What are the most important steps to prepare for a speaking engagement?

Connaître son public est indispensable. Vos exemples et vos émotions mieux écoutés. Votre public doit pouvoir s’identifier à vous. Il doit pouvoir se reconnaître dans vos paroles.

Preparing for a speaking engagement involves a series of crucial steps to ensure a successful presentation. First and foremost, understanding your audience is paramount. Time management is essential; practice within the allocated time to demonstrate professionalism. During the presentation, connect with the audience by making eye contact, using relatable examples, and expressing genuine enthusiasm for your topic. Finally, send a thank-you email expressing gratitude to the organizers and, if applicable, provide additional resources or answers to outstanding questions.

I think, the most crucial steps to prepare for a speaking engagement include thorough research on the topic to enhance your expertise, and extensive rehearsal to ensure clarity with the audience. Additionally, understanding your audience's interests and tailoring your content to resonate with them plays a pivotal role in delivering a compelling and impactful presentation.

I have found that the attire you choose for the engagement also plays a significant role, feeling comfortable and confident really increases the effectiveness of your messaging.

1. Familiarity with content and in-depth knowledge of your content is essential. to speak confidently and address questions effectively. 2. A clear intended message defines your key messages and objectives for the presentation 3. Visual Aids should not be cluttered or distracting. 4. Plan engagement strategies like questions, anecdotes, or interactive elements to keep the audience's attention. 5. Rehearse your presentation. Practice also helps reduce nervousness. 6. Seek feedback from colleagues and gain different perspectives. 7. Knowing your audience, understanding your audience's needs, interests, and expectations 8. Consider how your audience will receive and process your information.

Knowing your audience is truly the key to crafting an engaging presentation. For example, I often present on Lifestyle Medicine. However, this should look different depending on the audience. If I’m speaking to a group of primary care providers, I will highlight the science behind lifestyle as well as how to incorporate into current workflow. If I’m speaking to other Lifestyle Medicine providers, I will highlight reimbursement strategies. If I’m speaking to patients, I will highlight goal setting and action plans.

Language is very essential for any speaking engagement. Understand Audience profile . Based on the age group You can add punch lines in the language which is understandable for all. You can speak in multiple languages. So as to avoid monotony. Add some punch lines, shayaris, activity and personal story / experience to connect and engage audience.

Arrive early and mingle with attendees. This can give you some inside info which you can mention during talk thereby including your audience.

Understanding the audience is the key, from preparation to delivery. Important to determine how to approach the content and what content to present.

As someone who recently did a TEDx talk Unleash the Power of Fear: The Secret to Success and Happiness, define the goal and message of the speech was critical to setting the stage for a presentation that would impact many. TED is all about ideas worth spreading and to make this standout I had to make sure that my ideas were based on solid information with statistics and examples that people would find relevant. I also added some humor to it. The most critical part of the speech was that fear is one of the greatest drivers for growth in the human experience, and was backed up with plenty of evidence both personal and researched. Giving a speech without constructing a solid foundation for it does a disservice to the audience.

Defining your goal and message is not just about setting targets. It's an art. In my experience, the most compelling messages are those that resonate on a personal level. Forget SMART and PREP as your starting point. Start with a story, an experience, something that changed you. Make your message a journey that you invite your audience to join. Your expertise and passion should be the guide, leading them through new perspectives. This approach has always made my messages not just heard, but felt and remembered.

Clarity about what we want to achieve in any speaking engagement is important. It helps to write this down. Writing helps to fine-tune our thoughts. The goal must align properly with the audience.

That's the perfect example, this is what I usually apply for better interaction. We must stand out to present in an informative way with SMART formula.

I personally believe a 3 main elements can transfer your message confidently. First, strong subject knowledge will augment your speech. Adding to that, you can use experiences and stories to hold your audience excited. Second, be authentic, there is nothing on the world more powerful than conveying messages by a genuine feelings and heartfelt sharing to the audience ( easy to be your self yet powerful tool). Lastly, make it simple cause not every one as expert as you.

In my experience speaking at a tech event on marketing for the tech industry, I learned firsthand the importance of setting a clear goal and message. Despite it not being my primary field, I aimed to align my content with the audience’s expectations by focusing on broader marketing principles adaptable to the tech landscape. For instance, I emphasized the significance of storytelling and consumer behavior principles, showcasing their applicability within the tech industry. I aimed to provide insights that resonated with the audience’s interests, despite the topic being outside my primary expertise. This approach allowed me to leverage my expertise ensuring the audience received valuable insights relevant to their interests.

