Presentation Skills

Detect when people are bored

April 25, 2019
When you are speaking to people, the last thing you want to do is bore them. Keeping them engaged may require you to course-correct mid-talk, but how do you know if they’re bored so you can? Look for these signs.

3 rules of a perfect story

January 23, 2019
Great storytelling is the No. 1 way to connect with your audience, whether you are giving a speech to a roomful of people, presenting to your team or selling to customers. The best stories have three qualities.

Before a speech, calm your nerves fast

September 26, 2018
If you’re about to present—and you’re an anxious mess, try these unusual tips to help calm your nerves fast.

Help! I’m not funny!

September 13, 2018
Q. I give a lot of presentations and am always envious of people who can evoke a laugh in all the right spots. I myself just don’t have that skill. Can it be learned?

Dump that snazzy video equipment!

September 6, 2018
Many an office will splurge on a nice video camera, light kit and editing system with dreams of hitting their company intranet, website or YouTube with snazzy content. But struggling with complicated hardware is often overkill because of the way videos are produced or perceived these days.

Deliver stronger briefings

August 22, 2018
When people ask you to “brief” them on something, make sure you get to the point—without sacrificing completeness and clarity. Follow these rules.

5 tips to memorize a speech

July 25, 2018
If you aren’t comfortable winging your next speech or presentation, follow these tips to memorize it—and ensure it still seems natural.

Public speaking … just for laughs

June 14, 2018
Q. People can give me all the tips in the world about how to control my nerves before a speech, but they never seem to take. Want to take a crack at one?

Just a victim of hypercorrection

April 25, 2018
Yes, we know the rules, but somehow apply them incorrectly in the attempt to get it right. Huh? That’s called hypercorrection.

When speaking, take charge of your surroundings

November 10, 2017

As you mingle before delivering a speech, use that time to win over audience members. Help them form a positive first impression of you.