Every Talk Is Either Practice or Positioning
Most people think of presentations as something to prepare for… deliver… and move on from. A meeting.A team update.A conference talk.A Toastmasters speech. You prepare. You deliver. You check it off. And then it’s over. But there’s a different way to think about your speaking. Every talk is either practice… or positioning. What Practice Thinking […]
Most Speakers Focus on Their Topic. That’s the Problem.
When people prepare a presentation, they usually start with their topic. Leadership.Communication.AI.Strategy. And that makes sense. You need something to talk about. But focusing on your topic is also where many presentations start to lose impact. Because your audience isn’t there for your topic. They’re there for what the topic means for them. The Difference […]
Why Some Speakers Move Up & Others Stay Stuck
A few years ago, I was working with a client—very smart, very experienced, great at what he did. He had been in Toastmasters, had given a lot of presentations, and by most standards… he was a good speaker. He was asked to present at a leadership meeting. High visibility. Important audience. He prepared carefully. His […]
3 Visual Tools that Boost Clarity in Presentation Slides
Excerpt from The Clarity Code: 3 Visual Tools That Instantly Boost Clarity (Book coming Fall 2025) Visual aids can do more than decorate your message; they can deliver it. But only when used with intention. In Chapter 10 of my upcoming book The Clarity Code: How to Communicate Complex Ideas with Simplicity and Power, I […]
5 Quick Tips for Using Humor in Presentations
We’ve all sat through speeches that felt like an eternity… but what about the ones that kept us engaged, entertained, and actually laughing? Humor isn’t just for comedians—it’s a powerful tool for connection, persuasion, and making your message memorable. Below are 5 quick tips you can incorporate into an upcoming presentation. 1️⃣ Find the Funny […]
Unlock the Power of Persuasion: 7 Proven Strategies to Gain Clients and Members
Persuasion is a cornerstone of human interaction. Whether you’re seeking to grow your client base or attract new members to your organization, the ability to persuade can transform your results. But how can you harness the power of persuasion effectively and ethically? The answer lies in the principles of influence, masterfully outlined by Dr. Robert […]
How to Create a Killer Keynote
If you’ve ever wanted to captivate a room with your words, impel your audience to action, and maybe even get paid to speak, you need a speech that engages. You need to create a Killer Keynote. In the video below, excerpted from a longer workshop, you will learn the steps to create YOUR Killer Keynote. […]
Shape of a Story
When you tell a story, you want to engage your audience from start to finish. You can plan an engaging story, if you follow the typical story plot or shape. The basic elements of a story are: A. Context (Time, place, characters, goals)B. Challenge (inciting incident/obstacle)C. Rising Action (more obstacles or events leading to . […]
My Favorite Public Speaking Tip
There is one public speaking tip that has improved my public speaking more than any other, and I talked about it on a recent podcast (only 54 seconds long!) This tip is the first of 100 tips from my book, 100 Tips & Tricks to Appear Confident in Presentations.
Mini-Workshop: Make a Great First Impression Online
Make a great 1st impression online! Learn how in this Mini-Workshop (29 minutes). -Look Professional Online -Wield Tools of Engagement (online or in-person) -Tame the Technology Monster This presentation was in front of a live, virtual audience for PowerTalk Power Club (some of the audience interaction was edited out). RESOURCE PAGE MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO […]