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Articles by Gilda Bonanno

Browse published articles attributed to Gilda Bonanno, with full-archive search.

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By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Gestures

Non-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 convey confidence and make it easier for the audience to understand your message. Here are ten mistakes to avoid when using gestures:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,947 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Don't Speak Too Little

One of the most common mistakes that speakers make is to go over their time limit. However, sometimes a speaker makes the opposite mistake, by not speaking long enough. A colleague recently sent me the following email describing her experience with a speaker who spoke too little. "Hi, Gilda. I went to hear an author speak at a local independent bookstore. It wasn’t a book signing—it was a presentation. The author spoke for less than 10 minutes—I’d say about 7 minutes. Since it was a Saturday night and my husband and I had driven 20 minutes one way to see her, we were shocked.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,561 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

8 Tips for Handling Radio Interviews Like a Pro

A 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 handle the interview like a pro: 1. Be clear about the parameters of the radio program – length, format (interview/call-in), demographics of audience, etc.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,864 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Six Tips for Handling Questions with Ease

Often once you're finished delivering a presentation, the audience will ask questions. This question-and-answer time is still part of your presentation and you can prepare for it in the same way that you prepared for the rest of the presentation. Handled appropriately, questions give you a chance to clarify information you presented or discuss things that you didn't get a chance to mention. Here are six tips to help you prepare for and answer questions with ease: 1) View questions as requests for information, not as adversarial challenges.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,478 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

You Can Get Better at Public Speaking

As a presentation skills coach and trainer, I have had the opportunity to observe presentations by many people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It is my firm belief - and experience has not contradicted me - that while some people are more naturally comfortable with public speaking, EVERYONE can become competent at it, IF they spend the time and work on the right things. Yes, this means YOU, too! We all know people who are very knowledgeable about a topic but can't communicate effectively.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,182 views4/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Think On Your Feet - And Watch Out For The Wasp!

Recently, I was scheduled to speak about "Thinking on Your Feet" to a group of 50 administrative professionals, in honor of Administrative Professionals Day. I was well-prepared; I had interviewed several people from the audience over the phone and I had my notes, timer and driving directions ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,180 views4/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs: 6 Ways to Make Your Pitch Presentation More Effective

One 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 investors will understand your proposal and address it on its merits, rather than being distracted by your poor presentation skills: 1. Think about it from the investors' point of viewr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,783 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

How to Introduce Yourself Quickly

Sometimes 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 and gives a 30-second introduction, including name and business.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,746 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Empowering Successful Women to Develop Self-Confidence

Two of my current presentation skills coaching clients struggle with self-confidence. They are both talented, smart, successful professional women. One has a Ph.D. in Engineering and over 20 years of experience in the electronics industry and the other is a CEO of a highly successful company. Yet, despite their success, they struggle with self-confidence. And I've noticed this self-confidence deficit in many of my clients, women and men, from all backgrounds.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,392 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

10 Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Here 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 Messager What is the one thing that you want the audience to remember from your presentation? Put it into one sentence and you have your message – the whole point. Say it clearly and repeat it so the audience remembers it. And make sure that every example, story and statistic relates to it. 2. Focus on Your Audiencer

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,712 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Incorporating a PowerPoint Presentation Smoothly Into Your Speech

Recently, 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 PowerPoint slides interfered with his ability to share information with the audience.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,710 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

When Presenting, Give Signs Like Nature

Here in the New England region of the United States, autumn has arrived and winter is not too far behind. How do I know? The leaves have turned from green to gold and red, there is frost on the grass in the morning and the days are getting shorter. Nature gives clues that signal the end of one ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

927 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking is Like Exercising

exercising 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 public speaking are worthwhile, but they'll have more lasting positive effects and be more fun if you enjoy the experience. Here are some suggestions about exercising that I've found can help you improve your public speaking: 1. Focus on Your Goals.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,570 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Take Your Presentations from Okay to Outstanding

Ever 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 confidence as you communicate your message. Rethink Your Contentr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,271 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Declutter Your Presentation

