45 Seconds to Shine: What the Emmys Can Teach Us About Public Speaking
Emmy night lessons: no one loves to hear about how you didn’t prepare, and no one wants to watch you fumble from that choice either. But over-preparing has its traps, too. Let’s dish on what went down.
It’s Good to Talk to Strangers
What if the key to becoming a confident public speaker is chatting with the grocery store checker you usually try desperately to ignore? Turning mundane errands into mini speaking practice sessions is a tool you can use any time you leave your house. Ready to transform your public speaking skills? Read on to discover the secret of turning snacks into small talk.
When Barbie met Aristotle: the storytelling structure that actually works
What do Barbie and Aristotle have in common? Turns out… a whole lot. Let’s break down how paying attention to storytelling structure can transform your communication strategy and captivate your audience in a whole new way.
How long does it take to prepare a speech?
Does great public speaking require extensive and lengthy preparation? Let’s debunk the myth that’s got you hamstrung.
What public speakers can learn from actors and performers
If you're someone who wants to grow your career, you need to speak up and speak out. But when your expertise isn't public speaking but... oh, I don't know... your actual job, then you might see this as a roadblock to success. You need some concrete tools!
Here are some of the skills actors use that any speaker can start to practice.
Preshow Checklist for Online Presentations
There are so many things that can make a huge difference in the success of an online interview, meeting, or presentation. While we can’t control everything, we can do a lot in advance to make sure our presentations go the way we want.
This checklist can help you go from overwhelmed to grounded, knowing you’re in control of as much as possible.
White Wigs and the Terror of Middle School
Was your first public speaking experience trying to memorize a text written by some dead white dudes? And did it go just as terribly as everyone else’s?
It’s totally not fair that this is how your public speaking journey started. But it may also totally be your reality. Let’s get into it.
Your Preshow Checklist
There’s an exhilaration to nailing a talk on stage. But there’s a lot that goes into that moment behind the scenes. Checking and double checking that you have everything dialed in is part of the gig. This checklist can help you go from overwhelmed to grounded, knowing you’re in control of as much as possible.
Hard, Sloggy, Off-Key Work. Does it Have to be This Way?
Sometimes it doesn’t have to be hard or take a long time to make significant change.
GOAL: More Practice, Less Perfect
Here’s what we can all learn about “perfection” from someone who’s put in the reps.
You DON’T need public speaking coaching if…
Do you know if you need expert public speaking coaching? You might not. This checklist will help you decide.
Beyond “Once Upon a Time”
You only have a few seconds (yes - seconds!) to grab people’s attention. If you don’t, you are going to lose your audience. And I’m sorry to tell you this, but you won’t get them back.