Public Speaking with Peter George

In the previous QuickBites episode, you learned why eye contact is so important and powerful. In this episode, you'll discover how to do it well.

What are your principles when it comes to accepting and delivering a keynote … or a breakout for that matter? You haven't given this any thought? That's okay because my guest, John Rossman, is going to share his principles, and you're free to adopt them as yours if you like. As a result, you're more likely to accept opportunities that are good for you, the audiences, and the event producers.   Tak...

Do you want to engage your audiences? Of course, you do! And this QuickBites episode will help you increase the level of engagement -- for your audiences and you!   Eye contact is one of the most important and powerful tools when it comes to engaging your audience. A form of communication unto itself, it provides many benefits. Tune in and discover the more significant ones.

Do you want to know how you can make a significant connection with your audiences? Have you thought about how body language affects both your confidence and that of your listeners? Listen in as my guest Natasha Bazilevych guides you in the top three ways to use your body language to support and convey your messages. Make that three ways and a bonus.   Takeaways - How body language can change your...

Have you ever felt like you weren't being heard, or that others in the room seem to command more respect than you? Well, my guest Kym Dakin, says the reason just may be the way you use your voice.   Listen in and learn how you can use your voice -- and other techniques -- so you can connect with your listeners.   Takeaways - How to use your voice as a source of power - Why we don't think vocal qua...

Have you ever seen speakers who appear almost grateful to stand behind lecterns? It's fairly common because many speakers believe lecterns -- no matter their size -- shield them from their audiences. Yup, it's another security blanket.   Tune into this brief QuickBites episode and learn how you can make a greater connection with your audiences by coming out from behind the lecterns.

If you're an aspiring speaker, would you like some advice on getting more gigs. If you're an established speaker, how about some ideas for working closely with others and following up.   If any of these topics sound good to you, stay tuned as I speak with Curt Tueffert.   Takeaways The importance of having a hook What passion gets you How niching down grows your business The values of networking S...

Where do you look to find great storytellers? As a speaker, it wouldn't be unusual for you to look to other speakers — those who have become very adept at the art. But have you looked to actors?   Think about it. Actors are in stories. And how they deliver their every word has an effect on how that story is consumed and interpreted.   Tune in as Kerri Garbis, a professional actor and CEO of Ovatio...

When a client is developing a new talk, what do you think I ask them? Actually, there are several things, but the one that matters to me most is, "How will your audience be transformed by the end of your talk?"   New clients tend to answer with something like, "I'm going to talk about X, Y, Z." Although I would never say it like this to them, at this time, I don't care what the topic is. I want to...

Where are you on your journey in public speaking? Are you just starting out? Are you hitting your stride? Are you ready to further refine your skills and craft and deliver even more engaging and compelling talks?   No matter where you are, listen in to Robert White describe his journey, complete with trials and triumphs. What he has to say just might resonate with you and give you that boost of en...

I can't overstress the importance of a dress rehearsal. A dress rehearsal uncovers things that may might otherwise go unnoticed until the day of your talk.     For instance, you may find that your clothes are too tight or too loose, your sports jacket has a stain, or your shirt has a missing button.     You'll discover if the microphone picks up on your bracelets making noise or if you can comfort...

Can podcasting help you grow your speaking business? Yes, it can.    Through podcasting, I've gained new clients as a speaker and speaking coach. And that's fantastic. But the best part of being both a host and a guest is the people I've met and gotten to know.   Some of these people are even in my new book, The Captivating Public Speaker. And others have become valuable resources. One of these pe...

As the saying goes, it's not if something will go wrong, it's when something will go wrong. So, what are you going to do when something unexpected happens while you're speaking? Have you ever thought about how you might respond to the inevitable? If not? You should.   Now, you can't be prepared for every conceivable instance because you won't think of all the possibilities ...

As a speaker, you're also a business owner, salesperson, and marketer. And as a marketer, you must present yourself in a way that inspires, impresses, and establishes confidence in others for your abilities, products, and services.   Today, social media is one of the places that many people turn to in order to achieve this. And of the various social media platforms, LinkedIn has proven to be a sol...

Imagine being at a Broadway show, and the lead actor is playing a character who's heartbroken by the sudden death of her only child. As she enters the stage, just for a moment, she is nonchalant, jumping into character only after she is within full view of the audience. Even if you don't consciously see this, you still might feel that something is off.   The same is true when you, as a speaker, ap...

Do you find public speaking to be mentally and physically exhausting? I know I do. After I speak, I'm happy to go to my hotel room and relax for a while. And I speak about public speaking!   How draining is it for those speakers — and maybe you're one of them — who speak about topics and experiences that carry a great deal of emotional weight? How do you keep your emotions in check?   Well, Tricia...

Do you think that, as a speaker, you need a brand? You bet you do. In fact, if you know it or not, you already have one — whether or not it's the one you want is entirely up to you.   So, as you listen to this episode, ask yourself if your brand strategically supports your efforts to grow your business, if others view you as you view yourself, and if you live up to your brand.   My guests, Tonya E...

It's simple. The more you speak, the more you'll speak! And a way to speak more, is to be a guest on podcasts. You might be thinking, "You know, that's a fantastic idea." But, before you start lining up possible shows that you can be on, please realize that there's more to appearing on a podcast than showing up and answering questions. To help with this, here are several things you want to do.   R...

Are you where you want to be as a speaker — not only in your speaking skill set but also if you're looking to make speaking a career?   If not, take the advice my mentor, Dick Herron, is quick to remind me — success is a choice … your choice.   You can also take that advice from today's guest, Jim Roddy. Jim says that we're in complete control of our career trajectory, and he's done the research t...

How good would it be if you could add a tool to your speak toolbox that helps you add more value to your clients? And at the same time, it would equip you with the ability to be more comfortable when dealing with unexpected situations, help you turn negative self-talk into positive action, and even more focused listening skills, which is extremely valuable in speaking. It would be pretty cool, wou...

Do you use PowerPoint or similar software when delivering presentations? Are your slides enhancing your talks or making people wish they were somewhere else? Are you unsure how to use slides so they help, as opposed to hurting your message?     In this episode, David McBee shares how you can avoid the most common mistakes speakers make when including slides in their presentations and how you can u...

You may have loved public speaking from a young age. But it's more than likely that you learned to love it over time. Of course, you may still be at the liking stage with loving it still a ways off. In any case, you'll understand and appreciate my guest's journey from hating public speaking to embracing it. Tune in as Ruth Rotkowitz talks about her experience and shares tips about preparing to del...

Do you want to make a point more memorable? Then, remember this. Repetition has power. Tune in and learn just how powerful repetition can be and how you can implement it.

As you know, there is so much more that goes into public speaking than just speaking. This includes your intonation, body, breathing, and mindset. My guest, Claudia Monacelli, shares how you can use each of these and more to not only communicate your messages but also engage your audiences.   Takeaways - how to be calm throughout your planning process - getting through the first few minutes of you...

When you speak to an audience, should you dress for yourself or the audience? Should you take the advice of those who say, "Be authentic," or should you go by the axiom that your should dress one-half step above your audience? Well, here's what I learned many years ago.