How to Engage Your Audience - Bits of Info by Fred E. Miller

Have you ever felt that spur of adrenalin right before you needed to deliver the speech that was suppose to change lives? Of course you have. We've all been there. The only thing you can do is to learn how to respond right in these kind of demanding situations. That particular decision is still yours entirely. But how to develop the skills you need, how to acquire the knowledge? 

Well, as the saying goes, learn from the best! And Fred E. Miller is definitely, and without a doubt one of the best ones in his profession. As a successful presenter, coach, entrepreneur and business man, Fred E. Miller lets us tap into his vast amount of experience via a series of catchy and highly beneficial videos in public speaking and especially in the topic of public speaking anxiety and all its facets. Now, with this particular "video-nugget" you can learn some practical and simple techniques on how to engage you audience even more and how to make absolutely sure that the message you're seeking to convey will find its way to them and you'll be able to leave a meaningful impact with your presentation. And as he'd say, "No Sweat!", just give it time, do your research and never ever forget your purpose. 

You can watch his video here, or you can also go to his official website to check out more of his videos, insights, books and advice on how to cope with your fear of public speaking anxiety and become the best presenter you can be.

The best public speaker - unusual tips by James Altucher

Getting knocked down can be the worst feeling in the world. James Altucher tells us that the most he ever learned about public speaking was from his mentor who tore his presentation apart, right before he was supposed to present. And we have to agree that this is pretty much close to the phrase "being knocked down". Something must have worked though, because he is now a highly successful manager, entrepreneur, bestselling author and of course a brilliant public speaker. 

Everyone knows the basics: make eye contact, speak slowly, and engage the audience. But what is it that makes you really stand out as a public speaker? Slur your words - yes that is a tip. What about always including a pretty girl in your presentation? From telling you to slur your words on purpose to the pretty girl rule, James Altucher has some tips to make you think. His upbeat and unique voice will get to you, no matter how tired or disappointed you might be. Check out his explanation on these methods and many more in his post below or go visit the original one here!

by James Altucher  - Presaholic guest-blogger

11 Unusual Methods for Being a Great Public Speaker

Prakash Panangaden taught me everything about public speaking. The first thing he taught me when we were in Kaiserslautern, Germany, for my “fascinating” talk titled “A Mechanically Assisted Proof in Category Theory” was ‘never go to the porn shops here. They will rip you off.’ I was 22 and Kaiserslautern was the worst city I had ever been to in my entire life.

In a 24 hour period, I was chased by a lunatic, accused of stealing at the hotel I was staying at, kicked out of a bar for reasons I still can’t understand, and warned by my professor/mentor not to go to any porn stores or I would be ripped off. Being 22, I promptly ignored him. Part of the reason I was later chased  and perhaps also accused of stealing but that’s another story.

I was very very nervous about public speaking to these people (the name of the conference is so boring I can’t even repeat it). For one thing, its impossible to make esoteric math like “Category Theory” funny.

How to Prevent Speech Disasters - by Diane Windingland

This is it. Today is the big day and you’re ready to go. Its time to give your presentation. All of a sudden, the screen goes blank, you panic, and forget everything you prepared in a moment of sheer terror as you stand alone on stage with the full audience’s attention on you. 

We’ve all seen it happen. There are many small disasters that could completely ruin your presentation. While some disasters are unavoidable, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for unforeseen difficulties. 

Diane Windingland provides 3 key ways to reduce the risk of a disaster and to recover in the event that things go wrong. Her post explains how to best prepare for a presentation - via checklists and dress rehearsals - and how to plan effectively for any number of technical or personal difficulties. Her helpful tips convey the importance of preparation, creativity, and the ability to improvise. Plus, as she always says so eloquently: Small talk, big results! So be sure to browse through her full article in the post below or check out the original one here. 

by, Diane Windingland, Presaholic guest-blogger

The 3 key ways to reduce risk: Checklists, Dress Rehearsal, and Contingency Planning

You’ve seen it happen. Maybe it’s happened to you. The microphone cuts out. The PowerPoint slides don’t work. Your presentation time gets cut. Can you recover when things go wrong in a speech? Can you plan ahead to manage the risk? Yes and yes.

1. Checklists: Seminar Equipment Checklist and Pre-Presentation Checklist

Your memory is not infallible. Checklists are an easy way to make sure you don’t forget necessary equipment or procedures. Astronauts use them. Surgeons use them. Speakers should use them! Click on the above links for my checklists for when I hold public seminars. Feel free to modify them for your own use. A checklist is a work-in progress.

The top presentation skill by Simon Raybould: "Fake it Until you Make it!"

