Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
Poise Under Pressure
I love rock & roll. So when my husband, Michael, and I had the chance to see Joan Jett & the Blackhearts play at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston last month we jumped at the chance. At 59 years old, Joan Jett still knows how to rock the stage! Her look hasn’t changed…
Read MoreWhen Presentations Don’t Go As Planned
I recently gave a talk that didn’t go as well as planned. Humor fell flat. New elements didn’t engage the audience in (what I consider) a meaningful way. Nerves got the best of me. As I drove home this ticker tape ran through my mind: “That was awful” “What were you thinking?” “You’ll never speak…
Read More5 Ways to Feel Better About Your Next Presentation
Want to feel more confident about an upcoming presentation? Marie, VP of Operations at a boutique consulting firm, did when she emailed me for help. “I don’t have a lot of time to prepare!” she told me. Luckily her presentation was short – 15 minutes on a topic she knew well – the history of…
Read MoreVideo: Breathe. You’ve Arrived.
Do you ever feel nervous, distracted or unable to focus before a high stakes meeting, conversation or presentation? Taking a few slow deep breaths upon arrival can help calm nerves or get focused. Breathing is what today’s video newsletter is all about. Including a short guided breathing activity (starts around the 2 minute mark). Enjoy.…
Read MoreHow to Motivate People
Whether you own a business or work for a business, you are in the business of motivation. Things like getting buy-in for ideas, selling and promoting products and services, getting staff to follow a process. So, how do you keep people engaged and motivated in order to achieve your goals? *** Twice a week (during…
Read MoreVideo Interview: Long Live Verbal Communication
Knowing I run my own business, people (often other independent or solo professionals) often ask me two questions: How do you get people to your events? How do you find your clients? The simple answer: I go out and talk to people. When leads come through my website, the conversation rate is great if I…
Read More3 Ways to Speak More Naturally
There is nothing worse (in my opinion) than leading a meeting or giving a presentation acting like you think you should versus acting in a way that feels relaxed and natural. And yet so often when people are asked to lead meetings or give presentation they tense up. What does it take to look natural?…
Read More5 Ways to Nail Your Next Presentation
Winging it is not an effective communication strategy if you want to motivate, engage and connect with others. Keep reading for strategies to nail your next presentation – whether it’s a 30 second elevator speech or an hour long motivational presentation – and achieve the results you want. Gwen was the Executive Director of a…
Read MoreHow to Reduce “Ums”, “Ahs” and Filler Words
“How can I speak with fewer ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’?” It’s a question I hear in every communication program I teach. Maybe you can relate. I’m reminded of a recent experience. Earlier this month my husband and I traveled to Buffalo NY for a family wedding. While there we did a little touring, including a visit…
Read MoreAre Your Presentations Heartless?
Have you ever sat through a meeting or presentation and thought, “When is this going to end? It’s so boring I’d rather clean my bathroom.” It’s ok to say yes. You’re not alone. The good news is presentations (and meetings!) don’t have to be boring. Keep reading to find out how to bring more heart…
Read More