This is a service for people in the academic and corporate sector who need help with developing content for a verbal presentation. Whether you're developing a motivational talk for sales or leadership training, a defense of a dissertation or a defense for a performance review, I can be helpful in many ways. I can also help in preparing testimonials, eulogies or Best Man/Bridesmaid speeches for weddings. (Boy, my brother should have called on me for the last one.) Counsel includes how and when to inject humor, poignancy and how to prepare for speaking at an emotional event.
As a professional writer and editor, I can draw on a variety of areas in my experience for developing content. This includes leadership positions in media, sales & marketing, coaching and community organizing. My political experience includes serving as point man for the successful campaign to save the $5 Fine for Marijuana Possession in Ann Arbor, MI in 1983. That was a huge upset victory.
I am also available as a motivational speaker for athletic banquets, sales conferences and leadership trainings. As a rabbinical school reject, runt of a southern Jewish football family and former high-level athlete, I'm great at motivating and inspiring young athletes. I've learned from some of the world's best humorists and curmudgeons about how to keep audience interest, including some very famous people in sports, music, dance and politics. My stories about Carlos Santana, Woody Harrellson and Isaac Hayes are always compelling.
I also offer coaching and critiques for your presentation, speech, sales meeting or performance review. If you're involved in Toastmasters or a similar group, this is a great source for enrichment and critiques. I can also help you prepare for weddings, B'nai Mitzvot and other happy occasions. Life being what it is, I also help with eulogies, and the less happy occasions, when one has to step up and show leadership. The issues include:
-Physical mechanics of articulation and projection, including proper breathing and breath control.
-Knowing when to accent or 'hit' a word for emphasis
-Learning to vary one's tone to maintain audience interest, and avoid a monotone
-Helping you edit your content with regard to word choice, sentence structure and stylistic matters
-Attention to voice and voice-training issues, such as awareness of the voice rising in pitch as the speaker gets nervous.
Many good writers need some coaching to become effective speakers. Lesser writers also need help with composition and word choice.
My background includes media and leadership positions as a community college teacher, radio DJ, and program host for public events. I've also worked as a trainer and manager for non-profit fundraising campaigns, and written scripts for same.
Call me at (510) 395-2856
Good Luck! Scott
I live in Berkeley but am available throughout the BART and MUNI system as well as in Marin.
