A great speech isn’t just a collection of words—it’s a carefully constructed message designed to inform, inspire, or persuade. Whether you’re speaking on a stage, leading a workshop, or pitching an idea, the building blocks of your speech are the same!

I want you to think of your speech like a house. Without a strong foundation, it crumbles and without a clear design, it confuses. But when built intentionally, with the right materials, it stands strong and leaves a lasting impact.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of crafting a speech, don’t worry—you already have everything you need to create a powerful message. You just need a structure that supports and amplifies your voice.

Today I am going to give you that structure! Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the key building blocks of a great speech.

1. The Hook: Grabbing Attention from the Start

Your opening is your first impression—it sets the tone and determines whether your audience will stay engaged or mentally ...

Confidence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built day by day, note by note, moment by moment, just like practicing a piece of music. 

As a clarinetist with over 30 years of performance experience, I’ve learned that preparing a solo for performance is no different than preparing a speech for performance. Both require preparation, patience, and, most importantly, a willingness to grow from every experience—no matter how uncomfortable or imperfect. That willingness also includes acknowledging our fears of failure and doing it anyway.

When I first started playing solos in 7th grade, I would get so nervous. My hands would shake (making it difficult to hold my instrument), my breathing would get out of sync, and I’d forget to exhale all the way, and I sometimes questioned whether I was good enough to perform. And then, every time I did it, I felt amazing and received applause and congratulations from the audience. Just like the client I mentioned in last week’s article, I spent way too much ...

Self-doubt can be an unwelcome companion for anyone stepping into the spotlight. Whether it’s a small presentation, a keynote speech, or simply sharing your voice in a meeting, the nagging question of "Am I good enough?" can hold even the most capable people back. But here’s the truth: self-doubt doesn’t have to define your journey. It can, instead, become a steppingstone toward your growth.

I have seen incredible transformations in women who, at first, doubted their ability to speak up and their worth in doing so. They felt inadequate, convinced that their voices didn’t carry the weight or wisdom needed to make an impact. But through intentional steps, and only a few tears, they learned to embrace their worth and boldly use their voice to speak out. Their stories are proof that you too, can break through the barriers of self-doubt.

I want you to think of the battle between self-doubt and self-confidence as a great tug-of-war match in your mind. Your inner thoughts, negative self-tal...

For many of us, the idea of stepping onto a stage can be terrifying. The sweaty palms, racing heart, and shaky voice often feel like insurmountable obstacles. But what if I told you that these symptoms of anxiety could be transformed into powerful tools for an impactful performance?

Stage nerves are not your enemy—they are a sign that you care. Instead of letting them control you, you can learn to harness that energy to enhance your confidence and delivery. 

Here is a step-by-step guide to turning your anxiety into empowered energy.

1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Nerves

The first step in managing stage fright is recognizing it for what it is: a natural response to a challenge. Nervousness isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a signal that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone.

• Action: Take a moment to acknowledge your feelings without judgment. Remind yourself that even seasoned speakers feel nervous before taking the stage.
• Mantra: “This energy means I care about doing ...

Have you ever hesitated to share your voice, worrying it wasn’t good enough, strong enough, or impactful enough? You’re not alone. Many of us carry self-doubt when it comes to speaking—whether it’s in a meeting, on stage, or even in everyday conversations. But here’s the truth: your voice matters, and embracing it is the first step toward building confidence and making an impact.

Self-love is at the heart of confident storytelling and speaking. When you learn to love your voice—both literally and figuratively—you unlock a power within you that can inspire, influence, and connect with others. Let’s explore three simple, actionable ways to build confidence in your speaking skills by starting focused on self-love.

1. Celebrate Your Unique Voice

Your voice is as unique as your fingerprint, and that’s what makes it so powerful. Stop comparing yourself to others or trying to emulate their style. Instead, focus on what makes your voice special. Is it soft and soothing, is it rough and robu...

