Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is the most common phobia among Americans.  In fact, it’s the one thing Americans fear more than death.  Just the thought of public speaking is enough to induce anxiety in many people.  This intense fear comes from our fear of being judges, scrutinized, and criticized.  Despite their fears,…

When most of us think about business presentations, the first word that comes to mind isn’t typically “captivating.â€Â  It would be something more along the lines of “death by powerpoint.†We have grown accustomed to sitting through monotonous slides crawling with bullet points, tiny fonts, and less than stellar graphics.  The good news is there…

Our eyes are a reflection of our personality and they demonstrate our thoughts, feelings, and emotions.  So much of what we are thinking and feeling can be evoked through eye contact.  It might be a glaring look from someone and you can immediately sense their anger.  It might be a stare when we look at…

When you speak, you have about 60 seconds to capture the audience’s attention, establish credibility, and clarify your topic.  You can’t afford to let these precious seconds go to waste.  That is why your introduction is one of the most critical components of your presentation.  These first few seconds will determine whether your audience continues…

Many people classify themselves as shy and admit to struggling with things like public speaking and public engagements.  However, we don’t typically think of “shy†as a way of describing someone famous.  The truth is there are far more famous people who overcame shyness than one might think.  It almost seems like a contradiction for…

These days technology makes it possible to give a speech, sales presentation, or run a meeting from anywhere in the world.  In-person presentations can also be amped up with soundtracks, video footage, viral clips, and compelling slideshows.  There’s no doubt technology has had a significant impact on the way we present. However, what happens when…

For thousands of years people have use speech to inform and influence others.  Most of us take it for granted, but man was gifted with the power of speech for a reason.  While it may seem insignificant, it is through speech that we develop a relationship with the world and share our thoughts, feelings, and…

Our ability to sell ourselves, our products, and our services depends on our ability to speak well in front of others.  Oftentimes, however, what prevents us from being successful is not our inability to articulate, but rather our fear of speaking in public.  Nervous speakers tend to lose their credibility and this can have an…

If you have a fear of public speaking, you are not alone.  This is a fear shared by millions of people, including plenty of famous actors.  People often assume that because actors make their career in the spotlight that they must be experts in public speaking.  The truth is there are plenty of famous actors…

What makes a presentation extraordinary?  It helps if you are a strong, confident speaker but there are also important elements that can go a long way toward delivering a compelling presentation.  These elements can turn even the most mundane topics into interesting, memorable presentations. Clear Structure Think about the last you cooked a delicious meal. …