A common misconception is that slides are the core of a presentation. In fact, lots of people describe giving a talk as “delivering their slides,” as if the slides are what matter, and they’re just onstage to click through them. This is totally backwards! Wonderful though slides can be (and yes, they can be wonderful), Read More
public speaking
How to Interrupt Someone (Without Alienating Them)
I Believe in Listening… In fact, I’ve taught workshops and seminars on the subject; Listening skills are key to my coaching; and My shelves are filled with books on how to listen better. … But I’m Also a Confirmed Interrupter The truth is that: I get impatient when people talk slowly, in circles, or in Read More
Memorizing Your Talk? These Tips Will Help
I’m not a big fan of memorizing. (My Public Speaking Tip 88: Three Questions to Ask BEFORE You Memorize Your Speech, is actually a subtle attempt to discourage you from doing it.) Rather, I recommend “internalizing,” which means practicing a talk so that it sinks in and you’re not dependent on your notes. Still, memorizing Read More
Tips for Networking Like a Pro (Even if You Wish You Were Home in Your Pajamas!)
What’s the Best Way to Network? Your Way! In Public Speaking Tip 66: Choose a Networking Strategy that Works for YOU, Whether You’re an Introvert or an Extravert, you’ll learn about the wide range of attitudes and expectations that people bring to networking. Whether you’re the kind of networker who likes to meet everyone in Read More
How to Prepare for a Last-Minute Presentation (Part 3)
When prep time is short, the last thing you want to be struggling with is content. So here’s a worry-free strategy for quickly deciding what you’re going to say. In Part 1 of this series, you took a few minutes to understand who you’re presenting to and how you want to show up. Then, in Read More