Category: How-tos

How to find the right Public Speaking Coach for you

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on April 10, 2022 |

Do you get nervous when you have to speak in public? Do you wish that you could sound more confident and authoritative when you’re up there? If so, then a public speaking coach may be the right solution for you. But how do you go about finding the right one? In this blog post, we […]

How to speak without notes, off the cuff

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on October 26, 2019 |

Speaking without notes or ‘off the cuff’ is a prospect that can terrify both amateur and experienced speakers. And yet, in boardrooms, meetings and at networking events we are increasingly required to speak on demand. So what’s the best way to get through this? Before we go any further it’s worth saying you should always […]

How to become an industry expert

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on July 28, 2019 |

You know your industry inside out. But if you’re looking to get ahead it’s increasingly important you’re seen as an ‘expert’ in your field. How can you build this coveted public persona? Have a keynote ready to go You need a speech which says something new and exciting about your sector. It has to […]

How to write a speech for a birthday party

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on June 24, 2019 |

If your friend/partner is about to hit a milestone you might want to (or be asked to!) give a speech at their birthday party. This can be a daunting prospect, particularly if you haven’t done much public speaking in the past. But fear not, we have a few tips that will help you write a […]

How to write a brilliant 60 second elevator pitch

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on April 11, 2019 |

An elevator pitch is you selling your product or brand in a very short amount of time – the time it might take to ride an elevator. This guide will show you how write an elevator pitch with the aim of winning over potential customers or clients. Your elevator pitch could be used at conferences, […]

How to say ‘yes’ to speaking opportunities

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on January 5, 2019 |

‘I don’t have the time’‘Someone in my team would be better suited to this’‘I don’t have anything to bring to the table’ These are just a few of the lies we tell ourselves (and others) to turn down speaking invites. The truth is being on stage is of enormous benefit to you professionally and personally. […]

How to give a brilliant scientific speech

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on December 11, 2018 |

What makes a brilliant scientific speech? We’ve recently had the pleasure of coaching some early career researchers at Lyrical Science tasked with sharing their research with the general public and potential financial donors. Here are a few things we thought were really important …. Start with a personal story If your work is interesting, you […]

How to give great public speaking feedback

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on November 19, 2018 |

If a friend or colleague is giving a speech they may want your feedback. But what’s the best way to help? Get them to give the speech as they would for real Ask them to stand up and use whatever notes they plan to have with them on the day. If they are going be on […]

How to write jokes for a speech

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on November 13, 2018 |

‘Start with a joke’ is familiar and often good advice for speechwriting. But how do you actually write jokes for your speeches? 1) Decide on the kind of joke you want The first step is to decide on the kind of joke you want to tell. The most popular forms are one-liners and anecdotes. One-liners […]

How to write an office Christmas party speech

james@vensacoaching.co.uk | Posted on November 5, 2018 |

Christmas parties and meals can be a great bonding experience, but they’re also an opportunity for you to thank your team and motivate them for year ahead. A well planned speech can go down a treat. But where do you start? Think about the people you want to recognise Christmas is time of giving so […]