Expert insights. Personalized for you.
When leading a virtual presentation, many speakers find it difficult to hold people’s attention. Keeping an audience engaged on a screen, when your listeners have many other things around them competing for their attention, is definitely a challenge. MORE
Did you know that you can collaborate with others on a PowerPoint file in real-time using PowerPoint on the Web? That’s the same thing as PowerPoint Online.) You can do the same in Microsoft Word and Excel, but I’ll focus on PowerPoint, of course. Moreover, because you do this with PowerPoint on the Web, your collaborators don’t even need to own PowerPoint. Because you invite others to participate, only people with the link can access the presentation. MORE
Micromanagement can turn your company into a toxic workplace that good employees abandon. Most leaders realize this, but few take proactive action towards addressing this issue. MORE
From the old knock-knock jokes we used to tell as kids to stories that make light of the workplace, everyone loves a good joke. Using humor is one of the best ways to get people engaged. And when you add a friendly, “jokey” tone you let listeners know your presentation won’t be one huge bore. But even if you’re a natural joke teller and known as the office comedian, it can be a challenge to make a joke come alive on Zoom. First, your audience is often muted, especially if there is a large group. MORE
Let’s be honest, not everyone is a designer or has a professional designer on staff. A lot of business owners and marketers are creating their own graphics from scratch. At Venngage we have a ton of designers on staff but I still create a lot of my visuals!… MORE
Every day, I see more of my friends and colleagues speaking out against injustice, finding their voices, and speaking their truth. Just yesterday I wrote about a conversation with a friend who was feeling hopeless. MORE
It occurs on a regular basis for almost every individual in the corporate world, and it is also the most fraught with peril. The scourge of the modern executive. The captor of thousands (or maybe millions) of hours each and every day. The dreaded… conference call! And now it is happening more frequently than ever before, and will continue to increase in frequency. MORE
I’m writing this during the Coronavirus pandemic and I just heard that webcams are on backorder. That’s because so many more people are presenting and attending meetings from home. So I thought I’d list my recommendations for equipment for speakers, including webcam, lighting, screening, mics, and much more. The links are on Amazon. Note: They are affiliate links.). You can see all of the items in one place here. Lighting. Ubeesize 10″ Selfie Ring Light. MORE
Why invest in public speaking training? The ability to speak well in public and share a message that is clear, compelling and that moves people to take action is a critical business skill. MORE
Whether you are tasked to lead a small in-house project or take over a large, multi-people company-wide program, understanding how to plan and execute your project is integral for success. MORE
Jeff Nussbaum and Kate Childs Graham, the 2020 Democratic convention speechwriters, have written a fascinating article in the Washington Post detailing how the ‘Zoom era’ has radically transformed political speechwriting. While this probably won’t cause Bob Lehrman to tear up the guidance in his excellent book The Political Speechwriter’s Companion, it shows how the future […]. Speechwriting DNC2020 political speechwriting Robert Lehrman MORE
I have some exciting news to share. I began writing this blog in May 2009. It was an experiment to see what blogging was like. However, given that the lifespan of the average blog is short – most blogs stop … Continue reading → The post Exciting news! appeared first on Manner of Speaking. MORE
Speaking English to an audience of non-native speakers is tricky. Because English is so widely spoken around the world, many native English speakers tend to forget just how complicated English can be for others. MORE
Ethics in Public Speaking I wrote this for the new edition of Essential Elements of Public Speaking, 7th edition (Hoboken, NJ: Pearson, 2021) but I thought it might be useful for any class in public speaking as a way of introducing the dimension of ethics and clarifying what is and what is not plagiarism. Because your speech will have an effect on your audience, you have an obligation to consider ethics—issues of right and wrong, or the moral implications of your message. MORE
When you’re giving a virtual presentation, your voice plays a crucial role in your success. In fact, I’d say that of all the presentation skills vital for influencing others on Zoom (and other online meeting platforms), your voice plays the most essential role. Think about it … in the online environment, you’re always going to be a flat 2D image to your audience. And no matter how you try to improve the quality and impact of your visual image, you will still be flat. MORE
This month at The Wealthy Speaker School, we are focusing on the topic of finding more buyers. This is an area that many speakers struggle with, regardless of how long they’ve been in business. MORE
This article was published in Etc: A Review of General Semantics, 75 (January and April 2018), pp. 76-83. Universals of Choice Joseph A. DeVito* Universals are qualities or characteristics of a process or concept that are present in all instances. For example, if we consider the universals of language, we’d find that all languages have nouns and pronouns, all languages have a deep and surface structure, and all languages have vowels and consonants (Greenberg, 1963). MORE
If you had to name one thing that would keep you employed, get you hired, or advance your career—what would it be? According to research by LinkedIn, the most sought after soft skills in 2020 are: Creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. MORE
