speaker

How to Negotiate with a Speaker

  Professional keynote speakers are an investment. I’m not saying they’re not a good investment—they are—but it’s true … speakers…

1 day ago

M&Ms, Rock Stars, and Divas

  What of M&Ms, rock stars, and divas? The rock band Van Halen had an infamous clause in their contract…

1 year ago

Every Sailor Runs Aground Sooner or Later

  Every sailor runs aground sooner or later! How do you know if a speaker really brings the experience they…

1 year ago

The Best Speakers Tell Stories About You!

The best speakers tell stories about YOU! A speaker walked onto the platform wearing a rugged jacket and hiking boots.…

1 year ago

The Speaker’s Real Job

  What is the speaker's real job? We’ve seen it too many times: A dynamic, charismatic speaker gets the audience…

2 years ago

PowerPoint Mistakes: Bullet Points!

How deadly are your bullet points? There are seven elements that every speaker must consider when crafting a presentation: ✅…

2 years ago

They Don’t Have a Clue!

  They don't have a clue! In 1991, I sailed a wooden boat 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.  During…

2 years ago

Take the Twerking Out of Networking!

Another agonizing networking event! You walk around the room, introduce yourself to the next stranger, ask them what they do,…

2 years ago

Never Play the Victim Card

Keep your poor me stories off the stage. My friend Tony showed me a video of a speaker who told…

2 years ago

What is “Dynamic Speaking?”

We often hear about "dynamic speaking," but what does that mean? The dictionary defines "dynamics" as "the forces or properties…

2 years ago

Change Your Pricing Story

  Should you charge $20 for your new book or $19.97?  Will dropping your price by three cents help you…

3 years ago

Put a Price on Your Passion

How do you put a price on your passion? How can you charge a fair-but-high price for your services?  …

3 years ago

Hobbyist or Professional? Be the Best in the World.

Hobbyist or professional? True professionals dedicate their lives to being the best in the world at whatever they do—not some…

3 years ago

Storytelling Tips: The Rush of Discovery

Storytelling tips: You’re walking along and you happen to look down. “Hey, that’s not a scrap of paper; that’s a…

4 years ago

My Club Got a One-Star Review

How do you handle a one-star review? Capable leaders are adept at untangling the many stories that compete for attention…

4 years ago

Be an Effective Storyteller. Try Story <i>Listening</i>

Storytelling is a powerful tool, but no one ever talks about story listening. Have you ever been with a friend,…

4 years ago

Another Boring Speaker! The Problem and How to Fix It.

“This should be a great presentation,” said Jess as we walked into the Chamber of Commerce breakfast and grabbed a…

4 years ago

Superhero Stories

When I was young, I collected superhero stories and comic books. I was fascinated by the exploits of the same…

4 years ago

Selling the Story: Storytelling for Skeptics

“Storytelling…? I don’t know.” A troubled look flashed across Sally’s face. “You'll have a hard time selling me on your…

4 years ago

I-We-You. Tips for Speakers and Writers

I-We-You. You’re addressing an audience. When should you switch from the inclusive “we” to the more personal “you?” When is…

5 years ago

Who Are You to Judge?

Have you ever been disappointed with a judge's call—in a courtroom, on a ball field, or in a contest? Who…

5 years ago

If I Can Do It, You Can Do It Stories: Speaking Mistakes

If I can do it, you can do it! Well … maybe. Is your story about your extraordinary personal journey?…

5 years ago

Speak Standing Up!

I’ve been videoconferencing for years; this will be easy! I thought as I began my first virtual speech. When it…

5 years ago

Videoconferencing: 11 Tips You Haven’t Seen (But Should)

You’ve already read at least a dozen articles about ZOOM and videoconferencing that remind you to mute yourself when you’re…

5 years ago

Public Speaking Tip: Body Language and Spoken Language

Body language and spoken language: Combine them strategically to enhance audience engagement. In my 2019 Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest entry,…

5 years ago

Public Speaking Tip: Speechcrafting Goes Beyond Speechwriting

Speechcrafting is a special discipline of which speechwriting is but a single element. The effective speechcrafting professional understands the art…

5 years ago

Storytelling and The Avant Garde

An accomplished jazz musician, educator, and friend pointed out that too many virtuosic young players blow a lot of noisy…

6 years ago

Public Speaking Tip: Use Your Full Speaking Range

Speaking range is as important to a presentation as musical range is to performance. Actors refer to the combination of…

6 years ago

Public Speaking Tip: Speaking is a Service Industry

Speakers are commonly asked, “What’s your topic?” or “What’s your message?” Such questions may sound intuitively reasonable but they lead…

6 years ago

The “Become a Millionaire Speaker” Story

A friend asked if he should take a day off work to attend a free “Become a Millionaire Speaker or…

6 years ago

The Time and Tempo of Storytelling

Great storytellers are masters of time and tempo. What is this mysterious thing called “time?” Does it flow at the…

6 years ago

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