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Presentation

Why Telling Fast Talkers to Slow Down Doesn’t Work (And What to Do Instead!)

How do I coach a SUPER FAST talker who’s about to speak to an international audience?

I don’t tell them to slow down.

What? Why? Why not????

Because it doesn’t work!

Oh, it can work for a minute or two. But then, the fast talker gets excited. Their nerves take over, and they’re working up steam and, whoopsie-daisy!

They’re off and speeding again! 🐰

The trouble with focusing on PACE is that it’s hard to gauge when you’re in the moment. A great pace for public speaking ranges from 140-170 words per minute. But if you tell people to keep it within that range — how do they know what to do?

You can’t be in the moment while counting your words and staring at a stopwatch! Not only does that take you out of the moment, it also kills your enthusiasm for your topic!

So I use a mind trick to get fast talkers to slow down. 🐢

I ask them to focus on their PRONUNCIATION, not their PACE.

I’ll get them to think about pronouncing their words carefully so their audience can understand each one!

Voila!

As a result, their PACE slows down!

And yet, they can sustain working on their pronunciation because it’s word-by-word instead of minute-by-minute. Going word-by-word puts you in the moment.

(The other problem with focusing on PACE is that it can take all the enthusiasm out of a speaker’s voice. But when they work on pronunciation, they can maintain the vocal variation that makes their voices interesting to listen to!)

Don’t tell fast talkers to slow down! Instead, ask them to focus on pronunciation. They’ll get better results.

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Coaching communication Presentation public speaking

Anaphora: The Ancient Art of Repetition that Makes Your Message Memorable

How many famous Ana’s can you name?

Ana de Armas.
Ana Gasteyer.
Ana Carolina…

…but what about Anaphora?

Anaphora, that linguistic enchantress.
Anaphora, it casts a spell through repetition.
Anaphora, the drumbeat that pounds ideas into memory….

Yeah, anaphora is probably one of the oldest literary devices out there! It’s pretty simple: you repeat a word or phrase. The repetition and rhythm make your message stickier.

I used anaphora pretty heavily at the start of this post with Ana, Ana, Ana — and then Anaphora, Anaphora, Anaphora.

At this point, I need to leave it alone. Because while anaphora is a pretty powerful device for getting a message to stick, it gets annoying if you overuse it!

So when can you use anaphora effectively in a speech?

When you’ve identified a key message you’d like the audience to remember!

For example, if you’re rallying your team on the importance of working together, you might try repeating “together.”

“Together, we mobilize. Together, we innovate. Together, we succeed.”

Or maybe you’ll choose the word “collaboration.”

“Collaboration is our compass. Collaboration is our drive. Collaboration is our destiny.”

Repetition isn’t just repetition; it provides a heartbeat for your message.

Now that you’ve read this: how long do you think you’ll remember Anaphora?

And how many other famous Anas can you name?

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Coaching communication content ideas design fun improv Presentation storyfinding

Five Little Piggies Wrote Business Emails: And So Can You

The five little piggies were on a mission. They wanted to craft professional business emails that resonated with their recipients! Each piggy took a different approach:

🐷 The first little piggy went to market. It knew its purpose and got straight to the point! Its message was clear and concise. Like five toes, it ticked off five bullet points that led recipients step-by-step through the content.

🐷 The second little piggy stayed home. It wrote a professional out-of-office autoresponder that told recipients when it would respond to their emails, and who to contact in case of emergency. It also provided links to resources for answering common questions.

🐷 The third little piggy ate roast beef. Now that’s a specific personal preference! But was it tenderloin or bottom round? Before writing the email, that little piggy did research to learn more about the recipient’s preferences. Through personalization, they addressed the recipient’s specific needs and concerns.

🐷 The fourth little piggy had none. By the time it got to the fourth pig, it was exhausted. The poor swine’s inbox was swamped. Don’t overwhelm recipients with too many emails, or you’ll teach them to ignore yours!

🐷 The fifth little piggy went wee, wee, wee! A little humor can make your email memorable! Still, it’s a good idea to avoid unnecessary repetition. Make your message clear.

