Category: Speakers and Speaking

Every Speech can be a Better Speech

As a professional speaker I give many talks – often the same talk to many different audiences. Once you have a really good talk or presentation it is easy to feel comfortable with it and to give it in a confident manner. But just as every speaker can be a better speaker, so every speech can be a better speech. If you have an excellent presentation or talk on a topic that you know well then... Read More--

Ten Top Tips for Cruise Ship Speakers

Cruises are booming in popularity.  In 2018 there were around 27 million cruise ship passengers worldwide. Most cruises have guest speakers on board.  I have been a such a speaker with different cruise lines.  It is not as easy as it might appear.  Here are some things I have learned.  1. The Audience.  The people who go on cruises are mostly prosperous, educated and retired.  They are not particularly... Read More--

How to Manage your Nerves before a Big Speech

Does the idea of giving an important speech or presentation make you nervous? You would not be alone. Most people feel anxious about standing on a stage in front of a large audience.  Here are some tips to help you prepare for and handle the big occasion.  Focus on the one central message you want to get across.  If you wanted the audience to remember just one sentence from your talk what would... Read More--

Ten Top Tips for Speakers

If you want to speak like a professional speaker then here are ten great tips: Before you start to compose your talk think about the single most important point you want to get across. Audiences cannot absorb a large number of messages.  So make sure that your key theme is not lost in a plethora of ancillary topics and stories.  Patricia Fripp gives this advice.  If you did not have 45 minutes... Read More--

Six Tips to Customize and Improvise your Presentation

Many speakers at conferences give a standard pre-packaged presentation. They prepare it in advance and give a competent performance but they miss the chance to really connect with the audience. Good speakers will research the event and audience in advance and will tailor their talks to include their most relevant stories, examples and messages. But there is still much more you can do to make your talk... Read More--

Seven Ways to Invigorate your Presentation

How many times have you been bored rigid by conference speakers?  How can you make sure that your presentations engage and interest your audience?  How can you really get your message across?  Here are some great ways to liven up your pitch and avoid boring your audience to tears: 1. Throw away PowerPoint. PowerPoint presentations are the norm but are they the best way to communicate your message? ... Read More--

Improve your Communications by Telling More Stories

We live in a world with information overload. We are flooded with data, facts, statistics and information in all forms. Definitive answers to specific questions are immediately available from search engines on the internet. But people want more than facts. They want understanding. They want meaning. They want context. They want stories. Children ask their parents to tell them stories because they like... Read More--

How to give a Brilliant Speech – tips on Delivery

If you have prepared your talk well and memorised the key points then you are ready to give a great performance. And it is a performance. Giving a talk should be much more than simply conveying information – it involves an element of theatre. Here are some tips: 1. Be Confident. You will be nervous and that is natural. The best antidote is to rehearse a clear and confident opening to your talk.... Read More--

The Eight Worst Mistakes made by Keynote Speakers

Have you ever been bored rigid by a conference speaker? How can you avoid that fate if you have to give a talk? Here are the worst sins that speakers commit. Be sure not to make these mistakes. 1. A Weak Start. The first impression that you make on the stage is very important. It should be positive and animated. Many speakers make a feeble start. They look down and mumble their first words or worse... Read More--