Frequently Asked Questions

We are not able to give refunds.
From the moment you purchase a ticket we hold a spot for you. This means that we say 'no' to other people when the class is fully booked. Because we work with small groups, everyone is counting on each other to show up for the full experience. We also pay transaction fees and the rent of the room.
If you really can’t make it, you can always gift or sell your ticket to someone else.

A minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 7 people will participate in class. We keep class sizes small so you'll receive a lot of personal attention and numerous opportunity to practice your skills in front of your fellow classmates.

Yes, Herman teaches all the classes himself.

The group class is a great fit if you enjoy learning and practicing in a supportive group setting. Throughout the day, you'll have multiple opportunities to speak in front of the group, receive personalized feedback from Herman, and learn from the presentations of your classmates. Participants are also encouraged to give each other feedback, creating a supportive and interactive learning environment.

The class is designed for all experience levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Whether you're looking to feel more confident, improve your presentation skills, prepare for high-stakes presentations, or become a more engaging speaker, the class provides practical techniques and plenty of hands-on practice.

You don't need to prepare anything, because we work on an improvisational basis. We recommend a good night's sleep so that you are well rested. We will be doing a lot during the day.

We have lunch together at a nice Asian restaurant nearby, where you can choose a dish to your liking. They also serve vegetarian and vegan dishes.

You’re free to spend the break however you’d like—if you prefer to have lunch on your own, that’s perfectly fine too.

Yes, we do organize a follow- up to the group class: the level 2 experience. We occasionally add dates for this group class. You can find more information on the website and reserve yourself a spot.

Both options are effective, it just depends on what you’re looking for.

The group class is perfect if you want to practice in front of others and benefit from the energy and feedback of a group. It’s an intensive, high-impact experience that helps you step outside your comfort zone and see immediate results.

Private coaching is more personalized. It’s ideal if you want to work on your own specific needs and goals, have a presentation coming up, or simply prefer one-on-one attention at your own pace.

The group class is designed as a one-day intensive on purpose. Herman has found that creating real momentum in a single, focused session helps people break through hesitation and start speaking with more confidence right away.

This format gives you the space to work deeply and immediately. You’re not just learning tips or doing light practice. You’re actively breaking through fear, speaking repeatedly, getting direct feedback, and walking away with a new sense of what you can do.

Many participants are surprised by how much can shift in just one day. This class is built to stand on its own. Of course, you're always welcome to return for the Level 2 Class or private coaching.

Actually, working in a small group can be just as effective, if not more so, for overcoming fear. We purposely keep our groups small to ensure plenty of personal attention and ample practice opportunities. For example, in a class with 20 people, you might only get a turn once, which limits your chance to build confidence. Smaller groups allow you to practice more, receive feedback, and gradually feel more comfortable speaking in front of others.

The minimum age we accept for class is 16 years old. There is no maximum age. Usually the people who sign up are over 21 years old. The average age is between 25 and 60 years old.

Even though this is very rare, it could happen. People tend to sign up pretty close to the class date.
If a week prior to the class turns out that you are the only participant, we will contact you. We will then offer you the opportunity to change it into a 2-hour private coaching or reschedule you to a group class on another date without any extra charge.

Public speaking coaching focuses on helping you become a more confident, engaging, and effective speaker. This may include presentation skills, overcoming nervousness, storytelling, audience engagement, speech preparation, and delivering presentations with impact.

Executive coaching is designed for senior professionals, leaders, and executives who need to communicate effectively in high-stakes situations. Coaching may focus on board meetings, leadership communication, investor pitches, executive presence, keynote speeches, media appearances, and influencing stakeholders.

Yes, he can do that if you'd like to meet in New York City. Depending on the location, travel time, and travel costs, an additional fee may apply. If you'd like him to travel outside New York City, we're happy to discuss the available options.

We are not able to give refunds. Herman holds a spot for you in his calendar. We also pay for the transaction fees and the rent of the studio if it's an in-person session. We can reschedule the session for free if you let us know at least 48 hours in advance.