To define goals for a speaking engagement, we need to consider what we want the audience to take away. Let's Identify key messages aligned with our expertise. Craft a clear, concise message that engages, educates, and inspires. We can also tailor content to our audience's interests for a more impactful presentation.

The trick is to prepare a message that is pertinent to all participants even if they have different levels of knowledge and experience.

There is the goal that the audience desires and the goal you desire and they should align but they don’t have to be exactly the same. I like to ask how I want to feel as I speak and I also ask how I want my audience to feel as they hear me speak. This helps set the tone. From there I outline the key takeaways based on the audience pain points and what they most want to solve.

As a Coach for Professional Speakers, I've found that quite often structure is the weakest aspect of their speech. However, the benefits of a well-structured speech are numerous: 1. Clarity & Coherence: Structure helps deliver a clear, coherent message, guiding the audience through the progression of ideas for better understanding and follow-through. 2. Engagement: A logically organized speech captures and maintains the audience's attention. 3. Persuasiveness: In persuasive speeches, a structure is essential for effectively presenting arguments. 4. Impactful Conclusions: Good structure ensures a speech ends in a strong, memorable conclusion, reinforcing key points. 5. Time Management: Effective structuring aids in managing time.

Structuring your content is like building a bridge between you and your audience. It's less about the pieces - - and more about the rhythm. The classic structures work, but in my experience, the most impactful speeches mirror the natural flow of a conversation. Imagining the speech as a chat between two people helps anticipate what must go next in the sequence for allowing them to move with you. I often structure content like a story, with peaks and valleys, keeping the audience engaged through a dynamic journey. Use open loops and transitions as a storyteller would, to keep them hanging on your every word. This approach turns a speech into an experience, making your message resonate long after you've left the stage.

Content should be organized in a way that makes the message clear and easily digestible by the audience. Chunk ideas and offer signposts. Whatever order we choose to structure our content must be appropriate for the audience and serve to better achieve our already stated goal.

A estrutura de uma palestra tem que estar alinhado com o publico e com o conteúdo Clareza e objetividade somados com conteúdo atrativo e dinâmico tornam o momento da palestra mais agradável e com mais chances de engajamento

Il est très important de structurer son contenu. Une accroche, une description et une conclusion. L’objectif est de légitimer votre prise de parole.

Ensure that your conclusion includes an Action step. What they got out of your presentation and what you want the audience to do as a result of listening to you!

It is important to divide your presentation into sections with sign posts as you move from section to section *Support your points with stories, pictures, data. *Know your audience and make sure to engage them. *At the end of your presentation, summarize your points ensuring you covered all your objectives. *End it with engaging options for followup like a book title or webpage or account to follow.

There are many different ways to structure content for a talk. For my own keynotes, I like to start with an attention-grabbing opening that includes a personal story related to the theme of the talk. This will get the audience engaged on a personal level, and hopefully they will see themselves reflected in your personal story. This serves as the hook. From there, I transition to the main message and structure it around 3-5 main points (with transitions between), and close with a powerful conclusion that reinforces the main message and leaves audiences with a key takeaway and/or action.

Speaking is much like storytelling. Tell your story in a clear, linear, relatable manner. Evoking emotion is a sure way to get your audience’s attention, and capture their continued interest. Use stories that evoke emotion through laughter and tears.

This involves creating a well-designed framework for a seamless flow of ideas, engaging the audience throughout. An organized structure boosts clarity and significantly enhances the overall effectiveness of the speech. Beginning with a captivating introduction, speakers establish topic relevance and convey the presentation's purpose. The speech body is logically structured, with each point building a cohesive narrative. Transitions act as glue, ensuring smooth progression, and a strong conclusion reinforces key takeaways for a lasting impression. Whether using a chronological, topical, or problem-solution approach, a thoughtfully structured content aids comprehension and boosts audience engagement and retention of the speaker's message.

Visuals can serve as a powerful way to enhance your talk and engage audiences. Visuals for speaking engagements should: 1) Clearly relate to the topic at hand 2) Be visually appealing and memorable 3) Be consistent in colors & styling 4) Aim for simplicity and include few or no words.

