(Note: To see the video for this post, CLICK HERE) Compare these two experiences: Speaker #1 says: “I walked into the room. The silence was overwhelming. I felt the weight of a hundred eyes staring at me.” Speaker #2 says: “I walk into the room. The silence is overwhelming. I feel the weight of a hundred eyes staring at me.” Which one grabs your attention more? Chances are the second speaker does because presenting in the past tense feels like you’re giving a report and in the present tense pulls you in and makes you feel you are in the scene. The Ideal World Of Present Tense Present tense br ..read more

Ever notice how some presenters easily captivate an audience? Their words create vivid images and stir listener emotions. What’s their secret? It’s not just their content; it’s how they deliver it. If you want to captivate your next audience here’s a valuable tool that will transform two important elements of your storytelling: Embrace Dialogue Over Narration To give more power to your story, grab a couple of highlighters and your script. Review the parts that are narration – describing how a character feels, explaining reactions, or sharing facts. Ask yourself how you can demonstrate feeling ..read more

Imagine an athlete running onto the field without stretching, preparing, or mentally focusing on the activity they’re about to engage in. It wouldn’t make any sense, would it? Athletes who want to perform at a high level need to prepare for every event. The same holds true for presentations. If you want to be your best, it’s critical that you prepare your body, voice, and mind for the task ahead. Preparation isn’t just about knowing your material; it’s about getting into the right physical and mental state to effectively deliver it. When you prepare properly, you feel more confident and you’r ..read more

I was recently asked to record a video about the impact volunteering has had in my life. My first thought after I accepted was, “Great, I just volunteered for one more activity I don’t have time for.” Then I thought about the state of my business and the role volunteering had in it. Key Takeaways You can transform lives and help others overcome challenges and reach their potential. Volunteering makes you an example and leaves a lasting impact on your community. Giving your time and skills uplifts others and enriches your life in unexpected ways. Embracing volunteering rewards you with persona ..read more

(NOTE: I was recently interviewed on the GSD podcast. Thanks to Misha Bleymaier-Farrish for an engaging conversation. To hear our entire conversation, CLICK HERE) QUESTION: What needs to take place to become a proficient and successful speaker? ANSWER: There is a misconception, which was encouraged by the TV show American Idol, that you can enter a contest, practice for a few weeks and become great. A lot of people in the musical field have tried to do that, I’ve been a music fan my entire life and from researching the topic, I know that is not the way to develop long term success. There are ..read more

Storytelling is a hot topic these days. The ability to develop and deliver a compelling narrative can give you a competitive edge as a leader or in the marketplace. But, many people struggle to craft memorable stories because they don’t know the foundational elements of impactful narratives. Check out this brief clip from my recent interview on Mark Iorio’s Rainmaker’s Round Up show. CLICK HERE. We discuss the key elements of a meaningful business story. To watch our entire interview, CLICK HERE ..read more

Do you find it challenging to capture a business audience’s attention right from the start? Stories are a terrific way to begin a presentation. Professional speakers and TED talk presenters have the luxury of jumping straight into a story, but business audiences demand  more context up-front.. So, here’s a way you can hook your listeners so that they want to hear more: Start with one orienting sentence that grabs attention and hints at the story’s value without giving away the ending. Here are three examples: “The day I discovered the power of storytelling started out as an epic fail ..read more

These Three Presentation Pillars Enable You To Manage Your Fear Confidently stand in front of a group (or camera) and deliver a meaningful message and you boost your impact, influence, and reputation. But, many people fear this simple action. Not for the reason most people think. Either imagined embarrassment or remembering past experiences can increase this anxiety. If this fear keep you from presenting to others, you are not alone. It doesn’t have to control you. With the right strategies and techniques, you can become a confident and effective speaker, no matter the situation. One of the m ..read more

For years, I’ve suggested that presenters re-connect with key moments in their story so that the audience feels like they’re experiencing it with them. My intent has been to help speakers recreate emotions. A Better Perspective Recently (OK, this afternoon) I heard a different perspective that makes this suggestion more clear. It’s this insight from director, actor, and acting coach Jason Cannon: Storytelling isn’t about telling WHAT you experienced; it’s about recreating HOW you experienced it. This perfectly sums up the difference between delivering a presentation and creating an experience ..read more

If you want to improve as a presenter, feedback is essential. When you implement valuable insights into your presentations, make adjustments, and improve your material, your impact will skyrocket. Master this skill, and you will master the art of presentations and storytelling. Not All Feedback Is Created Equal Why? Because everyone has their own opinion about what a “valuable” evaluation is. That’s why it’s crucial to request specific feedback. By guiding people about what you want to hear, their insights will be more valuable to you. So, what type of feedback will most effectively supe ..read more