees. It means that the manager leaves his or her office to go out "onto the ...
Views: 2235(3 votes) - One Easy Way to Present Better: Get Organized! - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2012 from Gilda BonannoOne of the easiest ways to be a better presenter is by organizing your content clearly and logically. It sounds so simple, yet many presenters don't organize their material; instead, they just throw everything at the audience, all jumbled together with no clear indication of how things relate ...
Views: 1224(2 votes) - Public Speaking - Incorporating a PowerPoint Presentation Smoothly Into Your Speech - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2012 from Gilda BonannoRecently, I attended a presentation by a smart, experienced professional whose goal was to provide an informative overview of his area of expertise to his colleagues. Unfortunately, he did not succeed in communicating his message effectively to the audience. How he prepared and delivered his ...
Views: 1616(2 votes) - Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs: 6 Ways to Make Your Pitch Presentation More Effective - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2014 from Gilda BonannoOne high-stakes presentation that entrepreneurs have to give is in front of potential investors. While it can be intimidating to present in front of people who can fund your business, service or idea, following these 6 tips will improve your presentation and make it more likely that the ...
Views: 1689(2 votes) - Public Speaking is Like Exercising - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2012 from Gilda Bonannoexercising and public speaking have a lot in common. Both become easier over time when you practice them regularly using the correct techniques. Everyone is capable of exercising and public speaking, although initially they may be a cause of pain for some people. The results of exercising and ...
Views: 1457(2 votes) - Public Speaking Tips From Chef Bobby Flay - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2012 from Gilda BonannoI'm a fan of the TV cooking competition, The Next Food Network Star, hosted by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. The winning chef gets his or her own cooking show on the Food Network. The show offers lesson not just about cooking, but also about presentation skills because the winning chef has to ...
Views: 1305(2 votes) - Take the 6-Second Presentation Challenge - by Submitted on Dec 07, 2012 from Gilda BonannoDuring election season here in the U.S., one of my clients, the CEO of a nonprofit organization, was invited to film an endorsement for a candidate's television commercial. Her role was to introduce herself and her organization and explain why she supports the candidate. She was happy to ...
Views: 1162(2 votes) - What Should I Do With My Hands When Presenting? - by Submitted on May 18, 2010 from Gilda BonannoWhat should I do with my hands when I'm presenting?" is a common question that I hear when I'm teaching public speaking. Your hands form an important part of your non-verbal communication, or body language, and can help you convey confidence and communicate more effectively to your audience. ...
Views: 3605(1 vote) - Visualization & Successful Presentations - by Submitted on Sep 01, 2009 from Gilda BonannoWhen I train groups or coach individuals in presentation skills, I encourage them to drown out the negative voices in their heads with a positive mantra and visualize themselves successfully giving an effective presentation. The power of visualization has long been used by top athletes to ...
Views: 1082(3 votes) - 5 Tips for Creating a Crisp and Memorable Introduction - by Submitted on Dec 13, 2012 from Gilda BonannoIf you are the speaker at a meeting, conference or event, it's one of your responsibilities to provide a written introduction to the meeting organizer. The purpose of the introduction is to capture the audience’s attention and give them a quick overview of your background and experience. ...
Views: 4108(2 votes) - Public Speaking Lessons From Teaching College History - by Submitted on Dec 11, 2012 from Gilda BonannoOne of my first jobs after graduate school was as an instructor at a community college. My course load included teaching American History 102 (1865-present) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00-8:50 A.M. It was a required course for most of the 35 students and history was not their major. So ...
Views: 1327(2 votes) - Applying Lean Principles to Presentation Skills: Eliminate Waste - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2014 from Gilda BonannoLean manufacturing is a management philosophy which has its roots in the Toyota Production System and focuses on creating customer value while eliminating waste (in Japanese, "muda"). Building on the original 7 wastes that Lean identified, here are the 7 wastes that you should eliminate from ...
Views: 1517 - Five Tips for Keeping Your Voice Healthy - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2014 from Gilda BonannoYour voice is a key part of your presentation delivery. And having a tired, hoarse voice can negatively impact your presentation. I’ve conducted many training programs where I’ve had to present for five or six hours a day for five days in a row. And I’ve also sung in choirs and as a ...
Views: 1734 - Presentation Skills: What Should You Include in Your Slides? - by Submitted on Apr 17, 2014 from Gilda BonannoIf you’ve decided to use slides in your presentation because you believe they will help your presentation, it’s crucial to think about what to include in your slides. Resist the temptation to write your script out in the slides. Not only is that boring for the audience to see slides full of ...
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