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.[…]
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Presentation Skills category
Why Rehearsal Is the Secret Advantage of Every Great Presenter
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking Apr 02, 2015
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[…]
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, presenting can be a daunting task. If you’ve ever found yourself standing before an audience, you know that making a strong first impression is crucial. The Importance of First Impressions Research from Princeton and the University of Glasgow suggests that we form judgments about strangers in just half a[…]
Effective Presentation Planning: Key Strategies for Success
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Mar 01, 2015
Is presenting at work a source of anxiety for you? In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, many business meetings can be complex and demanding. When asked to speak, the first instinct for many is to fire up their laptops, only to fill slides with every piece of information they know on the subject. We call that[…]
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[…]
10 Essential Tips for Successful Work Presentations
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Feb 20, 2015
If presenting at work causes you anxiety, know that you are not alone. For some, the anticipation of a presentation is akin to the nervousness felt before calling a service provider about a technical issue. The mere thought can be daunting. However, understanding what truly matters in a presentation can make all the difference. Here[…]
5 Key Agreements for More Effective Business Meetings
Communication Skills, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips Feb 19, 2015
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, many business meetings serve as complex and demanding decision-making forums. If you spend time in business meetings, you’ve likely noticed a paradox: you must prepare exhaustively for every conceivable outcome while also being ready to improvise in the moment. Understanding Meeting Dynamics You may have experienced three very different types[…]
The Presenter’s Guide to Storytelling That Sticks
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Feb 08, 2015
Every great presentation hinges on storytelling. As a presenter, harnessing the art of storytelling can significantly elevate your ability to connect with your audience. The Value of Storytelling Throughout history, humans have shared stories to make sense of the world and our place in it. Well-told stories have the power to persuade, evoke emotions,[…]
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[…]
Public Speaking Inspiration from Iconic Movie Speeches
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jan 22, 2015
To create a compelling presentation, it’s invaluable to take inspiration from iconic movie speeches in Hollywood films. Effective public speakers can learn a great deal from these memorable moments. The Importance of Connection Whether you’re dealing with dreary headlines like “Nine People Wounded in Tel Aviv” or “IS Demands $200m Ransom for Japan Hostages,” it’s[…]
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[…]
Understanding Your Audience: The 6 Human Needs in Presentations
Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Dec 31, 2014
As a presenter, it’s essential to recognize that your audience has specific needs. To create a meaningful connection, you should understand and address these six fundamental human needs. The Framework of Human Needs In 1943, Abraham Maslow introduced a theory that outlines essential human needs: Physiological: What we need for survival. Safety: The need to[…]
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[…]
Powerful Presentations: The Art of Storytelling
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Dec 05, 2014
Every great presentation is fundamentally a story. At the age of 60, Diana Nyad embarked on open water training for a 60-hour, 103-mile (166 km) swim from Cuba to Florida—a challenge she had failed to complete thirty years earlier. After 29 hours in the water, strong currents pushed her off course, forcing her to abandon[…]
Captivating Your Audience: Powerful Openings for Presentations
Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Nov 20, 2014
All presenters and public speakers face the challenge of getting and keeping their audience’s attention. Psychologists at Princeton University suggest that people form judgments about attractiveness, likability, trustworthiness, and competence after looking at someone’s face for just 100 milliseconds. No wonder many presenters feel anxious about speaking in public. The thought alone can be unnerving.[…]
Emma Watson – Presentation nerves
Anxiety, nervous, Presentating training, Presentation Skills Oct 07, 2014
Emma Watson, the heroine of the Harry Potter series was appointed as a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador earlier this year. She recently gave an impassioned speech on feminism and gender inequality at the U.N. headquarters in New York. When I first listened to her speech on YouTube I couldn’t help but be a little[…]
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.[…]
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[…]
Keynote by Tim Cook – Steve Jobs Would Be Proud
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Sep 09, 2014
Yesterday, Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the birth of the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus and the Apple Watch. His predecessor, the late Steve Jobs was long hailed as one of the best keynote speakers and presenters in the world. It could have been no easy feat to follow in the footsteps of such[…]
The mindful way to crafting and delivering a brilliant presentation
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 17, 2014
Have you been on the recieving end of a brilliant presentation recently? Perphaps you’ve given one yourself. Either way, you’ll know that giving a brilliant presentation at work isn’t easy. It doesn’t involve reading slides, speaking in a monotone voice or dumping data on fellow professionals; that’s very easy to do! The reality is, no[…]
4 powerful ways to connect with your audience
Communication Skills, Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills Aug 15, 2014
Do you connect with your audience? Are you entirely happy with your presentation skills? What about your colleagues; do they have the presentation skills needed to keep your attention, interest and curiosity? The next time you get to sit through a presentation, make it your business to have a good look around the audience[…]
‘Death by bullet point’- Is it really that bad?
Bullet Point, Communication Skills, PowerPoint, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 14, 2014
‘Death by Bullet Point’ – What do you think, is it really that bad? If used correctly there’s nothing wrong with PowerPoint or most other visual aid software. It can be used to great effect to significantly enhance your message, make it more meaningful and of course memorable. I’ve seen PowerPoint and other visual aid[…]
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[…]
The Importance of Feedback in Developing Presentation Skills
Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 06, 2014
Have you ever received feedback on your presentation skills? To truly develop ourselves as public speakers, presenters, and leaders, one crucial aspect we often need more of is feedback. Reflecting back over 35 years, as a young manager, I thought I knew it all. I was climbing the corporate ladder at an impressive rate; everything[…]
Manage Public Speaking Anxiety: Techniques for Confident Presentations
Anxiety, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Aug 05, 2014
If you feel nervous about speaking in public or presenting at work, you know how unpleasant it can be. Many symptoms of nervousness are akin to other high-pressure situations, such as asking someone out on a date, going for a job interview, or taking a driving test. Shortness of breath, sweaty palms, dry mouth, queasy[…]
Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety: Confidence Through Intention
Anxiety, Leadership, Mindfulness, nervous, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Aug 04, 2014
You can be very nervous and still deliver a great speech. At Mindful Presenter, we successfully help people overcome their public speaking anxiety, so if the thought of presenting makes you anxious, you’re not alone, you’re in good company. Throughout history, many individuals have openly admitted their nerves before delivering important speeches, often feeling they[…]
Presenting Without PowerPoint: Lessons from Simon Sinek
Leadership, Mindfulness, PowerPoint, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Aug 03, 2014
Is PowerPoint the first tool you reach for when called to present? Simon Sinek’s inspirational TED talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” is a shining example of how effective public speakers can engage and inspire an audience without relying on slides. With 21 million YouTube views, it’s clear why Simon is regarded as a “visionary[…]
The Power of Breath: Elevate Your Public Speaking Skills
Leadership, Mindfulness, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Jul 31, 2014
The best presenters understand the power of their breath and know how to harness it to their advantage when speaking. One of the very first lessons in effective public speaking coaching is learning how to breathe properly, especially for those who suffer from public speaking anxiety. Even if nerves aren’t an issue for you, focusing[…]
