June 2104

Madeleine and Audra

My June newsletter's lead article examines two great women and what they have in common. And how you can have it, too.

And, as always, you can also find more info about my upcoming One-Day Blitz workshops. And here you will find details about Focus on You, my service that gets your business video story out there.

Tips you can use!

Notes are your friends
Really. Most great speakers have their notes close at hand. The best ones can sneak a peek that you won't even notice. They know their brains have more important work to do than memorize a speech they will give once. Or twice, at best.

Conduct yourself
For any speech longer than a minute you need to build in some tempo variation. Cast yourself as the conductor of your perfromance and feel the rhythmic changes. Your audience is much more likely to stay engaged if your too-steady pacing does not put them to sleep.

Break in your leadership shoes

It's a metaphor as well as practical advice. Not only do you need to be comfortable wearing the mantle of leadership, you need to know how to walk in those shoes. Literally. You won't be perceieved as a leader if you're off balance or clomping around like a horse. 

May 2014

Katherine Streeter for NPR

           Sound perceptions

My May newsletter blog points readers to a report of a study about the importantt first impressions you make with the very first words you speak.

And, as always, you can also find more info about my upcoming One-Day Blitz workshops. And here you will find details about Focus on You, my service that gets your business video story out there. Take advantage of these trainings before I dive fullsteam ahead into summer teaching at American University and take a workshop "hiatus."

Tips you can use!

Friends don't let friends uptalk
Seriously? I can't believe I am still telling you this? You diminish your credibility if you can't make a declarative statement? Sad but true, uptalk lives on. Let's bury it.

The perfect three
Limit your main points to three per speech; it's standard organizational practice. Four might work occasionally but that's about as far as this rule stretches. Listeners can't process more than that. So streamline your content to fit into those three main points for a more effective, powerful message.

Straight up, no twist!

Standing, that is. The best posture is also the most natural. Untwist by undoing bad habits, like standing with your feet crossed, or putting all your weight on one hip. Do some stretches (yoga or otherwise), and get used to feeling that neutral, relaxed position whenever you stand. You'll have more energy and look better too!

April 2014

It Isn't Rocket Science

In my April newsletter blog post I look at the how and why of knocking down language barriers and overcoming knowledge differences to communicate effectively.

As always, you can also find more info about my upcoming One-Day Blitz workshops. And here you will find details about Focus on You, my service that gets your business video story out there. 

Tips you can use!

Allergic reaction 
Now that spring has finally sprung, it's time for pollen and allergies. If you're taking antihistamines to keep those sneezes and snuffles at bay, be sure to hydrate more than usual to keep that vocal mechanism "well oiled."

Work backwards

When you know the date of your big speech or presentation, mark your calendar two weeks prior to get back up to speed with warm-ups and work-outs. Even if you are still preparing content, you need to return to vocal and physical exercises to ensure you are "in shape" for the event. You wouldn't hop off the couch and expect to run a race, would you?

Cut, not color
Just because your clothing is dark or a subdued hue does not mean it is automatically business-wear. Structure and fabric define workplace clothing as much, if not more, than color. What you wear to work reflects your public persona. Make sure you look polished, put-together, and not too relaxed.