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Articles by Gilda Bonanno

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84 articles by Gilda Bonanno · showing 50

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By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking: Six Mistakes to Avoid When Answering Questions

How do you handle the questions that come up during or after your presentation? Handled effectively, questions can be an important part of your presentation, allowing you to clarify a point, expand on your ideas or provide another example. They also can demonstrate that the audience members were paying attention to you and are interested in your opinion. Handled poorly, however, questions can expose your lack of preparation, disconnect you from your audience and derail your presentation. Here are six mistakes to AVOID when you are answering questions:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,775 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

5 Ways To Be A Better Listener

Listening is a crucial skill for professional and personal success. Yet it seems like such a basic skill - we all know how to listen, right? But although this skill is basic in theory, it's difficult to execute. Yes, everyone can listen, but how many people can listen well? Communication is ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,482 views4.3/5 (4)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

9 Tips for Communicating With Confidence

Confident communicators are not afraid to take up their space at the table and let their voices be heard. They know their subject well and project a strong belief in what they're saying without being conceited or arrogant. And as a result, the audience is more likely to listen to them and trust what they're saying. Here are 9 tips for communicating with confidence:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,562 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

When Presenting, Give Signs Like Nature

Here in the New England region of the United States, autumn has arrived and winter is not too far behind. How do I know? The leaves have turned from green to gold and red, there is frost on the grass in the morning and the days are getting shorter. Nature gives clues that signal the end of one ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

927 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Non-Verbal Communications Matter

When you meet someone or present to an audience, do your words match your non-verbal communications? If there is a disconnect between verbal and non-verbal communications, your audience will believe your non-verbals. Studies show that more than 90% of our communication is non-verbal. For example, imagine that a speaker shuffles to the podium, fumbling with his pen and folder. He stares down at his notes, frowns slightly and says in a lifeless monotone so soft that you can barely hear him, "I am excited to be here with you today.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,694 views3.7/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Think of Yourself as a Speaker

Often, people tell me, "I'm not a speaker so I don't have to think about presentation skills." I disagree. I think we are all speakers – yes, even you. Whether you talk to a small or large audience or in a corporate, academic or community setting, you are a speaker. If you give an update ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

874 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Voice Power - Part II

This is the second article of a two-part series on using the power of your voice to convey meaning and emotion to your audience. Along with eye contact, gestures, movement and facial expression, your voice is a key component of non-verbal communications. Your voice has an incredible range and ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,358 views4/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

How to Get Introduced When Speaking: 6 Tips for an Informative and Effective Introduction

When you have to speak to a crowd, how should you handle getting introduced? 1. Write your own introduction. Think about which of your many credentials or past experience examples will be most relevant to this particular audience. For example, I'm speaking at a Project Management Conference in May and I will include in my intro include the fact that I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). However, when I speak to groups of entrepreneurs and small business owners, I don't include that credential in my intro because it doesn't mean that much to that particular audience.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,512 views3.7/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Six Tips for Handling Questions with Ease

Often once you're finished delivering a presentation, the audience will ask questions. This question-and-answer time is still part of your presentation and you can prepare for it in the same way that you prepared for the rest of the presentation. Handled appropriately, questions give you a chance to clarify information you presented or discuss things that you didn't get a chance to mention. Here are six tips to help you prepare for and answer questions with ease: 1) View questions as requests for information, not as adversarial challenges.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,478 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Voice Power in Public Speaking - Speak Loudly and Slowly Enough

A key component of non-verbal communications is your voice. Along with eye contact, gestures, movement and facial expression, your voice can communicate meaning and help your audience focus on your message. Your voice has an incredible range and ability to convey meaning and emotion, yet most of us use only a small part of that range. Use the following guidelines to unleash the power of your voice so you can deliver your message effectively and connect to the audience: Speak loudly enough. How loudly? Loudly enough that people can hear you without having to strain.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,169 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking is Like Exercising

exercising and public speaking have a lot in common. Both become easier over time when you practice them regularly using the correct techniques. Everyone is capable of exercising and public speaking, although initially they may be a cause of pain for some people. The results of exercising and public speaking are worthwhile, but they'll have more lasting positive effects and be more fun if you enjoy the experience. Here are some suggestions about exercising that I've found can help you improve your public speaking: 1. Focus on Your Goals.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,570 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Meetings That Work

"A meeting is a place where people take minutes and waste hours." Is this statement true of your meetings? Here are four tips for running meetings that are more productive and don't waste hours: 1. Have a Purpose for Meetingn"We always meet every Thursday at 4" is not a sufficient reason to ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

868 views3.3/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking Lessons From Teaching College History

