Six Minutes: Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Blog

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Six Minutes brings you public speaking and presentation skills tips, analysis, insights, and strategies.

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We are a community of speakers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share, and grow in our understanding of public speaking.

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New Articles The latest articles published on Six Minutes: Average Speakers Suck. Don’t be Average. 15 Tactics to Establish Ethos: Examples for Persuasive Speaking Psst! Readers’ Speaking Confessions and Lessons What is Ethos and Why is it Critical for Speakers? Win a Book! Share Your Public Speaking Confessions	Write Memorable Speeches Speechwriting articles teach you how to craft content which is compelling, focussed, and memorable. How to Make Metaphorical Magic in Your Speech 5 Speechwriting Lessons from Obama’s Inaugural Speech How to Use the Rule of Three in Your Speeches Electrify Your Audience with a Shocking Speech Opening	The Best of the Blogosphere On weekends, we survey the best public speaking articles from a wide collection of public speaking blogs. The very best articles are highlighted each week for you. "I rely on your weekly summary to point me toward some of the blogs I might have missed. This is such a useful posting." February 6 January 15 January 2 December 19 December 4 November 20 November 6 October 24
Tune your Delivery Techniques When you have an important message, you must be able to deliver it confidently and powerfully. Hone your body language, vocal variety, movement, and audience interaction. Leading the Perfect Q&A Should a Speaker Apologize to the Audience? Never Read Your Speech… Never? Are… um… Filler Words… ah… Okay?	Design Effective Visuals PowerPoint or Keynote? Flip chart or prop? Learn how to design effective visual aids which complement your message. Six Simple Techniques for Presenting Data: Hans Rosling (TED, 2006) Use PowerPoint Visuals, Not Bullets – What the World Eats PowerPoint Design Wish List: 8 Modest Proposals How to Improve Your PowerPoint Slides with the Rule of Thirds	Learn From Great Speeches Speech evaluations which analyze great speakers, illustrate their simple techniques, and show you how to emulate them. Video Critique: Al Gore (TED, 2006) Video Critique: Majora Carter – Greening the Ghetto (TED 2006) Speech Analysis: I Have a Dream – Martin Luther King Jr. 5 Presentation Lessons from Randy Pausch in The Last Lecture
Resources for Speakers Lists, research, and essential resources for public speakers. Speaking Survey says: Speaker DO’s and DON’Ts Toastmasters: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Popular Public Speaking Books and Gear Public Speaking Blogs: The Definitive List	Develop Positive Speaking Habits Ready to get serious about improving your skills? Learn habits which help you become a complete well-rounded speaker. Speech Preparation #8: How to Practice Your Presentation Speech Analysis #1: How to Study and Critique a Speech Do You Provide Great Customer Service to Your Audience? Stop Rehearsing! 3 Critical Things to Do Before Your Speech	The Best Books Revealed Don't waste your money and time reading the wrong books. You will find regular reviews of outstanding books which cover public speaking, presentation skills, and communication methods. *Presentation Zen* Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln: 21 Powerful Secrets of History's Greatest Speakers slide:ology You've Got to Be Believed to Be Heard The Wealthy Speaker: The Proven Formula for Building Your Successful Speaking Business The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking