Speeches and presentations

Here’s one of my public speaking pet peeves: Don’t tell us you’re going to speak for 5 minutes (and then go on to speak for 20). This happened at a huge event recently (and it got worse when the speaker kept asking if his 5 minutes was up yet). Yes, I know: The speaker was […]

Do you know how to get on and off the stage with grace when you’re one of several public speakers delivering remarks or making presentations? Here are three public speaking rules to ensure your next event flows seamlessly from one speaker to the next.   Rule 1: When you’re finished speaking, introduce the next speaker – and […]

Most people don’t realize how fast they’re speaking unless someone else brings it to their attention.  This is a problem because when people can’t keep up, they tune out.   Here are two reasons why you may be speaking too fast.   1 – You’re not thrilled with your content. If you lack confidence in […]

Will you be one of several public speakers sharing the stage at an upcoming business event? To avoid awkward moments at public speaking events and ensure your next program flows without flaws from one speaker to the next, take a moment to check in with the event planner before the big day. 1 – Look […]

The applause has ended, and your keynote presentation is over. How are you feeling? Did it go well? Could your keynote presentation have gone better? How do you know? Public speakers should always seek continuous improvement. Here are three simple things you need to do for yourself after you deliver your next keynote presentation. 1 […]

When you deliver a speech or presentation, everyone knows the first thing you say matters. But do you want to know the truth? The last thing you say matters even more.   Think about how you ended a recent speech.  Did you leave the audience feeling satisfied? Attracted to your Big Idea? Ready to act […]

When you’re preparing an important speech or keynote presentation, do you tend to default to one of these four opening lines? You begin with a long line of thank-you’s to people we may or may not know. You tell a joke you found online the night before. You share the process you used to prepare […]

Worried whether your speech has the power to connect with listeners from very different backgrounds and levels of experience? Jump-start your thinking with these seven steps based on a Cicero Speechwriting Award-winning keynote that resonated with 250 men and women from age 18 to 80.   When Barbara Hayde — former president of The Entrepreneurs […]

Your audience will thank you if you skirt the predictable – and instead give them something to think about or act upon after the evening is over. For many executives, receiving an award is a good-news, bad-news thing. First, the good news: “Congratulations! You’ve won an award for your outstanding achievements!” (And now the bad […]

Last week a fellow speechwriter called for some advice: Her potential client, a professional speaker, needed a new “generic” speech and was asking for a proposal. My fellow speechwriter was concerned because no specific audience had been defined, and how in the world could she write to a nameless, faceless bunch? First, I told her […]