4 Barriers to Presentation Brilliance

What causes a public speaker to fade in the background instead of lighting up a room? Each presenter has an opportunity to share their wisdom but often barriers get in the way of conveying their brilliance.

Are you afraid to step out of your comfort zone? There’s a saying, “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know”. Public speakers easily default to the familiar instead of trying something new. Sometimes it’s because they don’t know anything else or may be unaware that they need to improve.

It’s essential to understand that being uncomfortable is part of unearthing your brilliance. The goal is to be comfortable with being uncomfortable- to seek it out-to embrace it. Ask yourself, “How can I stretch?”

A major roadblock to stepping into a bigger version of yourself is the fear of humiliation. When I first wrote Knockout Presentations, I interviewed people and asked them the reason they feared public speaking. After analyzing the responses, a theme emerged. What most people dreaded was the fear of humiliation. That being the case, you can overcome this fear by

1. Anticipating a humiliating experience and preparing recovery strategies.

2. Reframe the mishap as a learning experience. It’s not humiliating unless you consider it so.

   While fear is the biggest barrier here are four common reasons that public speakers cast a shadow on their own presentation brilliance.

Failure to adapt. To be a master communicator you must be flexible. That means adapting to a different audience, a different company culture and especially last minute changes. Here is where we separate the novice from the pro. It’s not unusual to have your time cut by the manager or meeting planner. Would you know how to do it? The most common way presenters adapt is to speak faster. Or maybe the first speaker on the agenda used the exact examples you planned to use. Failure to adapt will take you out of brilliance and launch you into dullness.

Poor communication skills. There is no shortage of subject matter experts who have valuable insights and data but can’t communicate their message. The presenters may be disorganized. They may not define terms. More frequently, the presenters speak too fast or don’t articulate clearly and often go off message. If your audience is scratching their heads with confusion, they will tune you out.

Little or no audience connection. Are you a talking head? This is the presenter who is scripted and overly rehearsed. They sound unnatural and they talk at the audience. People don’t want to hear a lecture. Presentation brilliance is about the relationship with the audience. Talk to them in a conversational tone. Ask them a question and challenge them. Provide an exercise and tell them a story that is relatable. Create an experience. It’s about how you make them feel. Facts tell but stories sell. Without emotion they’ll probably forget most of what you say.

Insufficient technology skills. Like it or not, we all need to be proficient with technology. Have you ever seen an expert fumbling with equipment? What’s the experience of the slides not working? It’s easy to lose credibility as a public speaker when your technical skills don’t match your expertise. You don’t have to use technology in every presentation. If your story is compelling all you need is you. But remember YOU are the visual aid and the technology is about how you work the room and command the stage.

These four barriers don’t have to overshadow you. Master the skills of adaptability, communication, connection, and technology and let your presentation brilliance emerge.

To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked in the Top 20 Most Popular courses for 2 years.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

What To Do If You're Zoom Bombed

Imagine you’re in a Zoom meeting. The speaker is scintillating. Then all of a sudden you hear another voice. You don’t know where it’s coming from. Then an unknown person appears in the gallery. His behavior is obscene. The meeting stops. Everyone is silently wondering what to do. This actually happened in a class I attended. How do you get rid of this disgusting intruder?

Fortunately, we had a couple of back office experts on the call and they were able to remove him from the room. What if this scenario happened to you? Would you know what to do?

Here are a few tips for preventing invaders from Zoom bombing your meeting.

Know who is coming. Make sure the team cross checks the people against the participant list.

Don’t let them rename themselves. By shutting off this feature, they can’t hijack someone else’s name and appear to be that person. Be wary of someone who calls himself “User” or an impersonal moniker.

Shut off their cameras and audio before allowing participants to leave the waiting room and enter the meeting. You’ll see if there are duplicate names or names you don’t recognize. This will allow you to remove them before there is any trouble.

Turn off Share Screen so they can’t override your display.

Tell people to arrive early. Close the room after the first 10 minutes so strangers can’t crash the meeting. If you know there will be latecomers, look at the names in the waiting room. If you don’t recognize a name, send a direct message. Ask them to send you an email describing themselves.

