Public Speaking: Numbers are Funny

Most businesses have numerous uses for numbers, both written and oral. Some numbers are funnier and more interesting than others. A number like zero has other names that are funny that aren't even numbers.

Public Speaking: Callbacks

If you refer to a word or phrase you mentioned earlier in your presentation, that's a 'callback.' It works well if the previous piece of material got a good laugh, or if it was a groaner. If the previous material was good, mentioning it again will get more laughter and will make you look polished for being able to tie the previous material to the present material. If the previous material was poor, the callback will show your willingness to tease yourself, which is an admirable quality the audience appreciates.

Public Speaking: Alliteration

When you are speaking in public, humor need not be knee slapping funny to be effective. Here is a mild form of humor to add to your public speaking engagements. Alliteration is the repetition of the same first sound or the same first letter in a group of words or line of poetry.

Public Speaking: Acronyms and Abbreviations

You can use acronyms and abbreviations as a form of humor during a public speaking engagement. An acronym is basically a form of abbreviation where the letters of the abbreviation form a new word, i.e., HUD means the Department of (H)ousing and (U)rban (D)evelopment. There are many acronyms and abbreviations that are universally known such as the IRS and the CIA. There are many more that are unique to your audience. All you have to do to make them humorous for use in your public speaking engagement is to change one or more of the words that go with your well-known abbreviation or acronym.

Public Speaking: Finding Humor for Specific Industries

If you are looking for stories and humor in a specific industry, you must work a little harder than you would have to find general humor. Certain professions like medicine and law have many individual books, newsletters, and articles written about them. But if you are a plumbing executive, or you are speaking to the plumbing industry it is unlikely you could go down to your local public bookstore and find a plumbing joke book.

Public Speaking: Transitions

Most public speaking books will tell you to be a polished speaker you have to tie all your information together so it flows smoothly. You must lead your audience and alert them that slightly different, but related information is coming. This is called transition or segue (pronounced seg-way). LET ME STATE RIGHT NOW THAT I FULLY BELIEVE SMOOTH TRANSITIONS ARE A NECESSITY IF YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR AUDIENCE MEMBERS SO BORED THEY FALL RIGHT OUT OF THEIR SEATS AND SMASH THEIR HEADS ON THE FLOOR.

Public Speaking: The Centerpiece Area

Whenever you are public speaking at an event where food is being served at round tables, you can use the centerpiece area as part of your program. I recently saw Dr. Shirley Garrett do this at large public speaking engagement. She was using juggling scarves on stage.

Public Speaking: Cool Color Commentary

Flip Chart Color... Permanent markers give the most vivid color but dry out faster if you leave the cap off. They also frequently...

How to be a Great Speaker without Using PowerPoint

RESEARCH YOUR AUDIENCE It amazes me how some speakers will show up for a speaking engagement and really not know anything about the audience they are speaking to. Many speakers just get lazy and feel that their message is so important that anyone would want to hear it. They couldn't be more wrong. Your core message may be about the same for everyone, but knowing your audience will allow you to slant the information so that the audience feels it was prepared just for them. They will relate much better to the information and think much more highly of you for creating something specifically for them. Of course, in many cases you were only slanting your information, but I won't tell if you won't.

Overcoming Nervousness

Many people feel very nervous when it comes time for them to present a speech or public performance. Quite frankly, it is amazing that this phenomenon is so prevalent.

Top 5 Ways To Demolish Performance Anxiety

Have you ever found yourself performing on stage and the person in the front row is tapping his feat and you wonder whether you’re maintaining the beat? As you are looking around, do you see a few people whispering and chatting away to each other? Do you get worried what they are discussing? Perhaps your image isn’t right – your hair has moved out of place, or if you’re singing, your voice is a little croaky. If you’re wearing a trouser, do they see your zip undone? Maybe they are discussing how strangely your talent is showing through? Or are they commenting on what you’ve missed out?

The Artistry of Change: How to Turn Fear & Doubt Into Brilliance as a Public Speaker

One day a poor wandering minstrel found a chunk of lead. He knew of a great alchemist in a far off land that could turn lead into gold. With only a few crumbs of bread left, he decided to risk his luck and see if he could reach this land. He carted this heavy rock for days imagining all that the gold could buy him and his family. Just when he was ready to collapse, he saw in the distance the castle where the Alchemist served the great Queen Oriana. Exhausted, he fell into a deep sleep under a tree. Suddenly he was startled awake by an old woman. Under her murky gaze and toothless grin, she warned him about falling asleep here. The forest was teeming with man-eating trolls. Then, she offered him...

The Power of Pause

One of the most essential tools any speaker can learn how to use effectively is the power of knowing when to pause.

Public Speaking Myths: The Five Worst Pieces of Advice for Public Speakers and How to Ignore Them

There's a virtual library full of well-meaning advice about how to make sure your next public speaking engagement is a successful one. Unfortunately, a good deal of it is wrong. Here's some pointers on avoiding the common pitfalls in your quest to become a better public speaker.

Read This Article If You Want to Give the Best Presentation of Your Life

By giving the best presentation of your life you will expand your skills and abilities in public speaking. The expectations you have of yourself will be increased. Your progress towards greater confidence, a broader network base and a widened field of potential clients will be realized. Winners stand out from the pack. They are looked up to and people who are looked up to become leaders. You will be viewed as a leader. People follow leaders.