The word for public speaking

The ancient Greeks used public speech primarily to praise or persuade others. At one point, all Greek citizens had the right to suggest or oppose laws during their assemblies. This resulted in a need for skilled public speakers. Speaking in public became a desirable skill and was taught. Public speaking in the time of the Greeks was called rhetoric.

Later, when Rome came to power, speaking in public was used during the Roman senate sessions. The Romans adopted the public speaking rhetoric methods of the Greeks. In fact, most public speaking teachers of the time were Greek

The Latin style of public speaking was popular in the U.S. and Europe until the mid-20th century. After World War II, a less formal and more conversational speaking style of speaking became popular. Also, electronic tools became available to enhance public presentations. Towards the end of the 20th century, those electronic tools migrated to the computer. They evolved into the computer software tools. PowerPoint, is one of those tools that we know and use today.

Don’t be fooled, though. Even though today’s public speeches are less formal, they still need to be well organized. More on that later. Now let’s take a look at the importance of public speaking.

The Importance of Public Speaking

If you ask most people, they’ll probably say they don’t like public speech. They may even admit to being afraid of it since fear of public speaking is a very common fear. Or they may just be shy or introverted. For those reasons, many people avoid speaking in public if they can. If you’re one of those people who avoid speaking in public, you’re missing out.

Over the years, public speaking in communication has played a major role in education, government, and business. Words have the power to inform, persuade, educate, and even entertain. And the spoken word can be even more powerful than the written word in the hands of the right speaker.

Whether you’re a small business owner,  or a student, you’ll benefit from improving your public speaking skills. Some benefits to speaking in public include:

• improves confidence 
• better research skills
• stronger deductive skills
• ability to advocate for causes
• and more

Speaking in public is especially important for businesses to market their offers. This allows them to get their message in front of potential customers. Sales people and executives are often expected to have good public speaking skills. To learn more about some of the benefits of speaking in public, review the following article:

Next, let’s explore the methods you can use to become better at speaking in public.

How to Become Better at Public Speaking (5 Quick Tips)

Public speaking is a talk given to a large gathering. It is given on various occasions. Its aim is usually to encourage, appreciate, congratulate or entertain; it is usually followed by applause from the audience.

The person in responsible positions must be good speakers as there are many occasions when they are called for addressing the audience. Being able to speak well is an asset in any profession. Speaking skill can be cultivated and developed with approximate knowledge of the formal aspects of public speaking, and with practice.

The most significant requirement for public speaking is its preparation. Even persons who have natural skill in speaking need preparation to convey a good speech.

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Characteristics of Public Speaking

Some of the characteristics of good public speaking or good speech are mentioned below:

Characteristics of Public Speaking are:

1. Clarity
2. In the manner of an informal talk
3. Speech should be vivid and concrete
4. Makes the speech brief
5. Speech should be interesting
6. Audience-oriented

Clarity

Clarity is the first main feature of a good speech. Your speech should be successful in conveying to the audience the ideas, emotions, facts or arguments, you want to express.

In the manner of an informal talk

A good speech is closer to a personal and informal chat between two close friends. When delivering a speech, there should be an impeccable rapport between you and the audience.

Speech should be vivid and concrete

The speech should be vivid including in it concrete facts easy to perceive and visualize.

Makes the speech brief

The concentration of an average audience does not last more than twenty or 25 minutes. Hence, an ideal speech should not exceed that time, unless the audience is motivated by certain interesting facts during the speech.

Speech should be interesting

Quotations, anecdotes and humorous touches often make a speech very interesting. The quotations should be familiar and accepted by experts. Anecdotes should be novel, brief and in good taste. Humour should be typical, spontaneous and gentle.

Audience-oriented

A good speech is always audience-oriented. For delivering an audience-oriented speech, one should study:

• Whether the audience is the general public or specialized?
• How large is the audience?
• What is the age group of listeners?
• What are their social, religious, political and economic views as well as prejudices of the listeners?
• What would be the response of the expected audience?

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Public Speaking Techniques

Speeches are hard for most of us. The public speaking techniques can be adopted to improve the public speaking.

1. Selection of the topic for speech
2. Preparation of the speech
3. Guidelines for the introduction of the speech
4. Guidelines for organizing the body of the speech
5. Conclusion remarks of the speech

Selection of the topic for speech

Your first step in formal speechmaking is to decide the topic of your presentation.

In some cases, you will be allotted a topic, normally one within your area of specialization. In fact, when you are asked to make a speech on a specified topic, it is probably to be because of your knowledge of the topic.

In your search for a suitable topic, you should be guided by three basic factors.

• The first is your background and knowledge.
• The second basic factor is the interests of your audience.
• The third basic factor is the occasion of the speech. Your selection should be justified by all three factors.

Preparation of the speech

After you have decided what to talk about, you collect the information you need for your speech.

This step may require searching through your mind for experiences or ideas, final research in a library or in company files, collecting information online, or consulting people in your own company or other companies.

Although variations are sometimes appropriate, you should commonly follow the time-honoured order of a speech: introduction, body and conclusion.

Guidelines for the introduction of the speech

The introduction of a speech has much the same goal as the introduction of a written report, to gear up the listeners (or readers) to pick up the message. But it usually has the additional goal of arousing interest.

Unless you can arouse interest at the beginning, your presentation is probable to fail. The techniques of arousing interest are limited only by the imagination.

One possibility is a human-interest story, for storytelling has a strong appeal. Humour, another possibility, is probably the most widely used technique. In addition to arousing interest, your opening should lead to the theme of your speech.

Guidelines for organizing the body of the speech

Organizing the body of your speech is much like organizing the body of a report. You take all and divide it into comparable parts. Then you take those parts and divide them. You continue to divide as far as it is practical to do so.

In speeches, nevertheless, you are more likely to use factors rather than time, place, or quantity as the basis of division as in most speeches; your presentation is likely to build around issues and questions that are subtopics of the subject. Even so, time, place, and quantity subdivisions are possibilities.

You need to stress the transitions between the divisions because, unlike the reader who can see them, the listeners may miss them if they are not emphasized adequately. Without clear transitions, you may be talking about one point and your listener may be relating those ideas to your former point.

Like most reports, the speech normally ends by drawing a conclusion. Here you bring all that you have presented to a head and accomplish whatever goal the speech has. You should consider together with these three elements in your close:

• a restatement of the subject,
• a summary of the key points developed in the presentation, and
• a statement of the conclusion.

Adding the speech to a climactic close—that is, making the conclusion the high point of the speech—is usually effective. Present the concluding message in strong language—in words that gain attention and will be remembered. In addition to concluding with a summary, you can give a suitable quote, use humour, and call for action.

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Importance of Public Speaking

1. Individual
2. Organization
3. Society

Individual

When you apply for a job, the employer evaluates you on the basis of certain characteristics. Your capability to communicate is one such characteristic, and it comes across clearly in an interview. Your ability to communicate not only influences whether you are employed but it determines your progress in the job.

Employers realize that it is the ability to communicate that often separates an exceptional employee from the ordinary ones. Being able to organize your thoughts and give a public speech is another substantial determinant of your personal and professional success.

Being able to give an efficacious public speech enhances your self-esteem; you feel good about yourself.

Organization

It has been said that an organization is only as good as the individuals who constitute make it. It could also be said that an organization communicates only as effectively as do its individual members.

There is a need in business for people who can effectively present the organizational viewpoint to the public. The average business organization does a poor job of acquainting the public with its contributions to society.

From a communication viewpoint, it does not matter how clean the motives of the organization are. What matters are, what the public knows about such things and how the public responds to this knowledge of a company’s activities.

Unless the public is made aware of what the business is doing and why, the purposes on the part of business will be of no use. Only through effective external communications can business present the information that is most likely to result in a desirable image. One of the most crucial and effective formats in which to present that information is public speech.

Society

We live in a society in which the free expression of ideas is not merely tolerated, but encouraged. Issues are analysed and viewpoints are presented in many different formats. Newspaper editorials, town hall meetings, and discussions (or arguments) are a few settings in which opinions are aired on those subjects about which the participants feel strongly.

It is often through public speaking that ideas are presented for public evaluation. This was as true in the prelude to the Declaration of Independence as it is today in election campaigns at all levels. It is as evident at an annual meeting of stockholders’ as at a monthly union local meeting.

For lack of an effective speaker, a good idea may fail to get consideration. A lack of articulate opponents may allow the passage of legislation of little merit. Free society requires willing and articulate people of different viewpoints.

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Modes of Delivery in Public Speaking

There are four main modes of delivery used in public speaking:

1. Impromptu
2. Extemporaneous
3. Memorized
4. Manuscript

Impromptu

The impromptu speech is delivered with little opportunity to prepare. Its main virtue is that it is spontaneous; its main shortcoming is that it is usually not well planned. When you are urged “say a few words” without any advance warning, what leads is an impromptu speech.

Extemporaneous

Extemporaneous speaking is somewhat more formal than impromptu speaking. You have an opportunity to plan, and the resulting speech is better organized than an impromptu speech. You will normally relysomewhat on notes, but you will not read to the listeners. Most public speeches are delivered extemporaneously.

Memorized

A memorized speech allows for a well-planned expression of ideas. When presenting a speech from memory, how, speakers have tendency to lose a certain amount of naturalness and sometimes sound and look quite wooden. The possibility of forgetting the speech is another negative aspect of the memorized speech.

Manuscript

Manuscript speaking is relied on for more formal occasions. Speaking from a manuscript, you are able to be very precise, and you can carefully control the exact message the listeners receive. Naturally, it in general takes longer to develop a manuscript speech, and often the manuscript becomes a barrier between you and the listeners.

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Public Speaking Checklist

The ability to speak effectively depends on some trades and qualities. It is also dependent upon communication situation.

The following is a checklist of features that are often associated with effective public speaking skills.

• Self-confidence
• Knowledge of the topic
• Understanding of the audience
• Proper articulation
• Pleasing voice quality
• Sincerity
• Emotional control
• Fluency
• Friendliness
• Reasoning
• Sympathy
• Open-mindedness
• Humility
• Responsiveness
• Awareness
• Humour
• Forcefulness
• Spontaneity
• Tactfulness
• Intelligence

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Need of Public Speaking

The best presenters and speakers speak in a usual way that invites you to make some modifications in your life, no matter how small.

