Have you ever seen a public speaker stride up to the podium and start talking before they’ve even looked at the audience? (Or worse, start talking on their way to the stage?) This is the equivalent of announcing that you just want to get your speech over with. And — funny thing — your audience Read More
Best of Speak Up for Success
Giving a TED-Style Talk? Here’s How They’re Different from Business Presentations
In the past few years, TED, TEDx, and TED-style talks have become so pervasive and so popular that, even in business settings, speakers are often asked to give “a TED talk.” (And BTW, TEDx refers to independently organized events held for local communities, or communities of interest.) If you have a TED, TEDx, or TED-style talk coming Read More
Public Speaking Tip 39: Don’t Let Career Building Screw Up Your Public Speaking Style
I recently received some workshop feedback that surprised me. The organizer wrote, Many participants said at the end of the session that they have always believed there was a primary way to do public speaking and they simply needed to emulate that model. You gave them permission to find their own unique public speaking style. [emphasis added] Maybe Read More
Public Speaking Tip 37: At Every Stage of Public Speaking, Put Your Focus On The Right Thing
Have you ever listened to a speaker who was: So focused on her notes that she rarely looked up at the audience? or So “high energy” that he seemed to be putting on a show for himself? These are both examples of putting your focus in the wrong place — and, if you’ve sat through Read More
Stop Being A Perfectionist and Your Own Worst Critic—Instead, Take The Stage and Be Yourself!
When it comes to public speaking, many of us are our own worst critics. Audiences generally accept and appreciate our best efforts, but we impose perfectionist thoughts and standards that make us feel like it’s not OK to just be ourselves when we speak. These posts, from 100 Top Public Speaking Tips, will help you battle perfectionist tendencies, Read More