VirtualSpeech Blog

We offer advice, research and insights to improve your professional development skills, including communication, interview, leadership, interpersonal, and presentations skills.

February 17, 2018

Categories

Career and Workplace

Common business English phrases for a workplace meeting

Meetings are an essential part of the modern workplace. Understanding the right phrases, vocabulary and terminology to use in an English business meeting can help your career progression in our highly competitive workplace environment.

February 14, 2018

Categories

Workplace & Employee Training

Different types of employee training and delivery methods

Organizations can use many different types of training and delivery methods to engage their employees. In this article, we discuss common methods of delivery and training types

February 11, 2018

Categories

Leadership Skills

The Complete Guide to Crisis Management and Communication

Crisis management is an essential organisational function. We cover best practices, case studies, examples and useful resources which can be incorporated into an effective crisis management plan.

January 5, 2018

Categories

Public Speaking

Guide to Choosing a Successful Speech Topic

We provide a framework for choosing a successful speech topic which your audience will find interesting, you are passionate about and knowledgeable on.

January 2, 2018

Categories

Communication Skills

10 Effective Ways to use Pauses in your Speech

A pause, if used correctly, can add a great deal to your speech. Here are 10 ways you can use a pause effectively, from adding emphasis to key points, to changing the presentation topic, to replacing filler words.

December 20, 2017

Categories

Presentation Skills

Examples of Effective Corporate Presentation Slides

Examples of great corporate presentations from leaders in their respective industries. Learn from company presentations on Moz, Netflix, Accenture, HubSpot and Google, including slides and quotes.

December 4, 2017

Categories

Public Speaking

Exercises to Warm up your Voice before a Speech

Different exercises to warm up your vocal muscles before a speech or presentation. We explain why vocal warm up is important, different vocal exercises to try and tongue twisters to warm up your muscles.

November 25, 2017

Categories

Public Speaking

5 TED Talks Every Public Speaker Should Watch

Five powerful TED Talks to improve your public speaking and communication skills, from the impact of body language, to telling stories, to using your vocal toolbox.

November 24, 2017

Categories

Public Speaking

Why and How to Bring Statistics Into Your Speech

Statistics and data are a great way to add impact to your presentation. Use these tips in your speech to make your message more persuasive and memorable.

November 18, 2017

Categories

Public Speaking

What is Glossophobia and How to Overcome it

Learn about public speaking anxiety, or glossophobia, including what it is, symptoms and signs, consequences, how to treat it and exercises to help you overcome your fear of public speaking.

November 14, 2017

Categories

Presentation Skills

Guide for Presenting to Large Groups of People

A guide for how to present to large groups of people, either at a conference, theatre or other large venue. Our tips will help you influence your audience and deliver a memorable message.

November 10, 2017

Categories

Presentation Skills

18 Ways to Make Your Presentation More Interactive

Involving your audience with an interactive presentation is much more likely to keep your audience’s attention and help them understand your message.

November 6, 2017

Categories

Presentation Skills

Different Ways to End a Presentation or Speech

There are many different ways to leave closing remarks at the end of your speech, from summarising to rhetorical questions to an unusual quote. Learn about how to use them in different situations.

October 29, 2017

Categories

Communication Skills

45 Impromptu Speech Topics and Ideas

Impromptu speech topics you can use at your next event, or for practice to improve communication skills and quick-thinking. We also outline what an impromptu speech is and tips for picking a topic.

October 24, 2017

Categories

Non-Verbal Communication

The Importance of Eye Contact during a Presentation

We discuss the benefits of good eye contact when giving a speech, and ways to improve your eye contact so that you connect with your audience in a meaningful way.

September 20, 2017

Categories

Non-Verbal Communication

Active Listening Skills, Examples and Exercises

Active listening can help build relationships, solve problems and avoid conflict. By becoming a better listener, you’ll improve your workplace productivity, as well as your ability to influence, persuade and negotiate.

August 18, 2017

Categories

Public Speaking

What are the Benefits of Public Speaking?

Public speaking is a great way to build personal development on many levels, since improving communication skills is helpful in almost every area of life, both personally and professionally.

August 10, 2017

Categories

Non-Verbal Communication

8 Elements of Confident Body Language

When you speak, you don’t just speak with what you actually say, you also speak with your body language. Read our 8 tips on how to build confident body language for any occasion.

April 29, 2017

Categories

Communication Skills

How to Stop Using Filler Words in 3 Steps

Um, like, so, er… they’re all words that have slipped into everyone’s everyday vocabulary and they’re known as hesitation or filler words. These are 3 practical steps to help you stop using them.

November 11, 2016

Categories

Public Speaking

7 Ways to Improve Your Oratory Skills

Great public speakers are not born that way; most have to practice and perfect their speaking skills. We provide a list of oratory skills to help make your speeches more clear, confident and successful.