Thus, there are three vital purposes of public speaking which are explained below:

1. Informative Speaking
2. Persuasive Speaking
3. Entertaining Speaking

Informative Speaking

Informative speaking is regarded as one of the most common types of public speaking. The main purpose of informative presentations is to share one’s knowledge of a subject with an audience. Reasons for making an informative speech differ broadly.

Example: Let’s say, you might be asked to teach a group of co-workers on how to use new computer software or to report to a group of managers how your latest project is coming along. It is incorporated into various different works.

Therefore, learning how to speak efficiently has become an important skill in today’s scenario.

Persuasive Speaking

Another reason for speaking to an audience is to persuade others. In our everyday lives, we are often called on to motivate, convince, or otherwise persuade others to take an action, change their beliefs, or reconsider a decision.

Persuading customers to purchase your firm’s products, advocating for music education in your local school district, or inspiring high school students to attend college all involve affecting other people through public speaking.

Whether public speaking is something you do every day or just a few times a year, convincing others is a challenging job. If you develop the skill to convince successfully, it can be professional as well as personally rewarding.

Entertaining Speaking

Entertaining speaking includes an array of speaking occasions ranging from introductions to presenting and accepting awards, wedding toasts, to delivering eulogies at funerals and memorial services in addition to motivational speeches and after-dinner speeches.

As with informative and persuasive speaking, there are professionals, from religious leaders to comedians, who make a living simply from delivering entertaining speeches.

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Business Communication Notes

(Click on Topic to Read)

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Reference

1. Business Communication: “ K.K. Sinha, Golgotia Publishing Company.
2. Business Communication: “M.K. Sehgal, Vandana Khetrapal, Excel Books.
3. Essentials of Business Communication: Rajendra Pal, J.S Korlahalli, Sultan Chand & Sons.

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The Ultimate Guide to Public Speaking: Everything From Speech Writing to Speaking Fees

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a wonderful motivational speaking career that has spanned over 40 years. There are hundreds of public speaking tips I’ve learned along the way.

From best practices on body language to eye contact, I’m going to share as many of them with you as I can.

Whether you’re speaking in a small meeting or to a larger audience, I’ll cover techniques in this post that can help you in any situation, from Ted Talks to business pitches.

How to Pick a Speech Topic

The starting point in the art of public speaking is to pick the subject that you will be speaking about.

Now, this might seem obvious, but choosing a speech topic can sometimes feel more difficult than actually giving the speech.

1. Speak About Something You Care About

To pick a subject, reflect back on what you are truly passionate about.

You can speak about almost anything you want as long as you have a genuine interest in it. For example, I began speaking in business, sales, and leadership qualities because I truly believe that is my purpose in life and I love helping others in these areas.

Think about your passions and pick one to speak about – just make sure your passion and expertise on the subject come through in your speech!

2. Focus Your Speaking on a Single Subject

To crave a distinct lane for yourself, you should specialize and always focus on a single subject – especially when you’re first starting out.

What you don’t want to do is try and please everyone, and end up with nothing unique about your personal brand.

You don’t want to give a potential prospect a laundry list of things you’re knowledgeable about or say something along the lines of, “I can give a speech on anything you’d like.”

Instead, you’ll want to demonstrate your specific expertise and how it will benefit your specific audience.

For example, if you’re someone with a lot of business experience and you specialize in increasing company efficiency, you might say, “I show leaders how to get the very best out of each person that reports to them.”

To which your prospect would reply: “Great. All of our managers would like to hear that.”

3. Don’t Stray Too Far Out Of Your Direct Experience

Every subject I ever agreed to speak on was within my direct experience.

It may be tempting to say “yes” to every request, but it is better to be transparent about your skills than to end up scrambling to learn enough on a new subject to “wow” your audience.

Now that doesn’t mean you have to deny every opportunity that doesn’t directly align with your main focus. Look for ways to indirectly merge the two topics.

For example, early in my career I primarily spoke to salespeople about selling techniques. So when I was presented with the opportunity to speak on leadership, I had to pause and reflect. I had been a sales manager in large organizations. I had hired, fired, trained, and managed people for years and I had a bunch of quotes from other leaders.

Although most of my talks had a sales focus, I had years of experience leading a team that I could pull from to craft a well-informed talk.

So, it’s all about finding that middle ground of your direct expertise and tweaking your real-life examples to fit your topic.

4. Get to Know Your Audience

Once you figure out what you want to say, you’ll be able to pinpoint who would benefit from hearing your motivational speaking.

I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say the ability to entertain, inform, and inspire an audience through public speaking is a skill that offers immense value. Because of this, you should know what your audience wants from you.

Whether it is your first speech or 300th, you should know why people are coming to listen to you. Defining your target audience will help you determine what examples you should use to communicate your points most effectively.

Some things to consider:

• What age are the people who need to hear your message?
• What’s their career?
• Where do they live?
• What are their interests?
• What do you and your audience have in common?

These considerations allow you to cater to your audience’s curiosities and interests in your speeches. And when you know your target audience, you’ll also be able to figure out where to find them — such as a marketing conference or another industry event.

How to Write a Speech

Once you have your topic locked in, it’s time to start the writing process! This is where a lot of speakers start to feel overwhelmed.

From how to begin, to what to cover… from how to time your talking points, to how to close it out, – every decision seems monumental.

So let’s break it up into a few smaller chunks to help you tackle the writing process with ease.

How To Structure A Speech

Writing and presenting a speech is just like dialing a phone number. When you want to call someone, you dial the right numbers in the right order, and you’re connected.

When you want to give a successful presentation, the same rules apply.

1. Implement the Rule of 3’s

Structuring your speech outline should be as simple as 1, 2, 3 – literally. No matter how simple or complex the subject matter, the basic flow of your speech should be:

1. Your opening
2. Your key points
3. Your closing

That’s it. Whether it’s a 10-minute presentation, a 2-hour keynote, or a virtual presentation, this basic structure is all you need to write a great speech.

I’ll get into how to start and end your speech in the following sections, but first I want to focus on the structure of your key points, which will end up being the bulk of your talk.

If you’ve done a good job brainstorming, you might have lots and lots of ideas you want to cover. But again, remember the rule of three.

It’s been proven time and time again that there is a little bit of magic behind the number three when it comes to writing.

So try to stick to three main key points. You can (and should) have a lot of supporting ideas and examples, but they should all relate to one of your three overarching points.

2. Use Stories to Link It All Together

Once you have the main three points of your speech, use stories to help further illustrate your points.

The stories you include in your speech act as anecdotes for the points that you are trying to make and help the listener better relate to your message.

You can tell stories that are motivational; that have to do with greater success and achievement as the result of persisting. And you can tell stories that are emotional; that makes people feel a bond with your journey. They can be stories that inspire, persuade or anything in between.

However, DO NOT tell a story just to tell a story. As the great orator Winston Churchill once said, “If you have an important point to make, don’t try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time – a tremendous whack.”

3. Remember That Less is More

Always aim to be as clear and concise as possible. This will help you get your point across as the audience won’t be distracted by fluff, and when every word carries meaning, they will listen even more intently.

When everything is clear, concise, and related to the point you are trying to make, it’ll be much easier for the audience to understand.

Refer back to that Winston Churchill quote and remember, less is more.

How to Start Your Speech

You have heard the saying “First impressions are lasting; you never get a second chance to create a good first impression.”

The same is true when talking about how to start a speech…

The truth is, when you start your speech, you must focus everything on making a positive first impression on your audience members.

The start of your speech is so important that I have written an entire blog post specifically on techniques to start your speech, but here are my three favorite options.

1. Make A Strong Statement, Then Ask A Question

If you start by making a strong statement and then ask a question, you can then follow with an answer and ask another question. This gets people immediately involved and listening to your every word.

Here’s an example:

“Twenty percent of the people in our society make 80 percent of the money. Are you a member of the top 20 percent? If not, would you like to join the top 20 percent or even the top 10 percent? Well, in the next few minutes, I am going to give you some ideas to help you become some of the highest-paid people in our society. Would that be a good goal for our time together today?”

2. Start Your Speech by Referring to Current Events

Use a current event, front-page news story to transition into your subject and to illustrate or prove your point. You can bring a copy of the newspaper and hold it up as you refer to it in your introduction.

This visual image of you holding the paper and reciting or reading a key point rivets the audience’s attention and causes people to lean forward to hear what you have to say.

3. Make A Shocking Statement

You can start your talk by making a shocking statement of some kind.

For example, you might say something like: “According to a recent study, 72 percent of the people in this room will be doing something different within two years if they do not rapidly adapt to new technological advancements in marketing.”

In this case, I’ve gone with a fear tactic. The people in the audience are quickly realizing that if they are not careful (and listen to what I have to say) they could very well be out of a job.

This is the kind of gripping introduction that you want to lead with – something that surprises the audience and leaves them wanting more.

How to End Your Speech

So, as we know with our rule of 3s, a good speech is like a good play. It opens by arresting the listener’s attention, develops point by point, and then ends strongly.

There are tons of ways to end a speech, depending on what you are speaking about or what your public speaking goal is.

And before we get into a few options, I want to share this one universal tip.

To ensure that your conclusion is as powerful as it can be, you must plan it word for word.

The worst thing you can do is leave the audience questioning what the point of your speech was, so you want to ensure you have a strong closing memorized.

This is especially important if you are someone that gets nervous when public speaking or tends to riff on ideas because it will ensure that you have bullet-proof anchor points to fall back on.

With that in mind, here are three of my favorite techniques.

1. Give A Clear Call-To-Action

Perhaps the best way to end your talk is to tell your audience what you want them to do as a result of hearing you speak.

Ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this talk?”

Your answer should involve the actions that you want your listeners to take after hearing you on stage.

For example, you might say:  “We have great challenges and great opportunities, and with your help, we will meet them and make this next year the best year in our history!”

Whatever you say, imagine an exclamation point at the end. As you approach the conclusion, pick up your energy and tempo. Speak with strength and emphasis.

Drive the final point home.

2. Share an Interesting Quote

Another option is to end your speech with something motivational.

People love to be motivated and inspired to be or do something different and better in the future. Find a quote that is memorable, and even better, make it relatable to your talk.

For example, if you’ve just given an inspirational speech about starting your own business, you could close out with this quote from Steve Jobs:

“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”

Remember, everyone in your audience is dealing with something, and for this reason, everyone appreciates some encouragement that gives them strength and courage.

Here are a few more of my favorite inspirational quotes that can be tied into most speeches.

