PUBLIC SPEAKING COACHING FAQs
How much is it to work with you?
Let’s get the question on everyone’s mind out of the way.
The good news is that the first half-hour is free. When you’re ready, fill out this brief questionnaire and I’ll be in touch to confirm a time for your free consultation.
During that consult, you’ll get a taste of coaching as we discuss what event you’re preparing for or what speaking skills you want to take to the next level. I’ll do my best to give you some quick pointers and tips that you can use right away.
We’ll also discuss my three public speaking coaching packages and pricing. And if you need a custom package, we can talk about that too.
Who do you typically work with?
Like my homepage says, I work with C-suite executives, nonprofit leaders and rising stars. Some examples include a CEO presenting to the Board, a scientist giving a TED-style talk, a maid of honor delivering a toast at her best friend’s wedding and a cybersecurity specialist giving a keynote address. Here’s the list of who I’ve coached and here’s a list of the companies I’ve worked with over the years.
Do you work online or in-person?
I work with international clients remotely and work in-person with folks who live in Portland, Oregon or Seattle. If you don’t live and work in Portland, Oregon, we can discuss travel time and expenses if you want to bring me to your location.
How far in advance should I contact you?
This depends on many factors: how long your talk is, how familiar you are with the material, how nervous you’re going to be and so on.
It’s usually best to contact me for your free consult two months before a major presentation so we can have our first meeting six weeks before the big day. This will give you plenty of time to flesh out the content, hone your delivery, rehearse, check your lighting and sound, find the right outfit and everything else you need to do to show up as your most eloquent self.
How much time do I need to invest in coaching?
A great presentation often looks effortless. The presenter is relaxed and confident and their content is clear and captivating. But we all know that the more effortless it looks, the more work it took to make it look easy!
To get the most out of coaching, you need to invest somewhere between four and 20 hours depending on the complexity of your project. However, if you want some quick tips that will take your presenting up a notch, we can do that too.
The more time you invest in preparing, the better your presentation will be. I’ll let you know if I think you’re “over preparing” but this is rarely the case.
How much coaching do I need to make progress?
The amount of help you need depends on what you need help with. For example: Is it a complex message that you’ll need time to clarify? Will it be a tough audience? How nervous are you? How high-stakes is the event? It also depends on the length of your presentation and sometimes short ones require more time than long ones.
Some examples: if you want to refresh your introduction or elevator speech, the Dress Rehearsal package is probably a good fit. If you’re giving an interview or leading a panel discussion, the In the Spotlight package may be a better choice. Or if you’re preparing for a high-stakes presentation and you’re nervous, the Standing Ovation package is your best bet. Find coaching package details here.
It all depends on if you want to be a “little bit better” or “a lot better.” If we have a little bit of time, we can make your presentation a little better and if we have a lot of time, we can make a lot better.
Can I book at the last-minute?
Yes! I’ve worked with people who contact me on a Monday morning, who are presenting on a Wednesday, for example. The downside, of course, is that prepping at the last-minute may make you feel rushed and stressed. However, some coaching is better than none. The sooner you contact me for your free consult, the better.
Do you consult on other aspects of presenting?
The bulk of our work together will focus on your message and your delivery. As a former video and film producer, I can also give you good advice on what to wear, microphones, lighting and best practices for visuals. However, if you need more in-depth help, I have a stable of experts on my team that includes stylists, videographers, writers and designers who I can refer, as needed.