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Coaching Presentation public speaking

The #1 Structural Trick to Make Your Presentations Less Stressful and More Fun

less scary. more fun! in a thought bubble with spiders and smiling face cartoons

Let me guess. You hate giving presentations. You get nervous, sweaty, and tongue-tied. You wish you could just skip them altogether.

But there’s a simple way to make your presentations less stressful and enjoyable. It’s a method that will make you look more confident, professional, and engaging.

It’s not magic. It’s not drugs. It’s not hypnosis.

It’s conversation.

Yes, conversation. The art of talking to people and listening to them. The skill you use every day in your personal and professional life.

💡 Structure your presentation to be less of a monologue and more of a conversation. This can help you relieve anxiety. Why?

Because it shifts the focus from you to your audience, interaction makes the audience feel involved, valued, and interested. It creates a rapport and a connection.

How do you make your presentation more conversational? It’s not that hard. As you plan your content, don’t forget to plan interaction! Add some interactive elements at least every 10 minutes.

  • If you’re presenting online, use built-in features like chat, polls, and breakout rooms to get your audience involved.
  • Online or off, encourage the audience to ask questions, play games, do an exercise, or interact with your content.

The back-and-forth aspect of conversation and interaction can be less stressful for you and more engaging for the audience. It means that you get to talk less, and listen more!

Try it for yourself. Next time you give a presentation, make it more of a conversation instead. See how it changes your experience and your results.

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

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

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Coaching design PowerPoint Presentation public speaking

How to Turn Your Pre-Presentation Anxiety into Your Secret Friend

Turn pre-presentation anxiety into your secret friend.

We’ve all been there. You’re about to give a presentation and you feel your heart racing, your palms sweating, and your stomach churning.

hello butterflies, my old friends! 🦋

You might think that the best way to deal with this anxiety is to get rid of it. To calm yourself down, to breathe deeply, to tell yourself it’s not a big deal.

But what if I told you that your anxiety is actually a good thing? That it’s a sign that you care about your topic and your audience? That it’s a source of energy and motivation?

That’s right. Your nervousness is not your enemy. It’s your ally. It’s there to help you perform better, not worse.

So instead of trying to overcome it or beat it into submission, why not embrace it? Why not say hello to it and thank it for showing up?

Try this: Next time you feel anxious before a presentation, say something like this:

“Well, hello there, my old friend anxiety. What are you here to teach me today?”

Maybe it’s there to remind you to do more research on your topic.

Maybe it’s there to encourage you to practice more. Maybe it’s there to boost your enthusiasm and excitement for your audience.

Whatever it is, listen to it and learn from it. Don’t let it scare you or stop you.

Befriend your butterflies so that they work FOR you, not against you!

Laura Bergells teaches public speaking and business communication classes and workshops. You can also book a private, one-one-one Zoom consultation with here: Hire Laura.

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

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Coaching communication Education

Don’t Overcome Imposter Syndrome. Cultivate It!

Growth showing seedlings to represent how imposter syndrome means growth as a person and speaker

I get calls and requests about “overcoming imposter syndrome.” But I don’t recommend it! Imposter syndrome is normal and manageable.

Frankly, I’ve heard people talk with complete confidence and authority about topics they know little about. I often think they could use a little imposter syndrome!

The times I’ve felt acute imposter syndrome are when I’ve performed at my very best! My imposter syndrome inspires me to learn more about my subject matter. It also transmits vulnerability, which audiences like.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon. Many high-achieving people experience it. So do perfectionists! So do some favorite actors, singers, writers, and performers!

It’s the feeling that you’re not as competent or capable as others think you are, and that you’ll be exposed as a fake any minute. It’s common and it’s normal.

Why Overcome Something Normal???

So instead of fighting or hiding your imposter syndrome, what if you could embrace it and learn from it? What if you could see it as a gift, not a curse?

Imposter syndrome is not a sign of weakness or incompetence. It’s a sign of growth and potential.

It means you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things. It means you’re challenging yourself and expanding your horizons.

The Benefits of Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is also a great teacher. It can help you improve your skills, knowledge, and performance. It can make you a more thorough researcher, careful planner, and thoughtful communicator. It can make you more humble, more curious, more open-minded.

So, how can you embrace your imposter syndrome and turn it into a positive force? Here are four tips:

  • Acknowledge and respect your feelings. Don’t ignore or suppress them. Instead, name them and accept them as part of your journey. You’re not a fraud. You’re a learner.
  • Re-write your resume or LinkedIn profile every quarter. This can remind you of your strengths and achievements. In a resume, you don’t focus on your flaws or gaps. Instead, writing your resume helps you remember what you’ve done well and accomplished.
  • Seek feedback and support. Don’t isolate yourself or pretend to know everything. Instead, ask for help and advice from others who can guide you and cheer you on. Find a mentor, coach, or friend who can support and challenge you.
  • Take action and experiment. Don’t let fear or doubt stop you from pursuing your dreams. Instead, take small steps and try new things. Learn from your mistakes and failures. See them as opportunities to grow and improve.

Imposter syndrome is not something to be ashamed of or afraid of. It’s something to be grateful for! If you didn’t experience it, you wouldn’t be normal, vulnerable, or likeable! Plus, it inspires you to learn and grow.