Each little piggy’s email had an outcome. Define your email’s goal—whether it’s generating leads, building relationships, or providing information.

And remember how the little piggies tickled and made you laugh? Inject a touch of warmth and friendliness into your emails.

Who knows? Maybe a playful tone can brighten someone’s day!

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Coaching communication improv PowerPoint Presentation public speaking storyfinding web meetings

How to Cope with Contrarians in Business Meetings

Mary, Mary. She’s quite contrary.

And we’ve met her in business meetings, haven’t we?

She’s the one who has been voted most likely to say or do something unconventional. She goes against the grain.

So what can we do about Mary?

With her “quite contrary” nature, Mary reminds us that diversity of thought in meetings is invaluable. We actively seek out varying viewpoints. That way, we can get contrasting ideas that lead to remarkable solutions.

In the rhyme’s bells and shells, listen to the symphony of voices in meetings. Encourage active participation, allowing each voice to chime in and enrich the conversation.

Like Mary’s magical garden, meetings can be fertile ground for ideas to bloom. Nurture creativity, diversity, and innovation. Then watch brilliant concepts grow! 🌷

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fun Presentation public speaking storyfinding

Crack the Code: 5 Ways Business Presentations Are Like Humpty Dumpty

Once upon a wall, Humpty Dumpty attempted to deliver a business presentation that would leave a lasting impression. As we unravel the tale, we find remarkable parallels between Humpty Dumpty’s fall and our own presentation endeavors.

🥚 Fragile Beginnings! Like Humpty Dumpty’s delicate shell, presentations can make us feel vulnerable. Embrace this vulnerability as an opportunity to strengthen your content and delivery.

🔨 Build a Sturdy Foundation! Humpty Dumpty’s wall couldn’t hold him. Likewise, a weak foundation can topple your presentation. Invest time in research, structure, and ensure your message is solidly anchored.

🙃 Embrace Weirdness! Humpty Dumpty’s odd shape made him stand out. If there’s something unusual about you or your presentation: feature it! Use visuals, stories, and metaphors to make your message unique.

💬 Engage Your Audience! Humpty Dumpty had an audience of onlookers. Connect with yours by asking questions, using anecdotes, or involving them in the conversation. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men have insights!

🔗 Rebuild and Learn! Humpty Dumpty’s fall taught him resilience. Check your speaker evaluations. Embrace your mistakes as learning opportunities. That way, you can refine your approach for future presentations.

Like the fractured tale of Humpty Dumpty, business presentations present a story of vulnerability, balance, learning, and connection. Crack the code, and you won’t leave with egg on your face!

By the way – where in the nursery rhyme does it say Humpty Dumpty was an egg?

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communication fun improv Presentation public speaking storyfinding

Presentation Lessons from the 3 Little Pigs

When it comes to public speaking, are you a straw, stick, or brick presenter?

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs—business presenters on a mission to captivate their audience and secure their success. Each piggy had a different approach, though:

🐷 Pig 1 – the Straw Presenter: The first pig built its presentation hastily, relying on flimsy straw. Similarly, some presenters rush to put together slides without a solid foundation. Result? Their message collapses under scrutiny.

Lesson: Lay a strong groundwork—research, structure, and refine your content.

🐖 Pig 2 – The Stick Presenter: The second pig opted for sticks to build a presentation—sturdier but shaky. Likewise, some presenters focus solely on data and facts without weaving them into a compelling narrative.

Lesson: Infuse your data with stories, creating a memorable and relatable experience.

🐽 Pig 3 – the Brick Presenter: Ah, the wise third pig! Building with bricks, they crafted a robust presentation. These presenters strike the balance—strong content, supported by engaging stories, visuals, and delivery.

Lesson: Invest time in crafting a well-rounded presentation that leaves a lasting impact.

🐺 The Big Bad Wolf: The big bad wolf huffed and puffed, trying to distract the little pigs from their mission. In the same way, some audiences may try to challenge you.

Lesson: Anticipate questions and objections. Be ready to address them confidently and keep your presentation on track.

Your own story begins… Build your business presentation with care and watch it withstand any wolfish challenges!

