The Speaker Coach

Congratulations! You’ve been asked to moderate a panel. This is a big deal because this invitation means that you are viewed as a leader, someone who can manage, people, has a broad grasp of the subject matter, and can hold their own in front of a crowd. Once the glow of this vote of confidence wears off, you might be wondering exactly how to pull this off. Coach Candy to the rescue with 7 tips that will guide you in your planning and brand you as a skilled moderator. If you’ve got 9 minutes and 20 seconds, and you want to crush this opportunity to shine as a communicator, go ahead and hit that download button. #publicspeaking #thespeakercoach

No matter what field you are in, the ability to be a compelling presenter is one of the keys to your success. The opportunity to present to a group, whether large or small, in-person or virtually is a big deal because you are viewed as someone whose ideas have value. In this episode, I’ll add some polish and shine to your presentation skills so that you can take your career to the next level.

Being asked to present is a huge compliment because it means that your ideas and knowledge are valued. When you present to your colleagues, a board of directors, or a ballroom full of people, all eyes and ears are upon you. Your status is elevated and you are considered an expert on a topic, even if it’s just for 15 minutes! But what are the keys to a great presentation? In this two part episode, I’ll walk you through my first 5 tips, designed to help you lay a strong foundation as an exceptional presenter.

This episode is about something we are all guilty of: talking too much. The question is: what impression do we give to others when we just can’t stop talking? The answer shouldn’t surprise you: they tune out. Talking too much often comes from trying too hard and lacking confidence. In this quick tutorial, I’ll explain the secret to stopping behaviors that do not serve you and give you some valuable tips on how to use the power of the pause, and the sound of silence to up your communications game. Following Candy O’s 3 C’s is a good place to start: be clear, be concise, be conversational. Enough said. Hit that download button and start listening!

The pandemic has changed how we work, and how we interview for a job. Your virtual presence now plays a huge role in your ability to be successful. In the virtual world, we have to work harder to connect with someone because many of the body language clues available to us in a face-to-face interview just aren’t there and that makes it hard to catch somebody’s vibe and read their energy. In this podcast, I’ve come up with 10 tips including mastering the nuts and bolts of your virtual platform, staging, lighting, how you look, how you sound, and even how to lose that annoying filler word. Go ahead and hit that download button so you can Rock that Interview! #interviewskills #communications #thespeakercoach

Do you know how to say “no”? The truth is, we all fall short in this department because we want to be liked. This is especially true for women who are socialized to nurture, to make peace, and to smooth things out, to say YES even when we really want to say NO. In this episode, we’ll explore my 5 “How to say NO” scenarios and you’ll learn that when you agree to do things that don’t belong on our plate, it overflows and instead of looking like a great team player, you appear scattered, overwhelmed and over your head. In fact, saying when “no” is the correct answer in an important part of becoming a leader. Hit that download button and you’ll be saying “no” in no time.

What’s in a name? Believe it or not, having a good name, meaning a good sounding, easy to remember name really matters. In fact, if you don’t have one, it could be holding you back. In this episode, we’ll reveal the names of some very famous people who made the wise decision to change their names. Plus, I’ll explain why names with three and five syllables are the most memorable and why a hyphenated names but be well-intentioned, but they are the kiss of death when it comes to being memorable. How can you craft your very own great sounding name that no one will forget? Just hit that download button.

Everyone starts out a new year with the best of intentions. One of the most effective ways to set yourself apart as a communicator is to know how to do things that others might not know how to do, don’t understand, or can’t appreciate. Many people don’t believe that having a business card matters anymore. As your speaker coach and a certified protocol consultant, I’m here to tell you that business cards do matter and there is a right and a wrong way to exchange them. In this episode, I’ll tell you a little bit about where the business card originated and the art of the business card exchange.

Just in time for the holidays, this episode is all about the history and the rules of toasting. Toasting is a ritual that dates back to the ancient Greeks who would raise a glass of wine, or blood, as a gift to the gods. Fortunately for us, champagne is the drink of choice for most toasts these days. But, there’s a right way and a wrong way to give a toast, and these rules apply in person, or if you are toasting via ZOOM. I’m a certified Protocol Consultant, so what you are about to learn in this episode will help you in any social situation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live our lives and how we do business. It has also changed the way we communicate with one another. At a time when we’ve got masks covering half of our faces, we’re 6 feet apart and avoiding physical contact, how can we create a connection with others? Trust is the foundation upon which all relationships are built. In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to create a lasting connection with someone in a hands-free world.

