Speaking Tips Library: 130+ Keys to Better Speaking
Welcome Speakers.
On this site you will find over 130 tips for delivering more effective speeches and presentations.
They are the result of my twice-weekly postings when I was using this site as a blog. I am no longer adding new postings, but I’m leaving PodiumWise up and available as a resource for speakers who are always looking for one more way they can strengthen their skills.
Below you will find a directory of the tip titles. I invite you to browse and click on whatever interests you. Whenever you’re ready for another tip, come back to PodiumWise and pick a new one.
I also invite you to get my book: Presentation Skills 201: How to Take it to the Next Level as a Confident, Engaging Speaker. It contains more in-depth advice not found here at PodiumWise.
I wish you the best in all your future speeches and presentations!
Bill Steele
President
Steele Presentation Coaching
www.steelepresentationcoaching.com
Posts
- Category: Content
- Analogies build understanding.
- At least use a relevant joke.
- Be careful when tapping your own deep emotion.
- Combine detail with heart.
- Drive home your theme with multiple quotes.
- Go behind the scenes for stories.
- Go light on the verbal footnotes.
- Persuade with benefit statements that are meaningful to the audience.
- Should you tap into their passion or yours?
- Spice it up.
- Start with a Human Interest Story.
- Stories give life to numbers.
- They are looking to you for answers, not questions.
- What if audience recall determined your pay?
- Category: Delivery
- Applause is good, but only to a point.
- Appropriate Delivery
- Arrange for quality feedback.
- Be yourself
- Don’t be embarrassed about using notes.
- Hold your notes only if you have to.
- There's no gain without videotape pain.
- Transition with a question.
- When speaking while seated, leave the toys alone.
- Category: Visual
- Category: Vocal
- Category: Facilitation
- Category: Handling Questions
- Category: introductions
- Category: Language
- Category: Material
- Category: Message
- A compelling message covers a multitude of delivery sins.
- A leader’s message affirms.
- Acknowledge the 800 pound gorilla.
- Build credibility with personal examples.
- Casual dress is the new, reverse pretentiousness.
- Come to the end; then stop.
- Concentrate on a point.
- Don't think too much.
- Focus your elevator speech.
- Give subordinates a chance to make their case.
- Go Beyond Your Resume
- Shop and learn about benefit statements.
- State the point of your story.
- The best transitions go unnoticed.
- Their passion is important too.
- Venture capitalists want better presentations.
- You are a spinner until proven otherwise.
- You can edit and polish the life right out of it.
- Category: Non-Verbal Language
- Category: Preparation & Practice
- Category: stage fright
- Category: Strategy
- A wider discussion means more flexibility.
- Acknowledge that the audience members also have valuable knowledge.
- Buy time for impromptu speaking.
- Don't Wear Out Your Welcome
- Don’t pass things around.
- Empower them to spread your message.
- Entertain questions at the end of sections.
- Focus on one improvement at a time.
- Housekeeping can wait.
- Information that must stick, takes extra effort.
- It helps if they like you.
- It’s better to skip material than to not do it justice.
- Let them save face.
- Overcorrect to Change Perceptions
- Quit while you’re ahead with impromptu speaking.
- Test the boundaries of convention.
- Wait for the audience to laugh first.
- Wait with your gratitude and compliments.
- Category: Uncategorized
- Check you sources.
- Could a virtual reality build speaking skills?
- Don't Wear Out Your Welcome
- Encourage your fellow team members.
- Evading is not persuading.
- Interview the challenger.
- Is a thought too long for eye contact?
- Make the complex simple.
- Never stop improving.
- Prezi is a Promising Alternative to PowerPoint
- Take a lesson from the world of music.
- Talkers are born; speakers are not.
- The Positive Side of Antagonism
- Thoughtful advice about an accent is helpful.
- Trim 10%.
- Value feedback.
- Category: Visuals
- A blank screen can do wonders.
- Help them read the y-axis label.
- Let them see the slides.
- Look at the main screen together with the audience.
- Orient the audience to the slide.
- Put the laser pointer down.
- Skipped bullet points are distracting.
- Slides, like billboards, should be quick reads.
- Sometimes a rough drawing beats a polished graphic.
- Transition better with presenter view.
- Use slide numbers to navigate during discussions.
- What visuals would you make by hand if you had to?