How do you keep your audience engaged? Involve them in your speech or presentation! One of the most effective ways to grab and sustain interest is with relevant, but interesting visuals. Don’t just throw your bullet points up there – use images, video clips, or data that raise questions or require an explanation. A dash of mystery (“what does a photo of a man flopping around in mud have to do with financial management?”) or humor (an outtake from The Simpsons or Spongebob) will keep your audience glued to your visuals and away from their phones. In the end, people remember stories and experiences. If you made them think, if you made them laugh, all while helping them learn, they’ll remember your talk. And you.

Hire someone to create a beautiful presentation. Much more professional and appreciated by the audience. You can find a lot of skilled people to help online.

I always seek visuals to tell the story on the slide so I don't rely too heavily on words and bullets. I have found using relevant visuals engages the audience in the conversation.

In my experience, I believe that your passion needs to connect and come through strong in your deliverance for it to be impactful and moving!! And, in all my experiences during my speeches I’ve felt a spirit like attachment come over and through me as the vibe and high convincing energy is confirmed by my passion. But here’s a little secret that I share often, many years ago when I had a presentation to perform at school in front of a crowd he, my dad would always told me tell me to speak from my Heart and you would never have to prepare yourself because it should be natural!! And he was spot on! It worked every time and when time permits I would add a short outline to stay on script. FACT 👊🏽

J'ai horreur du fameux "je sais que vous n'arrivez peut-être pas à le lire mais c'est écrit ici que..." pour accompagner un slide bourré de texte écrit trop petit. Si vous pensez que ce sera terrible à lire, revoyez complètement votre slide. Les gens ne sont pas venus là pour lire des slides laborieux.

I’ve found that the fewer graphics and slides you use, the better. Make the ones you do use eye-catching with memorable insights. Brief video clips and memes are a sure way to connect you and your audience.

1. When you're presenting, make sure that your body movement is in alien with your words. This synchronization of verbal and non-verbal communication enhances your overall impact. 2. Your presentation should be as simple as if you're teaching a 5-year-old. This doesn't mean to oversimplify, but rather to articulate your ideas clearly and in an easily digestible manner. 3. Instead of just delivering a thesis or a set of facts, weave them into a story. Stories are more memorable and engaging. 4. Lastly, don't distance yourself from your audience. Instead, become a part of them. Engage them by asking questions. This interactive approach not only keeps them interested but also provides valuable feedback.

Visuals are great but I've seen a number of people focus too much on the visuals and end up using it as tool for distraction. You should use visuals to aid your presentation and not to distract your audience so what are the things to guide against when using visuals? Here are some: 1. The visuals must be important 2. The visuals must be relevant to the point you're trying to make. 3. Keeping visualssimple is pivotal to passing your message across. 4. Keep colours aligned or moderate. 5. Be sure your visuals aren't offensive. 6. Warn your audience ahead of the visuals, which must be necessary, will upset some. In summary, keep it simple, clean and connected to the point.

I practice every speech at least 100 times and I count them. I practice adding emotion and pauses so that my presentation looks natural. I also use a lot of humor. However, please do not use humor if you are not comfortable with it. It will fall flat and could derail your presentation. Practice, practice, practice!

Rehearsing your delivery is paramount to the success of the talk. Record yourself or practice in front of a mirror to give additional insights into your delivery. A top tip I use is to walk the talks through in my mind a number of times first, too. Visualise what the room will look like, what you will wear, the questions you might be asked, the jokes you will tell. Visualisation is a technique that top athletes use to deliver optimum performance. Once you’ve been there in mind, then the reality falls into place much more easily. It’s great for calming any nerves, too.

Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse! I cannot emphasize this enough to new speakers. Rehearsing does more than help you prepare the material you wish to deliver, but it also removes a lot of the fear that comes with public speaking. Frequent rehearsing is especially important in creating your speech. The more you rehearse the more ideas will come to you which will help you customize your speech for your audience - including humor. Finally rehearsing helps you fine-tune the basic elements of your speech such as vocal variety and gesturing which means you'll better recognize those phrases you wish to dramatize or accentuate.

If possible, see the space in advance. Rehearse with a timer. If your talk is 15 minutes, practice and know where in your presentation you should be at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 12 minutes. etc. Lastly, close strong which includes having a call action.

This is a lesson I learned as an Olympic athlete and easily translates to the speaking world. If you do something again, and again, it becomes a habit. Habits are much easier to execute when you have nerves or challenges crop up. Some people have natural born talent, but nothing replaces hard work.

