Browse Public Speaking

Like many presentation experts - one of the questions I am asked again and again is ‘I have a presentation next week - how should I prepare???’rnAs a speaker, trainer and coach - I have witnessed many delegates progress from a Public Speaking perspective -but what has really fascinated me are the people who make the greatest transformation in the least amount of time. It is the study of these individuals that gave way to the 3Ps to Presentation Perfection Passion rnIt may

Yes, your education is important; yes, your experience is important; and, most definitely, your attitude is important in landing a job in today’s questionable job market. Have you ever taken into consideration, what your presentation skills are saying about you however?

When I hear a raspy, gravelly, hoarse voice, I know what the problem is. It is called vocal abuse; and, I also know that it will not get any better on its own unless the speaker changes how he or she produces voiced sound. Those who suffer from chronic hoarseness, a persistent sore throat or even loss of voice are often fans rooting for their favorite teams. It is not just happening to those in the stands at professional sports games or those watching on television. It can also happen when we attend our children's football, baseball, soccer and/or hockey games

How many times have you spoken to a stranger on the phone and formed a mental picture of that individual only later to be surprised when you met that person face to face? How we speak and how we sound often conflict with our education, our cultural background, and even our intelligence. Your speech reveals many things about you and yet it often does not reflect who you truly are: your training, your experience or your abilities.

Eat… In the book/movie Elizabeth Gilbert begins her journey in Italy where she “has a relationship with her pizza”, which is quite funny and even helpful because she stopped beating herself up for what and how much she ate. This is a powerful demonstration of self-love…to a point. Italy was certainly Gilbert’s journey of self-indulgence without self-punishment.r

When you look into the sea of faces in your audience, have you noticed that there are some people who smile? Whatever the reason, every audience has smilers and they can be found throughout the room when you are speaking. It just happens. Whether you are presenting to 5 people or 500, there are always smilers and those are the ones that you should target during your talk.

It’s not Personal, it’s Just Business We’ve heard this many times in business, or at least I have. I’ve never been too sure how one can separate “personal” and “business” or if we even should. One reaso I am an entrepreneur and probably the ...

In India people are very much updated nowadays with the updated news. Lots of news channels are coming daily to deliver more updated news instantly. The breaking news of these channels can make the people updated with each and every happenings of the world. Hindi is the national language of India. That is most of the media deliver Hindi news. Most of the people can understand this particular language. Most of the TV channels provide news instantly to make all kinds of people

In order to explore the incredible effects of EFT on one’s sense of Self-Love we must explore what self-love is and how it’s formed.

Recently I was interviewed on a blog radio program and the host paused so long after every comment I made that I wondered how many listeners she really had. Yes, the internet station of which she is a member has an excellent listenership, but I seriously question whether this particular woman has any real following.

One of the most common complaints I hear from my clients is that they run out of air in public speaking. This may be a problem for you as well. Do you know why this is happening? Many who teach public speaking will tell you it is because you are nervous. Certainly nervousness exacerbates the problem but it is not the cause. The reasons you are breathless in public speaking are because: 1. you do not allow yourself to breathe; 2. you do not think to breathe; and, 3. you wait until you are totally spent before gasping for your next breath.

Most people are unaware that voice training is something they can do for their personal and professional development. No, it is not just actors and politicians who study with a voice coach. More and more people are discovering that they are not stuck with the voice they hear on their answering machines or voicemail.

The very fact that many people rank the fear of speaking in public as one of their greatest sources of anxiety could be hurting their professional and personal life. It’s far more common than you may ever imagine; perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself. Sweaty palms, feeling nervous, butterflies in your stomach and that feeling that you would rather do anything else in the world than give that presentation.

One of the most important skills you need in public speaking is the ability to believe in yourself; otherwise, why should your audience? Many people approach the lecte or the head of the boardroom table, thinking they are going to fail. If that is your approach, then your chances of success are greatly reduced. Believing in yourself requires only one prerequisite – knowing your material inside and out. This is often a problem, however, for the novice speaker. If your lack of preparation is due to your fear, then your prediction of failure will become a reality.

I think that our level of Self-love is one of, if not the most important aspect to our personal and spiritual growth. If we focus on that one area alone we will find that all other areas in our lives, from money to our relationships to our over all happiness and success will improve drastically. Not only that but when we nurture our relationship with Self we are simultaneously nurturing our relationship with God/Spirit.

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?”

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 the communicator you are, the more engagements you will get!

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 might be a 3-minute summary at your leads meeting or maybe you are introducing a speaker at your Rotary Club.

Yes, your lack of volume is the issue. I can’t tell you how many people get in touch with me because of this problem. And, it doesn’t just affect those who are soft-spoken. The amount of volume needed in a loud bar or club (or even a wedding) is at least 50% more that what I refer to as Volume 1 – your everyday level of speaking. If you are soft-spoken, however, that percentage is higher.