One of my first jobs after graduate school was as an instructor at a community college. My course load included teaching American History 102 (1865-present) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:00-8:50 A.M. It was a required course for most of the 35 students and history was not their major. So my challenge was how to communicate to the students while keeping them awake and interested.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,437 views2.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

How to Listen & Not Interrupt

A reader emailed me with a question: "You give points on being a good listener. I try, but I find myself at times interrupting because I'm so afraid I'm going to forget what I have to say. I've been told to keep a pen and paper handy to jot down what I want to say once the speaker has finished. However, for simple one on one conversations or small group discussions, this isn't always practical. Any other suggestions??" This is a common issue that many of us face. Here are my suggestions: First, let it be all about the other person.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

11,351 views3.8/5 (14)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

When Presenting, Stay Within Your Time Limit

When you’re giving a presentation, it’s crucial that you don’t go over the time limit. Whether you’ve set it yourself or have agreed to a time limit set by the meeting organizer, you need to prepare so that you can cover your topic within that time limit. No one will usually complain if you end a minute early, but the moment you go past your time limit, people will get restless and impatient.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,125 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

7 Steps to Successful Storytelling in Your Presentations

Relevant and engaging stories can be a compelling part of your presentation – whether you are presenting at a board meeting, an industry conference or an awards banquet. Here are 7 steps to follow to make your storytelling successful: 1. Pick a relevant story. Think about the story from the audience's point of view and make sure it relates to your message and the point of your presentation. An irrelevant story, no matter how funny or unusual, will only distract from your message.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,516 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Gestures

Non-verbal communication, or body language, is an important part of presentation skills and how you gesture is an essential component of that body language. At the very least, your gestures should match your words and not distract the audience. And with a little practice, they can help you convey confidence and make it easier for the audience to understand your message. Here are ten mistakes to avoid when using gestures:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,947 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Body Language - Gestures And Movement

When communicating, your body language (facial expressions, gestures, movement, eye contact and voice) should match your message. If there is a disconnect between what you say and your non-verbal communications, your audience will believe your non-verbals. Movement and gestures are key ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

9,737 views4.3/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Applying Lean Principles to Presentation Skills: Eliminate Waste

Lean manufacturing is a management philosophy which has its roots in the Toyota Production System and focuses on creating customer value while eliminating waste (in Japanese, "muda"). Building on the original 7 wastes that Lean identified, here are the 7 wastes that you should eliminate from your presentations: 1. Overproductionr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,634 views

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Incorporating a PowerPoint Presentation Smoothly Into Your Speech

Recently, I attended a presentation by a smart, experienced professional whose goal was to provide an informative overview of his area of expertise to his colleagues. Unfortunately, he did not succeed in communicating his message effectively to the audience. How he prepared and delivered his PowerPoint slides interfered with his ability to share information with the audience.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,710 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

How to Speak Up in a Crowd

A class participant recently emailed me with a question: "What if you find yourself in a discussion with quite a few people at a social gathering and you have an important point to make, but feel intimated by those around you? I find I get all tongue twisted and the words do not come out the way ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,358 views3.7/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Cut Out These Cliches, Overused Expressions & Tired Words

Is your communication full of clichés and tired old expressions? In public speaking, frequently using phrases like "you know" and "see what I mean" can be just as distracting to your listeners as frequently using filler words like "um" and "ah." These tired and overused words and phrases dilute the power of the message you are trying to convey.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,948 views3.3/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

5 More Ways To Be A Better Listener

Listening is a crucial skill for success in business and in life. If we listen to others, we show them respect, we learn to understand their points of view and we help to build our relationships. Here are 5 more ways to improve your listening skills: 1. Show empathy. Empathy means that ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,317 views4.3/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

10 Factors That Make Your Presentation or Speech Effective

While presenting at the National Speakers Association (NSA) Convention in Orlando, I was able to hear dozens of presentations and speeches. The experience led me to think about what makes a presentation or speech effective, which I define as the ability to communicate your message clearly in a way that is meaningful to the audience. Here are the 10 factors that can make you effective when you present or speak: 1. You know your subject.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

15,294 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

5 Tips for Dressing for Success While Presenting

"What should I wear when I present?" One of my coaching clients asked me this question recently. While it might sound more like a question for a style consultant, it's also an appropriate question for a presentation skills coach like me.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,201 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Keeping Your Voice Strong While Presenting

Sometimes when you're presenting, introducing yourself or answering questions in front of a group, your voice trails off at the end of the sentence. Your audience can't understand the last part of your sentence and you may sound nervous and unprepared. Here are four tips for keeping your voice ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,520 views3.3/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Think On Your Feet - And Watch Out For The Wasp!

