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Four reasons to stop using PowerPoint
Speak Schmeak
DECEMBER 2, 2018
Many of my speaker colleagues reject the use of slides. They say slides are boring, prevent engagement, and distract the audience away from the speaker's message. And yep, they do.
2018
4 layouts that always look good-video training
PowerPoint Tips
NOVEMBER 27, 2018
In my bestselling e-book, Slide Design for Non-Designers, I cover 4 layouts that always look good. These are for slides that have a title and an image. The layouts make it easy to quickly create a professional-looking slide.
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Analysis of a speech by Oprah Winfrey
Manner of Speaking
JANUARY 8, 2018
The 2018 Golden Globe Awards were handed out last night (7 January 2018). There were several highlights and many winners, but the overwhelming consensus is that Oprah Winfrey stole the show. Winfrey, a talk show host, actress and philanthropist was … Continue reading → Analysis of a Speech Anaphora Epizeuxis Golden Globes Oprah Winfrey Polysyndeton public speaking Recy Taylor Rosa Parks speech analysis tricolon
Creative Video for Communicators
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JANUARY 14, 2018
This Saturday I attended the annual Presidents Day meeting of the National Speakers Association Northern California Chapter.
Stop Waiting till you Feel more Confident
Speaking about Presenting
JANUARY 23, 2018
Many times, back when I was working in the corporate world, I would sit in a meeting listening to a discussion knowing that I had a valuable perspective to offer. But as I thought about offering my opinion I would start to feel my heart beating hard inside my chest and feel myself growing hot.
Re-branding: Down the rabbit hole and a new era for this blog
Kate's Voice
SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
For the past 10 years, I have been writing Kate’s Voice and been honored with a growing, loyal following and recognition by groups such as Global Gurus, as well as many individuals who I respect and admire. I’ve enjoyed the ride.
Inside Higher Ed: Connecting With Your Class
Matt Eventoff
JULY 17, 2018
For many thousands of students, the new semester, and academic year, is about to begin. Many professors will be speaking to a rapt classroom with eager students who are consumed with their subject matter.
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Five Resolutions to Make You a Better Speaker in 2019
Presentation Guru
DECEMBER 21, 2018
As 2018 draws to a close, many people turn their minds to the year to come and what they hope to achieve. And with those thoughts come resolutions.
6 Reasons Why You Should Tell Stories in Presentations, Leadership Messages and Meetings
Speaking Freely
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Story Telling is a powerful way to open up presentations, leadership messages and meetings of all kinds. Telling the right story produces astonishing results for you as a speaker and leader. If you’re not sure what a story is, it’s just what happened. That means it involves human beings doing or experiencing something. In case you don’t […].
How to Really Craft Audience-Centric Presentations
Duarte Blog
JANUARY 4, 2018
There’s a saying, “people don’t care what you know until they know how much you care.”. That’s excellent life-advice, and it can also help you when you’re trying to write an audience-centric presentation. If you put the effort into considering your audience (a.k.a.
10 reasons to join the Presenting for Humans Success Circle
Speak Schmeak
MAY 8, 2018
Are you thinking about joining the Presenting for Humans Success Circle , but not sure if it's right for you? Perhaps I can help you decide with these points about the benefits of the program to you!
Create beautiful numbered lists in PowerPoint
PowerPoint Tips
FEBRUARY 26, 2018
SmartArt and the new Designer feature in Office 365 are great for simple lists, but numbered lists are another story. Designer has a few options, but you can easily create a couple of templates for beautiful numbered lists and use them over and over.
A fashion tip for women speakers
Manner of Speaking
NOVEMBER 27, 2018
When it comes to giving fashion advice, I am on thin ice. When it comes to giving fashion advice to women, I have fallen through the ice and am flailing about waiting to be rescued. But on one point, I … Continue reading → Logistics Christine Bleakley Christine Lagarde lavalier lectern Marissa Mayer Microphone presentations public speaking Sheryl Sandberg
A Conversation with Jeff Davenport on Speechwriting, Screenwriting and Delivery Coaching
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 30, 2018
On Thursday, August 30th the Silicon Valley Speechwriters Roundtable hosted Jeff Davenport in a free conference call.
The Introvert’s Ultimate Guide to Speaking Up in Meetings
Speaking about Presenting
APRIL 12, 2018
Speaking up in meetings is a useful thing to do both for your career and for your personal growth.
Vocal space: Can I please hear you “Wow” me?
Kate's Voice
APRIL 23, 2018
One of the most common vocal habits that we hear in business presentations is people dropping the volume of their last words to an almost inaudible level. I am quite sure the habit is a result of people being hunched over their computers all day, speaking into headsets rather than across a room. Headset mics […]. Vocal Image exercises perception vocal power
Demosthenes and Public Speaking, Part 2
Matt Eventoff
JULY 12, 2018
What lengths would you go to in order to become a master orator, or to take your public speaking to the next level? Stand barefoot on blacktop while reciting your speech to test your patience and create proper cadence? Practice on a tightrope to master balance and control over motion?
Biases in Making Choices
The Communication Blog
OCTOBER 3, 2018
This is a word copy of an article that was published in Etc: A Review of General Semantics 73, October 2018, pp. 314-320. T he purpose of the article was not to propose new theories but just to put some of these cognitive biases together and apply them to choice-making. And, as usual, the insights of General Semantics make a lot of confusing things a lot clearer. Making choices is not an easy task. It regularly creates stress and regret.
The Secret to Perfecting Your Style and Delivery as a Speaker
Presentation Guru
SEPTEMBER 25, 2018
What a seasoned public speaker brings to the stage is a collection of presentation skills. It is these skills that help the speaker connect with the audience, communicate a clear message, and make that message memorable.
