Speeches and presentations

In-person events are back! Unfortunately, so are some of the bad habits speakers fall into when they fail to prepare well for public speaking. If you want to become a better speaker, check yourself against these seven bad habits. Which ones do you need to break?   If you’re like most people these days, your […]

The first question I get from executives looking for a speechwriter is this: “How do you work?” If you’re an executive wondering about the process – what it’s like to work with a speechwriter instead of writing an entire speech by yourself – read on.   “I love our process!” a speechwriting client told me […]

Have you ever struggled to take the first step when writing a speech? Read on to learn how that’s harming you and your health – and what you can do about it.   You know you have a Big Important Speech coming up in the next several months. Maybe it’s set for next quarter. Or […]

Do you have a speaking opportunity sitting in your inbox? Are you wondering whether to accept (or decline) the invitation? Get clarity – and get off the fence – with this advice.   The keynote speaker concluded, and the virtual event was over. Despite the incredible speaking opportunity given to this highly anticipated speaker and […]

Before you deliver another presentation to your next audience, learn the most important question you must ask about how to write a speech.   More than once, I’ve had a conversation like this with an executive who needs help putting together a speech or presentation for a business audience outside the organization: Me: What kind […]

Are you doing what the best organizations are doing with their DE&I communications? Here’s some executive communication coaching to help you find out by testing your DE&I speeches and other executive communications against three secret ingredients.    I have a T-shirt I got a couple of years ago during an Aileron workshop for entrepreneurs that […]

Timing is everything at work and in life. If your communication strategy for an upcoming event calls for a keynote speech from your CEO, how far in advance should you contact a speechwriter? Learn from this experience I had recently with a marketing VIP here in the U.S.   Last week I received a desperate […]

Anytime you have to write and deliver a speech, it’s common to face a challenge or two. But what if something happens to disrupt the event? Keep this story close at hand in your bank of ideas for speeches, and learn how to pivot when problems arise.   When it comes to a speech, the […]

Are you writing a speech with a crucial message and feeling the need to bounce your ideas off of a trusted colleague? Effective collaboration is the difference between a futile partnership and a phenomenal one. Here are 10 tips for leaders who want to collaborate with a thought partner to write more powerful speeches.   […]

Getting ready to present at a virtual conference soon? Take 5 minutes to watch this public speakers training video. Originally created for a professional association, this video will help you come across as professional as possible online. Business conferences in 2020 were in large part experiments after in-person events did an abrupt about-face, landing squarely […]