Storytelling in business presentations has the power to transform the way we influence others. Every one of us carries stories filled with insight, emotion, and lived experience. Stories that can inspire, persuade, and connect on a level that information alone never will. In a world overflowing with noise and distraction, your audience needs more[…]
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5 Body Language Tips Every Presenter Should Master
Advice, Presentation Skills, Presentation Tips, Public Speaking May 01, 2015
There are countless body language tips we could offer presenters, but this article focuses on five of the simplest and most powerful. When there’s a mismatch between what we say and how we say it, the impact of our message is dramatically reduced. People won’t trust what you say if your body contradicts your words.[…]
How to Use Your Public Speaking Voice With Power and Presence
Communication Skills, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking Apr 23, 2015
You’ve done the work, you understand your audience and have crafted the conversation you want to have, know your story inside out, and you’ve pictured what success looks like. Now comes the part many presenters overlook: how you use your voice. Effective communication is both verbal and nonverbal. The words you choose matter enormously,[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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.[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety: Empower Your Mind
Anxiety, Leadership, Presentation Skills, Public Speaking, Storytelling Jul 30, 2014
If you Google the search term “public speaking anxiety,” you’ll encounter an avalanche of articles offering advice, from relaxation techniques to the infamous suggestion of imagining your audience naked; though the latter is perhaps less than helpful! If you struggle with public speaking anxiety, consider enrolling in a mindfully crafted public speaking course; it can[…]
