Apr 21, 2020

2-Minute Tip : The Stage as War Zone

Think of the stage as a war zone. Not in the sense that the audience is an enemy. The enemy is the way many folks hold back and don’t spend all their energy on stage.

To mix metaphors even further, the stage is that poker hand where you need to go all in./ If you hold chips...

Feb 13, 2020

2-Minute Tip: Tell Stories

Stories are how humans connect. They form the basis of our social relationships. They’re how we share history.

As a speaker, one of the best ways to make sure you connect with your audience is to tell stories — and not just one. Illustrate your talk with as many stories as possible....

Dec 15, 2019

2-Minute Tip: Be Authentic and Tell Your Story

Across the different guests I talk with, the theme of authenticity keeps coming up in the tips. It’s similar in many of them which demonstrates just how important it is. Also interesting is how each of them brings their own angle to the concept.

When you tell your...

Nov 3, 2019

2-Minute Tip — Connect with Your Audience

Before speaking, meet your audience members. In a small meeting, maybe that means greeting them as they come in to the conference room. At a larger event, that may mean mingling with attendees in the venue.

By meeting with some of your attendees before you speak, you start...

Oct 9, 2019

2-Minute Tip: Be Vulnerable

We often talk about the importance of authenticity as a speaker. Another way to think about it, though, is vulnerability.

The benefit of vulnerability as a speaker is that the audience can feel where you are coming from. It’s easier for them to connect with you.

And if they feel that...