How to Deal with Public Speaking Anxiety
A common question I get as a motivational speaker is how to control nervousness when speaking. A great tip that has stuck with me over the years is that fear and excitement are nearly the same emotion, just on different ends of the spectrum. It’s hard to tell if you are excited or scared. Thus, it is […]
How to Own a Room
When I was just starting out as a motivational speaker, I was nervous. I would pace back and forth and stare blankly at the audience, searching for the next word to say. It was not a fun experience for me or the audience. I had a good friend observe me speak and suggest that I need […]
How to Give a Motivational Speech to Deliver Bad News
Delivering bad news is never fun. Some people will avoid it at all costs. The trouble is, the problems persist, and people ignore it. That feeling of discomfort gnaws at you and consistently grows. Here, ignorance is not bliss, because it comes at a significant toll on people’s sanity. When we attempt to soften the blow and […]
Etiquette Tips for a Guest Speaker
I was a female motivational speaker for an HR Conference. The association also hired a top name motivational speaker, and the place was packed with people there to hear him speak. The crowd was abuzz with energy, anticipating the big speech. To the sound of thunderous applause, loud music, and flashing lights, the motivational speaker took the stage. […]
How to Write a Speech to Announce Layoffs
Delivering bad news about layoffs by any other means than face to face speech can be dangerous. I was an inspirational speaker for a franchise event where I learned that the CEO had laid people off via email only a week earlier. The crowd was still boiling with anger – and it was obvious. News, both good and […]
Top Motivational Speaker Meeting Energizers
This article was originally published on 1/18/13, but has since been updated with new and more relevant content. Meeting energizers boost enthusiasm and learning potential. Energizers are short activities designed to raise the energy levels of the group. They help people get to know each other, encourage team building, networking and learning. When audiences are sleepy […]
Delivering A Motivational Speech can be Awkward
Recently I gave a motivational speech for a safety conference in Ohio. After they read my introduction and called me up, I stumbled onto the stage, tripped over the microphone cord and landed on my knees. I stood up as over 1000 people stared at me with disbelief, concern and fear. As a motivational speaker, this is […]
How to Write a Service Industry New Hire Orientation Speech
Welcoming new staff members is critical to their success and buy-in to the job. Filled with anxiety, doubt and have lots of questions, new hires need direction and confidence that they are in the right place. Immediately put them at ease with an engaging motivational speech. The biggest mistake managers make with new hires is they jump […]
Adjust your Humor Style to your Audience
I was a motivational speaker for a large healthcare organization. Just before the speech, several staff members came up to me laughing under their breath suggesting I should poke fun of the CEO because he was passing gas in the coffee room. I asked, don’t you think he would be publicly offended? They unanimously reported that he, along […]
How to Handle Stage Fright
I have been a motivational speaker for over 15 years. One of the most common questions I hear is how do you handle stage fright or the anxiety and nervousness that comes from speaking in public. Nervousness and the fear that comes with it is not a welcome thing for anyone who performs in public. When you experience fear […]
