(2nd 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

Have you looked into how other activities may help you become a more effective, engaging speaker? You have? Then you’ve probably found things like improv, stand-up comedy, and impromptu speaking sessions. But what about ballroom dancing? I’ve never heard about this either, but when you listen to my guest, Mark Herschberg, you’ll understand how it and other activities may help you in your journey.   Takeaways - Benefits of participating in speaking-related (and not-so-related) activities - Overcoming disfluencies - Learning to not let your thoughts hold you back - Understanding that people are pulling for you - What is Brain Bump, and how can it help you?   Resources - TheCareerToolkitBook.com - CognoscoMedia.com

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.   Takeaways - How reading your slides kills your engagement - When you should turn the lights down - When to use black slides   - The Captivating Public Speaker available on Amazon

Standing up and speaking in front of others may or may not make you nervous. But what about appearing on video … and I don’t mean just on Zoom. What about being in a studio or making a TV Commercial?   If any of these scenarios make your heart race and your mind go blank, then my guest, Amy Scruggs, has a few simple ideas you can implement that just might make a world of difference.   Takeaways - Do this first - Adjusting your mindset - Starting small - Take 2, toss 1 - What watching the tape does for you   Resources - AmyScruggsMedia.com - AmySruggs.com  - Lights, Camera, Action available on Amazon

Do you want to engage your audience throughout your talks? It’s not as difficult as many people believe. But this is only if you make a mindset shift right now. One of the mistakes speakers make is believing they not only have to be the expert but they also have to prove it. Inherent in this belief is that the focus should be on the speaker, not the audience. This is unfortunate because it often means that the opportunity to serve and benefit the audience was lost.   - The Captivating Public Speaker available on Amazon

Are you nervous when it comes to speaking in public? Are you down right fearful? If so, you’re not alone. But while knowing that you’re not alone might be comforting to a small degree, it doesn’t help you deal with the root cause.   Over the years, I’ve had several episodes on dealing with the fear of public speaking, but in this episode, Dr. Doreen Downing takes a different approach than the others did. If you fear public speaking -- or not -- listen in. You’ll find her advice priceless.   Takeaways - Why would a psychologist decide to help people with speech anxiety? - What's your potential? - Dealing with the inner journey - Getting to the root cause - A new twist on eye contact - The 7 essential secrets   Resources - EssentialPeaking.com - MeetWithDoreen.com

Are you just starting out on your speaking career? Are you a veteran speaker who struggles to make the money you want to make? Are you reluctant to run your speaking career as a business? If you said yes to any of these, then my guest, Jane Atkinson, has a lot in store for you.   Known as the Speaker Launcher, Jane is the author of the Wealthy Speaker 3.0, the founder of the Wealthy Speaker School, and the host of the Wealthy Speaker podcast. She packs thirty years of contacts, connections, and experience into developing speakers, from newcomers to sought-after pros. Quite frankly, many people in the industry consider Jane to be one of the best in the business.   Takeaways - The commonality among speakers - Creating the Wealthy Speaker lifestyle - Not only changing lives but changing families' lives - Gaining financial security - What chocolate cookie recipes have to do with making money - How mindset is a key ingredient in your success - The value of speaking vs the value of providing solutions - Getting paid what you're worth - How consistency supplements mindset - The best form of marketing for speakers   Resources - SpeakerLauncher.com - The Captivating Public Speaker on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ8HRPWC

In the previous QuickBites episode, you learned why eye contact is so important and powerful. In this episode, you’ll discover how to do it well.

What are your principles when it comes to accepting and delivering a keynote … or a breakout for that matter? You haven’t given this any thought? That’s okay because my guest, John Rossman, is going to share his principles, and you’re free to adopt them as yours if you like. As a result, you’re more likely to accept opportunities that are good for you, the audiences, and the event producers.   Takeaways - John’s 7 principles - How you can use these and others to help build a successful career as a keynote speaker - A bonus principle   Resources - John Rossman at linkedin - The Amazon Way available at Amazon - The Digital Leader Newsletter - RossmanPartners.com

Do you want to engage your audiences? Of course, you do! And this QuickBites episode will help you increase the level of engagement -- for your audiences and you!   Eye contact is one of the most important and powerful tools when it comes to engaging your audience. A form of communication unto itself, it provides many benefits. Tune in and discover the more significant ones.