One part of rehearsing your delivery is looking at and listening to yourself. Recording yourself is an effective way to do that. I have heard people express they do not like the sound of their voice when recorded, so this is an exercise that can assist with that. It takes time, but the speaker can adjust and become more comfortable. The same goes for video recording. It may help you correct certain habits (e.g., fiddling with jewelry or glasses, etc.) or distracting movements (e.g., swaying or awkward hand gestures). It can, also, help content wise. Perhaps, you said something on your recording that you didn’t originally practice… now, you can incorporate and polish that language to benefit your audience because you have a record of it.

Preparation and advance planning come naturally, for some. For the, "fly by the seat of your pants" contingency, I'd like to offer encouragement to resist your, our typical approach and practice in advance. Spontaneity and adapting in the moment are traits the "Fly By's" relish. When it comes to presenting and presenting within a specific number of minutes, spontaneity is not our friend. Off the cuff comments burn up our time and can take us off topic, and off course. Echoing Ivanna Miranda, my fellow Toastmaster, practice is the golden key. Time yourself so that you have an even pace from start to finish. Pacing prevents rushing at the end and all but ruins your chance to end on a moving, poignant or solid note.

The size of your audience and venue to speak matters as well. If giving a PowerPoint presentation to 25 co-workers, you’ll need only a minimal amount of preparation. Conversely, when I gave my TEDx Talk, there were 3000+ people in the audience, 12 cameras and tons of lights in my face. Knowing this made me prepare to the point that I could do my speech without having to think about it which allowed me to add emotion and authenticity to my message and story. On large stages remember there will be audio, mic and projector problems from time to time, so anticipate them. Also use your slides only as a way to reinforce a point you’re speaking about. If you can’t do your speech powerfully and professionally without slides, you’re vulnerable.

Go for it...prepare your mind that you can do anything and that the audience will love your presentation. Believe in yourself and have fun up on stage. Add humour at the beginning and throughout your speech. Remember, the audience is human just like you...nobody is perfect, try your best and make eye with the room, not just one section. Most importantly, smile during your talk and let your inner light shine through. Be you and you'll rock the stage and people will leave feeling great. Just remember there's nothing you can't do, so when you're giving your speech, hold your head high and talk like a champion, you can do it.

What works for me is to engage with my audience very early in the presentation, asking them a question (e.g. raise hands), or have them talk to the person next to them for 1-2 minutes, and then ask a few what they came up with. This gives me a connection and creates "community" between me and the audience. I feel more relaxed then.

Je propose un petit exercice très court qui marche super bien pour moi. 2-3 minutes avant d'entrer sur scène, quand je sens mon cœur s'accélérer, je m'isole, je ferme les yeux et je visualise deux jauges : une rouge pour le stress, une verte pour la confiance. J'évalue où elles en sont (souvent le rouge est au max et le vert un peu bas !!). Ensuite je respire lentement avec le ventre : en inspirant profondément j'essaie de faire monter ma jauge verte, et en expirant je tente de faire baisser la rouge. Au bout d'une dizaine de respirations, j'ai généralement à peu près réussi à les équilibrer. Je n'arrive jamais à baisser la rouge à zéro, mais un peu d'adrénaline, ça ne fait pas de mal 😉

You'll get over speaking anxiety when you realize that you are there to give the audience a valuable gift of information. And, the audience wants that information which means they want you to succeed. They are not there to see you fail. People fail when they are too focused on themselves and their feelings and not focused on the goal. If you are nervous, you are thinking too much about yourself - how you look or sound - but when you put all your energy and focus into delivering the very best message you can give, you won't have time to focus on yourself. Remember the speech isn’t about you; it’s about the audience, and without the audience there is no speech. (Plus, see my comment on rehearsing above.)

Le stress est normal avant une prise de parole en public. La gestion est souvent difficile. La répétition et la maîtrise de son discours peuvent vous aider. Il faut se concentrer sur votre message et votre valeur ajoutée.

Using the word "need" here I feel creates more anxiety simply by reading this statement!! To be slightly nervous is an effective way of good delivery, similar to being slightly stressed to meet a deadline. There are many options that people can CHOOSE to try. Not all will work for all, and different tips may work for different situations or different times in your own life depending on what else is going on at the time. Focus on what you ARE offering and not on what you THINK is missing.

Feeling nervous before a speaking engagement? It's normal—and can even boost your performance. But too much anxiety can hold you back. Try Box Breathing: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold again for 4. Repeat a few times. This simple technique calms your mind, steadies your nerves, and brings you back to the present moment. Next time you feel the pressure, remember: breathe in a box, and let your confidence flow.

