Public Speaking Pro

Speak, speak, speak …    Sleep, sleep, sleep.

And another lost opportunity.

Why do some public speakers delight you and some speakers bore you to death? Is it talent or lack there of? And what are the secrets to discovering the difference?

The reality of public speaking

The difference between good, poor and great public speakers is this:

Good public speakers understand that public speaking is a skill – not a talent.

Poor public speakers never address the skills they need to develop to become better public speakers. Great public speakers have mastered the skills. They might have some talent but they would not be so blasé as to rest on talent alone. And the more you develop your skills for public speaking, the more ‘talent’ you discover within yourself for public speaking.

Tiger Woods is a great golfer because he has talent and he continues to develop his skills. He never goes out there and wings it. Masters commit to continuous improvement. Master presenters might look natural because they have mastered the skills of public speaking.

Are you winging it when you speak?

Would you want your doctor, lawyer or accountant winging it? Then why would you ever wing it when you present your message to others? Especially if a big sale, your career or your business depended on it.

What would your audience think if they found out that you were winging it? Why would you not present your message in the best possible way you can?

Pros in any field know that understanding the principles, mastering the skills and ongoing refinement are the keys to success. The same laws of nature apply to public speaking.

If you want to improve the odds in your favor – develop your public speaking skills. And then you will discover more ‘talent’. Be a prepared public speaker - don't wing it.

Questions to ask yourself in becoming a more effective public speaker.

How can you speak like a public speaking pro?

What can you do to be a more effective public speaker?

What common mistakes must you avoid as a public speaker?

Would you like to speak more consistently like a professional speaker? Then read the rest of this page and try the resources we recommend to improve your public speaking.

The Fear of Public Speaking

The fear of public speaking consistently ranks as number one of our irrational fears. Most people rate public speaking as a greater fear than death. If the fear of public speaking is real for you then read the rest of this article. The anxiety associated with public speaking might never disappear for you, but you can understand it and manage it.

Speech Anxiety: Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking
By John Robert Colombo

This article addresses these questions about speech anxiety and the fear of public speaking.

●Fear of Public Speaking
Speech anxiety is a general term for the sense of fear or panic that overtakes a person when he or she is called upon to speak or otherwise perform in public. There are other ways to refer to it: anxiousness, nervousness, "the jitters," stage fright, fear of public speaking, performance anxiety, etc. It usually strikes when someone has to deliver a presentation before a group of people. It makes little difference whether the audience is large or small, composed of familiar or unfamiliar faces. Psychologists consider speech anxiety to be a special case of what is commonly known as shyness. Read more…

The Basics of Public Speaking

●How to write your speech in five minutes
"We need you to say a few words." You are attending a business or association meeting, when out of the blue; the meeting chair asks you to say a few words. How do you get through this? These tips will save you a lot of time and angst in writing your next speech or presentation. Follow this sure-fire process to write your speech in five minutes or less... read more

●The Power of the Pause
When you don't know what to do, what should you do? Pause and smile. Imagine that you are speaking to a crowded room of eager listeners. Suddenly your mind goes blank - you forget what you just said, and what comes next. If you speak in public this will happen to you. You've seen it happen to others, they stammer and sputter and even apologize. What should you do? ...read more

●Practical Public Speaking Tips
Use these practical public speaking tips to be a better presenter and communicator. Before you give a speech, deliver a sales presentation or make phone calls - drink one to two glasses of water. It lubricates your vocal chords, helps your voice and gives you needed fluids that you lose while speaking. Lukewarm water is best. Cool water is OK. Ice water is not good for your vocal chords. Avoid dairy…   ...read more

Tips for Public Speaking

●When You have Something Important to Say
When you are presenting a report to your management, a proposal to the committee or changes to your staff they are not hanging on your every word. When you get to the key points - you want them to listen, believe and remember. Use these tips and techniques to give your words impact. ...read more

●Establishing Rapport with Your Audience

How can you get you listeners to warm up to you? How can you get your audience to identify with you? What can you say – not say so they like you, listen to you and believe you? What do you need to know about telling jokes? Learn these 10 powerful techniques for building rapport with your audience.  ...read more

●Handling Questions with Authority
At some point in your presentation you will be expected to answer questions from your audience. They might have some burning questions that need to be answered before they buy into your message. Handling their questions with authority can make the difference for you between a successful presentation...read more

●Designing Your Presentation

How to create a presentation that is focused and effective? If you know where you are going you are more likely to get there. To make the right start for your next presentation ask yourself these eight critical questions…. read more

Sins of Public Speaking

What are the worst sins of presenters? What are the sins of PowerPoint presenters? What are the disgusting words and phrases that many speakers use to sabotage their own presentations? If you know these sins – you could be a far better presenter.  Find out now. Save yourself embarrassment and avoid the presentation potholes.

