May's top 10 tips, from speeches to small talk

May's tips cover everything from speeches and small talk to speaker credibility and how to handle high-definition cameras.  As usual, this list compiles the posts most popular with readers this month.  If you're not subscribing to the blog, check out these options, which include getting posts directly in your email or an RSS reader of your choice. Now read on for spring's top posts:

1. Last but not least: My most recent post, on what guitar lessons are teaching me about speaking--and training, turns out to lead the pack for the month. Music to my ears!
2. Where are those women's speeches? My list of 10 resources for finding women's speeches--and using them in yours came in at a close second. Clearly, there's a need for raising the visibility of women's speeches, so I encourage you to add your resources to the list.
3. Tell me a story? Here's why:  6 smart things a story adds to your speech, boosting your ability to persuade and explain.
4. What if you had to speak without your slides?  I saw a bad example of what might happen, and came up with 6 alternatives so you can avoid the same fate.
5. We want tools: I shared what's coming across my desk in Presentations and visuals: 7 tools, tips and traps from my inbox, a post that got many thumbs-up.
6. Weak makes a strong showing:  The 5 weakest speaker statements -- all things to avoid -- also proved popular this month.
7. Small can be powerful:  Using small talk and empathy to present ideas focuses on ideas that help you in one-on-one negotiations, meetings and even your presentations and speeches.  It's all about relating to the audience, which also helps determine...
8. What's credible about you as a speaker?  This popular post reminds you that it's not always your most sterling credentials, but the things you have in common with your audience. A story told on myself.
9. Are you credible to yourself?  This guest post from Janet Clarey on Silencing my "you suck" self-talk shared her pre-speech concerns and how she banishes them, most of the time.
10. Politeness rules, here at least.  Disagree with your audience--in a civil way got lots of readers' attention. It's another useful tool in your arsenal for handling questions and answers.

Here's another tip: I'm soon launching small-group speaker training sessions that will help you focus on message and delivery with no more than 6 participants; if you're interested, email me at info[at]dontgetcaught[dot]biz. We'll start in Washington, but I'm happy to bring the training to your city if enough people register.

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