Make sure you have a co-host so they can troubleshoot if a stranger gets into the room. You need more than one pair of eyes and hands to catch a Zoom Bomber so share the controls.

Click the REMOVE button once you identify the culprit. Be aware that Zoom automatically reports someone when they are removed by the host. To avoid the wrong person being reported, you can shut off this feature and then manually hit the REPORT button.

In the two years since I’ve attended this same class, we’ve been Zoom Bombed twice. Most of the time the security works and you’ll have effective meetings and presentations. On the rare occasion that you do have an intruder, you’ll know what to do to stop the Zoom Bombing and save the day. The SETTINGS feature is your best friend.

To learn how to Speak Confidently and Effectively check out my LinkedIn learning course. It ranked #5 on the Top 20 Most Popular courses.

To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.

To work with me contact DiResta Communications, Inc.

Tagged: presentation, public speaking, virtual presentatio

The One Speaking Mistake TV Presenters Make That Radio Presenters Don't

My mouth was watering. I was listening to a major network television broadcast. They were interviewing a restaurant owner and he was describing a delicious recipe. They talked about his menu, his background, and of course they all sampled the tasty dish. So far so good. They captured and kept my attention. Wouldn’t you want to go to a restaurant with such good food? There was only one problem. They ended the interview without mentioning the chef’s name, the name of the restaurant or the location. How frustrating! A lost opportunity for the restaurant and for me. It’s happened too many times to be a coincidence. If you don’t catch the opening line at the very beginning of the interview you won’t know who they’re talking about.

I can tell you this rarely happens on radio interviews. As a podcast and radio Interviewer, the host is trained to promote the guest. They’ll often mention the name of my book in the introduction. They’ll end by mentioning the book again, asking where people can buy it and how they can find the website.

A good presentation has a beginning, a middle, and an end. When coaching my clients I often find that the weakest part is often the end. Many public speakers leave off the conclusion. They’ll end with their last point or they’ll say “That’s it.” And the presentation ends with a thud, like a lead balloon. The purpose of the conclusion is to complete the presentation and tie it all together.

A good conclusion recaps the main points. Consider that some people may miss the beginning points. A good public speaker will be sure that the audience leaves remembering the main message. And the really skilled speaker will tell the audience the next step. It could be an upsell or food for thought (no pun intended). But they’ll tell the listeners how to continue to connect with the speaker and learn more.

So take a public speaking lesson from the radio interviewers. End with the key points and tell them who, what and where. And that’s a wrap.

Can You Have Executive Presence and Pink Hair?

I was working with a client on her presentation and executive presence. She was not your traditional looking leader. During the coaching session she asked me a question I wasn’t expecting. She inquired, “Can I have executive presence and pink hair?”  How times have changed! Ten years ago we wouldn’t be asking about pink hair. In New York City I was accustomed to all kinds of artistic non-conformist looks. But not at work-unless it was the fashion or entertainment industry.

 The workplace was different. Norms were different. Standards were set by corporations and dress codes were part of the policies and procedures manuals.

That’s not to say that rules weren’t challenged. It started with the IT departments where the uniform became jeans. Companies started to relax dress codes in the mid 1990s and business suits morphed into “business casual.” The challenge was that nobody knew what that meant. As a communications strategist and presentation coach, I trained employees to create a powerful presence. Frustrated managers would ask me to explain how to dress for the office as employees became more lax wearing mesh shirts and flip flops to work. A law firm asked me to tell one female employee not to wear sleeveless dresses. In 2007, one company I consulted for actually created a pictorial brochure of what was acceptable workplace attire.

Fast forward to today where individualism and diversity rule. Culture is expressed with clothing and hairstyles. The largest demographic are millennial workers who value freedom of expression, and lifestyle over conformity. 

 In my past life training people to be powerful presenters, I always discussed physical appearance and the power of the visual impression. Today, not so much. Amazon invited me to speak to their women leaders at a luncheon for high achievers. I was warned by my contact not to mention dress standards. Women at the company were free to wear hoodies and dress casually,

As Clubhouse moderator and former attorney Scott Mason noted, there can be major legal implications  with overly restrictive policies around personal presentation. The question becomes where  is the line between professionalism and individual expression? Can you be “quirky” and credible?

Can You Have Executive Presence and Pink Hair?