Recently, I was scheduled to speak about "Thinking on Your Feet" to a group of 50 administrative professionals, in honor of Administrative Professionals Day. I was well-prepared; I had interviewed several people from the audience over the phone and I had my notes, timer and driving directions ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,180 views4/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking – Using the Microphone Effectively

Many people who speak in front of groups could be more effective communicators if they used a microphone. If the audience has to struggle to hear you, it will be difficult for you to communicate your message effectively. Many things can make it difficult for the audience to hear you, such as a noisy air conditioner or a loud group in the adjoining room. Hearing and understanding you can also be difficult if the people in the audience are not native speakers of the language you're presenting in, or if you're presenting new and technically complicated information.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,692 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - What's Your Point?

How many times have you sat through a presentation, only to walk out wondering "what was the point of that?!" Whether it was a one-minute presentation or one hour, if the audience doesn't know what the point was, then the presentation was not successful. Here are some things you can do to ensure this doesn't happen to you: • Have a message. What is the one thing that you want your audience to walk away with from your presentation? That one thing is your message, also known as your theme, your purpose and your point.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

905 views4/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking – 5 Tips for Using Your Voice Effectively

In public speaking, using your voice effectively can help you communicate your message clearly to your audience. Voice is an important component of your non-verbal communications, or body language, and can express a wide range of meaning and emotion. The following five tips will help you use your voice more effectively: 1. Increase Your Volumer

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,355 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

One Easy Way to Present Better: Get Organized!

One of the easiest ways to be a better presenter is by organizing your content clearly and logically. It sounds so simple, yet many presenters don't organize their material; instead, they just throw everything at the audience, all jumbled together with no clear indication of how things relate to each other or to the overall message. Then the audience is stuck with the messy task of figuring it out. As a presenter, your goal should be to make it easy for the audience to understand your content. Here are four ways for you to create a presentation that is clear and organized:

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,320 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Five Tips for Keeping Your Voice Healthy

Your voice is a key part of your presentation delivery. And having a tired, hoarse voice can negatively impact your presentation. I’ve conducted many training programs where I’ve had to present for five or six hours a day for five days in a row. And I’ve also sung in choirs and as a soloist. So I understand how important it is to take care of my voice so I can rely on it being ready when I need it. Here are my five tips for keeping your voice healthy: 1. Hydrater

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,848 views

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

You Can Get Better at Public Speaking

As a presentation skills coach and trainer, I have had the opportunity to observe presentations by many people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It is my firm belief - and experience has not contradicted me - that while some people are more naturally comfortable with public speaking, EVERYONE can become competent at it, IF they spend the time and work on the right things. Yes, this means YOU, too! We all know people who are very knowledgeable about a topic but can't communicate effectively.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,182 views4/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Practice, Practice, Practice

When I was in high school, I played clarinet in the school band. Every afte oon, I climbed up the hill from the bus stop carrying my clarinet case and every morning, I trudged back down the hill carrying my clarinet case, still unopened and untouched. n My performance on the clarinet failed ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,023 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Networking at Holiday Parties

'Tis the season for holiday parties! Whether you're looking for a job or just looking to make contacts in your field, holiday parties are a great way to build your professional network. And networking is really just another form of communication - so here are five guidelines for how to ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

991 views4.3/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Applying Lean Principles to Presentation Skills: Respect People

Lean manufacturing is a management philosophy which has its roots in the Toyota Production System and focuses on creating customer value while eliminating waste. These principles have been applied to many industries and services. And as a presentation skills coach with work experience as a project manager using Lean principles to run process improvement projects, I believe Lean principles have a valuable application to presentation skills.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,158 views5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Using a Microphone Like a Pro

If you have the option of using a microphone for your next presentation, use it. You will be able to speak at your normal volume while also allowing the audience to hear you without difficulty. Here are five tips on how to use a microphone effectively, without it being distracting: ...

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,013 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking Tips From Chef Bobby Flay

I'm a fan of the TV cooking competition, The Next Food Network Star, hosted by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. The winning chef gets his or her own cooking show on the Food Network. The show offers lesson not just about cooking, but also about presentation skills because the winning chef has to be a good cook and effective and engaging on camera. In one episode, the contestants had a limited amount of time to cook an entrée and then two minutes on camera to demonstrate it in front of a panel of famous TV chefs.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,417 views3/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

6 Tips for Introducing Yourself at the Start of Your Presentation

In a presentation skills program a few weeks ago, someone asked me, "Gilda, how do I introduce myself at the start of my presentation to warm up the audience and establish credibility?" Contrary to what you might think, the answers do not include a lengthy recital of all your achievements or a five-minute soliloquy on why you were chosen to present. Here are 6 tips for introducing yourself at the start of your presentation, so you engage the audience and establish your credibility: 1. Have a Short Introductionr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,671 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