Few have the resources to be Renaissance men today, experts say. Jonnelle Marte. "…Jay-Z, MORE
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. MORE
"It's always easier to just say no. It's always easier to say 'We can't do it.' Because when you say 'We will try to do it,' now you're changing things, and whenever you change, there's opposition. Every time. So it's always easier just to stay status quo. It's always easier not to risk, not to try to raise the bar. Because maybe you can't do it, maybe there will be problems. So it's easier just to say no, it's easier to say 'This is all we can do. It's impossible.' MORE
The audience is seated. The lights dim and the room quiets. All eyes are on the dais. All too often, this is what is heard to open the speech or presentation: “Hi, thank you for having me. It is an honor to be here with you today. MORE
Quote: “It’s my job to entertain, engage and inform at the highest level possible.” Mark Schulman Over the past several months we’ve been taking a close look at speakers who are making virtual presentations work to their advantage. MORE
This is a new section I wrote for the new edition of Essentials of Public Speaking. But I thought it might be of use to anyone planning a similar speech. Here, then, are a few guidelines and a sample speech with some notes. The Speech of Self-Introduction The speech of self introduction is one of the standard speeches normally required in a public speaking course. MORE
Leading effective meetings is hard enough; and suddenly, we all have to be just as effective without the benefits of meeting in person. MORE
I had an enlightening conversation with my acupuncturist yesterday about the uncertainty of life, that triggered a revelation I want to share with you as a lesson for public speaking. But first, let's go back to December 1, 1990. MORE
The final year of graduate school is an exciting time. At least for some. For others, dissertation panic begins to set in. After all, penning a 100+ page manuscript, defining your further academic career and integrity is a pretty big deal. MORE
It happens to even the best of us: You’re leading a virtual presentation and you see signs that things aren’t going well. People are visibly distracted. They’re looking at their cell phones; they’re muted and having a side conversation; some are even turning off their camera completely. MORE
Manner of Speaking has a new look. I began writing my blog on public speaking in May 2009. After almost 11 years and nearly 4 million visits, it was time to upgrade the website. Over the past two months, I have been working with Moonshot , a team of website developers based in Budapest, Hungary. They have been terrific in terms of technical skill and responsiveness to my feedback. MORE
Would you like to create your own logo, product image, or course symbol in PowerPoint in a few minutes — following some easy steps? If so, you’re in luck, just read on. I’m going to show you how to create this logo — and you can customize it in any way you want. MORE
These are unusual times. A challenge we all face as the minimize the spread of the coronavirus is how to stay healthy and sane in the growing regions of the world where we’ve been asked to stay indoors. An antidote to the ‘self-isolation blues’ is to lose yourself in a good TV series. Apologies to […]. Shallow End coivd-19 coronavirus k-drama Korean Romance MORE
Quote: “My favourite thing about associations is that they are all committed to making the world a better place.” Mary Byers Do you have all the clients you need, or do you have space on your calendar to keep adding to your list? MORE
Most adults fear public speaking and, let’s me honest, lots of us aren’t actually very good at it. If adults who have had years to hone the skills are not very good, what do you think the average school kid is like? MORE
After yet another request from a women's organization asking me to speak for free, I wrote this post on Facebook. I then posted it on Instagram and Twitter, and as an article on LinkedIn. My speaking colleagues are sharing it and getting lots of comments! MORE
It seems like a good time to share some techniques and exercises for managing anxiety with whomever happens to land on my blog. The Coronavirus outbreak has brought a focus on anxiety. It is a real issue for many of us as we are working from home and sitting with uncertainty about our future. MORE
This is a guest post by Steve Kosch, a former ABC and CNN anchor (that’s him on the left), and a globally recognized expert communication skills trainer. For 10 more awesome tips to help you “Nail It” in your next presentation, go to mediatrainingnetwork.com. If you’re looking to lead a cause or movement, spread your influence or do any kind of marketing online, you need to sharpen your communication skills and your presentation skills. MORE
Everywhere you look, digital signage screens are popping up. Banks, restaurants, waiting rooms, government facilities, and factory floors are all using this new technology to keep their employees and customers informed. MORE
Manner of Speaking
JANUARY 8, 2020
Speaking English to an audience of non-native speakers is tricky. Because English is so widely spoken around the world, many native English speakers tend to forget just how complicated English can be for others.
PowerPoint Tips
JANUARY 18, 2020
Would you like to create your own logo, product image, or course symbol in PowerPoint in a few minutes — following some easy steps? If so, you’re in luck, just read on. I’m going to show you how to create this logo — and you can customize it in any way you want.
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Matt Eventoff
MARCH 27, 2020
It occurs on a regular basis for almost every individual in the corporate world, and it is also the most fraught with peril. The scourge of the modern executive. The captor of thousands (or maybe millions) of hours each and every day. The dreaded… conference call! And now it is happening more frequently than ever before, and will continue to increase in frequency.