3. Make Them Laugh

Another closing option is to tell a joke that loops back into your subject and repeats your main point with a story that makes everyone laugh.

For example, during my talks on planning and persistence, I discuss the biggest enemy that we have, which is the tendency to follow the path of least resistance.

I then tell this story:

Ole and Sven are out hunting in Minnesota and they shoot a deer. They begin dragging the deer back to the truck by the tail, but they keep slipping and losing both their grip and their balance.

A farmer comes along and asks them, “What are you boys doing?”

They reply, “We’re dragging the deer back to the truck.”

The farmer tells them, “You are not supposed to drag a deer by the tail. You’re supposed to drag the deer by the handles. They’re called antlers. You’re supposed to drag a deer by the antlers.”

Ole and Sven say, “Thank you very much for the idea.”

They begin pulling the deer by the antlers. After about five minutes, they are making rapid progress. Ole says to Sven, “Sven, the farmer was right. It goes a lot easier by the antlers.”

Sven replies, “Yeah, but we’re getting farther and farther from the truck.”

After the laughter dies down, I say…

“The majority of people in life are pulling the easy way, but they are getting further and further from the ‘truck’ or their real goals and objectives.”

That’s just one example of closing using humor. For more ideas, check out my post dedicated entirely to tips on how to end a speech.

BONUS TIP: If you feel like your closing is falling a little flat, try this: Sometimes the best strategy for ending with a BANG, is to plan your close before you plan the rest of your speech.

You then go back and design your opening so that it sets the stage for your conclusion.

How to Prepare for a Speech

When someone asks me how they can learn how to get better at public speaking I like to tell them this quote:

“The only way to learn to speak is to speak and speak, and speak and speak, and speak and speak and speak.” – Elbert Hubbard

While it’s true that the only way to become good at anything is by repetition, there are many things that you can do to be more effective in speaking in front of audiences.

Public speaking is a process, and therefore everything from preparation and practice to knowing your audience plays a part in the final product.

Being able to deliver a complete message, from your body language to your word choice, makes all the difference in landing a sales pitch or impressing a live audience.

1. Record Your Practice Sessions

If the first part of successful public speaking is caring and preparing, the second part is practicing and improving your presentation skills.

If you have a tape recorder or, even better, a video camera, record yourself giving the talk from beginning to end. Then listen to it or watch it and make notes on how you could make it better.

If you’re using a video camera, look into the camera and focus on your facial expressions and body language. If you don’t have a video camera, use a mirror to watch yourself while you speak.

When you critique yourself, be very hard on yourself. Remember, the more honest and objective you can be about how you come across to others, the faster you will build effective communication skills for success.

2. Take Deep Breaths

The phrase “take a deep breath” isn’t just an expression, it’s legitimate advice. Deep breathing exercises are a proven way to help reduce stress and can sometimes serve as a sort of reset button whenever you are becoming too worked up over something.

If you feel your stress starting to spiral out of control, pause, close your eyes, and breathe in and out deeply a few times. A welcome wave of calm relaxation should follow.

In addition to helping you relax, when you focus on your breathing, you develop the ability to breathe calmly and focus better during your speech.

3. Practice With a Friend

There are plenty of people you can practice with. Be sure to tell the person to be completely honest with you in their critique.

Speaking directly to another person will help relax you and give you experience with receiving feedback. If they have questions about your speech, it is likely that members of an audience will have the same questions.

Remember, making sure you are prepared and confident in the material you are presenting is an effective way to create an impactful presentation.

How to Book Your First Speaking Gig

We’ve discussed the basic structure of a speech and how to best prepare yourself to present in front of your audience, now onto the next step — how to get speaking engagements. 

A public speaking career can be a lucrative and rewarding way to make a living. But if you’re still trying to book your first gig, you might feel as if you’re never going to be able to launch your career.

1. Determine Your Area of Expertise

Before you start looking for that first speaking engagement, sit down, and define what you bring to the table. All of us have a different skill set and this allows us to bring a perspective that’s unique from anyone else.

When I first started my speaking career, I had a lot of sales experience. So I started off by speaking about sales techniques, which allowed me to capitalize on my experience in the industry.

Think about where you have experience and where your strengths lie.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of audience would benefit from this information?
• Where are they?

The answers to those questions will reveal the types of people and organizations you should target as you look for gigs.

At this stage, you don’t have much speaking experience — and that’s okay! So instead of presenting yourself as a speaker, try pitching yourself as an expert in your field. Framing yourself as an expert can help people take you more seriously. It can also boost your confidence because it’s completely true.

2. Utilize Your Network and Local Venues

As you’re looking for your first speaking engagement, don’t be afraid to be open about your search. Ask your network of coworkers and friends if they’re aware of any opportunities. You never know who has connections, and in most cases, people are more than happy to share with you.

The future belongs to the askers. The future belongs to people who confidently ask for what they want, and especially to speak to a company or organization.

You can call them up and explain that you specialize in this subject and that you’d love to speak to their organization.

The more you ask, the more answers you get.

It can also be helpful to start small and slowly gain credibility. If you’re selling books, you might try a local bookstore, library, or an event at a coffee shop. If you’re building your coaching career, try to find local meetups or conferences in your area.

You won’t be able to jump into nationwide events right away, but if you start building now with small local venues, you’ll be able to speak at larger and larger events over time.

3. Have Realistic Expectations

You might have to reach out to multiple places regarding a speaking engagement before you get a yes. And that’s okay! Don’t lose your motivation. Remember, the more you ask, the more answers you get.

Have perseverance, stay consistent, and follow up with your leads if your initial message doesn’t get an answer.

It’s also important to keep in mind that your first speaking engagement might not be a paying engagement. And that’s okay, too.

Zig Ziglar, who is one of the great and legendary motivational speakers, used to say that he gave 3,000 talks before he was paid for the first one.

I worked with Zig for years, traveling and speaking together. I finally found out that what he meant was that he started off in sales and then trained salespeople for a decade or more.

Every morning he would give a little sales talk to his people. He would tell little stories and give little motivational and sales tidbits, and that was his beginning.

You’re building the blocks of your speaking career, and once you nail down your first speaking gig, things will get easier and easier.

How to Pitch Yourself

If you are to become a public speaker, you have to convince people that you are worth their time and worth listening to.

This is why, as a public speaker, being able to pitch yourself is one of the best skills that you can have. It is key to getting bookings and getting the people who come to your events excited.

1. Set Yourself Apart

Similar to speaking about a subject you truly care about or are passionate about, you need to be distinct from other people or speakers.

Whether it is your topic, or if there is a way you go about your speaking, you need to set yourself apart from others and make it clear why you are unique. Creating this “unique selling point” immediately makes your pitch stronger and at the least, different from the rest.

2. Speak Slowly and Clearly

Talking about yourself is never an easy thing to do. And normally, when pitching yourself, you aren’t exactly given all day. This can lead one to feel pressured, talk faster, miss important points, or hurry through significant points.

While you don’t want to speak like you’re listing bullet points, you should speak slowly and clearly so that your audience can absorb all the information you are giving them.

Lastly, remember to speak naturally. Speaking slowly doesn’t mean you should talk like a robot, speak as you would in any conversation. This will not only put your audience at ease but through speaking normally, you can also put yourself at ease.

3. Finish with a Call to Action

When pitching yourself, you should know exactly what your goal of the pitch is. Make it clear to the other party what you want to happen or what you expect to happen next. This could be anything from a follow-up meeting to confirming a booking, but make sure that the final call to action is an actionable step that makes your intentions clear.

When you do this, you are confirming that you and the other party are on the same page. Now you can walk away from the pitch knowing if you did or did not achieve your goal, instead of wondering how it went.

How to Negotiate Your Speaking Fee

After you pitch yourself perfectly to your prospect and they are interested in having you speak at their event, the next step (and often the most uncomfortable) is to negotiate your speaking fee.

But you don’t have to dread this conversation. In fact, it is essential for your speaking career.

The truth is, knowing how to set speaking fees can accelerate your success. Yes, it can be awkward, but you need to know how to do it…fortunately, it gets easier with practice!

1. Estimate Their Budget

A bit of simple math can help you estimate your client’s budget.

Start with the cost of each ticket as well as how many tickets the client expects to sell.

Multiplying these two numbers gives you the client’s gross budget.

Next, divide this number by four—this roughly accounts for the cost of the venue plus the cost of any additional overhead your client will need to cover (e.g., security, refreshments, etc.). The figure you’re left with is a fair estimate of how much your client has in their budget for speakers.

Finally, you’ll need to know how many speakers the client will have at the event. Then, simply divide the estimated budget by the total number of speakers. The result? A decent estimate of how much your client can pay you.

2. Discover Who They Have Worked with Before

Knowing who your client has worked with previously gives helpful context when figuring out what they are prepared to pay for guest speaker fees.

Are their prior guest speakers well-known personalities or industry-leaders? Or, are they lesser-known individuals who are earlier on in their public speaking careers?

Whether you’re speaking at an annual conference, an academic institution, a corporation, or some other engagement, learn about who came before you. You may be able to find this out online or by asking the client directly.

3. Look for Averages in Your Niches

Do some research; talk to other speakers in your field, who share your level of experience, to figure out what they earn. Their figure doesn’t have to be the exact same as yours, but determining what the “going rate” is can help you establish a good ballpark figure in your mind.

Ask for some time to think it over. Most people actually have a range in mind when they offer you a certain fee. Whereas they probably want to pay you the lowest amount in that range, however, your goal is to get the highest!

How to Prepare Backstage

Now that you’ve negotiated your fees and booked yourself a gig, I’ve included a few tips below that will help you mentally and physically prepare to speak with confidence publicly.

Your speech is a product of the practice and preparation that you put into it. When people think about preparation for public speaking, they’re usually referring to memorizing your speech or the key points within it.

However, when done properly, these 6 tips to improve your public speaking voice, along with the exercises (both mental and physical) below, have the ability to bring your speech to the next level.

1. Get Organized

Take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts. When you organize all of your thoughts and materials it helps you to become much more relaxed and calm.

When you have clear, organized thoughts it can greatly reduce your speaking anxiety because you can better focus on the one thing at hand, giving a great speech.

2. Visualize Your Speaking Success

All improvement in your outer performance begins with an improvement in your mental pictures. Once your thoughts are focused and organized, visualize yourself on stage.