Your imposter syndrome shows that you care about what you do and that you want to do it well. It shows that you have high standards and expectations for yourself. It also shows that you have room to grow and evolve!

So, don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. Instead, let it propel you forward.

Do you embrace your imposter syndrome? How do you use it to your advantage? 😊

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 communication design Education Presentation public speaking storyfinding

How to Hook Your Audience: In Medias Res

in medias res in the middle of a lightning bolt to signify that the story starts in the middle of the action

Picture this: You’re on stage, telling a story about the night you became a criminal. You say:

I’m lying in wet grass behind a cow barn. I just vandalized a property. Two angry men are hunting me down. My heart is pounding. I’m thinking, ‘I’m a mom of two. What am I doing here?‘

Boom! You’ve got your audience hooked. They want to know more. They’re on the edge of their seats.

You’ve also just used a storytelling technique called in medias res.

What is in medias res?

In medias res is Latin for “in the middle of things”. It means starting your story in the middle of the action, instead of at the beginning.

Why use in medias res?

En medias res can make your story more exciting and intriguing. It can spark curiosity and suspense in your audience. It can make them wonder:

  • What’s going on?
  • Who’s the speaker?
  • How did they end up in this situation?

Then, you can go back to the beginning and fill in the gaps.

How to Use In Medias Res

You don’t have to use in medias res for every story. Sometimes, it’s better to start at the beginning and build up to the climax.

But if you want to add some excitement to your story, try starting in the middle. Here are five tips for using in media res effectively:

  • Choose a moment that’s dramatic, surprising, or funny.
  • Make sure it’s relevant to your main point or message.
  • Don’t give away too much information at once. Keep some mystery.
  • Use sensory details to make the scene vivid and realistic.
  • Let your audience know that you’re safe and that everything turned out okay.

Experiment with in medias res and see how it changes your stories. You might find that it makes them more engaging and memorable!

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 communication design Presentation public speaking storyfinding

How to Make Your Stories Sizzle with Tense Choices

past and present tense in storytelling

Imagine this: You’re on stage, telling a story about your wild past. You say:

I’m lying in wet grass behind a cow barn. I just vandalized a property. Two angry men are hunting me down. My heart is pounding. I’m thinking, ‘I’m a mom of two. What am I doing here?

Sounds thrilling, right? You’re using present tense to make your audience feel like they’re there with you.

But what if you said:

I was lying in wet grass behind a barn. I had vandalized a property. Two angry men were hunting me down. My heart was pounding. I was thinking, ‘I was a mom of two. What was I doing there?

Not so exciting, huh? You’re using past tense to distance your audience from your story.

Why Tense Matters in Storytelling

Tense is the verb form that shows when something happens: past, present, or future.

Tense can affect how your audience feels about your story. Here are two tips to help you choose the right tense for your stories:

🔥 Use present tense to create urgency and excitement. Present tense makes your story feel like it’s happening right now. It draws your audience in and makes them feel the emotions you felt.

🧊 Use past tense to create calmness and detachment. Past tense makes your story feel like it’s over and done with. It gives your audience some space and lets them observe your story from a safe distance.

How to Choose the Right Tense for Your Stories

There’s no hard and fast rule for choosing the tense of your stories. It depends on your purpose, your audience, and your style.

But here are some questions to help you decide:

  • Do you want to make your audience feel like they’re part of your story or just watching it?
  • Do you want to make your audience feel more or less emotional?
  • Do you want to make your story sound more or less realistic?

Experiment with different tenses and see how they affect your stories. You might be surprised by how much difference a verb can make!

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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fun Presentation public speaking

AWE: Acronyms Without Explanation!

AWEful: acronyms without explanation

HE: That presentation was filled with A-W-E.
Acronyms Without Explanation!
ME: So, it was an AWEful presentation?
HE: Yep. Totally AWEful. I had no idea what was going on!

Hey, it’s a good idea to avoid industry jargon and acronyms.

But if you’ve got to use ‘em, at least explain ‘em.

Don’t be so AWEful! 

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Laura Bergells is a professional story finder. She writes, coaches, teaches, and speaks. Check out her online courses at LinkedIn Learning

🔥🔥🔥 Laura coaches executives on Camera via Zoom. When you need to rehearse an important presentation or prepare for a media interview, why not book an online consultation?

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Presentation

What do Moby Dick and Bad PowerPoint have in common?

inattention deafness

Think about that one time in high school when you were reading Moby Dick for lit class. 

Did your teacher display all the pages of Moby Dick on the wall? Did they then discuss symbolism, the mid-1800s, and the whaling industry? All while the pages of the book flashed by, page by page?

No, because that would be wackadoodle. It’s no way to learn. 

Your lit teacher probably told you to go home and read Moby Dick. And you’d discuss what you read in class. Something like that, right?

a whale of a presentation

So why do business people do the equivalent of the first wackadoodle technique in so many PowerPoint presentations?