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design fun PowerPoint Presentation public speaking

The Goldilocks Guide to Adding Detail in Your Presentations

Imagine Goldilocks preparing a business presentation. She doesn’t add too much detail. That might overwhelm her audience.

But she doesn’t use too little, either. She doesn’t leave her audience info-starved!

As usual, Goldilocks goes for that elusive “just right” amount of detail. So how does she do it?

✔ Goldilocks captivates with storytelling. She chooses concrete and relatable details that paint captivating mental images. A forest, a house, 3 bowls of porridge, 3 chairs, and 3 beds. Goldilocks also lets you know the sizes of the bowls, chairs, and beds.

✔ Goldilocks lets you in on her emotional state. First, she’s hungry. Then, she’s sleepy. But she doesn’t just say this with words; she describes her ACTIONS. She samples a taste from each bowl. She sits in each chair. She lays down in each bed.

✔ Goldilocks uses her tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language to emphasize the story’s emotional content. When she tells you how her first bowl of porridge was too hot, she makes a face. On her third bowl, she smiles and purrs, “Just right!”

✔ Goldilocks leaves room for engagement. She is all about having an interactive experience! She moves through her space, inviting you to emotionally engage with her actions. When you hear the story of Goldilocks, you relate to her experience.

But Goldilocks didn’t do everything “just right!” — did she? She made one serious misstep along the way….

❌Goldilocks didn’t read the room. She needed to find out where she was and what pitfalls she would likely encounter. The curious girl needed to uncover a few more essential details. A little audience research would have helped Goldilocks nail her ending instead of running screaming from the room!

Using the right amount of detail takes practice. It’s like putting cinnamon on your porridge. You’ll want to add flavor without overpowering your breakfast!

Aim for clarity, intrigue, and a touch of surprise. Your presentations and stories will resonate, leaving your audience well-nourished and eager for more!

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design PowerPoint PowerPoint Presentation Presentation public speaking storyfinding

Ditch Your Slides: Draw on the Power of Whiteboard Talks!

I went to a business meeting in a small conference room. The presenter whipped out a PowerPoint deck and started presenting at us.

It was odd. There was a whiteboard right behind him. Instead of presenting at us, we could have enjoyed a convivial and interactive whiteboard chat.

If you automatically think, “I must PowerPoint at people” instead of “I must reach people,” — it’s time to switch the default setting in your brain! Step away from your PowerPoint slides and embrace a blank canvas of possibilities!

Instead of PowerPoint, consider delivering a whiteboard talk (or chalk talk) for your next presentation. Here’s how a whiteboard talk can make a real impact:

1️⃣ Showcase Your Personality: A whiteboard talk allows you to showcase your genuine self. You foster a sense of connection and authenticity by speaking directly to your audience. It’s an opportunity to engage personally, capturing attention and building trust.

2️⃣ Amplify Engagement: Whiteboard talks invite active engagement from your audience. As you draw or write in real-time, it sparks curiosity and encourages participation. The dynamic experience breaks the presenter-audience barrier, fostering meaningful interaction and dialog.

3️⃣ Visual Storytelling: The simplicity of a whiteboard can be a powerful storytelling tool. Use it to visually illustrate your narrative, creating a transparent and memorable journey for your audience. Combining spoken words and visual cues enhances comprehension, making complex ideas more accessible and powerful.

4️⃣ Flexibility and Adaptability: Whiteboard talks provide the flexibility to adapt on the fly. You can adjust the pace, dive deeper into specific topics, and respond to real-time audience questions or insights. This adaptability creates a dynamic and tailored presentation experience that resonates with your listeners.

Presentations are not limited to slides alone. Reimagine the way you captivate your audience!

If it’s been a while since you delivered a chalk talk, it’s time to give it a whirl!


Laura Bergells teaches classes and workshops. Hire Laura.
Or you can take Laura’s communications and public speaking classes at LinkedIn Learning – Free to LinkedIn Premium Members!

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Presentation

6 Ways Public Speaking Transforms You as a Person

Sometimes, students will ask to be excused from delivering an oral report. Many say they have chosen careers where they won’t be speaking to groups, ever — so why bother?