●The Nine Sins of Public Speaking and How You Can Avoid Them

Presentation Sin 1:Wasting time

Presentation Sin 2:Boring your audience

Presentation Sin 3:Lacking passion

… read more

●13 Sins of PowerPoint Presentations

ÐSpeaker reading what is on the screen word by word

ÐHoping for the PowerPoint slide show to cover your lack of preparation

ÐToo much on the slide

… read more

●27 Words and Phrases that Sabotage your Presentation

Ð “Obviously”

When you use this word as either an answer to a question or as a precursor to your statement, you demean both the listener and the value of your message. It is a sarcastic word.

Ð Negatives

Avoid or minimize negatives:  Not, never, can’t worst, won’t, problems, pain,…

The exception is if you fix pain and problems – then start with the positive words. E.g.” I help you relieve back pain.” or “I fix broken computers.”

Ð “I think” or  “I guess”

Watch out for delivering a statement followed by these limp phrases. It suggests lack of confidence and steals your credibility.

Technology of Public Speaking

Technology is neither good nor bad. The use of technology in presentations can be wonderful or disastrous. It all depends on you – the presenter. Where do you start and how to you make the best use of it to deliver a successful presentation?

●Presentation Power does not come from PowerPoint
How do you present yourself with power? Don't be fooled by the name. There is no implied power in PowerPoint. Have you noticed how many presenters use PowerPoint and do not have power? That should be your first clue. PowerPoint is easy-to-use software. It seduces you into believing. read more

●10 Power Tips for Presentations with Computer Projection
When was the last time you sat through a terrible presentation using computer projection? When was the last time you gave one? If you want to avoid disaster and give your career a boost then apply these ten tips the next time you. ...read more

●Dynamite Tips on Presenting with Overhead Projectors
Overhead projectors are medium tech but it still works. Use these tips when you might need to present with an overhead projector. This is what came before computer projections. Remember the transparencies?  Well you might still use it – and you can use it more effectively after you read these 10 tips.. ...read more

Crash Course in Public Speaking

If you only have the time and resources to read one article about presentations – then read this one. It is a long article and it covers the gamut of challenges, obstacles and principles of successful presenting.

●Public Speaking Success
How to prepare, write, rehearse and deliver your speech, presentation or public speaking program from the “Public Speaking Pro” – George Torok. This article covers a lot of ground in the preparation and delivery of your presentation. Your presentation is the vehicle for delivering your message and to create results. A successful presentation is one that moves people to action. You know it was a success if... read more

Public Speaking Quizzes

Test your knowledge on public skills.

●Communication Principles

Test your knowledge. What the key principles of communication? Try the quiz.

●Multimedia Quiz

What are the fundamentals of speaking with multimedia? Try the quiz.

Public Speaking Myths

Damaging Public Speaking Myths You Should Avoid

Study these myths about Public Speaking and avoid them. You will be a far better public speaker. Ignore these myths and tips and suffer the pangs of an ineffective public speaker.

Ð Be humble during your introduction.

Ð Start your presentation with a joke.

Ð Imagine the audience in their underwear.

For more public speaking myths and how to avoid them click here

Resources for Public Speaking

You can be a better public speaker – but not overnight. And there are many resources to help you speak in public with greater impact. Here are some of the most helpful resources for public speakers.

Free Public Speaking Tips

Get your presentation tips. You can get these tips free every two weeks.

Toastmasters International

                Learn about the world’s largest organization that is dedicated to teaching public speaking and leadership skills.

Tips for Toastmasters

                Insider tips for you about Toastmasters. If you want to know how to get the most from Toastmasters.

Speech Coach for Executives

                Learn how the Speech Coach for Executives can help you. 

Public Speaking Training

Effective public speaking is a skill not a pill. You can become a better public speaker over time when you improve your speaking skills. All skill development results from proper training. To learn more about presentation training for you and the people in your organization check out this information.

●Public Speaking workshops and seminars for business professionals, managers and sales pros.  Read more about presentation skills training

Public Speaking Coaching

Public Speaking Insights

Enjoy, repeat and learn from these pithy quotes from George Torok, as delivered in his executive coaching, speeches and presentation skills training. They reflect the knowledge of principles, techniques and lessons gained from public speaking, keynote speaking and presentation training over the past decade.

· If you present yourself as perfect – we will not believe you and we will hate you. Instead, we will like you when we see that you are imperfect like we are.

· The little voice in the back of your head will always find something wrong with you. But nobody else can hear that voice.

· We judge your success by the confidence you exude.    

Read more public speaking insights

Your Public Speaking Pro

George Torok is the public speaking pro, speech coach for executives, motivational keynote speaker, radio-show host and bestselling author.

Would you like to know more about your executive speech coach, George Torok, his experience, skills, expertise in business communication and integrity? Do you want to know how he will coach you to transform the way you speak?

Call 800-304-1862 - Toll free in North America 

Public Speaking Pro. Tips, techniques, myths, sins and resources for the speaker who wants to speak like a professional. How to be a better public speaker. How to present like a professional. How to make every presentation masterful. Where to find a speaking professional who works with business professionals.