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Imagine your audience fully clothed
Speak Schmeak
MAY 21, 2008
Tags: Pet Peeves Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Public Speaking Anxiety
What's your theme for 2016?
Speak Schmeak
JANUARY 7, 2016
I'm letting go of clothes that I don't love (a little painful). And how do those goals tie into your desire to improve your public speaking? You wouldn't be here if you weren't interested in improving your speaking, right?) What better way to build your confidence than to learn how to master your speaking and connect with your audiences? This year, I'm offering my first live speaking retreat, here in Santa Barbara, California, from March 21-23. Happy New Year!
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9 ways to use props for maximum impact in your presentations
Speak Schmeak
MAY 16, 2014
When she lifts that bag into the air, you can imagine the few items of clothing, maybe a small doll or teddy bear, and the sadness of a child without a permanent home. I watched a speaker prepare for his presentation a few years ago by putting on layers and layers of clothing. Or you could actually wear the clothing and bring the shapes, textures and colors from another time right into the room where your audience can see it up close and personal.
The need to be impressive is killing your presentation
Speak Schmeak
OCTOBER 18, 2012
One cause of speaking anxiety is the feeling (and self-directed pressure) of having to impress the audience. Your clothes aren't right, your voice isn't right, your humor isn't funny enough. Pet Peeves Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Public Speaking Anxiety Taking Risks
I don't care about your dreams
Speak Schmeak
OCTOBER 9, 2012
I deserve to go to fashion week because my designs transform the way women shop and wear clothes. It's about making clothes that people actually buy. Until now, the competition has been conceptual: make clothes for skinny professional models based on contrived challenges each week that only vaguely touch on the needs of real women. Engaging the Audience TV inspired Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies
Are you motivated or committed?
Speak Schmeak
MAY 16, 2011
I frequently don't feel like exercising, but I get up out of my desk chair, put on those workout clothes and I go. Preparation Public Speaking Techniques and StrategiesI was reading the testimonial this weekend of a women who lost over 100 pounds and is now running marathons and getting certified to become a personal trainer. One of her secrets to success was expressed in this sentence: "I don't believe in motivation; I believe in commitment."
How do you evoke your experience for the audience?
Speak Schmeak
MARCH 1, 2011
She apologized for borrowing clothes from friends and family and forgetting to re-alter them before giving them back. Speakers Engaging the Audience Public Speaking Techniques and StrategiesPomona College play long before my costume design days I got goosebumps from one line in Julie Weiss' speech as she was honored with the Disaronno Career Achievement in Film and Television award at the Costume Designers Guild Awards.
Are you motivated or committed?
Speak Schmeak
MAY 16, 2011
I frequently don't feel like exercising, but I get up out of my desk chair, put on those workout clothes and I go. Preparation Public Speaking Techniques and StrategiesI was reading the testimonial this weekend of a women who lost over 100 pounds and is now running marathons and getting certified to become a personal trainer. One of her secrets to success was expressed in this sentence: "I don't believe in motivation; I believe in commitment."
Does your presentation taste as good as it looks?
Speak Schmeak
FEBRUARY 1, 2010
Thank you to fellow speaker and trainer Bert Decker for today's food and public speaking analogy. If all you focus on is the external, that is, your movement, gestures, voice, clothing and slides, your presentation will be nothing but an empty shell. Preparation Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies General Comments Authenticity AnalogiesDownload audio here.
Does your presentation taste as good as it looks?
Speak Schmeak
FEBRUARY 1, 2010
Thank you to fellow speaker and trainer Bert Decker for today's food and public speaking analogy. If all you focus on is the external, that is, your movement, gestures, voice, clothing and slides, your presentation will be nothing but an empty shell. Tags: Preparation Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies General Comments Authenticity Analogies
Even Gs know the rules of public speaking
Speak Schmeak
JULY 30, 2008
As T-Jones, a large man who had trouble finding clothes his size, takes the runway, D-Boy begins his introduction: "My model here did not have enough to choose from for his fashion attire." Kesan may have anger problems, and he may constantly be on the verge of punching someone's lights out, but he sure knows the rules of public speaking! Tags: Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Entertainers
Are you on fire?
Speak Schmeak
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
It was a great way to get us thinking about where we could improve (cleaning out the closet more frequently, making sure we're not hanging onto clothes we never wear or that don't fit, for example), without judgment or putting individuals on the spot. Tags: Quick Fixes Engaging the Audience Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Taking Risks At yesterday's referrals group meeting, everyone was on fire !
