If you feel like your speaking voice is too monotone, then you’re probably onto something. Voice inflection is important because your listeners need contrast. What I share here is an easy fix for the monotone.

I love this time of year because I get to hear from and meet new people - people who want to become more confident, polished speakers. Two simple, free tips to engage your audience in ways that draw on what makes YOU comfortable!

I’m happy to report I’ve had great success in helping my clients speak confidently. Becoming a confident speaker is not an event - it’s a process, and it takes practice. You won’t become a rockstar speaker in an hour, but there are some things you can do to help boost your confidence at presentation time.

When I work with my clients, I often ask them, “Who’s a speaker you admire?” At least 90% of them say, “Barack Obama.” In this short list, I’m taking a look at the speech that put President Barack Obama on the map and showing you the elements that make it a great speech.

If you need to improve your public speaking skills, you may want to join Toastmasters, or you may want to hire an executive coach. Which is better - a speaking coach or Toastmasters? Both have their benefits. Here are some facts and observations about each; you get to decide.

Writing a pitch can be difficult, but something my good friend Derrick Wolbert passed on to me was to make them lean back in their chairs. What he meant was, you want them to be in awe. This visual stuck with me and I believe it sets a great goal for anyone preparing to give a pitch.