The first time I stepped onto a stage, (and if I’m being honest, sometimes even now…) I felt like an imposter. As an introvert, the spotlight felt unnatural and as a perfectionist (now in recovery if you know what I mean), I always had that nagging voice saying, “you’re not good enough…the others are better.” 

As far back as I can remember, I preferred quiet moments of reflection to boisterous gatherings, and yet, I would get the biggest rush when given the chance to speak, sing, or play my instruments in front of a crowd. Looking back, I have discovered that from that first chance to speak in the 6th grade (D.A.R.E. graduation circa 1995) and in the years since, is that introverts like me have a unique edge when it comes to public speaking. What we think of as a negative trait (introversion) is really a superpower when it comes to doing things outside of our comfort zone, like speaking!

I know, you are currently thinking, “Um, what? Did you just say that being introverted is a stren...

The butterflies in your stomach, the racing heart, the sweaty palms—pre-speech anxiety is a challenge nearly every speaker faces, whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth. But here’s the truth: nervousness is not your enemy. It’s a sign that you care deeply about your message and your performance. By learning to navigate these feelings, you can turn them into powerful tools for delivering an impactful and memorable presentation.

Here are eight practical tips to help you manage nerves and step onto the stage with confidence:

1.  Accept and Reframe Your Nervous Energy
   

Nervousness is your body’s way of gearing up for a challenge, and it’s a signal that you care about your performance. Instead of fighting it, reframe it. Think of it as excitement and enthusiasm—a boost of energy ready to propel you forward. After all, your body doesn’t distinguish between nervous and excited energy; it just feels the intensity! Embracing this mindset can transform performance anxiety into an ally ...

Greetings and Happy 2024! Today I am discussing something that is close to my heart and is the whole reason I created my business – stepping onto the stage and becoming a speaker. If you have been wondering, even a little bit, if becoming a speaker is something YOU could do, 2024 is the perfect year to make it happen!

I know you are a woman with a lifetime’s worth of wisdom, experiences, and stories burning inside you, ready to be shared with the world. And you might be wondering if any of that wisdom could be used to inspire others. The answer is unequivocally YES! Each of us has a story to tell and a lesson to share. The only thing holding us back from sharing is the fear that we are not good enough to be on a stage, microphone in hand, telling people about our life’s journey and what they can learn from it.

Maybe you're already in a role where public speaking is part of the gig, but those nagging feelings of inadequacy are holding you back. I hear you, and I'm here to tell you t...

Today I want to discuss the power of vulnerability in public speaking. Sharing personal stories can feel scary and you might wonder if your audience will think of you in a certain way based on the experiences you share. In fact, your audience will likely connect with you on a much deeper level when you share relevant personal experiences in your speech!

In this article, we will cover 7 ways that sharing your personal stories and experiences help you create a speech that will impact your audience and allow them to reflect, connect, and engage with you!

Let’s dive in!

1. The Power of Vulnerability: Vulnerability is not a weakness; it is your superpower. When you share personal stories, you're not just speaking to people; you are inviting them to think of a relatable experience of their own and to connect with you through that shared similar memory. This connection is better than any hook you could ever use to earn audience engagement. While it is scary to think about sharing those hid...

You’ve done it. You have decided to apply for that speaking engagement or join that speaking group and you have committed to stepping on to the stage to share your story, your knowledge, and your expertise with an audience. 

Once the excitement dwindles and you start working on your words, you might realize that you’ve never been on a stage, you don’t know how to present a captivating story, or you might get so nervous about it that you want to back out. 

I want you to know that these are completely normal thoughts, but you are not alone in feeling anxious or not good enough to be on the stage. Most of us have those thoughts at some point in our speaking journey, even if we are experienced speakers. The good news is that you can learn how to be a great storyteller, you can learn to manage nerves, and you can learn how to command the stage so you can enjoy the experience from start to finish! (All of these are addressed when you work with me 😉)

You will often hear me discuss stage pr...