You should ‘‘see’’ yourself standing calm, confident, relaxed, and smiling as you address your audience. See the audience leaning toward you, smiling, laughing, enjoying, and hanging on to every word you say as if you were amazingly intelligent and entertaining.

Here is an important discovery: Your subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real event and an event that you vividly imagine.

If you visualize and replay a positive speaking experience 10 or 20 or 50 times in your mind, the subconscious mind records that you have just given 10 or 20 or 50 successful talks, all ending in standing ovations and happy audiences.

3. Use Voice Exercises

The human voice is like a muscle. It can be made stronger with exercise and use.

For example, memorize a piece of poetry and recite it regularly as you drive or walk around. Imagine that you’re making a dramatic presentation on a stage, in front of a large number of people.

Put emotion and strength and emphasis and energy into the words. Go slowly. Change the emphasis on each word in the line of poetry, thereby changing the meaning of the line.

Many people with weak voices have become powerful, confident speakers by building their voices over time with exercise. Use your voice consistently to make it stronger.

4. Eat and Drink Well

Energy is essential for good speaking and voice projection. What you eat and drink before a speech can impact your performance.

Before a short talk, eat lightly. This ensures that you are bright and alert when you start speaking and that your brain is functioning at its best.

Before a long talk, it’s essential to eat well. A solid, high-protein breakfast or lunch will give you the energy to burn for four to five hours.

Only drink room temperature water prior to and during your speech, this will ensure that you have the best possible voice. Cold water can chill your vocal cords and decrease the amount of warmth in your voice.

When you have a sore throat, it can be difficult to speak clearly and project your voice. If this occurs, drink hot water with lots of honey and lemon juice. This miraculous combination has saved me on several occasions.

How to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

If you’ve ever had to give a speech – whether it’s to a thousand people or just a few, you know how nerve-wracking it can be.

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The fear of public speaking is very real for a lot of people. In fact, more people fear public speaking, or glossophobia, over dying.

Thankfully, there are many ways that you can learn to overcome your fear of public speaking, here are some of my favorites.

P.S. None of my tips include having to picture the audience in their underwear.

1. Avoid Thinking About the “What ifs”

“What if my audience hates my speech? What if they boo me off stage?”

Try to eliminate all of your fears of rejection. The audience is there to listen to you for a reason.

2. Work on Your Breathing

When you focus on your breathing your voice will have more resonance and you will be able to relax. Breathe calmly and focus on getting into a rhythm.

Although this is a public speaking exercise, breathwork will help reduce stress and improve clarity in all areas of life.

3. Take Public Speaking Classes

One of the best ways to improve your public speaking skills is to take a class. You may be able to find a class offered nearby every once in a while. These tend to focus on a few particular lessons, techniques, or strategies.

After attending a few of those, you’ll understand how to give a great speech and, better yet, how to get paid for doing so.

It also helps to find a great coach or mentor. There are many groups that you can join to learn the art of public speaking. A group such as Toastmasters is a non-profit and helps people get over their fears by having them practice speaking on subjects over and over. These groups may be a great place for you to find a mentor.

4. Further Your Expertise with a Public Speaker Course

If you can dedicate enough time to your training, enrolling in a course is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the matter. Some programs even offer degrees or certifications, but these aren’t necessary to get started. The important thing is that a public speaking course will teach you to engage and entertain any audience.

5. Be Prepared to Improvise (A little bit)

Ernest Hemingway wrote that “In order to write well, you must know 10 words about the subject for every word that you write. Otherwise, the reader will know that this is not true writing.”

Personally, I feel that, in speaking, you must know 100 words for every word that you speak.  Otherwise, your audience will have the sense that you don’t really know what you’re talking about.

This also helps if you have a mental block on stage. When you know 100 words for each word, you can easily pivot to a different way of getting your point across, without being affected by the mental block.

6. Make Your Nervous Energy Work for You

Learn to channel your nervous energy into positive energy. Being nervous is a form of adrenaline.

Use this energy in a positive way to help give an impassioned presentation during public speaking events.

How to Master Stage Presence

When you get on the stage, it feels like everyone’s eyes are on you. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone is paying attention.

As a speaker, you want to truly capture the attention of your audience so that they can really absorb what you are saying. The more your audience absorbs, the more likely they are to learn, which means the more likely they are to come back, and the cycle starts again.

Your stage presence is a huge part of your public speaking, and truly having a solid stage presence comes with a lot of experience. However, these tips below may help speed up the process a little bit.

1. Slow Down

When you speak more slowly, your voice has more power and authority. Your listeners have an opportunity to absorb and reflect on what you’re saying.

A speaking voice that exudes confidence will give your words greater importance. All powerful people speak slowly, enunciate clearly, and express themselves with confidence.

When you speak too rapidly, your pitch increases, often to something squeaky and child-like. This decreases the impact of your words and your influence on the audience because listeners downgrade the importance or value of what you are saying.

So, remember, a loud, confident speaking voice presented at an even pace will lead to a powerful and moving speech.

2. Speak to Win

Your job is to speak to win on every occasion. Your goal is to be seen as an important player in every conversation. Your aim is to persuade others to your point of view and to make an impact on your world.

You will achieve this by thoroughly preparing for every meeting that you hold or participate in, and by making others in the room feel important.

The more you can involve the participants in the discussion, the better sense you will have for how they are thinking and feeling, and the more likely it is that they will agree with you at the end of your presentation.

3. Create Mental Images

A picture is worth 1,000 words, even if that picture is in your head. Creating mental images for each major point in your speech can serve as a great reminder for you while you are on stage.

As you shouldn’t aim to memorize a speech word for word, this technique can be equally as helpful.

Visualize the point you are trying to drive across happening, or things that are associated with the point, so that when it’s time, you can relay what you are “seeing” to your audience.

4. Take it Seriously

No matter the size or the purpose of your speech, you should always treat it with the utmost seriousness.

Whether, consciously or subconsciously, your audience will continually upgrade or downgrade their opinions of your personality, ability, competence, and level of confidence based on your presentation. For this reason, you must think of your speeches as important events in your career.

Do your best to avoid distractions while giving your presentation. Your ability to speak well and persuasively can have an extraordinary impact on your life and career.

How to Connect with Audiences

A lot of your success in public speaking will come through knowing your audience and what your purpose is in speaking to them.

Are you trying to motivate a large crowd? Inspire results within your team? Persuade a potential business partner?

Each one of these scenarios requires a different approach in order to best achieve your goal. From preparation to execution, every speech should be tailored to the audience that it is being delivered to so that it can have its greatest effect.

1. Use Storytelling in Your Presentation Wherever Possible

The key to keeping an audience engaged during a speech is with personal stories. Stories are the most important part of a good presentation.

They make your audience feel like they know you and can trust what you are telling them. You can tell very short stories, and they can be your stories or someone else’s stories. If it’s your personal story, that’s even better.

Start by saying, “I heard a story just the other day.” And then you tell the story.

Or, “Let me tell you a story,” or “This is something I heard recently that really moved me.”

The truth is, in order for your presentation or speech to have its greatest effect you need to be able to wow your audience. When you’re giving facts and figures they will pay a certain amount of attention.

But when you tell a story, your audience will listen intently.

2. Connect with Emotion

Sometimes when I’m talking to my audiences I will say, “Tell me, what percentage of people’s thinking is emotional, and what percentage is rational or logical?”

And people will guess for a while, and then they’ll finally say, “Oh, well it’s 10% logical and 80% or 90% emotional.”

I tell them “No. People’s thinking is 100% emotional.”

What does this mean? This means that people think emotionally and justify logically. The subconscious mind, and our emotions actually function at several thousand times the speed of logic.

For example, you may meet a person and instantly like them. You may find later that there are a lot of reasons for you to instantly like that person. Your emotions acted like a switchblade, instantaneously, but your logic followed after and you figured out the reasons.

3. Relate to The Audience’s Self-Interests

What motivates people to be really interested in your talk, aside from the subject, which many of them may have to be there for?

Many people have told me that they were forced to come to my seminar. They didn’t want to come, because they didn’t think they would learn anything.

The question you have to ask is, what are the motivations that you need to appeal to so that they will really listen?

Truthfully, I’ve found that one of the great motivations is self-interest.

That’s why I ask how many people would like to double their income. They all raise their hands simultaneously.

Then I say,

“Well, in the time we spend together I’m going to give you several ways that you can double your income. These are ways that have been tested and proven by people all over the world. They’ve done these things over and over, and I’ve used them myself to go from rags to non-rags. I’ll give you those same ideas. Would that be a good use of our time together today?”

And they all say, “Yes! Yes!”

I have their total interest.

4. Tell the Audience EXACTLY What They Are Going to Gain

The desire to gain is a great motivator. If you can convey to your audience that they’re going to gain things from your talk, like time, money, or greater success, then they will be listening, and they’ll want to know how they can do that.

For example, a wonderful way you can open a talk is by saying: “There are three things you need to do if you want to double your income in the next 12 months.”

Then you pause.

When you pause, do you know what happens?

People lean forward and say to themselves, “I wonder what it is.” They wonder what the three things are.

Then you say, “The three things are these. You have to be able to do this, and this, and this.”

And then the question they ask in their mind is, “I wonder how to do that.”

Now it’s almost like fishing…

You just reel them in.

The Power Of The Pause is a technique that everyone should be using in their talks.

5. Bring The Audience Into the Conversation

In this age of technology, one of the most common and effective ways to speak to your audience is virtually.

There are many methods for how to conduct an effective online presentation, whether it is through a Facebook Live, a YouTube video, a webinar, or even in video lessons.

It is one thing to get your audience to tune in but another to keep their attention. Try bringing them into the conversation. This will engage your audience and keep them coming back for more.

Public Speaking Tips for Small Groups and Meetings

1. Ask Specific Questions

Asking specific questions can be very helpful as you can use questions to lead your audience where you want them to go.

Asking small groups specific questions is a way to put everyone on the same page, and it is also an indicator of whether people are following along or not.

If people seem confused by your questions, and if they’re specific enough, you can easily tell what is confusing them and quickly circle back.

2. Call on Volunteers

When working with a small audience, the best way to keep people engaged is to get them involved. Volunteers can also help you demonstrate certain points or scenarios.

As you may have been on the other side of this tactic, it also helps your audience pay attention. No one wants to be the person who gets called out and doesn’t understand, so in a way, this can pressure your audience into being attentive.

