POSTED: August 14, 2020, by Towan Isom
Public speaking is a challenging field. Many people think that speaking is easy and that anyone can do it, so the field is oversaturated. If you have a mouth, you can be a speaker, right? However, many nuances must be mastered to captivate and inspire audiences. No matter what people think, it doesn’t come naturally to most people. Fortunately, important methods to improve your speaking abilities and business exist, namely, seek continued improvement, build your brand off-stage, and be intentional and selective in your speaking engagements.
Persistent practice will be fruitful. Below are three techniques that can dramatically improve your delivery. Do them well, but not so awkwardly that people notice. The goal is to seem natural and at ease with your topic and presentation.
Pretend to be your avatar: Decide what your ideal speaking figure is like. How does it talk, walk, sound, etc.? Embody this person for at least one minute per day to feel more comfortable emulating her/him on stage.
Practice pausing: When conversing with family, friends, or others, practice pausing. It helps you slow down, and relax. It gives you time to dial in to your audience who can simultaneously take the time to process what you are saying, and then remember it.
Articulate every consonant: Too many people drop consonants in a word, especially the last one, as part of mumbling. Instead consciously work on pronouncing every consonant during a conversation. Open your mouth appropriately, and accentuate every word with your lips, tongue, and cheeks to sound clear. An added bonus: it slows down your speech.
Certain public speakers are well known because they do it well. Barack Obama, Ronald Reagan, and Martin Luther King, Jr. are examples.
Barack Obama, the U.S two-term 44th president, has a deep appreciation for words and uses them with graceful energy. His speeches frequently include stories of the very people to whom he is talking. He is a successful orator because his cadence and descriptiveness elicit images and emotions in minds.
Ronald Reagan, the U.S.’s 40th president who also served two-terms, was nicknamed “The Great Communicator.” He knew his audience and used the stage to speak to them directly, using plain, simple, and informal language — with sincerity and optimism, and sometimes a touch of humor.
Martin Luther King, Jr., was a minister and well-known civil rights leader who spoke passionately and with a clear and simple message. His heart desired for his audience to be better versions of themselves, and his speech delivery drew attention.
Obama, Reagan, and King, are great examples of speakers who understood the power of words, body language, and connection to deliver messages effectively. Watch them on YouTube and note how they deliver their messages.
The fact is, no one knows about you as a speaker until you get out there and speak. Consequently, you must make a deliberate effort to build and promote your brand.
Create a website: Include headshots, information about yourself and your credentials, contact information, speaking samples, and more, on your website. This gives people a place to learn more about you and why you would be a good speaker for their event, cause, campaign, etc.
Be where your audience is: Is your audience mainly on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social media? Choose a few platforms on which you can strategically, and safely, engage your audience to get to know them on a deeper level. Share your thoughts and ideas, objectively consider feedback, and see what people engage with the most. Make ideas that receive positive feedback and engagement the subjects of your talks.
The best thing you can do for building your speaker brand is identify what you want to be known for. Greater specificity gives people more guidance in connecting with you.
Strategically use the three resources below to seek initial opportunities.
Google: Google is a great resource to identify events and respective topics in your industry in the locations you desire. Contact event coordinators to learn when they will accept speaker applications, and the kinds of presentations and speaker profiles they need.
Industry leaders: By now you’ve identified social media platforms your audience is on, and can follow industry leaders and influencers. They frequently talk about upcoming events, including the important and popular topics, issues, speakers, and thought leaders.
Hashtags: Search for hashtags like #conference, #(industry)conference, or #(topic).
As you do well in your speaking opportunities, more people will approach you. Identify yourself as a speaker and be ready to share materials, references, and ideas that will help seal the deal.
No matter how naturally public speaking comes to you, it requires work. Building speaker credibility requires focused attention to build it as a business or at least as a source of income or referrals to other endeavors. Increase your success as a speaker by practicing key techniques, noting habits of orators you respect, building your personal brand, and being intentional about speaking opportunities you seek and accept.
