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I gave some basic guidelines last week about attire and public speaking. But how specifically do you dress for success with your audience? Here are some guidelines that apply to men and women both. I’ll come back with tips for each later this week: Wear dark or dark-ish... Read More →

As summer begins (finally) to wind to a close, we all get a break from the heat. But if like me, you live somewhere where the summer sun still beats down, you may be inclined to think that the last thing you want to wear is a business suit. These days, everyone seems to be... Read More →

Your conclusion should be as simple as your introduction. Summarize your three main points Make a reference to and/or utilize the attention-getting device you used in your introduction One effective way to provide closure — with solid impact — is to refer to the... Read More →

Final words on PowerPoint — the visual aid I wish we could live without. Check previous blogposts in this series for some help in how to have a less-awful PowerPoint experience. But even after you’ve gotten the right attitude about not using your slides in place of an... Read More →

If you have been tuned in you’ve got some tips on get the most from the text and the graphics on your PowerPoint slide, even though I’m no fan of PowerPoint. But now that you’ve got some slides that are hopefully not-awful, here are considerations about how to... Read More →

Okay, only two more posts to go about PowerPoint slides, which means only two more times for me to start out by saying you really should try to wean yourself off of PowerPoint. I think PowerPoint is just plain evil. But I also see how a lot of people consider it a necessary evil.... Read More →

Remember, I’m coming to you as the person who really, really wishes that speakers would dispense with PowerPoint slides altogether. I think this supposed tool has ruined a lot of good speeches. BUT, since I also understand that I’m in the minority with this viewpoint,... Read More →

Just to reiterate an earlier point, my humble opinion is that PowerPoint is from the devil. But I know that not everyone, or even a majority of people, are going to take my advice and ditch it. It is too ubiquitous to simply toss it on the ash heap. And, in all honesty, it can be... Read More →

Going in front of people to make a presentation means asking them to give up their time and attention. If you want to increase your chances of success, you’ll start by turning your attention to how you present yourself. And even if these seem like more casual times, trust... Read More →

When I teach coach clients and speak at seminars, one of my jobs is to help people re-frame their thinking about presentations.  Most people who aren’t trained in public speaking skills focus the bulk of their time on creating and honing the body of their presentation and they... Read More →