Professional keynote speakers are an investment. I’m not saying they’re not a good investment—they are—but it’s true … speakers…
What of M&Ms, rock stars, and divas? The rock band Van Halen had an infamous clause in their contract…
Every sailor runs aground sooner or later! How do you know if a speaker really brings the experience they…
The best speakers tell stories about YOU! A speaker walked onto the platform wearing a rugged jacket and hiking boots.…
What is the speaker's real job? We’ve seen it too many times: A dynamic, charismatic speaker gets the audience…
How deadly are your bullet points? There are seven elements that every speaker must consider when crafting a presentation: ✅…
They don't have a clue! In 1991, I sailed a wooden boat 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. During…
Another agonizing networking event! You walk around the room, introduce yourself to the next stranger, ask them what they do,…
Keep your poor me stories off the stage. My friend Tony showed me a video of a speaker who told…
We often hear about "dynamic speaking," but what does that mean? The dictionary defines "dynamics" as "the forces or properties…
Should you charge $20 for your new book or $19.97? Will dropping your price by three cents help you…
How do you put a price on your passion? How can you charge a fair-but-high price for your services? …
Hobbyist or professional? True professionals dedicate their lives to being the best in the world at whatever they do—not some…
Storytelling tips: You’re walking along and you happen to look down. “Hey, that’s not a scrap of paper; that’s a…
How do you handle a one-star review? Capable leaders are adept at untangling the many stories that compete for attention…
Storytelling is a powerful tool, but no one ever talks about story listening. Have you ever been with a friend,…
“This should be a great presentation,” said Jess as we walked into the Chamber of Commerce breakfast and grabbed a…
When I was young, I collected superhero stories and comic books. I was fascinated by the exploits of the same…
“Storytelling…? I don’t know.” A troubled look flashed across Sally’s face. “You'll have a hard time selling me on your…
I-We-You. You’re addressing an audience. When should you switch from the inclusive “we” to the more personal “you?” When is…
Have you ever been disappointed with a judge's call—in a courtroom, on a ball field, or in a contest? Who…
If I can do it, you can do it! Well … maybe. Is your story about your extraordinary personal journey?…
I’ve been videoconferencing for years; this will be easy! I thought as I began my first virtual speech. When it…
You’ve already read at least a dozen articles about ZOOM and videoconferencing that remind you to mute yourself when you’re…
Body language and spoken language: Combine them strategically to enhance audience engagement. In my 2019 Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest entry,…
Speechcrafting is a special discipline of which speechwriting is but a single element. The effective speechcrafting professional understands the art…
An accomplished jazz musician, educator, and friend pointed out that too many virtuosic young players blow a lot of noisy…
Speaking range is as important to a presentation as musical range is to performance. Actors refer to the combination of…
Speakers are commonly asked, “What’s your topic?” or “What’s your message?” Such questions may sound intuitively reasonable but they lead…
A friend asked if he should take a day off work to attend a free “Become a Millionaire Speaker or…
Great storytellers are masters of time and tempo. What is this mysterious thing called “time?” Does it flow at the…
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