Any reschedule requests up to 48 hours before the session are free of charge. For any reschedule requests within 48 hours before the session we charge an extra 50% of the total amount to reschedule.
For no-shows the entire session will be forfeited.

If you want to work on the basics of public speaking you do not have to prepare anything. Herman will work with you on an improvisational basis. If you want to work on specific content for a speech or presentation, please make sure you have the content with you.

Yes. Herman works with many clients through Zoom and other online platforms. Virtual coaching is fast, convenient, and saves travel time, but it is also highly effective for practicing public speaking.

Many presentations, interviews, pitches, and meetings now happen on camera, so learning how to communicate clearly through a screen is an important skill. During online coaching, Herman can observe your voice, pacing, facial expression, gestures, posture, and overall presence, and give you direct feedback to help you speak with more confidence and impact.

Yes! Herman offers private coaching especially designed for children from 8 up to 15 years old. Read more about coaching for children.

Herman's corporate training is suitable for teams of all sizes and experience levels. Whether your goal is to improve communication, presentation skills, leadership communication, collaboration, or public speaking, the training can be tailored to your team's specific needs. If your team is looking for practical techniques, interactive exercises, and immediate feedback, the training is a great fit.

Yes. we can schedule a call beforehand to discuss your team's goals, challenges, and the types of presentations or speaking situations participants are dealing with. This helps ensure the training is relevant and focused on the skills that matter most to your team.

During the training, Herman will also assess the needs and experience level of the participants and adjust the content, exercises, and feedback accordingly.

A half- or full-day training with around six participants is often ideal. This gives participants plenty of opportunities to practice, receive personalized feedback, and learn from one another, while keeping the group small enough for individual attention.

That said, Herman can work with any group size and training duration. He has worked with groups ranging from two participants over multiple days to audiences of hundreds in shorter sessions. Whether you are looking for a one-hour workshop, a half-day training, a full-day program, or a multi-day engagement, Herman will adapt the training accordingly.

Based on the available time and the number of participants, Herman will tailor the exercises, speaking opportunities, and level of interaction to create an engaging, enjoyable, and valuable learning experience for everyone involved.

Yes. Herman is happy to come to your office for an onsite training session in New York City. If your team is located outside the city, he can travel to your location as well. Depending on the distance, travel time, and travel costs, an additional travel fee may apply.

If you prefer an offsite training, we can arrange a training room at Ripley-Grier Studios in Midtown Manhattan. Feel free to contact us to discuss the options.

Training can be tailored to your team's goals and may cover topics such as:

• Public Speaking – Speaking confidently and effectively in front of groups, meetings, clients, or larger audiences.
• Presentation Skills – Structuring presentations, delivering messages clearly, engaging an audience, and creating greater impact.
• Body Language – Using posture, movement, facial expressions, and hand gestures to communicate with confidence and support your message.
• Voice & Vocal Variety – Learning how to use your voice, pauses, pace, and tonality to keep an audience engaged.
• Leadership Communication – Communicating effectively as a leader, inspiring confidence, and delivering messages that motivate and align teams.
• Executive Presence – Developing a strong, credible, and confident presence when speaking to colleagues, clients, stakeholders, or senior leadership.
• Storytelling – Using stories and examples to make presentations more memorable, engaging, and persuasive.
• Handling Questions & Discussions – Responding confidently to questions, managing discussions, and thinking clearly under pressure.
• Presentation Preparation – Learning practical techniques to prepare effectively, organize your message, and set yourself up for success.
• Confidence & Mindset – Understanding the psychology behind public speaking and learning techniques to stay present, focused, and confident.

We have a no-refund policy. Reschedule requests made up to 7 days before the session are free of charge. Reschedule requests made within 7 days of the session will incur an additional fee of 50% of the total amount. In the event of cancellation, the full session fee remains payable and is non-refundable if already paid.