As an executive speech coach, I remind clients that specificity builds credibility. Eliminate words that have no meaning. It’s a bad habit to start sentences with a meaningless “And…” or “But…” This is true both in writing and speaking.

When I spoke at the Ragan Speech Writers conference, I met experts like Rob Reinalda, Executive Editor at Lawrence Ragan Communications. I share Bob’s excellent recommendations, first published in Ragan Communications, to improve your public speaking and business communications. Let Bob’s advice help you to choose your words carefully to build credibility, sound intelligent, and make your message understood. (more…)

“The Rule of Three” is a writing principle suggesting that a trio of events or characters is more humorous, satisfying, or effective than other numbers. Audiences are more likely to remember information conveyed using “The Rule of Three.” This is because the three elements provide brevity and rhythm with the smallest amount of information needed to create a pattern. It makes an author or speaker appear knowledgeable while remaining both accessible and catchy.

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Whether you’re delivering a sales presentation, a keynote speech, or a report to the board, choose your words carefully to build credibility, sound intelligent, and make your message understood. When you choose and use precise language you will sound intelligent. You will have the power to make your message stick and be quoted from the boardroom to the convention hall.

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Do you immediately engage your audience? Powerful openings are key to successful presentations. Learn how to craft and deliver your openings so you always engage your audience within the first 30 seconds of your talk.

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