3. Give Very Niche Examples

When you have a small group, they most likely are all there for the same, if not similar reasons. So, in these settings, make sure your examples are as tailored to them as possible.

These niche examples will show your audience that you know what you are talking about, and encourage them to be involved. They also will most likely be naturally interested in examples that cater to their interests.

Public Speaking Tips for a Larger Audience (10+ People)

1. Participate with Hand Raises

This is similar to calling on volunteers in small groups. In large groups, volunteers can take up time, and people may not be able to hear others in the audience, causing confusion and distraction.

Hand raising allows people to be involved, without having to be vocal, and this keeps the focus on you.

2. Utilize Relatable Anecdotes

Depending on your topic and the nature of your speech, anecdotes can have different purposes. However, as long as your audience can relate to them, they will most likely be very helpful.

Using anecdotes to relate to your audience makes them feel like you are talking directly to them, no matter how large the crowd is. If it is a joke, struggle, or even idea that they can relate to, they will feel more involved and invested.

3. Ask Rhetorical Questions

Asking questions naturally gets the attention of your audience as they will want to know the answer. But when you ask a question that they already know the answer to it helps them engage.

This gets the audience to think about their own situations and response, while also allowing you to emphasize points that you are making.

Lastly, it can also make your audience think about certain ideas for a bit, or even help you transition into new ideas.

Click here if you want to learn more techniques to wow your audience.

How to Utilize Visual Aids

30 million PowerPoint presentations are made around the world daily. How many more bad ones should we have to sit through? Sitting through a long, boring, PowerPoint sales presentation that no person wants to listen to can be torture.

The much worse scenario is that you are the one giving that presentation. . .

Keep reading to find out how to avoid this!

1. Keep Your Slides Short and To The Point

Each slide should only be about one key point or takeaway. If you put too much information on one slide it will become confusing to the viewer.

Try to focus on putting one point and then some bullets explaining it on each slide.

2. Use Pictures and Visuals When They Add To The Presentation

Use visuals in your presentation that help get your point across. Know your audience.

Click here for more help on presentation ideas and PowerPoint examples.

3. Use Bullet Points Rather Than Paragraphs

When you use bullet points on your slides, it gives your audience key points from your presentation. It also gives you speaking cues, in case you lose your train of thought.

Don’t overload your slides with bullets. This will keep your audience engaged with you and not reading slides.

Your slides shouldn’t do the talking for you. Limit your words to 6 words per line, and 6 lines per slide.

4. Don’t Read Your Slides Word for Word

Elaborate on the information in your slides, don’t read them word for word.

Your presentation should help to supplement what you have to say and give key points. You are the presenter, use your slides to get your key points across and keep them simple.

With each point, if you are using bullets, you can then elaborate by telling an interesting story, or a joke.

How to Turn Public Speaking into a Career

Public speaking can be a great source of income. In fact, the typical compensation for a public speaking event is $4,500 to $7,500. Here’s a video I made recently about speaking in 69 countries and how I began public speaking.

Public speaking is also the most effective way to share your ideas with the world. It takes confidence, passion, and authenticity to share a message that influences and resonates with an audience.

How does one attract eager audiences around the world?

It starts with the commitment to make as many speaking engagements as you possibly can. Get your name out there.

1. Start Small

I have spoken in over 70 countries around the world in the last 30 years. I have been translated by about 50 different professional interpreters. Because of all that, I have been titled the most prolific speaker in the history of the world.

The first thing you want to do is start where you are. For the first 10-15 years of my speaking career, I was focused in North America.

Pick a subject that you really care about and that you think is important for people to know about. Become very knowledgeable in that subject.

Then, begin to offer speeches or small workshops to people within your circle, and at no charge.

2. Build Up Your Experience and Credibility

In my early beginnings, I would often ask if I could speak for free or at minimum cost to get experience and credibility. Sometimes if people don’t know you or your reputation, you have to start from the bottom and work your way up.

There is a basic rule that says, “Before you get paid for speaking, you have to give 300 free talks.”

It may actually take you 100 or 500. But the point is, keep offering free talks until somebody comes up and asks, “How much would you charge to give that talk to my people or my company?”

Professional motivational speakers have one central focus: We’re always thinking in terms of how to get more speaking engagements.

3. Always Ask for Opportunities

The future belongs to people who confidently ask for what they want. Especially those that ask to speak to an international company or organization.

You can call them up and explain that you specialize in a subject and that you’d love to speak to their organization.

Ask them for the opportunity. Ask them for more information. Ask them if they use speakers and when they will be using a speaker again.

The more you ask, the more answers you get. And eventually, the more you will get asked to speak for them.

4. Get to Know Your Audience

85% or more of all speakers are hired because someone else recommended them.

Someone who heard them speak said, “This is a great speaker.” The more people who say that you did a great job when you spoke somewhere else, the faster and easier it is for them to hire you.

Word of mouth travels fast, especially when it is positive.

5. Stick Around After Your Speech

When you’ve given a speech or a talk, stay around after and offer to speak again to others, maybe even on different subjects.

It’s amazing how much business comes when you stick around, have coffee, and talk to people. Sometimes, this will cause people to tell you about their business and ask if your talk would be helpful to them.

Many speakers have developed this to the point that they get two bookings from every talk they give.

How to Take it International

After making a name for yourself, if you want to get paid to speak around the world, the steps below should help you begin on your journey.

1. Focus on One Country Outside of The U.S.

Once I established myself in North America, I made a bridge to Germany. It was the starting point of my speaking internationally.

Put your stake in the ground of a country outside of the U.S. to kick off your international speaking career.

2. Learn the Language

Next, you should learn their language.

After my first few gigs in Germany, I immediately started taking German classes and tutoring. It was an opportunity to develop a tremendous business around my seminars, programs, and books.

3. Talk To International Colleagues

In your travels as a speaker, you will more than likely come across a few audience members or fellow speakers who are international. Develop those relationships and keep in touch with them.

You need to make sure that the message and purpose of your speeches are meaningful in their cultures, so these acquaintances can be very helpful down the line.

How to Become a Successful Public Speaker

An enormous number of professional speakers start off the same way:

They start off speaking in their organization or in their company or sometimes will be asked to talk on their subject to a small group of people within their industry. They put together some notes and share what they know.

When people respond positively, the speaker will suddenly realize that they really enjoyed it too. And that is one of the main reasons people want to get into speaking.

Keep reading, I’m going to share some things I’ve learned during my public speaking career.

1. Always Be Willing to Learn

There are always new skills to be learned that can complement your public speaking or new resources that can help you see things in a different way.

As a person and a public speaker, you should always be open to learning new things no matter the level you reach. In a way, this is a skill as well, and all it takes is being hungry to learn.

In my 40-year public speaking career, this hunger and willingness to learn has been the one skill most crucial to my success.

2. Practice Makes Perfect

Practice makes perfect, and perfect practice makes it even more perfect.

If you practice consistently, you will find that your presentation skills have dramatically improved over time.

Whether it is practicing your eye contact or sharpening your memory to recite speeches word for word, repetition will help every aspect of your “performance”.

Remember, your ability to speak effectively in front of people can do more to advance your career and your life than perhaps any other skill you can develop.

3. Take Action!

Are you passionate about spreading your message, creating a lasting impact, and making more money through speaking and communicating effectively?

This information is ONLY for professional or aspiring speakers. Becoming an accomplished, effective, sought-after speaker isn’t simple. It’s the result of putting together a careful, highly specialized plan.

And it’s not your fault you’re not as effective a communicator as you want to be.

Speaking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and without experience and expertise, it’s difficult to know how to turn speaking into a successful business and spread your message effectively.

If you want to be your own boss, travel the world, and get paid for it, learn how you can join one of the highest-paid professions in the world in this free online public speaking training.

Editor’s Note: This post was updated for 2021 with additional public speaking tips and more details on how to book speaking engagements, how to master stage presence, and how to start a professional speaking career. 

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About Brian Tracy — Brian is recognized as the top sales training and personal success authority in the world today. He has authored more than 60 books and has produced more than 500 audio and video learning programs on sales, management, business success and personal development, including worldwide bestseller The Psychology of Achievement. Brian’s goal is to help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and Youtube.

«Public speaker» redirects here. For a person who delivers an oration, see Orator.

Public speaking, also called oratory or oration, has traditionally meant speaking in person to a live audience. Today it includes speaking, formally or informally, to an audience through technology — live, pre-recorded, or at a distance.

Confucius, the philosopher and public speaking scholar, thought a good speech should impact individual lives, regardless of whether they were in the audience.^[1] He believed that someone of power could influence the world with words and action.^[1]

Public speaking has many purposes, but usually mixes teaching, persuasion, and entertaining. Each purpose calls on slightly different approaches and techniques.

Public speaking was studied in Ancient Greece and Rome, where prominent thinkers analyzed it as a central part of rhetoric. Today, the art of public speaking has been transformed by technology, such as videoconferencing, multimedia presentations, and other non-traditional forms of presentation.

Purpose of public speaking[edit]

The function of public speaking is determined by the speaker’s intent when addressing a particular audience. It is possible for the same speaker, with the same intent, to deliver substantially different speeches to two different audiences. The main objective is to evoke a change in the audience, whether in their hearts, minds, or actions.

Although the name suggests otherwise, public speaking is often delivered to a closed, limited audience who share a common outlook. This audience can be composed of fervent supporters of the speaker, antagonistic individuals attending the event unwillingly or out of spite, or strangers with no particular interest in the speaker. However, effective speakers understand that even a small audience is not a homogeneous mass with a single point of view but rather a collection of diverse individuals.^[2]

Broadly speaking, public speaking aims either to reassure an anxious audience or to alert a complacent audience to something important. Once the speaker has determined which of these approaches is required, they will use a combination of storytelling and information delivery to achieve their goals.

