The SpeakersTrainingCamp® is the fastest and easiest way to improve your presentation skills

Here are just a few reasons why people have named the SpeakersTrainingCamp® as the fastest and easiest way to become a fantastic and fearless presenter:

1. Learn to prepare a presentation in 5 minutes or less
2. Become twice as energized and dynamic
3. Discover how to rivet your audience (no more snooze button)
4. Cut those nerves in half
5. Have a great time learning, trying, and improving

2012 sessions will be held:

March 20-21 Portland, OR/Columbia Gorge
July 22-23 Washington, DC
October 9-10 Portland, OR/Columbia Gorge

Click here for more information and registration

The SpeakersTrainingCamp® is also available on-site.

Yikes! I had to consciously restrain myself from shouting “Ditch that script, and get real”. If he intended to read word for word in front of his audience, he was headed straight to presentation hell. His audience would moan and groan and writhe in agony. Instead, he should use his slides to suggest conversation. He knows his stuff, so just talk it. If I were to join him at his table, I’m sure he could tell me all about the details of his topic, using the slides as triggers.

The main point is – use your notes or your slides as conversation triggers only. Do not read! And when you are at Chicago’s Midway airport – try the great burgers and enjoy the baseball memorabilia on the walls. I’m sure Harry Carey never read from a script while he was singing “Take Me out to the Ball Game”.

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I’m often asked who some of my favorite presenters are. Steve Jobs is always one that I mention. Here’s why:
1. Always conversational

2. He took 100% of his personality into each and every presentation. Steve, the presenter, was the same Steve you would meet on the street.

3.His PowerPoint slides were incredibly vivid and simple

4.He usually had some sort of creative surprise for the audience: pulling a floppy disk out of his pocket as though he were a magician, sitting on a living room chair as he was demonstrating the iPad…..

5.He cared – through his voice and through his expression, there was no doubt in your mind that he really cared about the products, the message. He was authentic. He had charisma.

6.He spoke in everyday language. He left the techno-babble behind.

7.He dressed in a way that reflected his style: simple and different.

8.He was always well-organized and often used a numbered list for his organization. I am a great fan of lists.

9.Steve used the stage freely – took up space and addressed all sections of his audience.

10.He always exuded pride in his products and his company. His vocal inflection and facial expression gave us a clear picture of his feelings.

Steve was one of the very best role models for business presenters. He was an iPresenter. Just like his iproducts. He was one of a kind.

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1. Practice going from a low level of energy to a high level. Think of something that you do not like (maybe you don’t like cats), and practice speaking about that topic in a very flat, soft, uninteresting voice. Then think of something that you are wild about (maybe a certain sports car). Speak about it in a very loud, energetic voice with lots of inflection and expression. Now go back to the cats…. then to the sports car…. then back to the cats. What you will be experiencing is a “texture” change in your message.

2. Find a sentence in a magazine, and read it with 5 different emotions: excited, bored, scared, tired, questioning. Those emotions should bring out a great vocal range.

3. Use the elements of voice change to let the audience know that you really care about the topic. Your voice has is like a radio with lots of buttons: you can change the volume, the speed, the pause button, and the frequency (high pitch, low pitch).

Release those vocal qualities. Remember that variety is key. Unleash your voice for a more memorable message.

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On a recent American Idol show Beyonce, the super mega-star gave the singing contestants advice. Surprisingly she described herself as a somewhat shy person who has to really work at being confident on stage. She explained that what she does is some positive self-talk, “I’m worth it, I deserve to be here, I’m a diva.” This works great for speakers and presenters too. Next time you feel unworthy of being up in front of a group, have a serious talk with yourself – convince yourself that you deserve to be there & that you know more about your topic than anyone else in the room. Beyonce’s advice works!

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I am very excited to announce that the SpeakersTrainingCamp® will be coming to Washington, DC on July 9-10 and September 24-25. People have been asking me for years to do more East Coast sessions. The workshops are hosted by The Protocol School of Washington. I have been training for the School for over 15 years, and they offer world-class training in protocol and etiquette. Everything they do is fabulous, including the location, the attention to detail, and even the snacks are the best! When you attend a workshop all day and work hard – those snacks really help to maintain your energy level. Registrations are already coming in, so you will want to reserve your space right away. The SpeakersTrainingCamp® has been top-rated, hands-on, and famous for results for over 25 years. You will learn to be a fantastic and fearless presenter – and have fun doing it – guaranteed! (Can you tell I’m excited about it??)

For registration and more information, click your desired date:

July 9-10

September 24-25

Hope to see you in DC – for a great workshop, great people, and great snacks!

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One of the most exciting things in my business is when I add a new country to the growing list of areas where the SpeakersTrainingCamp® is available. As of March 4th, there is a new, very talented instructor based in Lima, Peru.

