Top 10 Presentation Secrets

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I'm SALLY
...a speaker coach and "professional nudger" who helps big-hearted entrepreneurs and leaders move from self-doubt to confident action. I'm here to help you be brave enough to #showupanyway, even when (especially when!) every instinct tells you to hide.





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220: Braving Videos – 5 Tips to Confidently Present Via Video

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE live audiences! I love live events. It’s at the heart and core of what we do.

But we can’t do them right now – and that’s ok. 

It really is!

Because there’s power and purpose in video that allows for NEW connections and impact… IF we can embrace and brave video.

So – I want to share with you a few key tips that have helped me do better videos, and speak with more confidence virtually.

265: The secret to connection in a virtual world – with Lauren Ready

Today on the show I’m so excited to be introducing you to Lauren Ready – an Emmy Award-Winning producer, videographer and documentarian… and one of my speakers! Lauren started her career as a TV reporter, in front of the camera – and felt a pull to tell the stories that often didn’t get told…So she stepped behind the camera and started producing stories, events and virtual experiences from that angle.

I’m so excited for Lauren to share her unique vantage point, focusing on how the speakers she’s produced have been able to overcome the obstacle of disconnection – and bust through that wall – aka the camera! – that too often exists in this virtual world… 

199: 3 Ways to Protect Your Presentation Prep Time

People ask me all the time: 

How long should it take to prep for this big talk?

My answer is typically: More than you think.

With incredibly busy lives, juggling way more than one thing at a time – prepping for our talks often gets squeezed. Add onto that the mental and emotional challenge of developing a talk… well, avoidance and procrastination can take on a life of its own. 

I get it! It’s not easy to create space when the more seemingly urgent can easily jump to the front of the line. But often the last few days and hours and moments before a talk, we are then faced with that moment of regret…

I wish I would have taken more time for this. I wish I would have practiced this more. I wish I knew this better. I wish….

No more wishing!

Let’s do things differently!

186: On Being Your Virtual Presentation Coach

Welcome, Movers! The new and improved WEBSITE is finally here! I am so proud of how it came together and hope you enjoy it as much as I do. My hope is that this website will become a home of resources for you as you begin or continue on your speaking journey!
Check it out: http://www.thismovedme.com

114: Vanessa Van Edwards – On the Science of Presenting

Vanessa Van Edwards – scientist and speaker – joined me for a conversation about how to present yourself… or, as I almost titled this episode: How Not to Be Awkward. Why is Vanessa the expert on this topic? As a “recovering awkward person” herself, she approached the soft skills of presenting, love, and influence – studying it like she studies science. And through that she has been able to bring to light some key lessons for all of us on the science of influence, charisma and presenting ourselves with confidence and credibility.

157: Stephy Lewis: On the Good, Bad and Ugly of Presentation Design

Stephy Lewis, presentation designer from the Presentation Guild – and my new pal from the Presentation Summit – got a chance to catch up and talk the good, bad and ugly about presentation design and development.

Even though Stephy was dragged kicking and screaming from the field of design into the field of *presentation* design, she has discovered the depth, complexity and artistry of the profession – part of the reason why she’s so passionate about her role at the Presentation Guild!

Jump in with us as we talk about what bad design can do to our mental state (ha), the importance of the collaborate nature of developing presentations, and 3 keys to designing intentional pre

008: Paul Tomes – On Avoiding Presentation Karaoke

Paul Tomes – presentation guru from over in South Africa – joined me in a conversation about how we present in a conversational – and essentially human – way. Paul is an incredibly skilled presentation coach who shared several powerful stories about real transformation—sharing the very best of what we can do. Paul writes at Freshly Squeezed Presentations and works at Pitch – a firm focused on telling stories that move people.

168: MMM – On Writing the Best Worst First Draft of Your Presentation (Part One)

How do you write the best (worst) first draft of your presentation?

Along with being a theater major in college, I was also an English major. I loved loved loved being on stage (I know), but I also loved to write. Little did I know I was basically creating for myself the building blocks of my life now. All I knew then was that I loved them both and didn’t want to choose. (Funny how I rejected the idea of being a communications major. Nope, didn’t want that.)

Anyway – I remember sitting in what was infamously known as being a really difficult writing class with Sister Mara. (It was a small liberal arts catholic college.) Sister Mara was a really tough grader – but a brilliant mentor and guide. The assignment was to come up with a metaphor for the process of writing…

You guys – I LOVE METAPHORS! They are the best… so meaty, and you can create and assign so much meaning in them… and to me, that’s the best kind of meaning to find… in layers of other things, because it helps us FEEL those ideas more? – ya know?

Anyway – I remember sitting there and thinking that my metaphor for writing was a make-out session. (So very senior year in college of me to say!)

169: MMM – On Creating the Best Worst Draft of Your Presentation, Part Two

You’ve written a “shitty first draft” of your presentation.

Congratulations! That’s huge.

But now what?

Tune in for Part Two of this three part series to figure out how to jump-start your talk with content that resonates, engages and is authentically grounded in your story. 

170: MMM – On Creating The Best Worst First Draft of Your Presentation, Part Three

You wrote a shitty first draft. Congrats!

Then you walked away. AWESOME!

Now… now what? What do we do?

You’ve still got the kitchen sink, and it’s all swirly-whirly and NOT CLEAR. How do we get a little closer to CLEAR??

Here’s what you do:

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Hi, I'm Sally,

I help audiences move from self-doubt to self-trust so they can show up with confidence when it matters most. As an award-winning keynote speaker, best-selling author, and host of a top 2% podcast in the world, I’ve spent nearly 30 years on stages, speaking to thousands about the power of authentic leadership and bold action. 

My work has helped executives, entrepreneurs, and teams ditch perfectionism, embrace their voice, and lead with courage—even in high-stakes moments. Through storytelling, humor, and actionable insights, I don’t just inspire—I equip people with the tools to stop waiting, start leading, and 

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BIG DREAMER, IMPERFECT DO-ER.
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BRAVERY REQUIRED!

Your professional nudger!

#showupanyway!

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