Persuasion[edit]

Persuasion is a term derived from the Latin word «persuādēre.»^[3] Persuasive speaking aims to change the audience’s beliefs^[3] and is used commonly in political debates, where leaders attempt to persuade their audience, whether the general public or government officials.^[3]

Persuasive speaking involves four essential elements: (i) the speaker or persuader; (ii) the audience; (iii) the speaking method; and (iv) the message the speaker is trying to convey.^[3] When attempting to persuade an audience to change their opinions, a speaker appeals to their emotions and beliefs.^[3]

Various techniques exist for speakers to gain audience support.^[3] Speakers can demand action from the audience, use inclusive language, like we and us, to create unity between the speaker and audience, and choose words with strong connotations to intensify a message’s impact.^[3] Rhetorical questions, anecdotes, generalizations, exaggerations, metaphors, and irony also can be employed to increase the likelihood of persuading an audience.^[3]

Education[edit]

Public speaking can transfer knowledge to an audience. TED Talks are examples of educational public speaking. The speakers inform their audience about different topics, such as science, physics, biology, technology, religion, economics, human society, astronomy, animal studies, and psychology. TED speakers can use the platform to share personal experiences with traumatic events, such as abuse, bullying, grief, assault, suicidal ideation, near-death encounters, mental illness, or to raise awareness and acceptance for stigmatizing issues, such as disabilities, racial differences, LGBT rights, children’s rights, and women’s rights.

Intervention[edit]

The intervention style of speaking is a relatively new method proposed by a rhetorical theorist named William R. Brown.^[4] This style revolves around the fact that humans create a symbolic meaning for life and the things around them.^[4] Due to this, the symbolic meaning of everything changes based on the way one communicates.^[4] When approaching communication with an intervention style, communication is understood to be responsible for the constant changes in the society, behaviors, and how one considers the meaning behind objects, ideologies, and every day life.^[4]

From an interventional perspective, when individuals communicate, they are intervening with what is already reality and might «shift symbolic reality.»^[4] This approach to communication also encompasses the possibility or idea that one may be responsible for unexpected outcomes due to what and how one communicates.^[4] This perspective also widens the scope of focus from a single speaker who is intervening to a multitude of speakers all communicating and intervening, simultaneously affecting the world around us.^[4]

History[edit]

Greece[edit]

Although evidence of public speaking training exists in ancient Egypt,^[5] the first known writing on oratory^[6] is 2,000 years old from ancient Greece. This work elaborates on principles drawn from the practices and experiences of ancient Greek orators.

Aristotle was one who first oratory teachers to use definitive rules and models. One of his key insights was that speakers always combine, to varying degrees, three things: reasoning, which he called Logos; credentials, which he called Ethos; and emotion, which he called Pathos.^[7] Aristotle’s work became an essential part of a liberal arts education during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The classical antiquity works by the ancient Greeks capture how they taught and developed the art of public speaking thousands of years ago.

In classical Greece and Rome, rhetoric was the main component of composition and speech delivery, both critical skills for use in public and private life. In ancient Greece, citizens spoke for themselves rather than having professionals, like modern lawyers, speak for them. Any citizen who wished to succeed in court, politics, or social life had to learn public speaking techniques. Rhetorical tools were first taught by a group of teachers called Sophists, noted for teaching paying students how to speak effectively using their methods.

Separately from the Sophists, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle developed their own theories of public speaking, teaching these principles to students interested in leaning rhetorical skills. Plato founded The Academy and Aristotle The Lyceum to teach these skills.

Demosthenes was a well-known orator from Athens. After his father died when he was 7, he had three legal guardians: Aphobus; Demophon; and Theryppides.^[8] His inspiration for public speaking was learning that his guardians had robbed the money his father left for his education.^[9] His first public speech was in the court proceeding he brought against his guardians.^[10] After that, Demosthenes practiced public speaking more. He is known for sticking pebbles into his mouth in order to help his pronunciation, talking while running so that he wouldn’t lose his breath, and practicing speaking in front of a mirror to improve his delivery.^[10]

When Philip II, the ruler of Macedon, tried to conquer the Greeks, Demosthenes made a speech called Kata Philippou A.^[8] In this speech, he spoke about why he opposed Philip II as a threat to all of Greece.^[8] This was the first of several speeches known as the Philippics.^[10] He made other speeches known as the Olynthiacs. Both series of speeches favored independence and rallied Athenians against Philip II.^[10][9]

Rome[edit]

In the political rise of the Roman Republic, Roman orators copied and modified the ancient Greek techniques of public speaking. Instruction in rhetoric developed into a full curriculum, including instruction in grammar (study of the poets), preliminary exercises (progymnasmata), and preparation of public speeches (declamation) in both forensic and deliberative genres.

The Latin style of rhetoric was heavily influenced by Cicero and strongly emphasized a broad education in all areas of the humanities. Other areas of rhetorical study included the use of wit and humor, the appeal to the listener’s emotions, and the use of digressions. Oratory in the Roman empire, though less central to political life than during the Republic, remained important in law and entertainment. Famous orators were celebrities in ancient Rome, becoming wealthy and prominent in society.

The ornate Latin style was the primary form of oration through the mid-20th century. After World War II and the increased use of film and television, the Latin oration style began to fall out of favor. This cultural change likely had to do with the rise of the scientific method and the emphasis on a «plain» style of speaking and writing. Even today’s formal oratory is much less ornate than in the Classical Era.

China[edit]

Ancient China had a delayed start to the implementation of Rhetoric (persuasion), as China did not have rhetoricians training students.^[1] It was understood that Chinese rhetoric was part of Chinese philosophy, which schools taught focusing on two concepts: «Wen” (rhetoric); and “Zhi”(thoughtful content).^[1] Ancient Chinese rhetoric shows strong connections with modern public speaking, as Chinese rhetoric placed high value on ethics.^[1]

Ancient Chinese rhetoric had three objectives: (i) using language to reflect people’s feelings; (ii) using language to be more pointed, effective, and impactful; and (iii) using rhetoric as an «aesthetic tool.»^[1] Chinese rhetoric traditionally focused more on the written than spoken word, but both share similar characteristics of construction.^[1]

A unique and key difference between Chinese and Western rhetoric is the audience targeted for persuasion.^[1] In Chinese rhetoric, state rulers were the audience, whereas Western rhetoric targets the public.^[1] Another difference between Chinese and Western rhetoric practices is how a speaker establishes credibility or Ethos.^[1] In Chinese rhetoric, the speaker does not focus on individual credibility, like Western rhetoric. Instead, the speaker focuses on collectivism^[1] by sharing personal experiences and establishing a connection between the speaker’s concern and the audience’s interest.^[1]

Chinese rhetoric analyzes public speakers on three standards: (i) tracing, which is how well the speaker is doing compared to traditional speaking practices; (ii) examination, or how the speaker considers the audience’s daily lives; and (iii) practice, which is how relevant the topic or argument is to the «state, society, and people.»^[1]

Theorists[edit]

Aristotle[edit]

Aristotle and one of his most famous writings, «Rhetoric» (written in 350 B.C.E), have been used as a foundation for learning how to master the arts of public speaking. In his works, rhetoric is the act of publicly persuading the audience.^[11] Rhetoric is similar to dialect, he defines both as being acts of persuasion. However, dialect is the act of persuading someone in private, whereas rhetoric is about persuading people in a public setting.^[11] More specifically, Aristotle defines someone who practices rhetoric or a «rhetorician» as an individual who is able to interpret and understand what persuasion is and how it is applied.^[11]

Aristotle breaks rhetoric into three elements: (i) the speaker; (ii) the topic or point of the speech; and (iii) the audience.^[11][12] Aristotle also classifies oratory into three types: (i) political, used to convince people to take or not take action; (ii) forensic, usually used in law related to accusing or defending someone; and (iii) ceremonial, which recognizes someone positively or negatively.^[12]

Aristotle breaks down the political category into five focus or themes: «ways and means, war and peace, national defense, imports and exports, and legislation.»^[12] These focuses are broken down into detail so that a speaker can focus on what is needed to take into consideration so that the speaker can effectively influence an audience to agree and support the speaker’s ideas.^[12] The focus of «ways and means» deals with economic aspects in how the country is spending money.^[12] «Peace and War» focus on what the country has to offer in terms of military power, how war has been conducted, how war has affected the country in the past, and how other countries have conducted war.^[12] «National defense» deals with taking into consideration the position and strength of a country in the event of an invasion. Forces, fortifying structures, points with a strategic advantage should all be considered.^[12] «Food supply» is concerned with the ability to support a country in regards to food, importing and exporting food, and carefully making decisions to arrange agreements with other countries.^[12] Lastly, Aristotle breaks down the «legislation» theme, and this theme seems to be the most important to Aristotle. The legislation of a country is the most crucial aspect of all the above because everything is affected by the policies and laws set by the people in power.^[12]

In Aristotle’s «Rhetoric» writing, he mentions three strategies someone can use to try to persuade an audience:^[11] Establishing the character of a speaker (Ethos), influencing the emotional element of the audience (Pathos), and focusing on the argument specifically (Logos).^[11][13] Aristotle believes establishing the character of a speaker is effective in persuasion because the audience will believe what the speaker is saying to be true if the speaker is credible and trustworthy.^[11] With the audience’s emotional state, Aristotle believes that individuals do not make the same decisions when in different moods.^[11] Because of this, one needs to try to influence the audience by being in control of one’s emotions, making persuasion effective.^[11] The argument itself can affect the attempt to persuade by making the argument of the case so clear and valid that the audience will understand and believe that the speaker’s point is real.^[11]

In the last part of «Rhetoric», Aristotle mentions that the most critical piece of persuasion is to know in detail what makes up government and to attack what makes it unique: «customs, institutions, and interest».^[12] Aristotle also states that everyone is persuaded by considering people’s interests and how the society in which they live influences their interests.^[12]

Historical speeches[edit]

Despite the shift in style, the best-known examples of strong public speaking are still studied years after their delivery. Among these examples are:

• Pericles’ Funeral Oration in 427 BC addressing those who died during the Peloponnesian War
• Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in 1863
• Sojourner Truth’s identification of racial issues in «Ain’t I a Woman?»
• Martin Luther King, Jr.’s «I Have a Dream» speech at the Washington Monument in 1963.^[14]

As in other parts of general culture, the notion of a canon of the most important historical speeches is giving way to a broader understanding. Many previously forgotten historical speeches are being recovered and studied.^[15]

Women and public speaking[edit]

There are many international female speakers. Much of women’s earlier public speaking is directly correlated to activism work.