Wouldn’t a written report be better for them?

Of course not! When you use your voice, you have the potential to change the world! That’s the number one reason to learn and practice public speaking skills!

But if we put aside altruism and get all selfish for a second, let’s look at 6 things public speaking can do for YOU, as an individual who has no desire to speak in public whatsoever:

Public speaking help YOU because:

  • Public speaking builds your confidence. When you manage your fear of speaking in front of a group, you feel more empowered and self-assured. You can also get positive feedback from your audience, which can boost your self-esteem.
  • Public speaking improves your research and critical thinking skills. Preparing a speech requires finding credible sources, organizing your ideas, and presenting them logically. You’ll discover that oral arguments can often be far more persuasive than written ones!
  • Public speaking builds empathy. You’ll want to tailor your message to your audience. Audience research and reading the room lets you get out of your own head and into the hearts and minds of others.
  • Public speaking strengthens your oral communication skills. Speaking clearly, concisely, and effectively is a valuable skill that can help you in many situations, such as job interviews, meetings, presentations, and negotiations. 
  • Public speaking markets your business or career. Public speaking can help you showcase your expertise, network with others, and create new opportunities for yourself. 
  • Public speaking gives you a chance to meet others with similar interests. Public speaking can help you connect with people who share your passions, values, or hobbies.

As you can see, public speaking has life-changing benefits! It also allows you to use your powers of persuasion to counter weak arguments like “I shouldn’t do an oral report because I don’t plan on using my voice to bring positive change to myself or others!”

How else has public speaking helped you personally or professionally?


Laura Bergells teaches public speaking and business communication classes and workshops. Hire Laura.

Take Laura’s communications and public speaking classes at LinkedIn Learning.  – Free to LinkedIn Premium Members! 

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Coaching Presentation public speaking storyfinding

Expressing Fears of Wild Boars, Roller Coasters, and Public Speaking

I was walking through the woods when a wild boar with red eyes and huge tusks stumbled out of the brush. He was panting furiously when he stopped to glare at me. We were about 8 feet away from each other.

I froze in my tracks.
He stared at me.
I stared at him.
He panted furiously.
I was as quiet and still as a rock.

After a minute, he snorted and dashed back into the brush. I stood there for another 5 minutes, not moving at all.

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There are different ways we express fear, aren’t there?

When you’re on a roller coaster, you might start screaming as you make a drop. That’s your body’s way of saying, “Holy moly, what a thrilling experience!”

It’s a mix of adrenaline, excitement, and perhaps a touch of terror. Plus, screaming on a roller coaster is socially acceptable behavior. In fact, it’s almost expected!

When you face a menacing boar in the woods, it’s probably a good idea to freeze in your tracks and be as quiet as possible. They can easily outrun and tear you to pieces if you start screaming and running.

Now, let’s focus on how we express fear of public speaking. When you’re up there, facing a sea of faces, it’s a different environment than facing a wild boar or a roller coaster. You’re not soaring through the air at high speeds or staring down an animal that could easily tear you to bits.

Instead, when you’re on stage, you’re baring your soul through the power of expression. Your fear of public speaking is undoubtedly genuine, but screaming or freezing on stage might not be the best approach to captivate your audience!

Screaming is excellent for roller coasters. It won’t get you any attention. It’s socially acceptable and part of the fun!

Freezing is great for facing wild boars. It can prevent you from injury or death.

But neither freezing nor screaming are great ways to express yourself when standing in front of an audience! Instead, we rely on other forms of communication, like speaking clearly, using body language, and engaging in storytelling.

The good news is that you can manage your fear of public speaking with breath and body work. With practice, you can improve your presence. Public speaking is a skill that can be learned, honed, and refined over time.

So, let’s work on our stage presence, shall we? And if you ever find yourself screaming on stage, we might need to reevaluate your delivery techniques!

———————————————

Laura Bergells teaches classes and workshops. Hire Laura.

Or you can take Laura’s communications and public speaking classes at LinkedIn Learning – Free to LinkedIn Premium Members!