When I speak with a prospect, we talk about their objectives. For example, do they want to work on creating messages, or are their needs more on the delivery side? Quite often — okay, the overwhelming majority of the time — I suggest that they work on both. More times than not, this comes as a surprise to them. Like so many others, they believe that having a powerful talk will compensate for a lackluster delivery and vice versa. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved Ferraris — the stance, the quality, the statement they make, and the sound … oh, that sound. You might be thinking, “Okay, you like Ferraris. So what’s this got to do with speaking?” And a fair question that would be. So please listen in and discover how a talk is like a Ferrari.   - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC

When it comes to public speaking, do you believe that there’s only one way to do it? If you do, does this put added pressure on you? What would it feel like if you could find inspiration and develop skills from a multitude of sources — some not so conventional? You know, Pablo Picasso once said, “Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.” I agree, as does my guest, Martin Henson, and he’s here to give you several ideas on how you can develop your own public speaking skills.   Takeaways - What it takes to be fluid and spontaneous when speaking - How to be comfortable - Managing your anxiety - What it takes to inform and motivate - What you need to connect with your audiences - The value of reading the room - Unconventional places to mine inspiration   Resources - MartinHSpeaks.com - BMenFoundation.org - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC

Today’s episode has a wide variety of concepts that are sure to further help you develop at least one of your speaking skills, but I’d be willing to bet you’ll find several that will benefit you. Today’s guest, Brenden Kumarasamy, helps you with juggling just a few balls instead of the many you might be trying to keep in the air. He also helps you up your game when it comes to online presentations and presenting in a second language. Takeaways - What education makes us believe about speaking in public - Why many of us neglect to develop our speaking skills - How to stop juggling 18 balls at once - The three things to think about when it comes to presenting online - Questions to ask yourself in order to get motivated - Tips for speaking in a second language   Resources - MasterTalk on YouTube - RockStarCommunicator.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC

Do you deliver business presentations? If so, do include stories, and if you don’t include them, why not? Is it becomes you don’t think stories are appropriate for business? Is it because you can’t find relevant stories? Is it because you don’t believe you can tell stories effectively? Well, if you don’t tell stories for these or other reasons, my guest, Sophie Wadsworth, offers several ideas that might change your perspective.   Takeaways - How stories and anecdotes differ - Using stories in business settings - How to use stories to carry data and make it sticky and memorable - How to uncover your stories - Why times helps you gather relevant stories - Let your characters play in your mind’s eye - How storytelling syncs brains - Whether you should add humor to storytelling in business - The combined power of our own personal and professional stories   Resources - https://www.sophiewadsworth.com/ - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon

After you've delivered a presentation, don’t you love when people come up to you and say, "Great job!”? It feels good, doesn’t it? Well, I used to love it, too. But then, one evening, I gave a talk that I knew was far from my best, and still, people said, "Great job!" That got me thinking. Why are people telling me a talk was great even when I know it wasn't? The answer is a simple one. They are being polite. If you've spoken often enough, the same has probably happened to you. So, how can you tell the difference between a polite "Great job!" and a meaningful "Great job!"? Perhaps you can listen for the level of enthusiasm in people's voices as they give you this compliment. But there is a way that you can not only determine when the praise is sincere but also learn why your presentation resonated with them. When someone says, "Great job!" Awesome talk!" or anything else that indicates they liked and appreciated your efforts, respond with something like, "Thank you. I appreciate your kind words. What resonated with you most?" Or "What was your biggest takeaway?" Their answers will tell you everything you need to know.   - The Captivating Public Speaker available on Amazon

Perhaps the most important speech you’ll ever give is one that lasts only a few minutes. This speech is commonly known as a toast. My guest on this episode, Eddie Rice, discusses the art of both creating a toast and delivering it so that when you have the occasion to deliver a toast, it will be remembered for all the right reasons.   Takeaways - How to determine the goal of your toast - How not to give a toast that ends up on YouTube for the wrong reason - How to structure your toast - The first thing you should say - How to make the middle of your toast relevant - How to end on a powerful note - How to deliver your toast well - Who to address in your toast - What to use for notes - How to hold the mic - How to get feedback when preparing your toast   Resources - RiceSpeechWriting.com - Toast: Short Speeches, Big Impact - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon

As a speaker, two of the things you want to do are engage your audiences and set yourself apart from other speakers. And wouldn’t it be great if you could accomplish both of these at the same time? Well, that’s exactly what my guest, Gordon Stein, is going to help you do.   Takeaways - The value of watching video after the fact - How to determine exactly what the audience is looking for - Who you can share the survey with - What you can learn after your talks - Why you can’t assume who your audience is - The single most important thing to focus on - How to surprise your client and set yourself apart - How to engage your audience before the event takes place - Ways to engage on stage - How you want your audience to feel - A powerful way to review your videos   Resources - CashFlowCookBook.com

Have you ever thought about the many advantages that being a value-driven podcast guest offers you and your brand growth? Well, if you have, or even if you’re thinking about thinking about it, listen to my conversation with Jason Cercone, and you’ll discover a dynamic, innovative, and fun way to build your brand. You’ll also learn how to establish authority in your space and develop more confident, powerful public speaking skills.   Takeaways - Why podcasting is such a powerful platform for brand building - The advantage of storytelling - Is starting a podcast a good way to build your brand? - Should podcast guesting be a campaign? - Is it quality or quantity? - How being selective benefits you - Broadening your reach by appearing on podcasts - How podcasts help hone your public speaking skills - Prospect as a potential guest - Podcasting helps build your community   Resources JasonCercone.com JasonCercone.com/PodcastLove PodMatch.com

(3rd in a 3-Part Series) Do you use slides in your presentations? If so, do you use them in a way that helps your listeners immediately understand their meaning and how it supports your talk, or do they confuse your audience or otherwise distract from your talk? In this episode, you’re going to hear a few ideas that will make your next presentation more engaging and professional.   - The Captivating Public Speaker available on Amazon

Why do you speak? Is it for the sake of speaking, or do you speak as a means to an end? I often say, don’t speak to inform; speak to transform, while my guest, Roy Osing, puts it a little differently. He suggests you speak not to the logical side of the brain but the emotional side so you can, as he puts it, “light fires in people.”   Takeaways - The value of having an "only" statement - How being different matters - Why you have to know who your customers are - How to get people to join you - The mistake leaders make by delegating speaking - Is speaking a performance?   Resources - BeDifferentOrBeDead.com