5 Tips for Creating a Crisp and Memorable Introduction

If you are the speaker at a meeting, conference or event, it's one of your responsibilities to provide a written introduction to the meeting organizer. The purpose of the introduction is to capture the audience’s attention and give them a quick overview of your background and experience. Here are 5 tips for creating a crisp and memorable introduction: 1. Make your introduction short.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

4,216 views2.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

"The Eyes Have It": Using Eye Contact

Whether you're speaking to an audience of one or many, it's important to make eye contact in order to connect. Eye contact demonstrates your willingness to connect to the audience on a personal level. It also shows that you are confident and proves that the information resides in your head, not your notes or the slides. When you present, you are talking to individuals, not an impersonal mass of people. You want each person to experience the communication one-on-one. How long should you maintain eye contact with each person?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

2,290 views3.8/5 (5)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Avoid These 5 Common Voice Mistakes

Your voice has the ability to convey an incredible range of meaning and emotion when you present. It's an important part of your non-verbal communications, or body language, and can help you can communicate your message clearly and effectively to your audience. Avoid these five common mistakes in order to tap into the full power of your voice: Voice Mistake #1 - Speaking Too Fast How fast is too fast? It depends. You have to speak slowly enough so you can enunciate your words and the audience can understand you.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

3,060 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - 5 Frequently Asked Questions about How to Use Eye Contact

1) Why should I use eye contact? It helps you connect to the audience, no matter how big or small. Whether you're speaking to an audience of four or four thousand, it can help to create a one-on-one communication experience for each audience member. It also demonstrates your confidence and proves that the information resides in your head, not in your notes or on the slides. And it helps you get feedback on how people are reacting to your presentation. 2) How long should I look at each person? Approximately 5 seconds, which is about the time it takes to complete a thought.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,416 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Questions to Ask When You're Presenting

Lately, I've been hearing from a lot of people who have been asked to present at a meeting for a different department or group. Essentially, they're told (by phone or email), "be there at 1 pm to talk for a few minutes about your project." That's not enough information. If you're asked to present, here are the questions that you should ask the organizer to ensure that you convey a message that is useful and appropriate to that audience: • Who is in the audience? What is the purpose of the meeting?

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,161 views3.8/5 (5)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Don't Speak Too Little

One of the most common mistakes that speakers make is to go over their time limit. However, sometimes a speaker makes the opposite mistake, by not speaking long enough. A colleague recently sent me the following email describing her experience with a speaker who spoke too little. "Hi, Gilda. I went to hear an author speak at a local independent bookstore. It wasn’t a book signing—it was a presentation. The author spoke for less than 10 minutes—I’d say about 7 minutes. Since it was a Saturday night and my husband and I had driven 20 minutes one way to see her, we were shocked.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,561 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Take Your Presentations from Okay to Outstanding

Ever feel like you're presenting on "auto-pilot"? Or like you've gotten to the point where you present okay, but still feel like you could do better? Here are four suggestions for taking your presentations from okay to outstanding, so you can really connect with the audience and convey confidence as you communicate your message. Rethink Your Contentr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,271 views3.5/5 (2)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking - Overcome Your Fear

I recently heard from a small business owner who wrote, "I am one of those people who hate standing in front of an audience… I am finding that my fearfulness is preventing me from marketing my business the way I want to; for example, I avoid going to business association meetings where I have to introduce myself." Sound familiar? This statement is not surprising, since the fear of public speaking is consistently ranked as people's number one fear.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,598 views3.7/5 (3)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

4 Ingredients to Include in a Workshop Introduction

I worked with an entrepreneur recently who is offering a new workshop with a colleague. Her part of the workshop includes kicking it off, with about 10 minutes allocated for her workshop introduction. Here are 4 ingredients that should be included in a workshop introduction (which you can modify as needed for your specific workshop):

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,662 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Answering Questions Without Losing Control of Your Time

Have you ever seen a speaker run out of time because he or she spent too much time answering very basic or very advanced questions that were irrelevant to most of the audience? For example, a few years ago, I attended a presentation on using LinkedIn. The program description promised an overview plus a few specific steps to improve success using LinkedIn. The speaker got about ten minutes into her presentation to an audience of more than one hundred, when she was interrupted by a few people who asked very specific questions.

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,459 views5/5 (1)

By Gilda BonannoRecently published1 topic

Public Speaking for Entrepreneurs: 6 Ways to Make Your Pitch Presentation More Effective

One high-stakes presentation that entrepreneurs have to give is in front of potential investors. While it can be intimidating to present in front of people who can fund your business, service or idea, following these 6 tips will improve your presentation and make it more likely that the investors will understand your proposal and address it on its merits, rather than being distracted by your poor presentation skills: 1. Think about it from the investors' point of viewr

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,783 views3/5 (2)

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