Do you remember the soft-spoken, cigar smoking detective on the hit TV series 'Columbo'? Most people do because the show is still in reruns all over the world and once in a while a new episode comes out. One of Detective Columbo's trademarks is that he would start to leave and when he was almost out the door he would stop and say, "Oh. Just one more thing." The same technique can be used by speakers (without the cigar).

Here's how the Columbo technique works: Save one of...

"Acting" seems to be quite underestimated as a way to help improve the self. You can choose to use "acting" in order to be more confident. At first, it may feel that you are just pretending to be confident. But actually, there is a shift in belief already when you pursue to "act as if" in order to "be".

How can a person do this? It all begins by putting on the appropriate mindset. So you want to be confident, right? What is the mindset of a...

A Moment My Presentation Coach Uncovered

by Darren LaCroix

If you'd been sitting in the front row at theChampions' EDGESummit (our bi-annual "members only" event on Tuesday), you would've heard me say something that hadnevercame out of my mouth before! As soon as the words left my mouth, fellow World Champion, Craig Valentine said, "That was gold!"

Wow...what did I say?

Sometimes if we're speaking from our...

After approximately thirty minutes of staring blank-faced at a white computer screen, watching the cursor's pulsating blink, an idea hasfinallyentered my mind.  I have noticed an influx of Impromptu articles, and I have decided I could do my part for the good of Forensics by writing a piece about this quick-paced event (wow, that sounded pompous; honestly, I'm not).  This might not be the most original conclusion ever, but as the only event I can think about currently...

Do you want to standout from the crowd? Do you want people to recognize you immediately because they know exactly what you do? If so, then you need to create your public speaking brand!

Branding.It is a process of making a mark in your chosen field of practice. It will differentiate yourself from your competitors. With it, you will easily get recognized and the community will get an impression of your expertise in your chosen field.

Sometimes, choosing a...

Once upon a time, in the distant past, people did what they were trained to do dancers danced, authors wrote, lawyers argued, doctors doctored, corporate heads led, and everyone lived happily ever after in their neat little niche. End of story!

But times have changed. Now, it seems, everyone at one time or another will be called upon to speak about their work, about their product, service, idea, or vision. What was once reserved for the talented few has become...

It has been a while since I was moved to tears by a presentation. Today was one such evening. The speaker is a self-made multi-millionaire who has undergone tremendous adversity before enjoying his current status.

And my training company, AdvantEdge Coaching, had the good fortune of inviting him to share - on an exclusive basis - his secrets of living an extraordinary life.

Not only was I reminded of life’s valuable lessons through his stories, I saw how he applied...

Let me be frank: I have mixed feelings about getting up in public to speak before large groups. This should come as no surprise since the fear of public speaking tops almost everyone’s list—surpassing death itself! As Jerry Seinfeld puts it, “If you were invited to give a eulogy at a funeral, you’d rather be the guy in the casket than the one at the podium!”

But what may come as a surprise is that for almost 30 years I have made a handsome living...

Sometimes, choosing a brand for your self can be difficult. You may not yet know how or what kind of branding you want. You may feel apprehensive which is reasonable because once you have chosen to brand yourself with something, it will most likely, stick with you forever. Therefore, it is imperative to carefully decide on it.

In public speaking, your brand is like an instant declaration of what you are and what you are able to do. Your brand may build up gradually as you go along...

If it is hard to hear, people won't listen. When speaking in public you must have an excellent sound system because some of the time you will be speaking while your audience is laughing. Stand-up comics need good sound too, but they are a little different because they tell a joke, then people laugh (they hope). They tell another joke, then people laugh. A good public speaker will be rolling right along making points, showing product features, telling stories, and dropping one-liners and...