Author: Alyson Connolly
When I went back to school to get my masters in theatre voice pedagogy (the fancy name for teaching voice), I thought I’d learn a few tips to help people find their voice. Teach them how to breath, how to project their voice, and how to articulate. During my two years at university, I would...
How I Have Pivoted During Covid
The wearing of masks during the pandemic has really highlighted to me how much we rely on body language and facial expressions for communication. In my city, we’re required to wear masks in public places. Just like working virtual, it has been a new thing to get used to. If you’re not articulating properly, while...
Many people are afraid of public speaking. It’s not the speaking, it’s the public part. The fact that they’re in front of people. They’re worried that the audience won’t like their speech, or they’ll judge them for stumbling on words or forget key points and everyone will know. One strategy for overcoming this...
The goal of a presentation could be many things: Persuading, informing or entertaining. Some will combine all three. The use of slides is there to add to your presentation. To give a visual representation of the point you’re making. And the simpler, the better. Therefore, slides with a lot of words on them do not...
Before March 18, 2020, I had been working with a few individuals remotely. However, if I was told that I’d be giving a workshop virtually, I wouldn’t have believed it! My workshop is about people and I need to be in the room with them. But in came the pandemic and I needed to adapt. ...
Becoming a confident public speaker means being aware of how you present yourself in every situation. Now that most of us are working from home and communicating through video apps and computer cameras, we should still remain aware of how we’re coming across. A few things that I work on with clients who are presenting...
Since the Covid-19 pandemic we’ve had to shift the way we work. Meetings have been conducted remotely and I have held many coaching sessions via video link. My friend and colleague Margot Ross-Graham of Sandbar Coaching & Consulting has some important advice on how to conduct a meeting even though no one is in the...
Some presenters don’t want to move and will stand behind the lectern for their entire speech. That is fine unless they’re gripping the thing. Try to keep your body loose. Some like to walk while speaking. That’s fine too, if they have a reason to move. When you move, do it with a purpose. Lay...
When giving a speech many of my clients have difficulty looking at the audience. Trying to feel comfortable, some look above the audience’s heads. I often demonstrate this to a client. How does it make you feel if I’m not looking at you? Looking above people’s’ heads makes it appear that you aren’t interested. You’re...