We have all done it. Well, we may not have done it, but we have seen it happen. We’ve seen someone speak to a group of people and appear one way, and then present themselves in a totally different way in a one-on-one setting. Or we might have even been that very person. 

Dr. Simon Raybould, the Director of Curved Vision says that “faking it” on stage is not uncommon in the least, even for expert speakers. As a specialist trainer in making presentations, he is used to dealing with people who are different off stage than they are on it. 

His message tells us why people are inclined to act differently on stage. Could it be the nerves we get before speaking in public? Is it because we are presenting on a subject not directly connected to our message? Or could it be that we don’t want to let the audience into our personal lives? Finally, is being a different person in a presentation setting a good or bad thing? These are the questions he ponders upon in this article in an upbeat and irresistible tone. 

Gain Simon’s insight on “Faking It” by checking out his entire post below or go to his website for the original!

by our Presaholic guest-blogger, Simon Raybould

The #1 Public Speaking tip by T.J. Walker: 'Try to Get Nervous!'

Try to get nervous! Who in the world would ever want to actually try to get nervous? Nervousness is a feeling most people run in the opposite direction of. If that isn’t an odd enough proposition, TJ Walker throws another curveball at us: Try to get nervous while brushing your teeth! 

As the founder of Media Training Worldwide, host of the #1 rated YouTube Channel dedicated to Daily Public Speaking and Media Training Improvement, and having trained many important figures in the public eye, TJ Walker is one of the most important voices of public speaking. 

Public speaking is something that sparks nervousness or even fear in many people. TJ Walker’s message is very clear even with the unconventional, yet catchy method he proposes in order to overcome this fear. It’s nearly impossible to get nervous doing something that you do every single day. So, his proposition is for us to practice public speaking so much, that we get to the point that we are comfortable doing it. Check out the video, “What do Brushing Your Teeth and Public Speaking have in Common”, to see all of the advice TJ Walker has for us to tackle the fear of public speaking!

To check out the original video post, visit TJ Walker's website and get ready for even more tips and insight on how to be the best public speaker you can be.

5 Presentation Tips You Can Learn From TV Ads

by Vivek Singh, Presaholic guest-blogger

Would you have ever though that a presenter can learn valuable lessons from the process of making television ads? It's no secret, but you need to have an eye for that - and Vivek Singh does. As a presentation consultant, marketer and blogger with his own flourishing blog, 'All About Presentations', he now offers his expertise and insight in this topic for us, Presaholics. 

Just think about the impact a well-designed advertisement can trigger: well targeted, clearly articulated, straight to the point messages where you can feel absolutely sure, that your audience is on board. These are the cornerstones of a presentation that stands out and aims to reach the audience with the greatest impact and influence.

Check out the blogpost by Vivek Singh here, and find out more about how a public speaker can benefit from thinking like a TV marketing expert!

3 Public Speaking Tips from NSA President: Conviction, Creativity and Courage

We often find ourselves to be told, 'Learn from the best!' when facing a challange without knowing how to tackle it. So, here's the opportunity to do so. Ron Karr, President of the National Speakers Association (NSA) gave a stunningly lighthearted though deeply motivational speech at the 2013 NSA Convention, a true masterpiece of public speaking. 

With him, you have the motivation, the personal story, the dedication and the message that needs to be conveyed. The NSA, established in 1973, is the biggest professional organization in the USA focusing on every possible facet of public speaking starting from webinars and public speaking events to mastering essential presentation skills and to the ability of finding your own voice and message. Ron Karr gives a perfect essence of their leading competencies in the four core areas: eloquence, expertise, enterprise and ethics. Watch him speak, consider the power of the 3 C's and then go, find your own voice and your message the world will notice!

To see the original blogpost at the official website of the National Speakers Association, click here or read it below, here at Presaholic!

by Ron Karr, Presaholic guest-blogger via NSA

The Power of the 3 C's: Conviction, Creativity and Courage

If you weren't able to attend the 2013 NSA Convention, you missed out on an inspiring speech from the 2013-2014 NSA President, Ron Karr, CSP. Below are a couple excerpts from the presidential speech, as well as the full video.

These three words "perfectly describe us as speakers, entrepreneurs and the very essence of NSA. As speakers, we have conviction in our message and desires. We have a story to tell, and a dream to bring it to reality. We are often seeking creative ways on how to enhance our success. And each and every day we take this platform, we courageously put forth our ideas and thoughts, sometimes not knowing how they are going to be accepted."

"Here's the bottom line: If we want to succeed today, being good is not enough. We must be great at what we do. So I invite all of us to join together, and be great. Or, in the words of The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, 'Let's come on up for the rising.' Let's together, come on up for the rising."

To watch Ron Karr's Presidential Acceptance Speech, click here!