Barringer Consultants LLC

David Barringer Writer, Author, Philosopher and Son   "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is to you."                                                                                                      Ralph Waldo Emerson We have all been subjected to many so-called experts tell us of rules, strategies, suggestions, and techniques that will help us with be better public speakers. Everyone has a different take on the subject. Lately, with everyone more concerned with making eye contact and talking with their phone, speaking to real people seems to be more and more challenging and may require more effort. My First Rule of Public Speaking is you have to have something to say. Public Speaking is harder if yo...

  I have been teaching speech, voice, and language strategies for over 25 years. I have worked with business professionals, CEOs, political figures, teachers, parents, pilots, and actors. Everything from public speaking, diction, accent modification, aviation communications, to accents and dialects for stage and screen. Currently, I have the pleasure of working with Nine9 The UnAgency for Actors. It has been fun! I thoroughly enjoy working with actors from all over the country and even internationally. Last month they featured me in their company newsletter! I thought I would share this. Working with actors is great! We work on improving diction and pronunciation, vocal projection, vocal tone, and various accents. The recent accent classes included Standard British (RP) accent, Cockney, Russian, and Standard American. And I am planning more! If YOU always had an inkling to try something like this, maybe prep for an acting side gig, contact me for more info and to subscribe for my ...

  A few years ago, my son's former neighbors appeared on "Shark Tank." The whole family, including the parents and all 3 children, appeared on camera in front of the Sharks and the viewing audience. They impressed the Sharks and were awarded the loan. Not only was their business idea a winner, but they personally and professionally came across as winners. They all spoke very well in front of the camera, including the children. That undoubtedly had a great deal to do with their securing that $100,000 loan. Contrast that with another contestant on the same program. He had a very good business idea but he had a hard time presenting it effectively. He seemed to get in his own way. He looked good, but fumbled the hard, but expected, questions. I was rooting for him, but he did not get the loan. Most of us have seen "Shark Tank", and we know exactly what to expect. If you ever find yourself in a similar position, in the "Shark Tank," or in the Hot Seat, with...

  I met a woman the other day who was chewing gum so vigorously and with such intensity that, well, she was a little scary. I thought if I got too close, she might bite so I didn't really speak with her. She had no smile, and she was chewing gum. That's pretty much all I remember about her. No smile, grim, but chewing, chomping, chewing, chomping. I am guessing that this was NOT the image she wanted to project. Would smiling while chewing gum have helped? Smiling at someone is usually a plus, but smiling while chewing gum? Well, then I would have been treated to a view of the interior of her mouth and the masticated wad. Not a good visual. The eye is drawn to movement. When you are chewing gum, that's what the other person is going to focus on - the movement of your jaw. They are probably not paying attention to anything you are trying to say fearing that the gum will soon be a projectile headed their way. Now, chewing gum maybe great for freshening the breath when out in...

  You've attended club or association luncheons, dinners, or other events, where you are given one minute to address everyone and tell something about yourself, your business, and any other little interesting tidbit you might want to share. Doesn't sound like a daunting task, and its not IF you're prepared! If you are not prepared, if you're not ready, that's when people get nervous. Especially when you are asked unexpectedly to address an audience. Then it feels like an ambush! Maybe you're at a church group, a club function, a business meeting, a board of education, a get-together with fellow team-members, a wedding dinner, whatever. They ask you to say a few words. You are caught totally unprepared. You have to say something. So, you mumble, or speak too quietly, too loudly, too quickly, or wander away from the topic, say ummm, ahhh, more than you'd like. Here are 8 tips that will save you from total embarrassment: 1. The minute you even suspect you migh...

  I briefly watched a webinar the other day. The operative word is briefly . Five professionals spent time introducing themselves, their backgrounds, biographies, and their respective expertise and skills. Each had their own pre-recorded video segment. There was no interviewer. So these self-proclaimed experts had full control on how they recorded themselves, how they looked, what they said, and how they said it. I never made to the end. All of them, let me repeat that, ALL of them were saying "ummm....uhhh....ahh..." so often that I was annoyed, bored, frustrated and started counting the "umms." They also littered their talks with "great, fantastic, very, wonderful, really, so, just, like," and other empty language. It seemed highly probable that the primary discussion, which was scheduled to follow these introductions, would continue along the same lines, take a lot of time without actually saying anything. So I left. The above photo is a large group o...

  I don't remember where or when I first read this article. I wish I could give proper credit to the source. Nonetheless, this is excellent advice and it's good to review from time to time. The Front Row Life is a theatre. Invite your audience carefully. Not everyone is healthy enough to have a Front Row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a DISTANCE. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not- going-anywhere relationships or friendships. Observe the relationships around you. Pay close attention. Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people, do you feel better or worse? Which ones don’t really understand, know, or appreciate you? The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will becom...

 Everyone's a Director... Anytime, anywhere. You may suddenly find yourself on camera – intentionally or unintentionally. With everyone having a camera in their pocket, everyone suddenly thinks they are a director, journalist, newscaster, podcaster, influencer, cameraman. We all know with the ease of recording and the availability of the internet, being on camera is simply part of our world. There are any number of ways you may find yourself in front of a lens and microphone. You need to be prepared. You want to look and sound your best whether in a studio or on a selfie. Because the internet is forever. And everyone is watching. Here are some possible scenarios: - You are a witness at an newsworthy event, like a fire or accident. A reporter asks you to comment about what you saw. - Your boss selects you to appear on your company's webinar. Yes, it will be recorded and replayed. - You have decided to demonstrate and sell your product yourself on your website. -You want to st...