A cluttered home or office can overwhelm you and make it difficult for you to find anything. Likewise, a cluttered presentation can overwhelm your audience and make it difficult for them to find your message. Here's how to cut out the clutter in your presentation so your message is easy to ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

961 views3.7/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Cut Out Your Sloppy Language When Presenting

Language 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 grammarr You don't have to be a grammarian to follow basic grammar rules. I'm not talking about split infinitives or dangling participles, but basic grammar like verb tenses and pronoun usage. Avoid grammar mistakes such as, "we was going" or "him and me went." 2. "We" vs. "They"r

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,534 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

7 Steps to Successful Storytelling in Your Presentations

Relevant 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 the audience's point of view and make sure it relates to your message and the point of your presentation. An irrelevant story, no matter how funny or unusual, will only distract from your message.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,516 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking Fear? Drown Out That Negative Voice In Your Head!

If your stomach chu s 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 ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,218 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

9 Tips for How to Present While Seated

"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 sit down and teach, to demonstrate more of a peer relationship with the students. At 5' 2" and only a few years older than the students, I thought I looked enough like a "peer" and wanted more authority - teaching while standing up helped.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,473 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

5 Reasons Why Presenters Won't Use a Micrphone

Often, 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 presentation. Here are the 5 reasons I hear for not using a microphone - and how you can overcome them. 1. You Don't Think It's Necessaryr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,465 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking Tips From Chef Bobby Flay

I'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 be a good cook and effective and engaging on camera. In one episode, the contestants had a limited amount of time to cook an entrée and then two minutes on camera to demonstrate it in front of a panel of famous TV chefs.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,417 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

4 Presenter Mistakes to Avoid, Or Please Don't "Vomit" on Your Audience

At 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 language! Of course, I had to ask for the details of what made her feel "vomited" on by the presenter. Here are that presenter's top four mistakes, as described by the audience member - and what you can do to avoid them: Presenter Mistake #1: "The content was disorganized."r

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,411 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - What's Your Point?

How many times have you sat through a presentation, only to walk out wondering "what was the point of that?!" Whether it was a one-minute presentation or one hour, if the audience doesn't know what the point was, then the presentation was not successful. Here are some things you can do to ensure this doesn't happen to you: • Have a message. What is the one thing that you want your audience to walk away with from your presentation? That one thing is your message, also known as your theme, your purpose and your point.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

905 views4/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

One Easy Way to Present Better: Get Organized!

One 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 to each other or to the overall message. Then the audience is stuck with the messy task of figuring it out. As a presenter, your goal should be to make it easy for the audience to understand your content. Here are four ways for you to create a presentation that is clear and organized:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,320 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Take the 6-Second Presentation Challenge

During 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 participate because she is a big supporter. However, the challenge was that she only had 6 SECONDS to communicate her message!

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,273 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Practice, Practice, Practice

When I was in high school, I played clarinet in the school band. Every afte oon, I climbed up the hill from the bus stop carrying my clarinet case and every morning, I trudged back down the hill carrying my clarinet case, still unopened and untouched. n My performance on the clarinet failed ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,023 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Using a Microphone Like a Pro

If 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: ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,013 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Visualization & Successful Presentations

When 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 achieve high performance and it also applies to giving presentations.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,153 views2.7/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Meetings That Work

"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 Meetingn"We always meet every Thursday at 4" is not a sufficient reason to ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

868 views3.3/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking Lessons From Teaching College History

One 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 my challenge was how to communicate to the students while keeping them awake and interested.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,437 views2.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Think of Yourself as a Speaker

Often, 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 ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

874 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Five Tips for Keeping Your Voice Healthy

Your 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 soloist. So I understand how important it is to take care of my voice so I can rely on it being ready when I need it. Here are my five tips for keeping your voice healthy: 1. Hydrater

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,848 views

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Presentation Skills: What Should You Include in Your Slides?

If 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 complete sentences, but they can read faster to themselves than you can read out loud so they will finish reading the slide before you do.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,728 views

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Applying Lean Principles to Presentation Skills: Eliminate Waste

Lean 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 your presentations: 1. Overproductionr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,634 views

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