This question was put to the test in the Clubhouse room, Confidence, Clarity and Charisma moderated by Diane DiResta and S. Scott Mason.  The audience consisted of men and women from the military, the private sector and entrepreneurs who were both quirky and classic. A linkedin poll answered the question with three choices: 

• Yes

• No

• Depends on the Industry

 Surprisingly, 54% voted YES. Professional speaker, Lisa Braithwaite is challenging the status quo with the hashtag  #This is What Professional Looks Like. She has shaved pink hair, big earrings, bright colors, large red-framed eyeglasses  and no make-up. One man in the military was open to individual expression but said he didn’t want to see pink hair in the military because that would be a target. All agreed that wearing a uniform for the military and police had a purpose to communicate authority. 

Whether you can establish leadership with pink hair depends on how you define Executive Presence. Most of the respondents believed that it’s how you command the room and conduct yourself that determines executive presence. It requires confidence. But is there a double standard for men and women? Do women have to look more conservative or “establishment” in order to convey executive presence? Case in point: There was an experiment where  two identical resumes were distributed.  One had a female name and another had a male name. When reviewing the resumes the consensus was that the resume of the male applicant was more positively received. They perceived the male job candidate to be more competent. Yet, it was the same resume! Considering the occurrence of unconscious bias in the workplace, should women have pink hair at higher leadership levels? Will it undermine confidence in their leadership in more conservative industries? We can create policies that extol diversity but we can’t legislate feelings and perception. While the Clubhouse participants believed pink hair is acceptable, the jury is still out. Does appearance affect trust? After all, Mark Zuckerberg wears a hoodie as the CEO but he wore a suit to testify before the Senate.

7 Tips to Present on the Witness Stand.

You’re going to court. The thought of going to court can stress anybody out. Add that you’re going to be on the witness stand, and the fear of public speaking gets triggered.

The outcome of a case can be strongly influenced by the testimony of the witnesses. So how do you present yourself credibly in court?

Keep these public speaking tips in mind before you take the stand:

1.       Practice out loud and record yourself. Your attorney will train you in being a witness and you’ll be a better presenter when you know your message points. Rehearsing at home will give you confidence.

2.       Look at the jury. If your eyes look up before you answer, you’ll appear less credible and knowledgeable. The audience is the jury so talk to one person at a time. Make an eye connection. Looking someone in the eye denotes trustworthiness.

3.       Reduce non-words. Fillers like /um/ /you know/ /like/ will cause you to sound unprepared. Don’t be afraid of silence. Confident presenters pause. You don’t have to answer immediately. Think before you speak.

4.       Check your appearance. Your attire communicates a message. A jury can be swayed by the way you look. Be sure clothes are pressed, shoes are polished and your clothing is appropriate for the case.

5.      Speak clearly and naturally. Take your time and pace yourself. Avoid mumbling and be conversational. You’ll be believable by being yourself.

6.       Know when to stop. If the judge or attorneys interrupt, stop speaking.

7.       Get to the point. You’ll lose the jury if you give too many details or go down a rabbit hole. Stay on topic. Answer the question that was asked. Be brief.

To hear tips on presenting in court, watch my interview.

My presentations, training , coaching and books are available virtually. It’s easy to find me to discuss your needs. Email diane@diresta.com. DM me at twitter @speakingpro. Or call: 917 803-8663

Talk to the Teleprompter

Do you have trouble staying on message? Do you lose your train-of-thought? Do you remember an important point after your presentation is over? No worries. It’s the teleprompter to the rescue.

Teleprompters are no longer just for broadcasters. Today’s presenters need broadcasting skills and there are times when a teleprompter will serve you well. You can download teleprompter apps for your phone and computer that will enable you to write your presentation and read it while filming a video.

Video presentations are more important than ever-especially for interviews. Imagine how you’ll stand out on linkedin and other social media platforms when you share your expertise in a short video. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or work for a company, your ability to present yourself is essential to your success. You can create a video to build your brand, gain visibility, present an idea, pitch yourself as the ideal job candidate, or thank the interviewer afterwards.

Using a teleprompter will enable you to look your best and impress the audience. So here are a few tips when using a teleprompter.

