by Mike Bako

Earlier this week Cisco announced that it would be shutting down its Flip Camera video division and with it we will say so long to one of the best rehearsal tools for speeches and media appearances to come along in quite some time. Out with the old and in with the new and even more convenient.

If you were preparing for a media appearance or had a few minutes to rehearse a speech the small and portable Flip Cam was a life saver. Now that virtually everyone has a smart phone with a video camera the need to carry around for a totally separate piece of equipment has become obsolete.

What has not become obsolete is the benefit and need to continue rehearsing. If you have 5 minutes in the back of a cab on the way to your event, you better rehearse. You will only get better by seeing yourself on screen, judging what you feel positive about and what you do not like. When you see yourself on screen you are seeing yourself as your audience does.

Do not shy away from your smart phone video function. Embrace the ease and simplicity of making rehearsal a part of every media and public speaking appearance you prepare for.

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