FREE KINDLE BOOK until 11/16: 12 Ways to Be a Confident Speaker

If you’ve enjoyed my recent tips on becoming a more confident speaker, you will want to get your FREE Kindle book, 12 Ways to Be a Confident Speaker.  But, hurry! The book is only free through Saturday (and after that, it is available for only $2.99–It’s a short book!) And, I have a BIG favor to ask you! Will […]

Nuts to Notes?

Have you ever given a prepared speech without notes? I remember the first time I did–it was for a Toastmasters speech contest.  I was nervous that I’d blank out, or that I wouldn’t say exactly what I had so carefully crafted on paper. It was only a 5-7 minute speech, and I didn’t win the contest, […]

What to Do When You Blank Out During a Speech

Two-hundred pairs of eyeballs were on me.  I had just delivered a dramatic, beautifully wordsmithed phrase in my contest speech.  Then my mind went blank.  I looked at the audience with the “deer-in-the-headlights” stare for what seemed like an eternity as my mind frantically groped for the next phrase. Has that ever happened to you?  […]

Never Forget Another Speech: Speech Memorization Techniques

I think the biggest reason that people fear public speaking is that they are afraid of opening their mouths and “blanking out” or sounding stupid.  Some people even try to memorize their speeches. Right off, you should know that I’m not a big fan of speeches that are memorized word-for-word. I’ve tried it and found […]