Last week, I found myself engaged in a tug-o-war with Kylie, a relatively new client, because I refused to accept her haphazard approach to speech development. Her method largely consisted of cobbling together a list of “hot topics” and spontaneously riffing on each one in random order. Although she oozed enthusiasm, the presentation in front… read more
7 Proven Ways to Make Sure Your Speaking Evidence Is in the Bag
A few days ago, I had the good fortune to have afternoon tea with Jon, a legendary speaker who was instrumental in helping me enter the field. Although I’m far from the afternoon tea type, his sage advice was worth suffering through every swallow. We crisscrossed every speaking topic under the sun, from content to… read more
3 Easy Ways To Shut Down A Heckler
If the number one fear of most speakers is drawing a blank in front of their audience, without question, being heckled is a close second. I’ve had the privilege of working with many speakers who know their subject inside out and even they worry ― “what if someone asks me a question that I don’t… read more
3 Reasons Why Adding Humor to Your Presentation Is No Joke
While sitting in a coffee shop last Thursday, I couldn’t help but overhear two college kids nonchalantly discussing how unprepared they were for an upcoming presentation. One casually said to the other, “let’s just make them laugh and it won’t matter what we say.” Hearing that statement made the hair stand up on the… read more
2 Reasons Why I Wish You Wood
Let me begin by assuring you that the title of this article is not meant to challenge or double-dog dare you in the way you might think. In fact, if you look closely at the last word in the title, you’ll see that I’m actually just wishing you a piece of timber. This writing is… read more
3 Reasons Why the Best Thing for Your Speech Is an Autopsy
If you’re anything like most people, when you hear the word, “autopsy”, your thoughts immediately turn morbid. If you don’t mind removing your grim reaper hat for just a moment, you might be surprised to learn that autopsy, in the broader sense, means an analysis of something after it has been completed. Of course,… read more
What Speakers Should Do When Things Go Really Wrong
One of the benefits of growing up in Norfolk, Virginia, next to the world’s largest naval base, was watching the Blue Angels practice for their annual air show. In case you don’t know, the Blue Angels is a kick-ass group of highly skilled Navy fighter pilots who travel across the country performing high-precision, death-defying maneuvers…. read more
What Is the Most Powerful Persuasion Tool for Speakers?
For the last five years, like clockwork, I’ve received a call from my longtime client, Rodney, who engages me once a year to help him prepare for his company’s annual holiday party. Rodney is super smart, strategic and a little goofy, which he freely admits. Traditionally, during his holiday speech, he would thank everyone… read more
A Handy Guide for Better Presentations Now
One of the many joys of my work as a speech coach is my great relationships with clients, one of whom is Steve. (I’m intentionally omitting Steve’s last name for reasons that will soon become obvious.) Steve is a busy CEO of a $15 million-dollar company with about 150 employees. One of the reasons Steve… read more
3 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Speech Coach
Do you know someone who is a charismatic and effortlessly charming conversationalist but, if you were to put that exact same person in front of an audience, they would immediately become a fumbling bundle of nerves? Or, how about my favorite, the brainy, office introvert who’s forced to give a presentation because she’s the only… read more
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