No matter who I’m coaching, no matter what industry he or she works in, there is one everyone wants: presence. There’s a certain magic in the word, don’t you think? The idea of possessing presence is a little controversial, because there are some experts who believe that you are born with it and others who believe it’s a skill you can acquire over time, with practice. One thing we can all agree on is: presence gives you star power. In this episode of The Speaker Coach, we take a deep dive into what presence really is, including who has it, and how you can get some for yourself. For a tip sheet on the 6 components of what I call Star Power, just click here. #publicspeaking #executivepresence #leadership

Have you ever been in a meeting and you feel like your voice is just not being heard? Coach Candy to the rescue with some tips and techniques that will help you be heard, and noticed in a meeting. This episode is focused on women, because it is harder for us to be heard than it is for men. Why? Because testosterone makes men’s voices deeper and that depth creates command of the room. What’s a woman to do? Hit that download button and find out.

Consider this episode a brief tutorial on voicemail best practices, including how to create a memorable outgoing message, and how to leave the kind of message for someone else that guarantees a call back. Like any other communication skill, there’s an art to voicemail. Your outgoing message is like a verbal first impression, a calling card, a snapshot of who you are. Messages we leave for others can work for or against us. The fact is, it only takes 5 seconds to make a first impression and in the case of voicemail, the person can’t see you, so 100% of their impression is based on the tone of your voice and the quality of your content. Do yourself a favor and listen to your current outgoing message and ask yourself the question: “can I make this better?” Chances are, you can! Hit that download button and in minutes, you can add “voicemail pro” to your growing list of communications skills.

There are many skills and talents that when combined together, create a compelling communicator. In this episode, we briefly explore the value of a great sounding voice, being attractive, writing well, the valuable art of storytelling, taking risks, executive presence, and the gifts of wit and personality. Of course,these are all incredible attributes and skills to have, but there is one secret ingredient that exceptional communicators have and use all the time. In fact, this ingredient never lets them down, keeps them on course, and separates them from the rest. What is it? Hit that download button and find out in less than 8 minutes.

Current CDC regulations are designed to help us stop the spread of COVID-19, but wearing a mask affects our ability to communicate effectively. In this episode, you’ll learn how to harness your body language as well as your vocal ability to break through a mask that is covering half of your face. From reminders about the importance of first impressions to the idea that your eyes really can smile, consider this episode 7 minutes of mask wearing wisdom that will make you a better communicator. Sound good?

There’s a new expectation in our world when it comes to communicating. What you say needs to be fast because nobody has time anymore. That’s why getting really efficient at expressing yourself in a short period of time is such a valuable communication skill. What is an elevator pitch? It’s a clear but memorable description of an idea or concept, explained in simple terms, in a short period of time…anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes…the time it would take for a ride in an elevator. An elevator pitch can also be a way to explain a person’s unique skillset, worth, goals, to a decision maker, or a valued connection, in a memorable way, in a short period of time. What is the key word in both of these descriptions? That’s right: memorable.

Raise your hand if you are sick of Zoom? Me, too. The fact is, millions of people have been working remotely throughout the pandemic and it is likely that even when things get back to normal, virtual meetings will be an accepted way of doing business. Great communicators have to be agile in any setting, so I’ve created an episode that will help you Zoom like a pro. I’ll walk you through how to master the platform in your Zoom settings so that you look and sound better with tips on what equipment to buy, how to stage your background, how to bring your energy to a Zoom session and how to connect with an audience in a virtual world. I’ll even let you in on one of my tried and true broadcast secrets that will take your skills to the next level. For a free tip sheet on this episode, just click here. #Zoom #logitech #blueyeti #musiciansfriend #publicspeaking

If you use your voice to earn a living, you really need to learn how to take care of it. Over use of your speaking voice causes strain and can damage your vocal cords, also known as vocal folds. In this quick episode, we learn a little bit about the anatomy of your voice, what causes vocal disorders, and how to make sure you keep your voice in good shape. The truth is: public speakers, singers, actors, broadcasters, politicians and anyone who works in a noisy environment are at higher risk for vocal fatigue and damage. Don’t let that happen!

This episode is all about microphones and how to use them. As a recording artist and major market broadcaster, I always like to tell people that I’ve never met a microphone I didn’t love! But that’s not true for most people. Being handed a microphone, or stepping up to one that is fixed to a podium can be daunting and unfortunately, most people just don’t know how to use them. In this episode, we’ll fix that problem by teaching you how to hold a microphone, and what types of microphones you are likely to come in contact with as a public speaker. Trust me, some mics are better than others.

What is vocal variety and how can you get some in your speaking voice? Vocal variety is a communications skill that enables the speaker to engage the listener by using different speeds and tones while talking. Most people lean on a handful of notes in their speech pattern. But when we get brave and experiment with notes that are above and below our normal speaking range, vocal variety is born and our voice is more interesting to listen to. Vocal variety is the opposite of monotone and in this episode, I give you some examples of how to get vocal variety by practicing out loud on your own. If you add vocal variety to your speech pattern you will up your game immediately as a communicator.