DeFinis Communications
JULY 8, 2020
It happens to even the best of us: You’re leading a virtual presentation and you see signs that things aren’t going well. People are visibly distracted. They’re looking at their cell phones; they’re muted and having a side conversation; some are even turning off their camera completely.
Speak Schmeak
AUGUST 28, 2020
Every day, I see more of my friends and colleagues speaking out against injustice, finding their voices, and speaking their truth. Just yesterday I wrote about a conversation with a friend who was feeling hopeless.
Speaker Launcher
FEBRUARY 18, 2020
This month at The Wealthy Speaker School, we are focusing on the topic of finding more buyers. This is an area that many speakers struggle with, regardless of how long they’ve been in business.
Presentation Guru
JANUARY 22, 2020
Let’s be honest, not everyone is a designer or has a professional designer on staff. A lot of business owners and marketers are creating their own graphics from scratch. At Venngage we have a ton of designers on staff but I still create a lot of my visuals!…
Speaking Pro Central brings together the best content for professional speakers from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
SlideModel
AUGUST 27, 2020
The final year of graduate school is an exciting time. At least for some. For others, dissertation panic begins to set in. After all, penning a 100+ page manuscript, defining your further academic career and integrity is a pretty big deal.
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
MARCH 24, 2020
These are unusual times. A challenge we all face as the minimize the spread of the coronavirus is how to stay healthy and sane in the growing regions of the world where we’ve been asked to stay indoors. An antidote to the ‘self-isolation blues’ is to lose yourself in a good TV series. Apologies to […]. Shallow End coivd-19 coronavirus k-drama Korean Romance
Speaking Freely
APRIL 2, 2020
It seems like a good time to share some techniques and exercises for managing anxiety with whomever happens to land on my blog. The Coronavirus outbreak has brought a focus on anxiety. It is a real issue for many of us as we are working from home and sitting with uncertainty about our future.
Manner of Speaking
APRIL 8, 2020
I have some exciting news to share. I began writing this blog in May 2009. It was an experiment to see what blogging was like. However, given that the lifespan of the average blog is short – most blogs stop … Continue reading → The post Exciting news! appeared first on Manner of Speaking.
PowerPoint Tips
APRIL 30, 2020
Did you know that you can collaborate with others on a PowerPoint file in real-time using PowerPoint on the Web? That’s the same thing as PowerPoint Online.) You can do the same in Microsoft Word and Excel, but I’ll focus on PowerPoint, of course. Moreover, because you do this with PowerPoint on the Web, your collaborators don’t even need to own PowerPoint. Because you invite others to participate, only people with the link can access the presentation.
Matt Eventoff
JULY 10, 2020
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.
DeFinis Communications
MAY 27, 2020
When leading a virtual presentation, many speakers find it difficult to hold people’s attention. Keeping an audience engaged on a screen, when your listeners have many other things around them competing for their attention, is definitely a challenge.
Speak Schmeak
AUGUST 25, 2020
I had an enlightening conversation with my acupuncturist yesterday about the uncertainty of life, that triggered a revelation I want to share with you as a lesson for public speaking. But first, let's go back to December 1, 1990.
Speaker Launcher
SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
Quote: “My favourite thing about associations is that they are all committed to making the world a better place.” Mary Byers Do you have all the clients you need, or do you have space on your calendar to keep adding to your list?
Presentation Guru
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
Most adults fear public speaking and, let’s me honest, lots of us aren’t actually very good at it. If adults who have had years to hone the skills are not very good, what do you think the average school kid is like?
The Communication Blog
AUGUST 21, 2020
Ethics in Public Speaking I wrote this for the new edition of Essential Elements of Public Speaking, 7th edition (Hoboken, NJ: Pearson, 2021) but I thought it might be useful for any class in public speaking as a way of introducing the dimension of ethics and clarifying what is and what is not plagiarism. Because your speech will have an effect on your audience, you have an obligation to consider ethics—issues of right and wrong, or the moral implications of your message.
SlideModel
APRIL 15, 2020
Micromanagement can turn your company into a toxic workplace that good employees abandon. Most leaders realize this, but few take proactive action towards addressing this issue.
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
JANUARY 11, 2020
Duarte Blog
APRIL 17, 2020
Leading effective meetings is hard enough; and suddenly, we all have to be just as effective without the benefits of meeting in person.
Manner of Speaking
JULY 8, 2020
Why invest in public speaking training? The ability to speak well in public and share a message that is clear, compelling and that moves people to take action is a critical business skill.