Are you on fire?
Speak Schmeak
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
It was a great way to get us thinking about where we could improve (cleaning out the closet more frequently, making sure we're not hanging onto clothes we never wear or that don't fit, for example), without judgment or putting individuals on the spot. Quick Fixes Engaging the Audience Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Taking RisksAt yesterday's referrals group meeting, everyone was on fire !
Thinking through the details
Speak Schmeak
AUGUST 13, 2009
And for the design of the jacket, I would sit with the people who made the clothes and tell them where I wanted a button or a buckle or a design. Preparation Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies EntertainersTV Guide: The glove, the white socks, the red leather jacket - who came up with those things? Michael Jackson: The glove was just - I thought one was cooler than two. I love to accent movement. The eye goes to where the white is - you know, the glove.
Thinking through the details
Speak Schmeak
AUGUST 13, 2009
And for the design of the jacket, I would sit with the people who made the clothes and tell them where I wanted a button or a buckle or a design. Tags: Preparation Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Entertainers TV Guide: The glove, the white socks, the red leather jacket - who came up with those things? Michael Jackson: The glove was just - I thought one was cooler than two. I love to accent movement. The eye goes to where the white is - you know, the glove.
Audience participation ideas
Speak Schmeak
OCTOBER 4, 2007
It's easy for people who are shy to sit back and wait for the more outgoing members to speak up. I've started meetings with icebreaker-type questions like, "What's the oldest item of clothing you're wearing?" Tags: Training Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Adult Learning Principles Resources Depending on the size of your group, and especially when you're conducting a workshop or longer training, you will want to encourage participation from your audience.
Preparation rituals, part 2
Speak Schmeak
MAY 8, 2008
Physical rituals include: * Stretching * Breathing * Relaxation exercises * Slow warm ups like walking * Fast warm ups like running or jumping jacks * Rehearsing * Napping * Eating or drinking certain foods and beverages * NOT eating or drinking certain foods and beverages * Wearing particular clothing, shoes, jewelry, hats, etc. Tags: Preparation Preparation Rituals Series Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Athletes
5 Ways to spiff up your act, BBC America-style
Speak Schmeak
NOVEMBER 27, 2009
This is what we, as speakers, should be doing before every speaking engagement: visiting the space and researching our audience. She gives the shop a makeover , removing outdated clothing and art, painting, refurnishing and giving the space a rebirth. Stories The Business of Coaching Preparation Engaging the Audience TV inspired Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies The Business of Speaking Analogies EntertainersDownload audio here.
5 Ways to spiff up your act, BBC America-style
Speak Schmeak
NOVEMBER 27, 2009
This is what we, as speakers, should be doing before every speaking engagement: visiting the space and researching our audience. She gives the shop a makeover , removing outdated clothing and art, painting, refurnishing and giving the space a rebirth. Tags: Stories The Business of Coaching Preparation Engaging the Audience TV inspired Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies The Business of Speaking Analogies Entertainers Download audio here.
Do you know what you're saying -- and why?
Speak Schmeak
MARCH 22, 2008
Using words accurately and appropriately is important to me, as you know if you've been reading Speak Schmeak for a while. Imagine speaking to an audience outside the U.S. It's all relative Last Christmas, I gave one of my husband's nieces a button that was a pictogram for "clothes horse." Tags: Pet Peeves Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Word Nerds Communication Does anyone know what a laundry list is? Me neither.
Falling in love with the real you
Speak Schmeak
AUGUST 23, 2008
Alice is portrayed both as a comical and a tragic character, where she is repeatedly snubbed and put down by other girls because of her outdated clothing and lack of social status. How much time and effort are you putting into cultivating a character who dresses, speaks and gestures a certain way? Tags: Public Speaking Techniques and Strategies Taking Risks
Public speaking vs. death
Speak Schmeak
APRIL 21, 2008
I think I'll get into my workout clothes, so I'll be ready to go when it's time. I've written before about most of these mistaken beliefs about public speaking, as they are major pet peeves of mine, but please make a special note of the first one in the article. Here's what she told me in an e-mail: "I have a standing offer to all my participants: Bring me a current, scientifically credible study showing that public speaking is the #1 fear and I'll give you $100.
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