Tips on How to Give an Acceptance Speech Accepting an award is like walking a tightrope. You need to be gracious, grateful, and humble, yet not so humble or self-deprecating that the audience thinks you are trivializing the honor. In May of 2022, Dan Maddux, my best long-time client and Executive Director of the American […]
Read More...Powerful, Persuasive Presentations: 5 Techniques that Lead to the Results You Want.
Are you confident your important presentations always lead to the results you want? Do you have the peace of mind knowing everyone on your team communicates your message with clarity and consistency? Are you losing sales you feel you deserve to make? In case we have not had the pleasure of meeting, I am presentation […]
Read More...The Most Wonderful Advice from the Rabbi on How to Have Good Business
Marketing wisdom from an unexpected source. My brother Robert Fripp is the founding and ongoing member of the band King Crimson. Rolling Stone magazine named him the 42nd best guitarist in the world, living or dead. One of the thrills of my life is when I have the opportunity to share the stage with him when […]
Read More...Powerful Presenters Know the Importance of the Pause – Do You?
The Importance of the Pause in Public Speaking and Executive Presentations can not be over estimated. Continuing my comparison with Hollywood..
Alan Alda says, “It is the stuff between the lines that makes it a great performance.”
(I know I hate that word stuff. However, it is an actual quote.)
When you pause the audience has time to digest what you have just said. The faster you speak, the more you have to open up your talk with silence.
Consider where you have a comma, period, paragraph, and exclamation mark, an underline or … Use this as a guide for pauses.
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: The Extra Effort Will Not Get the Result You Want
Don’t Write Out Your Complete Speech I’m frequently asked, “What are the mistakes that speakers make?” One is thinking they have to write out their complete speech. What I recommend you do instead is follow a logical presentation preparation process. Think, what is the big idea of your speech, your premise, or your central theme?
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: I Have Had to Fight Executives About This
Always Have a Sure-Fire Opening I’m frequently asked what mistakes most speakers make. One is thinking that once they have prepared their presentation, they don’t need to script and internalize the opening. Very often I hear professional speakers and executives say, “Oh, when I get there, I’m going to see what’s going on and personalize […]
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: Know When You Are Completed Your Speech
Do You Really Know When You have Completed Your Speech? One mistake is thinking that once you have prepared your content and have your PowerPoint ready, you’re done.
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: You Waste Your Time If You Do This
I’m frequently asked, “What are the mistakes that speakers make?” One is thinking they have to write out their complete speech. What I recommend you do instead is follow a logical presentation preparation process. Think, what is the big idea of your speech, your premise, or your central theme? What are the talking points? What […]
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: This Is an Easy and Fun Strategy
Great Advice…Act As Your Own Warm-Up Act I’m frequently asked, “Patricia, what are some of the mistakes that many speakers make?” One is not to act as your own warm-up act. Whenever it is appropriate, walk around and speak to the audience before you’re introduced and on stage.
Read More...Mistakes Speakers Make: Being a Good Speaker Doesn’t Mean You Can Do This
I’m frequently asked, “What mistakes do most speakers make?” One mistake is thinking that because you are a seasoned speaker, you can wing it. I am not saying your presentation won’t be good, but how do you know if your timing is right if you aren’t prepared? How do you know if your points are […]
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