Write for the ear, not for the eye. Use natural everyday language so that you sound like yourself. For example, use contractions to sound less formal. Use shorter, action words. Rehearse out loud. Does it sound like a speech or does it sound like you?

Format your script. Use bolding, highlighting, underlining, and capitals to emphasize certain words or phrases. Use a forward slash / to indicate a pause, and a double slash // to indicate a longer pause. Use a font that’s easy to see but not so large that it takes up the whole screen. Write out names or difficult words phonetically.

Frame yourself. Choose a simple, clean background that doesn’t compete with you and your message. Choose a head shot or waist shot to create more intimacy. A full body shot will look more formal and create more distance between you and your audience. Also, the words may be harder to read at a distance.

Master eye contact. The goal is to see the script but to appear as if you’re looking at the audience. This takes practice. Don’t move your eyes from left to right or you’ll look like you’re reading. Test your eye contact by doing several takes. Usually, looking at the top line will work. You’ll need to experiment to look natural. It shouldn’t be obvious that you’re using a teleprompter.

Adjust the speed. If the words fly by too fast, you’ll speed up and sound nervous. If the words scroll one at a time you’ll sound boringly slow. The average speaking rate is 150 words per minute. You’ll want to test the right speaking rate and also vary your intonation. The speed should allow enough time to pause. Marking up the script will help add color and energy to the voice.

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. It takes a lot of preparation and practice to master the teleprompter. When you do, you’ll sound natural without missing a beat.

What's Triggering Your Public Speaking Fear?

We've all been there - the racing heart, the sweating palms, the cotton mouth. Many clients call me because they're nervous or experiencing public speaking panic. The mere thought of public speaking can trigger anxiety in some presenters. May is Better Speech and Hearing Month and it's a good time to assess the state of your speaking skills.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What do I see when I think of myself speaking?
• What do I say to myself?
• How do I think I'll feel when I finish my speech?

I would bet a lot of money that the answers to those questions are negative. The act of public speaking is neutral. We charge it with anxious energy by the way we think. Successful speakers know that confidence begins in the mind.

So in honor of Better Speech and Hearing Month, resolve to watch this public speaking affirmations video everyday. The only thing that's triggering your public speaking fear is you.

If You're Not Speaking With Power and Confidence...

In this inaugural podcast episode, Diane DiResta introduces the importance of confident communication and how she helps professionals to speak with confidence, shine in the media, and present their brand in the best possible light. Diane DiResta is a renowned International speaker, consultant and executive speaking strategist. Her book, 'Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch and Pizzazz', has been called "The Bible of Public Speaking". Her new eBook is called, 'Give Fear the Finger.'

Rolando Blackman, former NY Knick, calls Diane's knowledge "... absolutely tremendous!"

Subscribe (iTunes coming soon | RSS) to Diane's podcast and begin to improve your public speaking skills!

4 Ways to Speak with Clarity

You're at a meeting. It could be a company status meeting, a networking event, or a formal presentation. The person takes the floor and suddenly your eyes glaze over. You start to yawn and fidget in your seat. A team member lets out an exasperated sigh. Two people are making eye contact as if to say, "Get a load of this". You wonder "What the heck is this person talking about?"  Will they ever get to the point? That's what happens when a speaker is unclear. The presentation loses impact and the message, if it's heard at all, is quickly lost. What remains is a negative perception. It's not the message-it's the way you communicate the message that determines whether it's heard and accepted.

To communicate with clarity, here are four tips that you can apply to any situation.

Know your outcome. While this sounds obvious, it's not. I coach many leaders and business professionals and they're not always clear about their expectations..And that's why the message is unfocused. To gain crystal clear focus, start with your outcome. At the end of the presentation, what do you expect? Agreement? A sale, a next appointment?

State your purpose. Your purpose is not always the same as your outcome. For example, your outcome may be to close a sale in one meeting. But you wouldn't want to say, "Today, my purpose is to sell you my product." A purpose statement is a sentence that clarifies what you'll be doing in the meeting. "My purpose is to demonstrate the importance of cyber security and give you some tips on how to safe guard your data" Don't assume the listeners know the purpose of the meeting.

Present a visual agenda. People need a roadmap and the agenda will keep you on track. When you start to go off on a tangent, look down at the agenda and come back to the topic. Be sure to assign a time for each agenda item. Timing each item will help you monitor yourself.