Tip for Finding Stories to Make Talks and Presentations Engaging and Compelling
Speaking Freely
SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
Here’s a valuable tip for finding stories from your life that you can use to make talks and presentations more engaging and compelling. Both professional and personal stories can be used to illustrate ideas, make points and sell your services. If you read my last post on 6 Reasons to Tell Stories in Presentations, Leadership […].
How to Move Your Presentation Audience With This Powerful Story Technique
Duarte Blog
FEBRUARY 21, 2018
You can probably recall the last story you heard, but you likely don’t remember the last presentation you sat through.
I can do anything better than I can
Speak Schmeak
FEBRUARY 10, 2018
Maybe you've heard the song "Anything You Can Do" from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun." It's a classic duet with the characters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler attempting to prove their ability to outdo each other in a variety of tasks.
How to animate 3D objects in PowerPoint
PowerPoint Tips
MARCH 13, 2018
If you have Office 365 (the subscription version) and the Creative edition of Windows 10, you can insert 3D objects into PowerPoint. I explained this feature in an earlier blog post, “ How to Insert 3D in PowerPoint.”
Something Just Like This
Manner of Speaking
FEBRUARY 2, 2018
I recently had the privilege of moderating the 9th WAVE (Women’s Added Value in the Economy) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. It’s an annual event organized and run by the dynamic women of the Career Women’s Forum.
Announcing: A conversation with Felicity Barber on Women Speaking
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 5, 2018
I first met Felicity in 2014 shortly after she moved from England to San Francisco. She’s a speechwriter who has worked in both the UK and USA and has expertise in B2B, finance, insurance and technology.
Why striving to be authentic can be a trap
Speaking about Presenting
AUGUST 23, 2018
I suggested to Michaela that when she was delivering the most important parts of her presentation, she stand square to the audience. She pushed back on my suggestion, claiming that it wouldn’t be authentic. What she really meant is that it didn’t feel natural to her because she had never done it before. I agree with the concept of being authentic when you’re public speaking. The trap is that “authenticity” is often used as an excuse for staying in your Comfort Zone.
Sexual Harassment in the Meetings Industry
Jane Genova: Speechwriter - Ghostwriter
JANUARY 2, 2018
Photo Credit Mike Reddy/Rusty Elliott/SYLV1ROB1/Adobe Stock. The media firestorm over sexual harassment officially became something like an eternal flame last month when Time magazine published its “Person of the Year” issue.
Wall Street Journal/MarketWatch: Bernanke’s $250,000 Fee
Matt Eventoff
JULY 9, 2018
By Greg Robb. "Matt "Matt Eventoff, owner of Princeton Public Speaking, a firm that trains executives to give speak in public, said Bernanke will be highly desirable as a speaker for at least the next two years.
The Communication Blog - Untitled Article
The Communication Blog
OCTOBER 10, 2018
Here is a little article on political correctness that is sure to spark some lively conversation in interpersonal and intercultural communication classes. link] [link]. political correctness political incorrectness
Improvise to Improve Your People Skills
Presentation Guru
NOVEMBER 20, 2018
Most people don’t spend their lives giving presentations. Many people spend NONE of their lives giving presentations. Lots of leaders I’ve met would rather not have to give any.
How to Start a Presentation: 5 Strong Opening Slides and 9 Tricks To Test
SlideModel
DECEMBER 20, 2018
Knowing how to start a presentation is crucial: if you fail to capture the audience attention right of the bat, your entire presentation will flop. Few listeners will stick with you to the end and retain what you have told.
To Become A Powerful Public Speaker Master These Qualities
Duarte Blog
MARCH 6, 2018
Once you have a compelling story and breathtaking visual design, presentation preparation eventually comes down to one final thing: you. You stepping up, taking the stage, and communicating with your audience.
Is your life a constant audition?
Speak Schmeak
JUNE 21, 2018
“I was so happy with how Freaks and Geeks came out, that in my head I thought 'my career is basically over.' I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish, and everything else is gravy. And so nothing else matters. I can experiment. I can do anything.
4 ways to change a picture in PowerPoint without losing formatting
PowerPoint Tips
OCTOBER 16, 2018
The Change Picture feature in PowerPoint is very powerful because it lets you substitute another picture but keep the most of formatting. You might want to change the picture because: You made a mistake and inserted the wrong picture.
Five Public Speaking Resolutions for 2019
Manner of Speaking
DECEMBER 30, 2018
I am one of the co-founders of Presentation Guru, a digital magazine for public speaking professionals. This post is part of a series designed to share the great content on Presentation Guru with the Manner of Speaking community. ——— As 2018 draws to a close, many … Continue reading → Motivation Presentation Guru TED Presentation public speaking Resolutions storytelling
Books Reviewed: How to Stop Time, by Matt Haig and Forever, by Pete Hamill
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
APRIL 5, 2018
(Full disclosure: Matt is the nephew of my good friend James Haig. I heard Matt speak at a recent Marin County bookstore where I purchased his book. I’ve not read any of his other writing, but see from Twitter that he has a large and loyal fan base. It was Matt who told me that […].
How to handle feedback that makes you go “Ouch!”
Speaking about Presenting
MARCH 28, 2018
I’ve done it, and if you’ve ever got a stack of feedback forms after a presentation, you’ve probably done it. You go through all the feedback forms ignoring the “Great job” “Learnt a lot” comments and go straight for the form that declares: “That was a load of mumbo jumbo” And then you flagellate yourself. You obsess over it. You can not let go of it. It’s the human brain at work.
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