I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for presenters and public speakers to deliver a narrative, rather than drown their listeners in endless facts and figures. Apart from it being far easier for the majority of us to follow than a list, we remember so much more when the context is explained and the […]
(Phone call from Orange, the telecoms company) I was not asked if it was a convenient time for me to talk, before the young woman launched into her spiel. “Did you know Orange (rapid speech)….to EE?” “Yes, but I’m actually doing some work right now. I only answered the phone because…” “…You’ve got X plan…Are […]
You need lots of energy as a presenter as all those who speak in public need to find a bigger, more energised version of themselves when they appear in front of an audience. The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more […]
I’m often asked, when working with people on their speeches, if they should learn them. There is no straight answer to this. For some, this works beautifully; others don’t sound natural when they’ve learned a speech (think of Ian Duncan Smith as Tory Leader). Many find having an aide memoir of some kind very helpful. […]
When I was a child I could always tell when my mother was trying to impress someone on the phone, by the voice she used. It was brighter, slightly posher, more clearly articulated. More than that, it sounded so gracious. Not at all like the Mum who yelled at us when we did something stupid, […]
Sometimes I’m asked by presenters “What should I do about my accent?” or “Should I lose my accent?” My view, as someone who trains people’s voices and helps them to speak in public, is that the first rule of presenting is to be heard and understood, in every sense of those words. Accents can make […]