You’ve seen this in action. Someone will create this word-laden PowerPoint — not a presentation, but a document — then display it on screen. While they flip through it, they babble on about things that are kinda-sorta related to the words on the wall. Then, as the pages rush by, the speaker uses different words to talk about vaguely-related themes of the written content. 

Here’s the text of the first chapter of Moby Dick. Don’t read it. Just imagine if a teacher displayed this while talking about Moby Dick.

text of Moby Dick

So now, the audience is stuck. They can either try to read what’s on the wall or listen to what the speaker is saying. But, unfortunately, they can’t do both. And so, they don’t learn or absorb the material well.

Don’t believe me? Look up the science. There’s a concept called inattention deafness you’ll find informative. It says that when you’re concentrating on one thing, you can miss critical details about another thing that’s happening simultaneously. 

If you’ve ever tried to talk to someone reading a social media post, you’ll understand what inattention deafness is. For example, when your husband is reading what their friend posted on Twitter about their cat, this is not an ideal time to tell him you’re pregnant, won the lottery, or crashed the car. 

Chances are, he’ll eventually look up and say, “Huh? What? Who’s pregnant cat scratched our car?”

Honestly, inattention deafness is a real phenomenon. And it’s why you should never have an overly wordy slide. People can’t read and listen to you at the same time. 

If you’re going to distribute a document, do that. Have people read it on their own time. Don’t present it to them. It’s an egregious waste of time that annoys everyone. 

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 Education fun public speaking video

What if you have to sneeze in an on-camera interview?

What if you have to sneeze on camera

What do you do when you feel like you have to sneeze during an on-camera interview? Here’s your two step process:

1. Camera off first.

2. Then, hit mute.

Nobody wants to see or hear you as you “ugly sneeze!”

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Laura Bergells is a professional story finder. She writes, coaches, teaches, and speaks. Check out her online courses at LinkedIn Learning

🔥🔥🔥 Laura coaches executives on Camera via Zoom. When you need to rehearse an important presentation or prepare for a media interview, why not book a one-hour, online consultation?

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Coaching Education public speaking storyfinding

How to generate chit-chat in online meetings and classes

how to generate chit chat

Chit-chat is valuable. It’s how we connect with each other. It generates feelings of trust and empathy.

How do you generate chit-chat and off-topic discussions in online classes and meetings? Here are my top 6 ways.

1. Pre-game. I tell students that I show up 15 minutes before class starts. If they’d like to pop in early, they can. Usually, a few students show up. We start talking. Lately, we’ve been talking about dogs. But when others enter, they hear dog talk and join in. (Dogs have nothing to do with my class!)

2. Bio breaks. If you have to go, go! But keep the session open while you’re gone. People who don’t have to “go” can chat. (Some usually do.) When people come back, there’s a conversation in progress that extends beyond the scheduled break as people jump in.

3. Backgrounds, backgrounds, backgrounds! “Hey, what’s in your background? Why is it important to you? What do you wish was in your background?” Some interesting stories and lively back-and-forth have fallen out of simple curiosity.

4. Breakout rooms. Assign an exercise, then put people into rooms together to work. Sometimes, people get the exercise done early and chat. Other times, they come back to the main session and chat. Either way, it’s cool. We all chit-chat when we return to the main session.

5. Tell stories. To create a culture of storytelling, I like to use this simple tactic: start each meeting by asking if anyone has a good story to share. This works both online and off. It also gets people into the habit of talking in terms of story instead of data points.

6. Show and tell. Ask if anyone has a weird thing in their house that they’d like to share with the group. I’ve seen some weird things — and they always come with a little bit of a story. It seems that almost everyone has something weird laying around their home or office.

How else do you make the serendipity of chit-chat happen?

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Laura Bergells is a professional story finder. She writes, coaches, teaches, and speaks. Check out her online courses at LinkedIn Learning.

🔥🔥🔥 Laura also teaches “Presenting On Camera” – a live, interactive group class for sales and training professionals who need to shift from in-person to on-camera presentations. Call to inquire about availability and rates.

Categories
Coaching communication public speaking

Uptalk can be lovely

Uptalk can be lovely

As we move from authoritarian leadership styles to more collaborative leadership styles, you might want to insert a little uptalk into your conversations.

What’s uptalk? It’s when you raise your voice at the end of a sentence. You speak a sentence, but the upward lilt makes it sound like a question. It makes you sound uncertain, tentative, or even dubious.

It’s OK to be uncertain. It’s OK to not speak with absolute authority and conviction at all times. It’s OK to be skeptical.

And it’s totally OK not to know all the answers!

I’m one of the few public speaking coaches I know who thinks a little uptalk is lovely. Aside from signaling uncertainty, uptalk increases vocal variety through pitch changes. Variety can make it more interesting to listen to your voice.

As long as it’s not done to distraction, a little uptalk can make you more approachable and likable. Those qualities can make you a more effective and collaborative leader.

Listen to Jeopardy to understand the value of uptalk.

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Laura Bergells is a professional story finder. She writes, coaches, teaches, and speaks. Check out her online courses at LinkedIn Learning.

🔥🔥🔥 Laura also teaches “Presenting On Camera” – a live, interactive group class for sales and training professionals who need to shift from in-person to on-camera presentations. Call to inquire about availability and rates.