8/1/2025
Editors: Rebecca Morgan & Ken Braly
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From the Editors
Congratulations to the NSA’s newest inductees into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame: Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, CSP, CPAE, Allison Massari, CPAE, Clint Pulver, CSP, CPAE, Sylvie di Giusto, CSP, CPAE, and Joe Mull, CSP, CPAE.
Our dear friend and long-time SNN supporter (and multiple SNN webinar expert) Brian Walter, CSP, CPAE, received NSA’s highest honor, the Cavett Award. It is so well deserved!
We’re happy to celebrate all of you!
Miscellaneous Tips
Integrating AI with human talent — Bob Wendover
Anyone who speaks to industry groups must be aware of the true impact AI is having on how businesses are working to integrate/leverage artificial intelligence with human talent. It is running in the background of every leader’s decision making. Here is a great Fast Company article which provides a good overview of how companies might approach this challenge.
If you’re speaking to business leaders, you must take this into consideration, in my humble opinion.
Overuse of AI — Beth Terry
Interesting article warning from MIT on overuse of AI and how to maintain your brain functioning when using it. “This AI Habit Is Making You Dumber”
Just more cautionary tales for AI usage.
Greeting your audience — Jeff Davidson
At the beginning of their presentations, some speakers like to involve their audiences. I find it trite to say “good morning” or “good afternoon” to the audience as an inducement for them to say it back. I have seen speakers, however, who do this masterfully and receive a strong return greeting from an eager and receptive audience.
Should you use a healthy “good morning” or “good afternoon”? It depends on your personal style, when you’re scheduled in the program, the audience’s vocal inclination, and whether or not such a greeting fits in with other aspects of your presentation.
Technology Tips
PC users autoexpander — Milo Shapiro
For PC users, I’m a ravenous fan of Fastkeys. It’s a tiny program that runs in the background and I’ve got hundreds of little shortcuts I type that turn into spelled out words, phrases, or even whole paragraphs. Best of all, once I set it up, it works in Chrome, Firefox, Outlook, Word, File Explorer, and anywhere else on my computer. I even save shortcuts to my most used files so I don’t have to navigate to get to them; I just type something like "clientfile" and zoom — it’s there.
Crazy cheap, worth it at $29 for up to three computers and a breeze to get started! Saves me hours a week and I haven’t made a typo in my email address or phone number in years thanks to Fastkeys. FastKeysAutomation.com (Mac equivalents include TypeIt4Me,TextExpander, aText and Alfred.)
Edit videos like editing docs — Julie Holmes
Descript is one of those tools that makes you go, “Wait... how did I live without this?” It turns your video into a transcript, then lets you edit the text to cut the footage. Delete a word? Snip a clip. It’s that simple. Whether you’re cleaning up a podcast, polishing a webinar, or trimming down a talking head video, Descript turns your editing process into a breeze.
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Are your virtual presentation visuals engaging? Could you add meaningful audience participation? Would you like to learn some nuances that will make your virtual presentations more compelling? Learn about Rebecca Morgan/eSpeakers' Virtual Master Presenter course sessions. 5-part course starts Sept. 15; early bird deal before Aug. 31. Details. |
Travel Tips
Higher fares for some — Rebecca Morgan
Interesting reporting that US Airlines are quietly hitting solo & business travelers with higher fares.
Also, Airlines may use algorithms and AI for “customer specific” pricing.
Topic of the Month (TOTM) — Your Input Wanted
Our TOTM is: If you attended NSA’s Influence convention, what are some takeaways you’ll implement. If possible, credit who you learned this from.
Send your brief, pithy responses *that are different from those previously mentioned* to editor@SpeakerNetNews.com. Please put “Topic of the Month” or “TOTM” in the subject line.
Nicole Johnston shared how she uses the virtual business card app Blinq and I signed up immediately. Your new contact can scan the QR code and you’re automatically added to their contacts. You can use the free or paid version
About SpeakerNet News and the Editors/Publishers
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