PowerPoint Tips
JULY 31, 2020
This is a guest post by Steve Kosch, a former ABC and CNN anchor (that’s him on the left), and a globally recognized expert communication skills trainer. For 10 more awesome tips to help you “Nail It” in your next presentation, go to mediatrainingnetwork.com. If you’re looking to lead a cause or movement, spread your influence or do any kind of marketing online, you need to sharpen your communication skills and your presentation skills.
Matt Eventoff
JULY 10, 2020
The audience is seated. The lights dim and the room quiets. All eyes are on the dais. All too often, this is what is heard to open the speech or presentation: “Hi, thank you for having me. It is an honor to be here with you today.
DeFinis Communications
AUGUST 12, 2020
When you’re giving a virtual presentation, your voice plays a crucial role in your success. In fact, I’d say that of all the presentation skills vital for influencing others on Zoom (and other online meeting platforms), your voice plays the most essential role. Think about it … in the online environment, you’re always going to be a flat 2D image to your audience. And no matter how you try to improve the quality and impact of your visual image, you will still be flat.
Speak Schmeak
APRIL 30, 2020
"It's always easier to just say no. It's always easier to say 'We can't do it.' Because when you say 'We will try to do it,' now you're changing things, and whenever you change, there's opposition. Every time. So it's always easier just to stay status quo. It's always easier not to risk, not to try to raise the bar. Because maybe you can't do it, maybe there will be problems. So it's easier just to say no, it's easier to say 'This is all we can do. It's impossible.'
Speaker Launcher
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
Quote: “It’s my job to entertain, engage and inform at the highest level possible.” Mark Schulman Over the past several months we’ve been taking a close look at speakers who are making virtual presentations work to their advantage.
Presentation Guru
JANUARY 29, 2020
Everywhere you look, digital signage screens are popping up. Banks, restaurants, waiting rooms, government facilities, and factory floors are all using this new technology to keep their employees and customers informed.
The Communication Blog
AUGUST 21, 2020
This article was published in Etc: A Review of General Semantics, 75 (January and April 2018), pp. 76-83. Universals of Choice Joseph A. DeVito* Universals are qualities or characteristics of a process or concept that are present in all instances. For example, if we consider the universals of language, we’d find that all languages have nouns and pronouns, all languages have a deep and surface structure, and all languages have vowels and consonants (Greenberg, 1963).
SlideModel
SEPTEMBER 3, 2020
Whether you are tasked to lead a small in-house project or take over a large, multi-people company-wide program, understanding how to plan and execute your project is integral for success.
Ian Griffin - Professionally Speaking
AUGUST 23, 2020
Jeff Nussbaum and Kate Childs Graham, the 2020 Democratic convention speechwriters, have written a fascinating article in the Washington Post detailing how the ‘Zoom era’ has radically transformed political speechwriting. While this probably won’t cause Bob Lehrman to tear up the guidance in his excellent book The Political Speechwriter’s Companion, it shows how the future […]. Speechwriting DNC2020 political speechwriting Robert Lehrman
Duarte Blog
FEBRUARY 5, 2020
If you had to name one thing that would keep you employed, get you hired, or advance your career—what would it be? According to research by LinkedIn, the most sought after soft skills in 2020 are: Creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
Manner of Speaking
APRIL 21, 2020
Manner of Speaking has a new look. I began writing my blog on public speaking in May 2009. After almost 11 years and nearly 4 million visits, it was time to upgrade the website. Over the past two months, I have been working with Moonshot , a team of website developers based in Budapest, Hungary. They have been terrific in terms of technical skill and responsiveness to my feedback.
PowerPoint Tips
JUNE 15, 2020
I’m writing this during the Coronavirus pandemic and I just heard that webcams are on backorder. That’s because so many more people are presenting and attending meetings from home. So I thought I’d list my recommendations for equipment for speakers, including webcam, lighting, screening, mics, and much more. The links are on Amazon. Note: They are affiliate links.). You can see all of the items in one place here. Lighting. Ubeesize 10″ Selfie Ring Light.
Matt Eventoff
JULY 9, 2020
Few have the resources to be Renaissance men today, experts say. Jonnelle Marte. "…Jay-Z,
DeFinis Communications
AUGUST 5, 2020
From the old knock-knock jokes we used to tell as kids to stories that make light of the workplace, everyone loves a good joke. Using humor is one of the best ways to get people engaged. And when you add a friendly, “jokey” tone you let listeners know your presentation won’t be one huge bore. But even if you’re a natural joke teller and known as the office comedian, it can be a challenge to make a joke come alive on Zoom. First, your audience is often muted, especially if there is a large group.
Speak Schmeak
FEBRUARY 23, 2020
After yet another request from a women's organization asking me to speak for free, I wrote this post on Facebook. I then posted it on Instagram and Twitter, and as an article on LinkedIn. My speaking colleagues are sharing it and getting lots of comments!
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