On the last day of the certification program I discuss business success, marketing, and sales. It is my intention to inspire the new instructors to maintain the same level of customer excellence that has made the SpeakersTrainingCamp® famous for over 30 years. I encourage them to:

1. Embrace feedback – find out what customers and clients love, and also find out what can be done better.

2. Write after-action reports. After each SpeakersTrainingCamp® workshop, write a list of ideas for next time. Never be satisfied – keep polishing the apple!

3. Plant seeds. Constantly plant seeds. Look for new business, grow the business, plant more seeds, and nurture every single client.

If you would like more information on the SpeakersTrainingCamp® Instructor Certification program, you can see the details on my website.

Spring is on its way – time to plant seeds!

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Wow! I loved the movie, The King’s Speech. The characters were rich and the story was terrific. Most of all, it reminded me of my jobs, both past and present. My degree is in Speech Therapy, and I began my career as an elementary school speech therapist. I remember working with a few stutterers, and they were always a puzzle. Some improved, and some did not. There is no known cure for stuttering.

The thing that struck me the most in the movie, however, relates to my current position – helping nervous speakers. Lionel, the speech therapist in the movie, gave the king my #1 tip on overcoming nervousness during a speech. When the King was standing by the microphone, ready to give his coronation address, Lionel gently reminded him, “Say it to me as a friend.”
Bingo! That’s it – one of the best ways to overcome nervousness in a presentation. Imagine that you are talking to a friend – in your living room or at lunch. It will help to keep you relaxed and conversational.

So the next time you are faced with a burst of anxiety, take Lionel’s advice. It really works.

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President Obama’s memorial speech for the victims of the Tucson, Arizona shootings received a standing ovation, not only from the crowd in attendance, but also by the media and political commentators. It was rousing and perfect. As I listened to his speech, I extracted these five tips that will help make your next speech or presentation outstanding:

1. Show Emotion. You could tell with every word and every expression that President Obama really cared. He looked serious when speaking of the tragedy; he smiled when telling the story of victim Phyllis Schneck who sewed aprons with Jets and Giants logos to give to her friends, his voice rose as he was beckoning Americans to become more civil.

2. Highlight a Theme. Two days after his speech the theme has emerged: “…talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.” This is what is being repeated over and over again by the media. What one phrase or sentence do you want your listeners to remember for the long term? It should be memorable and repeatable.

3. Personalize with Stories. This was a terrific part of the speech. President Obama shared a story about each one of the victims – the couple with the RV, the husband who shielded his wife from the gunman, the brave woman who wrestled the ammunition away from the shooter, the little girl who wanted to be a professional ball player. He named them by name and by story one by one.

4. Use the Magic of 3. Obama told the crowd that he had just come from the hospital where he saw Representative Gabrielle Giffords. He remarked to the crowd: ” and then Gabby opened her eyes (the crowd cheered), she opened her eyes (the crowd cheered again) … she opened her eyes (and again the crowd cheered). This was a spontaneous addition to the speech. It was not in the text. Obama used the moment and the power of 3 to create a memory. You can too. Repeat something important three times in a row when you want to create a memorable moment.

5. Lift Them Up at the End. This was a sad time. It was a memorial. The tragedy ran deep. Obama lifted that spirit up, especially toward the end of the speech. He called for Americans to unite in spirit and peace and to imagine the youngest victim, Christina Taylor Green jumping through rain puddles in Heaven. Even if your presentation is about job layoffs, find a way to be uplifting at the end.

This was an amazing speech with a heartfelt message and it was delivered with passion. It was written by Obama’s speechwriter, Cody Kennan, a Chicago native.

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Ted Williams has start power

His image and story are everywhere. Ted Williams – homeless man – has suddenly found stardom. What are the secrets of his sudden rise to fame, and how can presenters enhance their own skills using these secrets?

1. The Voice. Of course Ted’s low, mellow, golden voice is his ticket to fame. Low is gold in the world of business and selling. I’ve worked with many people who have high abrasive voices. Anytime you want to exert authority or interest, concentrate on lowering your voice (a deeper sound). If you are really serious about improving the vocal quality, use a tape recorder and listen to yourself speaking at various levels – high, medium, and low.

2. The Smile. He has a Tiger Woods million dollar smile. Most presenters do not smile enough. It’s really hard to do when you are nervous. Think about showing the enthusiasm for your subject in your facial expressions.

3. The Story. Ted’s story of potential success makes him unique. Everyone has one or two signature stories – sometimes you have to dig deep to find yours. In our advanced SpeakersTrainingCamp® we actually spend a half day extracting each person’s signature story. It should be meaningful and memorable.

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