Cite an example, not a story. Storytelling is powerful, but if you tend to be verbose, use short examples instead.  When making a point, follow it with "for example," or "to  illustrate...". Giving examples will connect the points for the listeners. Use the PEP formula. Make a point, give an example, underscore the point.

If you tend to be long winded, use these 4 steps in your next presentation and you'll speak with clarity.

The Power of Hand-to-Hand Contact

What is the equal opportunity communication that favors no gender? In every presentation skills seminar and in each initial executive speech coaching session, I spend time demonstrating the business handshake. Why discuss something so basic that we do every day? Because business can be lost due to an ineffective handshake. Just like two dogs sniffing each other, a handshake is the first point of contact. And many people don't realize the handshake is a presentation. To learn how to shake hands  and use gestures for  maximum impact, watch this TEDx video by Allan Pease.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZZ7k8cMA-4

10 Presentation Trends for 2014

In 2014 presentation skills will reign supreme. Leaders and entrepreneurs will need to be more visible across different media platforms. Speaking is the new competitive advantage and the bar has been raised. Here are the trends in presentations that I predict for 2014.

1. Broadcasting skills - Whether you're an entrepreneur or employed by a company, expect to have your 15 minutes of fame.Today's presenters need broadcasting skills. Media training will become a vital success skill even for those who do not speak to the press. I'm currently coaching a client to lead quarterly webcasts. Five years ago this senior executive wasn't doing any broadcasting. This client has since been filmed for executive promotional videos. Video presentations will increase in popularity. I use eyejot.com to send quick video emails. Videos can be very effective or very detrimental if you have weak presentation skills.
2. Mobile presentations - Mobil technology is exploding and the number of apps is growing. This will require adjustments in the way we communicate. Slide shows and websites must be adjusted for mobile devices.The key word in presentations is portability. On a personal note, I now videotape my coaching clients on the ipad. The quality is as good as a video camera and it's easier to transport.
3. Increased Need for Speaker Training - The need for excellent presentation skills will increase.due to the competitive nature of the market. Products and services can quickly become commodities and in order to be persuasive, presenters will need to know how to capture and hold the ear of the listeners.
4. Self marketing presentations - Personal branding will become even more important. In a crowded market place where good jobs are at a premium. Job candidates will have to master marketing and selling. That means understanding what makes them unique and how to position themselves, their message, and their value with clarity and impact. Lack of confidence will be the deal breaker. Speakmarketing will be a growing factor for small business success. Presently, I'm coaching  small businesses to develop webinars to grow their businesses.
5. Storytelling - Telling stories will no longer be the domain for the talented few. Leaders will be challenged to learn the art of storytelling to develop trust, express their vision and to lead their teams. And storytelling skills will be the differentiater in the job interview.Certain companies such as Pepsico, have a culture of storytelling. The best interviewers will invest in public speaking coaching to learn to tell their story instead of presenting their resume.
6. Authenticity - Audiences are more sophisticated and less tolerant than ever. They want to know who the speaker is as a person.Do they walk their talk? Audiences will value  presenters who are real versus a just-the-facts approach. I was asked to coach somebody who had a well-crafted PowerPoint deck but delivered it like a talking head. Listeners are thinking "Who are you?"
7. Increased Audience Interaction - The key word is connection. In a society where there is less time for socializing and more stress, people want to have an experience and participate with the speaker. Watch for increased live polling, tweeting, live streaming,and audience participation. Technology will level the playing field as speakers can now use inexpensive polling software on their mobile devices.There will also be an increase in virtual presentations. I'm coaching more clients remotely due to technology tools.
8. Less Fluff More Value - Motivational speakers will always be popular as long as the human soul craves uplifting messages. But today's presenters need more than a string of 'feel good" stories. They must be able to provide value, tips, strategies, action steps, a different way of thinking along with those stories. Audiences are more demanding.
9. Shorter Keynote Speeches - The 18 minute TED-like talk will become more commonplace. This is already happening at conferences. Instead of the one to three hour breakout sessions, event planners and audiences are opting for a series of shorter talks.
10. Continuity - The old transactional model of giving a one hour presentation and then return to business as usual,  will give way to the idea of continuity.The message will continue after the event or meeting with additional contact and add-on resources. Despite the fact that younger audiences are leaving facebook, social media will continue to be an important communication channel for staying connected. However, people will consider the return on their time and become more focused and narrow in their social media communication.

