Gift Books for Presenters
With the holidays fast approaching, you may want to gift yourself a book on public speaking skills. I’ve read many books on public speaking, but only a few more than once. Consider adding to your library (physical or ebook) one of the 5 books on public speaking that I own and have read more than […]
Create Content Experts in 20 Minutes
Workshops are designed to give people practical takeaways, but all too often, there is just too much content to cover. Of course, the easiest solution is to reduce the content, but sometimes the content to be covered is prescribed, such as training employees on new methods and procedures or, covering all the officer duties for […]
Try Screencasting Free with Jing
Have you ever tried to explain to someone in an email or on the phone how to do something on the computer? You can take screenshots and that helps, but sometimes people need to see how you do things. Try screencasting free with Jing, an easy tool to create brief tutorial content or to give feedback. […]
Re-engage Your Audience with a “Snowy Owl Moment”
The audience was losing interest quickly. They were shifting in their seats. They were talking. Some were even crying. Of course, more than half the crowd was under the age of five. Yesterday was Member Monday at the Minnesota Zoo and I had brought my twin two-year old granddaughters to the bird show. One, Zoe, […]
It’s the Debriefing that Matters!
The first question was “How do you feel?” Smug. That’s how I felt when I watched two people bid on a $10 bill. The “winning” bid was $34. Human nature is so predictable! You may be thinking, What? $34 for a $10 bill. What’s wrong with that picture? The “$10 Auction” was an activity during a […]
The Call-Back: A Comedy Technique for Speeches
Would you like a simple speech technique that will create a closer connection with your audience, help them remember your material, and possibly get a laugh? Try using the “call-back.” The call-back is a stand-up comedy term that means to refer to an earlier joke that got a laugh. For example, at a recent Humor […]
Golden Opportunities for Speech Material
I was minding my own business, reviewing my speech notes at a high top table on the ground floor of the RiverCentre Convention Center last week. In a few minutes, I would be heading upstairs to the ballroom to deliver the closing keynote for an association conference. A scruffy-looking man reeking of alcohol approached me. […]
Tailoring a Keynote: Making the Material Connect
People in your audiences want to feel special, to feel that you understand them and their needs. You can create a presentation that connects with a particular audience by tailoring your existing content to connect with them. Would you like to “look behind the curtain” and see my process? It may give you some ideas […]
6 Ways to Use a Flip Chart in Training
Flip charts are a fun, engaging way to provide participant involvement that leads to understanding and retention. Last week I attended a two-day Bob Pike Group “Train-the-Trainer” Boot Camp seminar and learned several easy ways to incorporate the use of a flip chart in training. Six of my favorites were: Ground Rules Road Map Agenda […]
The Secret Memory Booster in Public Speaking
Would you like to know one technique that can help you better: learn your presentation? remember your presentation? facilitate your audience’s learning and recall of your material? Yes? The powerful technique is to use body movement and gestures. Perhaps you may recall learning gestures to a song as a child, or helping children learn something […]