United States[edit]

Between the 18th and 19th century in the United States, women were publicly banned from speaking in the courtroom, the senate floor, and the pulpit.^{[16][pages needed]} It was also deemed improper for a woman to be heard in a public setting. Exceptions existed for women from the Quaker religion, allowing them speak publicly in meetings of the church.^{[17][pages needed]}

Frances Wright was one of the first female public speakers of the United States, advocating equal education for both women and men through large audiences and the press.^{[16][pages needed]} Maria Stewart, a woman of African American descent, was also one of the first female speakers of the United States, lecturing in Boston in front of both men and women just 4 years after Wright, in 1832 and 1833, on educational opportunities and abolition for young girls.^{[17][pages needed]}

The first female agents, and sisters, of the American Anti-Slavery Society, Angelina Grimké and Sarah Grimké created a platform for public lectures to women, and conducted tours between 1837 and 1839. The sisters advocated that slavery relates to women’s rights, and that women need equality.^[18] Subsequently they came to a disagreement with churches which did not want the two speaking publicly, due to them being women.^[19]

Great Britain[edit]

The British political activist, Emmeline Pankhurst, founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) on October 10, 1903.^[20] The organization was aimed towards fighting for a woman’s right for parliamentary vote, which only men were granted for at the time.^[21] Emmeline was known for being a powerful orator, who led many women to rebel through militant forms until the outbreak of World War I in 1914.^[20]

Pakistan[edit]

Malala Yousafzai is a modern-day public speaker, who was born in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, and is an educational activist for women and girls.^[22] After the Taliban restricted the educational rights of women in the Swat Valley, Yousafzai presented her first speech How Dare the Taliban Take Away My Basic Right to Education?, in which she protested the shutdowns of the schools.^[23] She presented this speech to a press in Peshawar.^[23] Through this, she was able to bring more awareness to the situation in Pakistan.^[23] She is known for her «inspiring and passionate speech» about educational rights given at the United Nations.^[22] She is the youngest person ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, at the age of 17, which was awarded to her in 2014.^[22] Her public speaking has brought worldwide attention to the difficulties of young girls in Pakistan. She continues to advocate for educational rights for women and girls worldwide through the Malala Fund,^[22] with the purpose of helping girls around the world receive 12 years of education.^[23] 

Japan[edit]

Kishida Toshiko (1861–1901) was a female speaker during the Japanese Meiji Period. In October 1883, she publicly delivered a speech entitled ‘Hakoiri Musume’ (Daughters Kept in Boxes) in front of approximately 600 people.^[24] Performed in Yotsu no Miya Theater in Kyoto, she criticised the action of parents that shelter their daughters from the outside world. Despite her prompt arrest, Kishida demonstrates the ability for Japanese women to evoke women’s issues, experience, and liberation in public spaces, through the use of public speaking. ^[25]

Glossophobia[edit]

The fear of speaking in public, known as glossophobia^[26] or public speaking anxiety, is often mentioned as one of the most common phobias.^[26]

The reason is uncertain, but it has been speculated that this fear is primal, like how animals fear being seen by predators.^[27]

However, the apprehension experienced when speaking in public can have a number of causes,^[26] such as social anxiety disorder, or a prior experience of public humiliation.

Training[edit]

Effective public speaking can be developed by joining a club such as Rostrum, Toastmasters International, Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC), or Speaking Circles, in which members are assigned exercises to improve their speaking skills. Members learn by observation and practice, and hone their skills by listening to constructive suggestions, followed by new public speaking exercises.

Toastmasters International[edit]

Toastmasters International is a public speaking organization with over 15,000 clubs worldwide, and more than 300,000 members.^[28] This organization helps individuals with their public speaking skills, as well as other skills necessary for them to grow and become effective public speakers.^[29] Members of the club meet and work together on their skills; each member practices giving speeches, while the other members evaluate and provide feedback.^[29] There are also other small tasks that the members do, like practice impromptu speaking by talking about different topics without having anything planned.^[29] Each member has a specific role, and all of these roles help with the process of gaining their skills as public speakers, and as leaders.^[29] The number of roles lets each member be able to speak at least one time at the meetings.^[28] Members are also able to participate in a variety of speech contests, in which the winners can compete in the World Championship of Public Speaking.^[30]

Rostrum[edit]

Rostrum is another public speaking organization, founded in Australia, with more than 100 clubs all over the country.^[31] This organization aims at helping people become better communicators, no matter the occasion.^[31] At the meetings, speakers are able to gain skills by presenting speeches, while members provide feedback to those presenting.^[32] Qualified speaking trainers attend these meetings as well, and provide professional feedback at the end of the meetings.^[32] There are also competitions that are held for members to participate in.^[31] An online club is also available for members, no matter where they live.^[33]

The new millennium has seen a notable increase in the number of training solutions, offered in the form of video and online courses. Videos can provide simulated examples of behaviors to emulate. Professional public speakers often engage in ongoing training and education to refine their craft. This may include seeking guidance to improve their speaking skills, such as learning better storytelling techniques, learning how to effectively use humor as a communication tool, and continuously researching in their topic area of focus.^[34]

Professional speakers[edit]

Public speaking for business and commercial events is often done by professionals, whose expertise is well established. These speakers can be contracted independently, through representation by a speakers bureau, or by other means. Public speaking plays a large role in the professional world. In fact, it is believed that 70 percent of all jobs involve some form of public speaking.^[35]

Modern[edit]

Technology[edit]

New technology has also opened different forms of public speaking that are non-traditional such as TED Talks, which are conferences that are broadcast globally. This form of public speaking has created a wider audience base because public speaking can now reach both physical and virtual audiences.^[36] These audiences can be watching from all around the world. YouTube is another platform that allows public speaking to reach a larger audience. On YouTube, people can post videos of themselves. Audiences are able to watch these videos for all types of purposes.^[37]

Multimedia presentations can contain different video clips, sound effects, animation, laser pointers, remote control clickers, and endless bullet points.^[38] All adding to the presentation and evolving our traditional views of public speaking.

Public speakers may use audience response systems. For large assemblies, the speaker will usually speak with the aid of a public address system or microphone and loudspeaker.

These new forms of public speaking, which can be considered non-traditional, have opened up debates about whether these forms of public speaking are actually public speaking. Many people consider YouTube broadcasting to not be a true form of public speaking because there is not a real and physical audience. Others argue that public speaking is about getting a group of people together in order to educate them further regardless of how or where the audience is located^{[citation needed]}.

Telecommunication[edit]

Telecommunication and videoconferencing are also forms of public speaking. David M. Fetterman of Stanford University wrote in his 1997 article Videoconferencing over the Internet: «Videoconferencing technology allows geographically disparate parties to hear and see each other usually through satellite or telephone communication systems.» This technology is helpful for large conference meetings and face-to-face communication between parties without demanding the inconvenience of travel.

Notable modern theorists[edit]

• Harold Lasswell developed Lasswell’s model of communication. There are five basic elements of public speaking that are described in this theory: the communicator, message, medium, audience, and effect. In short, the speaker should be answering the question «who says what in which channel to whom with what effect?»

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• Collins, Philip. «The Art of Speeches and Presentations» (John Wiley & Sons, 2012).
• Fairlie, Henry. «Oratory in Political Life,» History Today (Jan 1960) 10#1 pp 3–13. A survey of political oratory in Great Britain from 1730 to 1960.
• Flintoff, John-Paul. «A Modest Book About How To Make An Adequate Speech» (Short Books, 2021). excerpt
• Gold, David, and Catherine L. Hobbs, eds. Rhetoric, History, and Women’s Oratorical Education: American Women Learn to Speak (Routledge, 2013).
• Heinrichs, Jay. «Thank You For Arguing» (Penguin, 2008).
• Lucas, Stephen E. The Art of Public Speaking (13th ed. McGraw Hill, 2019).
• Noonan, Peggy. «Simply Speaking» (Regan Books, 1998).
• Parry-Giles, Shawn J., and J. Michael Hogan, eds. The Handbook of Rhetoric and Public Address (2010) excerpt
• Sproule, J. Michael. «Inventing public speaking: Rhetoric and the speech book, 1730–1930.» Rhetoric & Public Affairs 15.4 (2012): 563–608. excerpt
• Turner, Kathleen J., Randall Osborn, et al. Public speaking (11th ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2017). excerpt
• Dale Carnegie· Arthur R. Pell. Public Speaking for Success. 2006
• Dale Carnegie. Public Speaking and Influencing Men in Business. 2003
• Dale Carnegie. How to Develop Self-Confidence & nfluence People by Public Speaking. New York: Pocket Books,1926
• Chris Anderson. The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, 2016.

External links[edit]

• Public speaking at Curlie
• How to speak so that people want to listen

We’ve created a list of 20 public speaking tips to help you improve your public speaking skills and present with confidence in front of any audience.

Here are the some of the tips you’ll find inside:

• Make enough rehearsals so that you feel confident with your speech
• Practice in front of a mirror and in front of others
• Prepare a visually appealing presentation
• Get to know your audience
• And, many more.

So, if you want to get your public speaking skills to the next level, you’ll need this list. 

Read the tips one by one or choose the ones that interest you the most from the navigation below.

Let’s get into it. 

Customize this presentation template and make it your own!Edit and Download

20 Public Speaking Tips to Make You a Better Speaker

Tip #1: Know Your Audience

Tip #2: Prepare a Visually Appealing Presentation

Tip #3: Practice In Front of a Mirror & In Front of Others

Tip #4: Make Enough Rehearsals

Tip #5: Speak From the Heart

Tip #6: Use Props for Effect

Tip #7: Be Candid

Tip #8: Start With a Question

Tip #9: End With a Question

Tip #10: Simplify the Complex

Tip #11: Test the Equipment That You’ll Be Using

Tip #12: Make Eye Contact With Your Audience

Tip #13: Speak Slower Than Usual

Tip #14: Leave Space to Breathe

Tip #15: Get to Know the Stage

Tip #16: Ask for Feedback to Improve

Tip #17: Don’t Be Afraid to Repeat Yourself

Tip #18: Try to Memorize Your Notes

Tip #19: Plan Your Speech & Create a Structure

Tip #20: Include a Digital Version of Your Presentation

Tip #1: Know Your Audience

The first thing you need to do is have a full grasp on who your audience is going to be. You need to have this down before you even begin choosing a topic and creating your presentation content because it could vary based on who you’re speaking to.

Even if you’re giving the same speech two separate audiences, take the time to tweak it and personalize it based on where you’re speaking and who you’re speaking to.

Furthermore, your presentation slides, props and stories that you tell might vary whether you’re speaking to a more business-oriented audience versus a room full of peers.

Tip #2: Prepare a Visually Appealing Presentation

The next tip we have for public speakers is to ensure your presentation is visually appealing and engaging to your audience members.

