8 Lessons on Public Speaking from Judging a Speech Competition
What can you learn about public speaking skills from high school students? A lot, if you pay attention! Today, I had to pay attention as 7 high school students each stood before me and spoke for 5-7 minutes in the Prepared Speech category in a regional competition of the Business Professionals of America. I was […]
Speak with Confidence and Credibility Webinar (practice session)
In this 51-minute webinar practice video (I’m giving a webinar for the TCSHRM–Twin Cities Society for Human Resource Management in a couple of weeks), you will learn 6 Power Tips to Speaking with Confidence and Credibility (it’s not perfect, but I am modeling my belief in practice & dress rehearsal!): Structure with PREP Create Catchy […]
9 Confessions of a Virtual Presentation Coach
Things are not always what they seem, a light-hearted look at a few “true confessions” that I’ll admit as a virtual presentation coach . . . Fake outfits. Sometimes (actually, usually), I don’t dress up as much for video calls as I would in-person. You might think I do, because the part you see is […]
Practice Your Presentation Like a Pro
When it comes to public speaking, does practice make perfect? No. Practice makes permanent. Practicing reinforces behavior patterns—right or wrong. A few ill-advised, but common practice methods: ● Repetitively reading a presentation, trying to memorize exact wording. Attempting to memorize the exact wording of your speech not only is very time-consuming, but also can lead to […]
Create Business Stories that Click
Wow! That data was fascinating!” Nope. Those words were never said. Data alone is dull. Data in context can be interesting. Data wrapped in story can be fascinating. Imagine that you are giving a business presentation to prospective clients or to upper management. You want to provide information that will help them make a decision […]
Just say, “No!”
I grew up in a home where “yes” meant “yes” and “no” meant “no.” And, conflict was not necessarily a problem. Not talking about issues was a problem. And, then I married into my husband’s Korean-Norwegian family (Korean mom, Norwegian dad). And I quickly learned that “No” doesn’t always mean “No.” Shortly after we were […]
Free Kindle Book (until 8/16/2018): Speech Zero to Hero
Free Kindle Book Until August 16! Get your free Kindle Version of my Speech Zero to Hero Workbook by August 16. In about an hour from the time you open this book, you can be ready to give a presentation that will wow your audience. In this short workbook, you will learn a 7-step process […]
Checklists Reduce Speech Disasters
The meeting planner had a panicked look on her face as she frantically searched through her bag in the hall outside the main conference room I had just finished speaking in. There were 5 minutes left before the next speaker. “Is something wrong?” I asked. “The remote is dead.” The presentation remote had worked fine […]
Engage with Eye Contact (practice with a “fake” audience)
Video from my online course, No Fear Public Speaking PDF of 3 Faces for your “fake” audience (or just draw your own–you only really need eyes to look at). Learn to be a Confident Speaker! Take Diane’s Online Course, No Fear Public Speaking: Look, Sound and Feel Confident!
Smile to Engage Your Audience!
Video from my online course No Fear Public Speaking