Where do you get your presentation advice? Even intelligent and highly accomplished individuals like Sir Richard Branson can benefit from an honest evaluation and coaching.

Speech coach and author Gary Genard is a great blogger. In a recent post, Gary discusses Sir Richard Branson’s advice on public speaking. Branson, the entrepreneur, adventurer, humanitarian, and founder of the Virgin Group, explained his approach to presentations in an article called, “My Top Tips for Public Speaking,” on the Virgin website.

Branson declared, “90 percent of the time, it is better to ad-lib rather than read from contrived speech notes. Even if you forget certain points you wanted to make, the people who are listening always desperately want to hear your passion, not just your theory.”

Gary counters, “…passion matters. But not at the expense of well-planned and formulated remarks. Actually, this sentiment is a weakness sometimes found among super-successful people. Whether it stems from anxiety … or arrogance, (more…)

Lisa Poole knows how to capture an audience’s attention.

Lisa Poole VP, Application Configuration and Operations Consultant at SunTrust Bank is one of the speakers at the American Payroll Association. Each year there are hundreds of breakout sessions; most are highly technical. Engaging an audience and immediately and proving to them that, “This will not be dull” can be a challenge.

This is how Lisa Poole from SunTrust did it. Lisa knows how to capture an audience’s attention and gave me permission to share this with you. See how you can adapt this concept to your industry.

“For the past 13 years I have enjoyed and benefited from being in your pre-Congress speaker training Patricia. The American Payroll Association’s commitment to constantly improving the presentation skills of their speakers is commendable. The techniques you have provided have helped me create the introduction below for this year’s Congress session on Adding Value to Your Organization through Job Costing: (more…)

Perhaps you can relate to this situation: “Hi, Fripp! Next week I’m invited to deliver a speech to a 500-person audience, and it’s been six months since I’ve spoken in public. What are your suggestions to help me be less nervous?”

No matter how seasoned you are, it’s still natural to feel some apprehension at times. I share some strategies for overcoming nervousness below. To get over feeling nervous, start by building from your strength. Enjoy this replay from my recent webinar to help you structure your speech then enjoy my article explaining how to build your confidence and prepare for your presentation:

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Is that great speaker really you? It can be. Patricia Fripp shows executives how to deliver powerful leadership presentations through FrippVT.

If you have one of your past presentations recorded, watch it. Take notes on what you do well and what you believe you could do better.

When you’re watching your recorded presentation, it’s a good idea to pretend you’re watching somebody else. This allows you to be more objective.  What did this speaker do right? What could be improved?

As a speech coach, one element I look for when I watch a recorded executive speech or a live presentation is the moment the speaker warms up or becomes relaxed. Speaking in public, especially to 1,500 people, is not a natural act. We need to learn the techniques that make it appear natural. (more…)