n Think about the conversations you’ve enjoyed most in your life, the ones you remember. They were almost certainly shaped by the mood and atmosphere that greeted you before a single word was spoken. You felt comfortable, welcomed and at ease. That same principle applies to presenting. At Mindful Presenter, We Lead by Example Our[…]
Browsing:
Advice category
Why Rehearsal Is the Secret Advantage of Every Great Presenter
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Apr 02, 2015
Most people think rehearsal is about memorising lines. It isn’t. Rehearsal is about preparing yourself to be fully present, calm, confident, and ready to adapt the moment you stand up to speak. It’s the quiet work that separates the presenters who merely get through their material from the ones who bring it to life.[…]
Most presenters start preparing by opening their laptops. They begin typing, tweaking, rearranging, and polishing. The presenters who consistently deliver powerful, memorable presentations start from a very different place. They start long before creating the first slide, long before the room fills, long before they stand up to speak. They begin by envisioning. Seeing Success[…]
Why the Best Presentations Are Built on Stories
Advice, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Mar 13, 2015
Turning a presentation into a meaningful story is one of the greatest challenges any presenter faces. Yet it’s also the most important. A story is how human beings make sense of the world. It’s how we learn, remember, and connect. Long before we had slides, charts, or meeting rooms, we had stories, and they remain[…]
Most presentations die before they even begin. Not because the content is weak or the speaker lacks confidence, but because the presenter starts in the wrong place. They open a laptop, summon a familiar template, and begin arranging boxes on a slide. It feels productive, even responsible. but it’s the fastest way to drain[…]
12 Essential Traits of Great Presenters
Advice, Presentating training, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Feb 26, 2015
Is great presenting a skill you aspire to develop? History has shown us that all great speakers share common elements that contribute to their success. Here are 12 key traits that effective presenters possess. 1. They Don’t Say Good Morning Can you imagine Martin Luther King starting his speech with, “Good morning, I have a[…]
12 Tactics for handling challenging public speaking situations
Advice, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Feb 13, 2015
Have you ever found yourself in a challenging public speaking situation? Many experienced presenters have faced tough audiences and learned valuable lessons along the way. You might consider your audience tough because: – They have more expertise on the topic. – There are dissenters in the room. – An uncomfortable emotional charge exists. – You[…]
What It Really Takes to Win Over a Tough Audience
Advice, Presentating training, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Feb 05, 2015
Have you ever had to manage a tough audience during a business presentation? You might have viewed them as challenging because: – They have more experience than you on the topic. – There are dissenters in the room. – A negative emotional charge hangs in the atmosphere. – You may face difficult or even hostile[…]
When it comes to public speaking, few can measure up to Barack Obama. Whether you agree with his politics or not, he is recognised as a masterful communicator. His ability to inspire and connect with audiences is unparalleled, and his recent State of the Union Address further exemplifies this skill. The Importance of Connection As[…]
Unlocking the Power of Storytelling in Presentations
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking, Storytelling Jan 11, 2015
Every great presentation revolves around storytelling. When you share a narrative, you create an emotional connection that captivates your audience’s attention and helps convey your message effectively. The Value of Storytelling Take, for example, the story of your own experiences or those of others, as it can significantly enhance your presentations. Here’s a[…]
We are already rapidly approaching the end of the first week of 2015 and I wonder just how many of those New Year resolutions have been broken already. Research by the University of Scranton, Journal of Clinical Psychology suggests that last year the top 10 resolutions made were: 1. Lose weight 2. Getting organised 3. Spend less,[…]
Mindful presenting involves the skill of directing your attention toward your audience and your objectives, free from distraction by intrusive thoughts or external events. It’s about harnessing the mind’s potential to achieve peak performance in your presentations. Every presentation is essentially a performance. This doesn’t imply it’s merely an act; rather, it means delivering[…]
7 Mistakes to Avoid for a Happy Audience
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Dec 14, 2014
If you want a happy audience, it’s vital to avoid key mistakes that many presenters make. Your audience wants your help and seeks comfort in your presence so they can relax in return. 1. Lack of Preparation “Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” Confucius It’s clear[…]
Discover Your Public Speaking Style: Types and Insights
Advice, Presentating training, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Dec 08, 2014
What type of public speaker or presenter are you really? Do you know? Understanding your public speaking style requires insight into your personality, thought processes, beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers. A skilled public speaker possesses a keen awareness of what makes others tick as well. The Challenge of Self-Discovery There are many different styles[…]
Speaking for Introverts: Insights from Susan Cain’s TED Talk
Advice, nervous, Presentating training Nov 26, 2014
