Speaking tips  blog

Communication matters. What are you saying?

Disaster!

Disaster!

Last week here in North Carolina, we experienced an earthquake (my first), a hurricane (my umpteenth), and tornadoes (so far I’ve missed them altogether). The news media took the opportunity to fill a lot of time with the very apropos message about preparedness....

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Why I need a speaking coach

As we got up from the dinner table last Thursday night, an unusual conversation started a most humbling experience for me.  My son (age 10) told me, “Dad, you say that a lot.”    “Say what?” “Sitting around scratching my head, thinkin’ ’”   ...

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Would you do business with Ii ,, Lvll11s Vvyc ?

Would you do business with Ii ,, Lvll11s Vvyc ?

As I cleaned up the desk heading in to the new year, I ran across some business cards I’d collected at a networking event.  I usually scan them in using my handy scanner (side note: I highly recommend a sheet feed scanner – receipts, pictures, memorabilia,...

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Checking in

I’ve witnessed several workshops/keynotes/speaking gigs in the last few weeks that have had a bunch of “checking in” questions.  You know the type: Are you with me? You follow me? Right? Does that make sense? Is everybody doing OK? and the cricket inducing Any...

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Promises, Promises

Promises, Promises

On Black Friday, I stayed at home.  Instead of fighting crowds, I browsed the web a bit and made a purchase at a place we’ll call Paper Clips with a coupon I found online.  Pretty good deal on a pretty minor expense, but I figured to count myself as a happy...

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But you SOUND convincing!

But you SOUND convincing!

As my daughter (age eight) and I were driving to pick up my son from a sleepover this morning, she asked a very innocent question: “How many boys are there?”I answered, “Six,” even though I didn’t have the foggiest idea how many really were there but figured in my...

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Answering Questions Effectively, a Presidential Evaluation

Now that the elections are a week behind us and emotions have abated (maybe?) somewhat, I’d like you to look at what answering questions can do for your message.  I want to be necessarily anti-partisan in this discussion and evaluation.  From where I sit, this...

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What women want (and men, too!)

What women want (and men, too!)

I went to Office Max early one morning -- I had to get printouts (they do all my printing and do a fantastic job, by the way) for a speaking engagement I had later in the day.  The web site said they were open at 8am, and I arrived about 753am.  I drove by the front...

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I’d hate to see #2

I’d hate to see #2

I really wish I made this stuff up.My bank -- let's call them Walk-all-over-ya sent me a notice that the fee to access online banking via Quicken was going from free to $5.95/month. Since this is not a service I use, I ignored said notice. I do, however, check my bank...

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Have it your way

Have it your way

I went through the drive through at Regal Burger tonight.  I was the only one in line, took my time making my order, and was cheerful to the window 1 clerk and proceeded to window 2.  Got my milkshake handed to me in record time and was asked, "Would you...

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Clear as mud

Got a few more items for my "don't ever say this" list from a speaker the other day."Is it clear at all?"  (Corollary: "Do you understand?" and "Got it?")  Realistically, what should the audience say?  Half the audience immediately started bobbing their head...

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Another way to make time go slow

Following up yesterday's post about how to manage time in a speech/class/workshop, I was reminded of another tactic that has bad results.Multi-day classes are one of the greatest opportunities to manage time well.  The speaker gets a rest midway through and a chance...

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