The Master Communicator Blog
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How tour guiding can make you a better speaker
Tour guiding taught me how to walk backward without falling while telling colorful tales about the denizens of the historic Art Deco District of Miami Beach, Florida. I developed this talent while working as a volunteer tour guide for the Miami Design Preservation...
How tour guiding can make you a better speaker
Jul 7, 2025
A good tour guide makes your visit to a new place come alive with memorable stories, anecdotes, and historical context. Here’s how guiding tours helped me become a more confident, engaging, and effective speaker.
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How tour guiding can make you a better speakerHow tour guiding can make you a better speaker
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What stuttering reveals about speaking with impactWhat stuttering reveals about speaking with impact -
Lessons from Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement SpeechLessons from Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Speech -
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Start strong, end strong: How to open and close with impactStart strong, end strong: How to open and close with impact -
How to speak confidently without memorizationHow to speak confidently without memorization -
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Story is the most powerful connector of hearts and mindsStory is the most powerful connector of hearts and minds -
How to handle holiday politics with grace: a survival guideHow to handle holiday politics with grace: a survival guide -
The power of truth: How lying undermines trustThe power of truth: How lying undermines trust -
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11 body language tips to make your speech flow11 body language tips to make your speech flow -
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Without further ado and the pitfalls of trite phrasesWithout further ado and the pitfalls of trite phrases -
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Use this power phrase to unlock understandingUse this power phrase to unlock understanding -
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Common mistakes presenters make without realizingCommon mistakes presenters make without realizing -
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What to answer when you don’t know the answerWhat to answer when you don’t know the answer -
Tips to rise above the noise and communicate betterTips to rise above the noise and communicate better -
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Master the art of the throughline when you speakMaster the art of the throughline when you speak -
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What to answer when you don’t like the questionWhat to answer when you don’t like the question -
What holds you back from using your voice for change?What holds you back from using your voice for change? -
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How to speak well in public when you’re having a bad dayHow to speak well in public when you’re having a bad day -
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Want to speak like a leader? Dump the clichésWant to speak like a leader? Dump the clichés -
Why do women and men communicate differently?Why do women and men communicate differently? -
Don’t let imposter syndrome sabotage your next speechDon’t let imposter syndrome sabotage your next speech -
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8 communications lessons from people who stutter8 communications lessons from people who stutter -
True or False: 9 public speaking myths debunkedTrue or False: 9 public speaking myths debunked -
Tilt and nod your way to better body languageTilt and nod your way to better body language -
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Talking tips to survive your holiday parties.Talking tips to survive your holiday parties. -
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The Virtual Interview Is the New Résumé: What You Need to KnowThe Virtual Interview Is the New Résumé: What You Need to Know -
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Eight ways to use note cards during a presentationEight ways to use note cards during a presentation -
Nine ways to elevate the role of panel moderatorNine ways to elevate the role of panel moderator -
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Did you lose your voice? DON'T do these five things.Did you lose your voice? DON'T do these five things. -
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How a question creates courageous communicationHow a question creates courageous communication -
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The introvert's guide to great public speakingThe introvert's guide to great public speaking -
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7 tips about food and drink before you present7 tips about food and drink before you present -
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Public speaking jitters? Train your butterflies to fly in formationPublic speaking jitters? Train your butterflies to fly in formation -
Transform your presentations with the rule of threeTransform your presentations with the rule of three -
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How to create a dazzling first impression on video.How to create a dazzling first impression on video. -
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Practice your <em>private</em> speaking during the holidays.Practice your private speaking during the holidays. -
How <em>Mondays with Mitch</em> inspired great presentation tips.How Mondays with Mitch inspired great presentation tips. -
Three reasons why you will never speak like me.Three reasons why you will never speak like me. -
Lessons in storytelling from my seven-year-old grandson.Lessons in storytelling from my seven-year-old grandson. -
Pro tips for world-class virtual presentations.Pro tips for world-class virtual presentations. -
Stand out on video meetings with charisma and influence.Stand out on video meetings with charisma and influence. -
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Five reasons you should use a green screen with Zoom.Five reasons you should use a green screen with Zoom. -
Five steps to boost your executive presence online.Five steps to boost your executive presence online. -
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Six ways to improve your audio quality on Zoom.Six ways to improve your audio quality on Zoom. -
Get ready to ace your next virtual media interview.Get ready to ace your next virtual media interview. -
Want to look great on Zoom? This 10-point checklist is for you.Want to look great on Zoom? This 10-point checklist is for you. -
7 steps to shave word whiskers from your speeches.7 steps to shave word whiskers from your speeches. -
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Six team-building ideas to spice up your next Zoom meeting.Six team-building ideas to spice up your next Zoom meeting. -
4 ways to help everyone feel included in hybrid meetings.4 ways to help everyone feel included in hybrid meetings. -
Hand signals for Zoom: 6 non-verbal cues to enhance your meetings.Hand signals for Zoom: 6 non-verbal cues to enhance your meetings. -
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What can speakers learn from Oprah’s interview style?What can speakers learn from Oprah’s interview style? -
No-excuse guide to hold attention during Zoom meetingsNo-excuse guide to hold attention during Zoom meetings -
9 ways to supercharge your next virtual meeting.9 ways to supercharge your next virtual meeting. -
7 hand gestures that will immediately increase the value of what you say.7 hand gestures that will immediately increase the value of what you say. -
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10 steps to look your best on virtual job interviews10 steps to look your best on virtual job interviews -
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Boost your charisma on Zoom with these 7 tips.Boost your charisma on Zoom with these 7 tips. -
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A stutterer's guide to overcoming stage fright on ZoomA stutterer's guide to overcoming stage fright on Zoom -
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7 Essential skills to stand out in a Zoom meeting7 Essential skills to stand out in a Zoom meeting -
Racial justice requires business leaders to speak upRacial justice requires business leaders to speak up -
Better virtual meetings during Covid-19 and BeyondBetter virtual meetings during Covid-19 and Beyond -
10 Communication Tips for Navigating the Covid-19 Crisis10 Communication Tips for Navigating the Covid-19 Crisis -
Ten tips to look your best on video conferencesTen tips to look your best on video conferences -
Bad Public Speaking: Gambling on Trump's Coronavirus BriefingsBad Public Speaking: Gambling on Trump's Coronavirus Briefings -
Crisis Communications Leadership in the Time of Covid-19Crisis Communications Leadership in the Time of Covid-19 -
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Quick Presentation Fix: Make Your Audience the HeroQuick Presentation Fix: Make Your Audience the Hero -
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