Speaking tips blog
Communication matters. What are you saying?
Front page news?
Our local newspaper ran a front page article today on the use of PowerPoint. Who knew that such skills were worthy of the #1 spot in the daily news? And with it's opening paragraph leading the way:Some of the world's most satisfying naps, deepest daydreams and most...
So THAT’s what you’re trying to say
Been carrying on an email dialog with someone for the past few weeks about a topic near and dear to my heart. He's offering advice -- I'm desparately looking for some. It's a matter of heart vs. fact vs. prudence vs. regret. I've stated facts. He's come with the...
Can you keep a secret?
Had one of those cute parenting moments today. Today was the wife's birthday. I took the kids with me this morning to pick up a birthday cake, dropping it by my sister-in-law's for delivery at our house later in the evening. My three-year-old daughter was along and...
What’s the difference?
Struck up a conversation with a fellow Toastmaster today on "What makes the difference?" We watch Toastmasters and speakers all the time. Some get better and some do not. Some offer lots of ways for their evaluator to help them, some barely even offer a hint of...
Introductions don’t work
It's a common tactic for presenters who want to appear more interactive, give their audiences a chance to warm up, and kill a bunch of time. The personal introductions. But they rarely work, and never work in large groups. A group of 50 tonite spent an hour (of a...
Repeat the question
Sat through a seminar tonite that had great content and a presenter whose delivery was confident and polished, but there were just a few issues that really could have been improved. One was the Q&A period (which fortunately did not end the program). Group size was...
Interactive Techniques
Since I'll be giving a seminar on Interactive Techniques for Presentations at the District 37 Toastmasters' Conference in a few weeks, interaction is on the brain. So I almost doubled over laughing while watching a webcast today in which the host (who managed to...
Taxing gain
Today is Uncle Sam's pay day in the U.S. The day when everyone is reminded that in order to get something good, we have to give a part of that good back for the common cause. Tax freedom day is not until April 26th, but I digress.I see some presenters apparently in...
Make it short
Found myself with a dying cell phone battery, a lost mobile charger, and three phone calls to make the other day. Began each conversation with something along the lines of "I've got thirty seconds of battery left, tell me ____". In another conversation, I was tied...
Near miss
Was out flying today and was prepped and ready to take off at an uncontrolled airport. Called on the appropriate frequency to alert others of my presence and intentions. Right as I was about to take the runway, I made a final look up and was surprised to see a plane...
Hold the applause
I am frequently in audiences that feel the need to appreciate, acknowledge, or just get some energy out by clapping. I personally think we're on an upswing in applause -- which I pretty much dislike--but I accept it for what it is.The problem is, most presenters...
Foreign tongue
David Ferrabee blogs today about the business world using English and the need to speak in the terms (language) of the customer. Makes a lot of sense. I'd extend it to more than just business. And more than just language. In fact, it's a direct hit to Rule #1.But...