All of these trends can be summarized in one idea: Public speaking is more important than ever. The need for excellent presentation skills is not going away. It will only increase in 2014 and beyond. Just as with technology upgrades,presenters will upgrade their public speaking skills or risk becoming obsolete.

How You Gonna Keep 'Em Thinking of You After They Go Back Home?

There's a line from a World War I song: "How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm After they've seen Paris?"

When you finish your presentation and your audience goes back to work, do they carry your message with them? Do they still hear your voice?

Recently I received a call from a woman who heard me speak 10 years ago and wanted to hire me to coach her. Neither of us could recall where we met.  She forgot the name of the association. It could have been anywhere. What she did remember was me. She said my message was "...memorable, powerful, and convincing for female leaders."

What made her contact me now and not then? She wasn’t ready. People buy on their own timeline, not ours. What kept my message in her mind was my monthly newsletter, The Science of Speaking. The goal is continual communication. Do you stay in touch with the people who hear you speak? I keep in touch with my audience through email messages, newsletters, phone calls, video messages and greeting cards (<< click the link and send a card for free). You can do the same for your network.

Be memorable, convincing, and powerful in your presentation. And then stay in continual communication. Like the lyric from the 1984 Rockwell song, “Somebody’s watching me,” you never know who’s watching, listening, and reading you.

 

Professional Speaking: How to Work with Speakers Bureaus

The dream of most professional speakers is to be represented by a speaker bureau or lecture agent. Unfortunately, professional speaking is like the acting industry. You can't get an agent until you're known. Bureaus have more than enough speakers. What they want most is more clients who will hire their speakers.But, if you have a unique and compelling message and a track record of excellence they may take a chance on you.

What is a speakers bureau? It's a middle man, or broker, for speakers and entertainers. They market to corporations and associations and match them with the perfect speaker for their event. They take an average 25-30% commission from the speaker's fee. The bureau or agent owns the client and any spinoff business.

Brian Palmer. President of the National Speakers Bureau in Libertyville Illinois, recently spoke at the NSA convention. He shared with us what buyers have told him about working with speakers. These are the mistakes they see, which he passed on to us. Here are a few of the highlights from his talk:

1. Pricing.

a.) Scrutinize your price and get it right. b.) Have a written policy under which conditions you'll alter your fee. c.) Measure the gap between your fee and what you actually book each month.

When you say you won't lower your fee, the average response from the buyer is "I had to ask that question."  Brian tells his clients if they want the speaker to lower the fee, they must put the offer in writing. "Make me an offer". It changes the equation.

2. Too many topics.

Have no more than three topics with great titles and descriptions. You can test topics, but don't list a bunch of topics. Customers care how you dress, how you speak, how you listen, table manners, interacting with the audience, your behavior. Be extra polite. It matters what happens off the platform. Companies want you to be aspirational.

3. Missed or ineffective pre-conference calls.

Brian calls these "hurdle raisers". Most of the time the conference calls are missed by the speaker. Don't do it. Prepare for the call and don't use a cell phone. The number one issue is talking too much when being briefed. It's important to be excellent on those calls. Be lively. Brian lost his client because the speaker was a "zero" on the phone.

4. Lack of personalization.

Companies bring you in to achieve some business end. Build your business around helping them achieve their goals. They don't hire you to hear what you have to say.

5. Selling too much.

Asking three times on the phone if they want to buy books is a bad sign. Don't go over their heads. He cited Joe Calloway as someone who gets hired over and over again. Joe gets brought in for consulting after his speeches. Don't ask before you go on stage if you can mention your book.  When you pitch, it takes away from your message. And, Brian cautions, "Don't add people to your mailing list unless they ask for it".

6. Image.

How you answer the phone, your responsiveness, impacts whether a bureau wants to represent you. Show up, be on time, be prepared.

