Most speakers know that certain words and styles of speech are powerful. They convey our message with strength and clarity.The opposite of this is powerless speech, a way of speaking that undermines and weakens our communication. Here are 4 areas …
As the host of a virtual networking event, you aim to ensure things run smoothly.You have two goals: *put attendees at ease. *manage the time. As the host, you should be online well before …
Do’s and Don’ts for Hosting a Successful Networking Event. Read more »
Professional speakers and top-level presenters have a trick to lower any excess energy; in the hours before their moment in the spotlight, they workout. This burns off any nervous, jittery energy, leaving them with “useful energy,” which is the excitement …
Burn off the Nervous Energy and Convert It Into Useful Energy. Read more »
Regardless of your skill level, never begin any presentation or speech with an apology. Don’t warn listeners that you’ve never done this before, or ask for their forgiveness if you stumble. Prepare a strong opening and then practice it. You …
Start Strong, No Excuses, and Ditch the Post-Mortem. Read more »
A trait of highly effective speakers is their use of hand gestures. Research shows that people who use their hands when speaking connect more closely with their listeners. They come across as more invested, energetic, and likable. For the speaker, …
Top 5 Tips for Using Hand Gestures in the Virtual World. Read more »
Almost every speaker has experienced it, that moment when your mind blanks, your brain freezes and all you hear is white noise. The most typical cause is anxiety, but distractions—very common when working from home—can throw off a speaker as …
Top Tips for Handling Brain Freeze During a Presentation. Read more »
Just as nails on a chalkboard can set your teeth on edge, so can habitual verbal tics annoy listeners. Even in casual conversation, when we speak, we want to hold our audience’s attention. If we keep using an annoying speech …
Two Annoying Speech Patterns That Weaken Our Message. Read more »
Many everyday speakers speak at a quick pace because they are comfortable with their listeners, for example: colleagues, casual business settings, friends in social groupings, etc. Although our new normal has moved most of our professional (and social) lives behind …
Repeated use of video calls often leads speakers to become more relaxed, which may make them appear less than professional. Just as we are finely tuned to decode body language when communicating in-person, we need to be cognizant of body …
Although video-everything has become the new method of communication, there has also been a considerable resurgence of the humble phone call. Whether you are making a sales pitch, connecting with a long-standing client, or doing an initial job interview, the …
Phone Calls Are Back! Top Tips to Make Your Sales Pitch or Job Interview Impactful. Read more »