This is the best way you can ensure you grab your audience’s attention from the get go. While the rest relies on your ability to speak well, you have full control over the design of your slides.

If you have no idea where to start, a professionally designed slide deck is the perfect starting point. Give our Simple theme a try – it has over 300 different slide designs for you to pick and choose from when creating your presentation.

Customize this presentation theme and make it your own!Edit and Download

Just be sure to leave out those bullet points and boring black and white slides. Match your branding if it makes sense and incorporate a variety of visual aids.

Tip #3: Practice In Front of a Mirror & In Front of Others

One great way to help you get over a fear of public speaking is to practice in front of a mirror and watch how you present yourself. 

Then once you’re comfortable giving your speech alone, recruit a group of friends, family members or colleagues who are willing to be your audience as you practice in front of them.

This can help you prepare for speaking in front of people, and starting small is the best way to become more comfortable and in your element.

Tip #4: Make Enough Rehearsals

Practice, practice, practice. The only way you’re going to get over that nervous energy and help your speech come across as natural as possible is through rehearsing it over and over again.

Read over your slides, make mental notes and create mnemonic devices to help you remember the information you want to share for each slide you create.

You don’t want to simply read off your slides, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to rehearse. When it comes to public speaking, you don’t want to leave anything to the last minute.

Tip #5: Speak From the Heart

If there was a category for the most forgettable speeches in the world each spring, it would be for those delivered at graduation ceremonies.

However in 2016, a young man by the name of Donovan Livingston changed all of that. His speech began safely with a quotation, a tried-and-true technique, although over-used for generations. But then, in an amazing display of creativity, Livingston broke all the rules.

Instead of the standard platitudes and well-wishes, he launched into a spoken-word poem as a speech and his imagery was so vivid, it drew an emotionally overcome audience to its feet at the end.

Livingston’s speech has since been shared more than 170,000 times and viewed by eight million people.

This proves that making presentations that your audience supports is not a trick or a gimmick – it is simply delivering eloquent, amazing content that touches people deeply and inspires them to reach out and share your message.

Tip #6: Use Props for Effect

Sometimes the best way to stand out in front of an audience is to incorporate props into your presentation.

That was evident in another speech that brought the audience to its feet in support of Mohammed Qahtani, winner of the Toastmaster’s 2015 World Champion of Public Speaking award.

Standing on stage, reaching in his pocket and pulling out a cigarette, putting it to his lips and then flicking his lighter, the quirky speaker elicited a shocked response from his audience. Then he made them laugh by quoting some amazing statistics which he then revealed he had made up.

By this time the audience was hooked. What would happen next? You can watch this example below.

Qahtani’s unorthodox opening mixed with humor and effective facial expressions caught people’s attention and when he was ready to hammer home his message, they were already on his side.

“Words have power, words are power, words could be your power,” he told them.

Tip #7: Be Candid

The presentation of a powerful message for change can fall on unresponsive ears unless the speaker can bring the issue into the lives and hearts of the audience.

Caitlyn Jenner, in her acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award managed to bring her audience onside through her remarkably straightforward talk.

As you listen to these excerpts from Jenner’s message, you sense the emotion building. By the time she tells her story and vows to “reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed and how trans people are treated,” she has the audience following every word.

What Jenner illustrates best is not only how to grab the audience’s attention, but how to keep their attention. She reached out to thank her children in an emotional moment and talked about the everyday things that women take for granted that she had to get used to.

Telling a moving personal story remains one of the all-time best public speaking tips to get and keep an audience on your side. The more unusual the story is, the more the audience will be fascinated.

Note that Jenner also refrained from glorifying herself with her stories.

Instead, she focused on the impact of her decision on those around her and on urging others uncomfortable with their gender to take the necessary steps to live life on their terms. This approach scores higher with any audience.

She didn’t brag; she didn’t exaggerate. Her direct speaking style was refreshing to her audience and effective in bringing them on her side.

Tip #8: Start With a Question

Telling a great story works well in bringing an audience on your side, as illustrated by Jenner’s remarks, but it gains even more power when you combine the story with another great technique, and that is asking your audience a question.

When self-help guru Amy Morin did both in her speech “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong,” her audience was onside immediately.

Listen to her effective opening as she first tells a story about her friend and follows it up with a self-revealing question to her audience.

Morin, a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist and lecturer at Northeastern University, is adept at building a bridge to her audience.

In fact, she not only bridges to them, but mentally they climb up on that bridge and start walking toward her. She knows how to use the best techniques in a way that is so natural, her audience is unaware that they are seeing professional tactics of presentation science at work.

If you opt to tell a personal story, make sure that it is closely connected to your theme. Also, make sure that it is not more than a minute or two in length.

If you decide to ask a question that invites your audience to think about your topic, be very specific. There is a time in life for open-ended questions, but it is not at the start of your presentation.

As Morin did, ask them one direct question about their immediate response or emotion to something. For example, do not say “do you think jealousy is just a part of the bigger picture of being human?”

Tip #9: End With a Question

In the same vein as starting with a question, you can also consider ending your speech with a question. This is a great way to keep people thinking about your topic and how they can apply it to their own life, job, etc.

Ending your presentation with a question can be a great way to inspire or motivate your audience and keep them thinking about your key points long after you’re finished.

Tip #10: Simplify the Complex

Another important strategy for bringing audiences on your side is ensuring that if you are going to talk about a more complicated topic, you break down the concepts you present in a way that your audience can easily understand.

A great example of that is Dan Gilbert’s presentation on The Surprising Science of Happiness.

Gilbert makes his point by explaining from the beginning how the human brain works, and how cognitive judgments are formed. Then he illustrates that we can all misinterpret our own happiness or well-being because of our cognitive interpretations and false assumptions.

He makes it clear to his audience that they have the power to try out life experiences before actually doing them for real. He takes complicated concepts like our experience simulator and impact bias and shows how we can mislead ourselves.

But when we master these brain responses, we can live and interpret our experiences in a more positive way.

As all of the impressive presentations mentioned illustrate, there are lots of public speaking tips you can apply to bring your audience on side with you, but the foundation of all of them is having something worthwhile to say and a straightforward vocabulary to ensure that your audience grasps it.

In the presentation game, there is a huge element of showmanship, but in the end, that only works to impress people when you still deliver content that creates value in their lives.

Tip #11: Test the Equipment That You’ll Be Using

Before you encounter technology errors in front of your entire audience, be sure to test all equipment that you’ll be using during your speech.

This can be anything from the clicker for your presentation slides, the computer you’re using to open your presentation, the projector or any other piece of equipment that might be available to you.

Knowing exactly how to use each of these objects before you go into your presentation will help your setup be that much more seamless and can take the edge off a bit before a big speech.

One of the key characteristics of any great speaker involves making eye contact with your audience. As you speak, take the time to look around the room, speaking directly to each person sitting in front of you.

Not only is this a great way to help yourself feel more at ease while you speak, it helps your audience feel even more connected and engaged with what you’re saying.

Tip #13: Speak Slower Than Usual

Often when people feel nervous or are encountering stage fright, they start to speak quickly. You need to be conscious of this so you can avoid that bad habit.

When you speak too quickly, your messaging can easily be lost on your audience as they struggle to keep up. Even a normal, conversational speed can be too quick for a speech.

You want to be fully aware of every word that leaves your mouth, speaking more slowly than you typically would, so that your main points really resonate with your audience. 

Another good practice is to pause for emphasis after your important points to let them really sink in. Speaking slowly and pausing for effect are two tactics for great speeches.

Tip #14: Leave Space to Breathe

This goes right in line with our previous point – allow yourself time to breathe and don’t speak too quickly.

When you’re rushing through your speech, not only does it cause you to lose your audience, but it will also cause you to get winded quickly, ruining your performance.

Be sure to give yourself time to breathe. Taking deep breaths can also be a great way to get over stage fright and start to feel more confident on stage.

Tip #15: Get to Know the Stage

While you’re testing out your equipment, take a chance to really get to know your stage area. Will you have a larger stage? If so, practice walking around while you give your speech so you can cover as much area as possible.

Find out if there’s a podium. If so, it might be helpful to bring props, notes and other memorization devices to keep on the podium with you.

If you’re able to access the stage ahead of time, consider doing a test run of your speech so that you know what to expect when you have an audience.

Tip #16: Ask for Feedback to Improve

At the end of the speech, be sure to ask trusted colleagues and attendees for any advice or feedback on improving your presentation skills. 

As you get more comfortable speaking, this can be helpful to ensure you hone in on the feedback you’ve received and work to get better and better during each speaking engagement you attend in the future, whether it’s a TED Talk or a friend’s wedding.

Tip #17: Don’t Be Afraid to Repeat Yourself

If there’s a point you really want to drill into your audience, don’t be afraid to repeat yourself! Saying the same powerful phrase over and over again is going to sink in much more effectively than any filler words would.

Find the number one takeaway that you want your audience to get from your speech and say it again and again throughout your presentation.

Tip #18: Try to Memorize Your Notes

You don’t want to stand up on the stage and read your presentation word for word from notecards. This is why it’s important to try to memorize your notes.

We’ve previously covered 8 memorization techniques that pros use to remember their notes, so be sure to check them out.

Another one that we recommend is to utilize our presentation notes feature. Include bullet points and quick summaries to keep you on track. You can also use this feature to time yourself so you know how long you’ve spent on each slide.

Tip #19: Plan Your Speech & Create a Structure

Be as prepared as possible. While you create your presentation slides, ensure the order makes sense and that you’ve planned your speaking points around the structure of your slides.

There are a number of ways to structure your presentation for maximum impact on your audience as well, so be sure to plan out the best way to tell your story and make your point. Ensure your body language matches the words you’re saying as well.

Creating a structure for your presentation helps your story to flow well from beginning to end. Practice sticking to your structure so your presentation makes sense and resonates with your audience.

Tip #20: Include a Digital Version of Your Presentation

Print out and distribute handouts to your audience, but also be sure to include a digital version of your presentation for your viewers to watch again later.

You can easily share this on your website, in a blog post or on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Uploading a digital version to SlideShare is another way to reach even more people with your content.

Ready to Design an Amazing Presentation?

Now that you’re ready to be a pro public speaker, it’s time to start designing a presentation your audience will never forget. Sign up for Visme to get access to professionally designed slide templates and stunning presentation elements for a one-of-a-kind slide deck.