Archive for April, 2010

Grounded in Paris TJ Walker needs to get to Rome to catch a flight back to New York. So he called a cab!

If you want to become a professional motivational speaker and create a true theatrical experience for your audience every time you speak, then you may wish to hire a small army of acting, voice, and dance coaches to choreograph your every move on the platform. But if you just want to give a pretty good presentation, you can forget all of that nonsense. Instead, just focus on doing one thing: move.

I know that sounds simple, and almost overly simplistic. But most awful presenters and mediocre speakers freeze up. They stand behind a lectern and lean on it as if it were a life preserver. They hold their hands in the fig leaf position or the military position, or they put them in their pockets (doing who knows what!).

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You are probably wondering, “Why would I want to engage the audience? That sounds scary! I’d like my audience to sit there and shut up, so I can finish and get the heck out of there!”

I sympathize with you—I really do. But I also want to make your life as easy as possible and to increase your odds of being perceived as a pretty good presenter. One of the biggest dangers we have to worry about as speakers is that our audience gets bored, zones out, and then remembers us as awful speakers. This is a failure for us.

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Facial expressions can be tricky, and many presenters rack their brains thinking of what kinds of facial expression to make, when to make them, and in whose direction.

There are three kinds of eye contact that presenters can have with audiences: Read the rest of this entry »

Obama’s Supreme Court nominee must be able to talk the talk

TJ Walker describes why it is vitally important for whatever nominee that President Obama puts forward for the Supreme Court to be an excellent communicator.

Oprah Winfrey does not need to tell all in response to Kitty Kelley’s new book

Sometimes an ill timed joke can overshadow your message. TJ Walker examines the case of a New Jersey educator who made light of his wish for death to come to the NJ governor.

When using humor can be dangerous

Sometimes an ill timed joke can overshadow your message. TJ Walker examines the case of a New Jersey educator who made light of his wish for death to come to the NJ governor.

Why poor communications skills can cost you money and your job!

TJ Walker explains why being a poor communicator to the media can have major ramifications.

Conan O’Brien and TBS show how corporate communications should be done

TJ Walker offers analysis of how TBS and Conan O’Brien handled the announcement of O’Brien’s new late night show.

Tiger Woods still does not get it!

Tiger Woods was back playing golf taking the public’s attention off of his sexcapades but his behavior still has not changed all that much. TJ Walker examines Tigers behavior on the course and in media interviews.

Massey Mining Crisis & Don Blankenship – Not the best role model

TJ Walker speaks about Don Blankenship’s relationship with the media and gives some Crisis Communication advice.

Tiger Woods back in the tabloids

Tiger Woods cant escape the tabloids. He is back in hot water with the latest news of his sexcapades.

Jim Carrey And Jenny McCarthy Break-Up on Twitter!

TJ Walker comments on the newest trend is celebrity breakups.

Michael Steele in the hot seat. Again!

TJ Walker comments on the latest issues faced by RNC leader Michael Steele

Virginia Governor Proclaims Confederate History Month

TJ Walker looks at the media controversy surrounding the governor of Virginia’s decision to proclaim April as the Confederate History Month

Tiger Woods Press Conference-Analysis

TJ Walker offers his analysis of the Tiger Woods press conference at The Masters