7. A presentation that does not include both head and heart.

Phyllis Diller analyzed her laughs. Motivational speaker, Walter Bond, aims for less than a minute between big laughs. Every two or three minutes there should be a laugh. It could be a nodding moment, but there must be an emotional connection!

8. Poor quality demo videos. A speaker demo video should be longer rather than shorter. A three minute video scares people. Include audience shots and enough footage so the client can see a flow. Customers want an excellent speech.

The goal is to have a great video of a great speech. Brian mentioned Amanda Gore's 2004 preview speech as being one of the best. It was 20 minutes long and there was a thunderous ovation at the end.

9. Not being authentic.

People want to hire smart people that happen to speak. It's not good to have a website that's filled with speaker poses. Your website should not look like a speaker site.

While there may be many opinions about how to work with speakers bureaus, Brian gave the audience some good food for thought and valuable tips for developing a good relationship with speakers bureaus.

Hillary Clinton's Face Improves Women's Public Speaking

Fear of public speaking continues to be a top fear for both men and women. Overcoming public speaking fear is a must for anyone who is serious about success. I know a lot about boosting public speaking confidence. I use a number of techniques to help my clients master public speaking and overcome their fear and anxiety. In the 20 years I've been in business, I've utilized  many approaches including breathing, NLP (neurolinguistic programming), acupressure, etc.

But for the first time, there is a technique that never occurred to me.

According to a study in the May issue of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, women and men each spoke before an audience. The researchers placed a picture of Bill Clinton on the back wall in one room and a picture of Hillary Clinton in another room. Some back walls were blank. The women who presented in the room with Hillary's picture on the wall performed better and gave longer speeches. The evaluations were more positive for the women who spoke in the room with Hillary's photo.

This study takes the impact of female role models to a whole new level. While I don't recommend simply pasting Hillary's picture on the wall and expecting a standing ovation, presenters who've worked on their speaking skills and still feel anxious may benefit by imagining their role model. To read the entire article, click here.

Here are some of my resources for public speaking fear and nervousness:

• Fear of Public Speaking YouTube playlist
• Conquering Nervousness YouTube video
• Knockout Presentations (Chapter 3)
• Training Workshops
• Executive Coaching
• Client Results

What's Executive Presence Gotta Do With It?

What is executive presence? And why does it matter? You know it when you see it. But it's difficult to describe. At some point a career will be stalled because the person doesn't look, speak, or act like a leader. That's when a company will call me to work on the leader's executive presence. Executive presence is the tipping point for getting promoted. How do you get it?  Watch this video to learn more.

Gay Marriage: Can a Presentation Change Minds?

Even when the subject is controversial, it's not hard to admire a perfect speaker. Professional speakers know how to marry the timing and the humor, so it all comes together into one neat, perfect package. The best motivational speakers make it look easy, so we think, "I could never do that. How could I have any impact?"

But it's important to remember that YOU are the message. When you speak from passion, people will forgive the foibles and faux pas. Case in point: watch this video presentation of Diane Savino who is the New York State Senator from Staten Island. She gives an impassioned speech in the Senate in support of gay marriage.

When she begins, she's playing with her pen. Later on, she tugs on her ear for a while, which is distracting. An executive speech coach would fault her for that. Yet, the passion and clarity of her message overshadows the imperfections in her presentation. While many politicians waffle, the most persuasive presenters take a definitive stand. Whether or not they agree with her position, the audience is drawn in and listens.

When it comes to public speaking, passion trumps perfection. Forget about perfect delivery, and focus on your passion and your message. You'll be less nervous and more persuasive.

What do you think - does she make a convincing case? Why or why not?

Press Release: Sheryl Sandberg, Move Over – Diane DiResta Tells Women How to Own the Room

For Immediate Release Diane DiResta invited to present at FWA 12th Annual Executive Coaching Summit, The Power of Communications: Stand Out at Every Stage of Your Career

New York (March 21, 2013) -- Diane DiResta, founder and CEO of DiResta Communications, Inc, was selected by the Financial Women's Association to be one of three speakers at their 12th Annual Executive Coaching Summit on Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 (sessions run from 6:30 to 8:00pm). DiResta will present her speech, entitled “Speaking With Impact: How to Be Clear, Commanding and Confident,” at the Credit Suisse offices on Madison Avenue in New York City.

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