Developing Original Humor for Your Talk

Most humor in the real-world setting is unplanned. It just happens. Learn three key principles for finding and creating original humor.

Improv Comedy for Speakers

Learn how to use fundamental ideas from Improvisational Comedy to be a better, more engaging, more confident, and more dymanic speaker.

Presentation Introductions -- They Can Make or Break You

When you have been asked or hired to give a presentation, you will usually be introduced to the group before you present. Often, the person chosen to introduce you is not a seasoned speaker. The introduction, therefore, by this well-meaning person can turn the audience off before one word comes out of your mouth. How can you avoid this?

Pauses for Presentation Power -- The Sound of Silence

When we are presenting, and especially when we are new to speaking, we often speed ahead -- afraid of leaving blank spaces. Successful sales people know the power of silence. As presenters, if we learn to use silence and pauses to our advantage, we will not only reach our listeners more effectively, they will also understand and remember our messages more readily.

The 5 Tips of Great Speeches

Start Smart, Close fit A powerful opening could be as important as a strong closing. In fact, the 1st as well as the last 30 seconds decides most of the success of the speech; thus drawing all your audience attention.

How to Boost Staff Confidence and Performace with Public Speaking

How to use improved public speaking skills to improve staff performance, confidence and productivity

Handling Questions and Answers -- The Seven Secrets

Whether or not you will be faced with questions you are expected to answer depends upon the type of presentation you are giving, the time available, and your topic. To handle this possibly daunting feat, you should find my following suggestions helpful.

Murphy's Law: How Speakers Can Prepare for the Unexpected

Public speaking may still be the number one fear but it's not just speaking that scares people. Many speakers are afraid of what can go wrong-once they're already on the platform. Sooner or later you'll come face-to-face with Murphy. So your best offense is a good defense

Public Speaking: Glossary U - Z

Upstage: The area of the stage farthest from the audience. Also to steal the focus of the audience from the intended main performer. Venue: See Site. View-graph: Alternate name for overhead transparency. Wings: Extreme sides of the stage normally hidden...

Public Speaking: Glossary K - O

Keynote: The main speech at a meeting delivered to all attendees in a general session. Originally the main point of a speech. Lavaliere: A corded or cordless microphone worn around the neck or attached to a piece of clothing. See Hands free microphone. Lectern: A stand with a sloping top from which a speaker delivers his or her program. Sometimes incorrectly called a ...

Public Speaking: Storytelling DON'Ts

When setting up a story: Don't say the words funny, reminds me of, or story. These words are so overused they alert the audience that a story is coming. This causes audience members to resist your...

Public Speaking: Line of Sight

When you speak alot you run into some crazy room setups. It's your job to be there early to make sure all the little preparation details taken care of. One of these details is the visibility of you and your visuals from each chair in the audience.

Public Speaking: You Must Have a Good Sound System

If it is hard to hear, people won't listen. When speaking in public you must have an excellent sound system because some of the time you will be speaking while your audience is laughing. Stand-up comics need good sound too, but they are a little different because they tell a joke, then people laugh (they hope). They tell another joke, then people laugh. A good public speaker will be rolling right along making points, showing product features, telling stories, and dropping one-liners and must be heard all the while.

Public Speaking: 20 Questions to Ask BEFORE Hiring a Speaker

1. Is the speaker's topic right for my audience? 2. Does the speaker have verifiable references? 3. Does the speaker have audio and/or video demonstration materials? These materials should show you what the speaker is like in front of an audience. Caution: Don't get hung up on the...

Public Speaking: Learn Public Speaking Material Easily Using Bits (AKA Chunks or Series)

A bit is a section of public speaking material that is so related that it makes it easy for you to memorize. Each point flows naturally from one to the next so you can deliver the information without notes (if you know your material). Until I learned about bits, I never thought I could be that great at speaking because I'm not great at memorizing long talks. I discovered that no one memorizes long talks. They have a mental or written outline consisting of...