Is it possible for a self-confessed introvert to have the courage to speak for 18 minutes on the prestigious TED stage? Susan Cain did just that, and her speech has been viewed over 14 million times. Walking onto the stage with a bag full of books, she reminded the world that introverts have extraordinary gifts[…]
As a producer, composer, music arranger, actor, singer, civil rights activist, and humanitarian, Harry Belafonte is no stranger to public speaking. Many would say he has always been outspoken, and his recent performance was in a class of its own. His speech served as a reminder that when you believe in your message and feel[…]
A tribute to my beautiful mum, Georgine DeCastro 19/03/35 – 19/10/14 ( read today 30/10/14 at her funeral) “I believe I was about 6 years old when mum and dad bought our very first dog into our home, it was only a puppy but I was terrified of it. If it even came into the[…]
There have been many adjectives used to describe Boris Johnson: eccentric, clever, politically astute, lovable, funny, quirky, self-promoting, arrogant, charming, flamboyant, and larger than life. Some believe he excels as the Mayor of London and should lead the Conservative Party, while others might prefer he take a different path entirely. This post focuses[…]
Understanding Nigel Farage’s Unique Speaking Style
Advice, Communication Skills, Public Speaking Sep 28, 2014
Whether you like them or agree with them or not, figures like David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband, and Nigel Farage know how to speak in public. Some might argue they do it better than others, each possessing an individual style that shines when the pressure is on. Last week, Nigel Farage spoke at the[…]
Mastering the Pause: Lessons from Barack Obama’s Speaking Style
Advice, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Sep 26, 2014
Barack Obama is arguably one of the best speakers in the world today, and in my opinion, he is the master of the pause. We witnessed this again during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, where he outlined the steps world leaders should take against violent extremists such as the Islamic State militants.[…]
Does Ed Miliband speak with the gravitas of Obama, the grace of Clinton, or the glow of Cameron? Not quite. However, he did make the right choice by speaking without notes at this week’s Labour Conference in Manchester. From a technical perspective, Miliband demonstrated several commendable speaking skills: Great eye contact Effective pauses Appropriate pacing[…]
Beyond the Elevator Speech: Engaging Networking Strategies
Advice, Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Sep 15, 2014
I enjoy networking, although I’m not a fan of the traditional elevator speech. “Good morning, my name is John, and I’m a partner at ABC; solicitors, accountants, marketing, training, etc. We are based in Richmond and have been in business for thirty years. Not only do we provide excellent customer service, but we also offer[…]
The Real Source of Public Speaking Anxiety
Advice, Anxiety, Presentating training, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Sep 14, 2014
Public speaking anxiety is by far the greatest issue we are asked to help professionals with every week at Mindful Presenter. I often hear professional speakers and coaches claim that the reason they believe that people suffer from public speaking anxiety is because they have low self-esteem. Whilst that may be true for some, I[…]
Alcohol and acceptance speeches just don’t mix. Not even for the charming actor who’s name incidentally I wouldn’t try saying after having had a few too many scoops myself. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that it doesn’t matter how likeable or famous you may be, being tipsy whilst giving any kind of[…]
Matt Cutts is the man behind search quality and search engine optimization in arguably the world’s most important internet company. Some may envy his position. Few however, would covet the enormous and variable challenges he faces. Cutts was the keynote speaker at PubCon, the premier social media and optimization conference in 2013, and it’s easy[…]
Stop networking and start connecting – Why and how
Advice, Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 13, 2014
At Mindful Presenter the underlying sentiment that fuels our business and drives everyone who works here is our core belief and ethos that ‘Connecting is everything’; it’s on our website, business cards, and etched in hearts and minds too. When we’re not helping businesses connect with their people we are helping speakers and presenters from[…]
This week the world is feeling the loss of a monumental actor and comic genius who won the hearts and minds of millions of people since the 1970’s. Robin Williams the Oscar winning actor brought laughter and joy to countless people from all ages and generations; yet it’s reported that he himself suffered from severe[…]
If you face a speech impediment, you know that public speaking can present unique challenges. However, it’s important to remember that many successful speakers have navigated similar experiences and found ways to connect with their audiences. Take, for example, Megan Washington, the ARIA award-winning Australian singer-songwriter. She has openly discussed her struggles with a[…]
Public speaking lessons from Michael Bay. People won’t throw knives at you, scratch your car, or storm out of the room during your presentation, and nobody has ever died from forgetting their words. The reality is that, whoever you are, most people want to see you succeed. No one wishes to witness your struggle or[…]
Dalton Sherman: A Shining Example of How to Own the Stage
Advice, Presentating training, Public Speaking Jul 29, 2014
Dalton Sherman is a prime example of owning the stage. His impressive presentation skills likely stem from effective training and practice. Watching him connect with and inspire an audience through charm, authenticity, and a compelling message is truly remarkable. In just 9 minutes, this young orator captures the hearts and minds of 20,000 adults.[…]