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 you would like to learn how to increase your volume correctly without shouting or being too loud, you will need to record yourself as well as someone else who speaks with a normal amount of volume. This person can be a friend or even a professional voice that you hear on the radio or TV.

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 you aren’t using them, you should begin to do so. You might liken a good story to the icing on the cake; however, if not delivered with life and with emotion, then your story will not grab your listeners.

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 there’s a little exercise for you at the end if that email applies to you also. “I’m going to assume you do know your job, and that’s not the problem, yes? Do you feel like him when

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 ...

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 ...

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 more power without pushing the sound from your throat. It is called projection. Powered by your chest cavity, projection stops vocal abuse. And, it comes in very handy if you do any of the following on a regular basis: - root for your favorite sports team;r

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 of topics for which you have particular leanings.

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 something else.

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 adrenaline to use, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish. Adrenaline comes into play in the body under duress and places you in the fight, flight, or freeze mode. Unfortunately, many people assume either the flight or freeze mode when addressing an audience.

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 ...

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 they still did not do well giving their speech or presentation. I then ask them how they practiced and they proceed to explain that they went over it in their mind on numerous occasions. Do you know the mistake in that scenario? They went over it in their mind.

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.

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 respiration. And, you may think this is normal or natural when indeed it is not.

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 or your heart; and, it most definitely will not be life-threatening. It will, however, result in discomfort and likely some pain.

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 many, many years (as I have been doing), then I would leave that decision entirely up to you. - Trying to establish yourself as a professional speaker is not easy; and, ‘winging it’ will make that road much more difficult to navigate.

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 the conversation happening in the room? Good public speakers understand that, while they may be the one doing all of the talking, the reaction of their audience to their words is the conversation. Public speaking is not acting – it is the art of effective communication with an audience.

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 doing. I can't say it was terrible. It just wasn't good. Hash browns cooked in slightly rancid oil. Greasy eggs. "Wheat" toast a shade of brown more indicative of caramel coloring than whole grains. Lukewarm coffee (and don't even get me started on the tea options).

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 abuse is a real and growing problem for people who use their voice heavily throughout the day or who are in loud environments and resort to shouting to be heard. The result is often damage to the vocal folds (cords) which may be permanent if it happens often enough.

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 words out loud. How can you possibly know how your presentation or speech will sound if you do not say your words OUT LOUD? How we write is not how we speak.

With today’s high unemployment, finding a job and then landing the position is a difficult process. While you may think you are perfect for the job, there are many other candidates who feel the same way about themselves. There is no question that your competition is fierce. Being able to answer the questions asked during the interview, having good communication skills, and displaying confidence in your demeanor and delivery are strengths you cannot ignore. And, some of the other candidates will possess those qualities as well.

So, you’re looking for a deeper, sexier speaking voice but you’ve got a nasal twang. Does this mean that you’re stuck with a high-pitched voice? No. Is it possible to have a better sound? You bet! Most people are not speaking at their optimum pitch or within their optimum range. The result is a voice that tends to be higher in pitch than it should be because the sound is being forced from the throat and voice box.

Management 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 floor" of the office, plant, lab, etc. and see what people are doing. The purpose is two-fold: both to learn what is going on and get a sense of morale, and also to demonstrate that you're interested and present.

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 tire your listeners; if you speak too slowly, you will put them to sleep.

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 their life. Communication is essential more than talents. Even if you are less talented, you can attract a huge gathering when you know how to handle them. All the speakers who have attracted you must have undergone some sort of training.

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, voicemail or some other form of recording, do you like what you hear? Indeed, if you are like most people, your answer is probably No.

Bad things happen. The passing of a parent, the death of a pet, rejection from someone important, the loss of something you truly enjoy, and the list is endless. There is no “pain free” way to live. We build attachments. Attachments come to an end. Yet, as Buddha said, “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Most painful events are followed by shock, anger, denial, and blame. These emotions are normal. What causes suffering is getting stuck in anger, denial or blame. Some people make careers out of anger and blame.

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, the person delivering a speech or presentation is frozen in one spot with an ashen complexion and a death grip on the lectern. If this scenario is typical of you, then rest assured your audience will do the moving for you!

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 not what the young broadcaster should have desired. Wanting to be himself should have been his goal.

A telesummit is primarily a list-building event, where a host interviews a collection of experts on a specific topic over a designated period of time, while a virtual audience tunes in for free. While most telesummits end up being a huge win-win-win for the listeners, the guest experts and the host, occasionally you’ll hear hosts complain that their telesummit didn’t deliver the leads or mojo that they’d hoped for.

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 ...

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 you. Unfortunately, this can lead you to believe that what you are saying is not important or of no consequence. Nothing could be further from the truth. - If others cannot hear you, then it matters little if what you are saying has value or not.