In 2001 I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech at the Toastmasters International Convention. In this 10-segment series, you will view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. This is 5 of 10. “The premise of your speech is not necessarily the title. The title of my speech was ‘Million Dollar Words: Speaking for […]
Read More...How to Involve Your Audience? Enjoy the Anatomy of a Speech Part Four
Back in 2001, at the Toastmasters International Convention, I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech. In this 10-segment series, you will view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. Segment 4 of 10. You will notice I have made comments on how I would give advice to the 2001 speaker, me! “You’re Toastmasters; you […]
Read More...Want to Connect to Your Audience? Enjoy the Anatomy of a Speech Part Two
How to Prepare and Present Powerful Talks 2001 Back in 2001, at the Toastmasters International Convention, I was invited to deliver the opening keynote speech. In this 10-segment series, you will view the anatomy of a keynote presentation. You will notice I have made comments about how I would give advice to the 2001 speaker, […]
Read More...Do You Enjoy the Luxury of Being Remembered and Repeated? Learn How to Make It Happen
Your Soundbite Statement, AKA Your Foundational Phrase Within many of your stories is a foundational phrase. This is a short sentence that gets your point across or summarizes your story. It adds clarity so that your audience grasps your message easily. These phrases are both memorable and easy for you and your audience to remember. […]
Read More...If Your Goal Is to Be Persuasive, Remember to Use the Irresistible
Nobody Can Resist a Good Story Well Told One of my favorite assignments is to work with sales teams and help them use stories to drive more sales. It amuses me to ask them, “Have you ever noticed that it seems as if our prospects are often trained to resist our sales presentations?” However, it […]
Read More...The #1 Way You Can Guarantee Your Stories Are Outstanding
The Success Formulas of Good Stories If you’ve heard a speech, sermon, or business presentation that you enjoyed and remembered, I guarantee that at least one aspect that made it memorable was stories. Everybody loves a good story, and that is their power. No matter what our culture, we grow up feeling that hearing a […]
Read More...The No #1 Way You Can Close Your Presentations – Part 3
Welcome to part three of a four-part series on the best formula for a presentation closing that resonates. End on a high point. Options for Closing Techniques: The last thirty seconds of your speech must send people out energized and fulfilled. This means you need to finish with something inspirational that supports your theme. 1 • “The […]
Read More...The No #1 Way You Can Close Your Presentations – Part 1
Welcome to part one of a four-part series on the best formula for a presentation closing that resonates. Every great singer opens with their second-best song and closes with their best. In a perfect world, your close will be a highlight of your speech. This way you increase the likelihood that you will look out […]
Read More...You Will Never Guess What Lady Di Said to Toyah at the Head Table
Technique: Open Your Speech in the Middle of a Conversation Most presenters who know what they are talking about aren’t bad once they get started. Very few of the professionals I have worked with, however, know how to open and close their presentations effectively. No matter what opening option you use, good presentations begin comfortably. […]
Read More...Your Speech Structure is the Skeleton Under the Flesh of Your Words
“Good structure gives you the confidence to be creative.” Patricia Fripp How often have you sat in an audience and been mesmerized by a speaker? Was it their compelling content? Were their stories scintillating? Were they able to reach out and grab you in such a way that you thought, “Wow, the speaker is talking […]
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