Fearless Presentations

Use Audience Participation to Engage All the Senses

As presenters, we often focus on how we look, what visual aids we will use, and how we sound to the audience. But Sight and sound are just two of the senses. On today's episode, I'm going to show you how you can add a few simple things to your presentation to enhance the additional senses of touch, smell, and even taste.Now, obviously, if you are presenting the financial report to the board of directors, you can probably just move onto the next episode. But, if you are wanting to create a memorable experience for your audience, been seen a different from other presenters, or if you are trying to win your audience to our way of thinking, some of these ideas can be a great way to set yourself apart.The goal is to engage the audience in a way that most boring presenters don't. If you want to be seen as a capable presenter, you'll want to do things a little different. And many of these ideas are small and memorable. And they also allow your audience to participate in the presentation.Show Notes: Use Audience Participation to Engage All the Senses(https://www.fearlesspresentations.com/audience-participation-in-business-presentations-inspires-the-senses/)

13 Phrases to Avoid in Your Speech at All Costs

Even great content can fall flat if it’s delivered poorly. One awkward phrase, one outdated cliché, or one moment of uncertainty can derail your entire presentation. That’s why knowing what to avoid in a speech is just as important as knowing what to include.You might have years of experience or the perfect PowerPoint presentation, but if you open with a weak phrase, or worse, a cringe-worthy one, you risk losing your audience’s attention before your message even begins.In this episode, we’ll go through the phrases to avoid in a speech, why they’re harmful, and how to replace them with stronger, more effective alternatives. Whether you’re presenting to a small group, a packed auditorium, or a few coworkers in a meeting room, this guide will help you become a more effective speaker. Show Notes: 13 Phrases to Avoid in Your Speech at All Costshttps://www.fearlesspresentations.com/6-phrases-you-should-avoid-in-your-next-speech-at-all-costs/

The Pros and Cons of Public Speaking Coaching

I taught a public speaking class in Houston last week for a great group of people. We had an absolute blast. But the class was a little smaller than normal. And it got me thinking about a topic that I covered a couple of years ago, but we haven't really delved into a lot -- public speaking coaching.If you'd listened to a few episodes, you'll know that I am a big fan of public speaking classes because classes allow participants to practice speaking in a controlled environment. They are a safer way to experiment and try different techniques out. And, since everyone in a public speaking class is working toward the same goal, they are typically very supportive.But what about public speaking coaching? Especially, one-on-one coaching. Is that really effective? So, on this episode, I give you the pros and cons of public speaking coaching.Show Notes: The Pros and Cons of Public Speaking Coachinghttps://www.fearlesspresentations.com/public-speaking-training/presentation-coaching/

Handling Q&A Sessions During a Presentation

This week, I’m covering how to master Q&A Sessions in a speech. This is the part of the presentation that most people dread because it is spontaneous and unplanned. And, because it is spontaneous and unplanned, it can be terrifying for new presenters. So on this episode, I’m going to show you how this couple of minutes can be your secret weapon as a presenter (especially if you are trying to sell or persuade your audience.) I also give you five tips to help you master the Q&A session of your speech. The key to performing well in a Question-and-Answer Session during a presentation is to prepare in advance. If you just try to "wing it," and someone stumps you with a tough question, your confidence can shatter. And, since this is the last thing the audience sees, you'll have a tougher time recovering and leaving the audience with a good impression of you.

How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills in One Week (or Less)

This week, I'm going to give you a very simple, step-by-step process to help you improve your public speaking skills in just one week. This process is very similar to the one we use in our public speaking classes. And itis designed to help presenters create new habits that lead to better presentations.If you follow the process, you'll only need to put in 10 to 30 minutes of work on each of five workdays. And by the end of the work week, you will have created a pretty good persuasive speech that will be easier to deliver.If you are listening to this episode on an audio podcast like Apple or Spotify, I'd suggest listening to the entire episode once from start to finish. Then, go back to day one and follow the assignment for the first day. Next, pause the episode until day two and resume the episode.If you use this process, the episode will stay on top of your listening schedule so you can come back to it as you put more of the strategies together.Show Notes: How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills in One Week (or Less)(https://www.fearlesspresentations.com/how-to-improve-your-public-speaking-skills-in-one-week-or-less/)