You are probably familiar with the phrase “death by PowerPoint†and may have even experienced it yourself. After all, most of us have sat through a presentation where the speaker bored us to death by reading directly from a cheesy slideshow. However, the fact is, when used appropriately, PowerPoint can be an effective tool for…

Whether you are a student, an educator, a business professional, or a small business owner, presenting to an audience is something you will have to do many times throughout your life. Knowing how to deliver an idea is a beneficial skill, no matter what line of work you are in. That said, speaking in front…

Did you know that 65% of people are visual learners? This makes sense, considering the fact that the brain processes visual information nearly 60,000 times faster than text. It also explains why it is so important for presenters to incorporate visual aids into their presentations. Visual aids are powerful tools that enhance your message and…

There are a number of traits that make for an excellent public speaker, but perhaps none are as important as authenticity. In a world that has been plagued by scandals and corruption, the ability to communicate authentically with others has become an important leadership trait. When speakers are authentic, they can inspire others to do…

Have you ever been inspired to care about an issue after hearing a charity’s social message? Have you ever noticed the way the crowd reacts after a rousing speech at a political rally? Why do you think these messages have such an effect? In both instances emotionality played a major role.    Emotion is a…

Presentation tools are designed to enhance your presentation and make your message more compelling to the audience. However, technical difficulties and interruptions can always occur when technology is involved. No matter how long you spend preparing and rehearsing your presentation, there’s no guarantee that there won’t be any technology glitches during your speech. The good…

Most people spend the majority of their time packing and organizing their household belongings for a move, but what about keeping up with important paperwork? We all tend to collect large amounts of paperwork over the years and this can be tricky when it comes to changing homes. Moving to a new house is a…

Slideshows are a quick, easy, and effective way to inject visual interest into a presentation. However, they can also be the kiss of death even for the most seasoned presenter. The key to a successful PowerPoint is to make sure your slideshow acts as a visual aid and not a visual distraction. It should also…

As you prepare your presentation, be especially mindful of the introduction. Research has shown that you have a mere eight seconds to capture people’s attention. If you fail to engage your audience in that amount of time, you may have lost your chance for capturing and maintaining their attention. Therefore, it is essential that you…

The moment you take the stage, all eyes are on you. Did you know that more than half of your impact as a speaker is dependent upon your body language? The audience is already making assumptions about you and how you are feeling based on your nonverbal cues. They will be able to tell if…