Pump up with positive affirmations – recognize your strengths, gearing up for success. Picture the winning goal through visualization, breaking down each move for confidence. Regulate nerves with deliberate deep breaths – stay cool under pressure. Shake off stress with relaxation techniques – be physically loose, mentally focused. Stay in the zone with mindfulness – focus on the task, not future uncertainties. Amp up preparation like a seasoned athlete – know your playbook, rehearse moves. Score points by connecting with your audience – create an engaged environment. Play through errors, accept imperfection – it’s part of the game. Rally your support team – friends, colleagues, mentors – for crucial encouragement.

The way to manage your nerves comes back to the previous answer, how well you prepared for the speaking engagement. Remember there are 2 types of people that “wing it” on a stage with thousands of people watching: amateurs and the top 1% of the speakers in the world. Ask yourself are you the 1%? If not then you’re an amateur that needs to work on their presentation. Hoping to come up with something clever while under the lights is a childish fantasy. When you’re written something of quality to an audience that you know how to help, the preparation of your presentation will take care of itself. Lastly, make sure you’re well hydrated before you get on stage and have a bottle of water handy to be certain your mouth is prepared to speak.

Take your space. When you walk out to the podium, or center stage, don’t start speaking while you are still walking. Come to your stance and pause to take a couple seconds to scan the full audience making eye contact with two or three people, all while getting comfortable and smiling. Then start. This only takes two to three seconds and is very effective for confidence and audience engagement.

In my experience begin by researching audience's demographics, interests, and motivations. Tailor your message to address their specific challenges and aspirations. Develop a clear and uplifting message with relatable stories or examples that inspire. Practice your delivery, paying attention to tone, pacing, and body language. Rehearse in front of a friend for constructive feedback, and be open to adjusting your content based on audience engagement. Finally, maintain authenticity and enthusiasm during the actual speaking session to establish a strong connection with your audience.

I wish I knew when I started my public speaking career that I could - and must - tell organizers my requirements well ahead of an event: 🎤A hands-free microphone - I speak with my hands! When I have to hold a microphone, the way I express myself is limited. *Side note: You’ll need to wear a receiver & clip, so make sure your outfit works for those two. (Dresses can be tricky.)👗 🎶 Specify any tech requirements like a clicker to forward slides, an additional input to the audio if you’re including music, Internet if there are links or video embeds in your slides, etc. ⭐️ Your introduction preferences - I have a standard document to describe how I like to be introduced. I’m sure other speakers can add to this list!

You want to feel as comfortable as possible on the stage which means try and refrain from eating any food that you know could potentially upset your stomach. This is spicy food and any food with dairy especially if you’re lactose intolerant (I personally let a few hours window pass so that I’m not hungry on stage but my food has also digested enough that it’s no longer bothering me) I also suggest try staying away from fizzy drinks before a keynote before it could cause hiccups and it’ll be quite awkward to pause your keynote because you’re hiccuping uncontrollably🙈

Many years ago someone shared the concept of the 3 E’s with me. The Three E's: E - Earned the right. You can only address a person or a group if you have earned your "stripes" be it through qualifications, experience, and preparation. Doing research, reading and studying your chosen field adds to this. It is about what you know. E – Be Enthusiastic. Will you buy from a salesman whose product does not generate enthusiasm in himself?. E – Be Eager to share. Are you eager to share your knowledge, the gem or nugget of wisdom that you have with the person you are talking to or the audience?. In my own life experience I have found the concept of the 3 E’s incredibly helpful.

Always use a mic. I don't care who you are: your voice is not big enough for the room. Every time a speaker who is uncomfortable hearing their voice steps away from the microphone and attempts to talk loudly to avoid it, there are people in the audience who cannot hear what's said. People with a hearing impairment - or who are simply in a bad spot in the room - are left out. That disrespects the audience and it makes the speaker far less effective.

Simple vocal warm ups can help condition your voice against cracking & fatigue, regulate your breathing and also help you relax.

If you walk towards the audience (as opposed to 'hide' behind the high table with your computer), your brain will automatically make you feel more confident and so will the audience perceive you.

All great insights in the points above, and one more area, I believe that is crucial too. Clarity of WHAT you want your audience to FEEL, when you walk off the stage. Your effectiveness, is determined by the emotional connection you have with the theme, impact and influence WITH the audience.🔥 When I step onto a stage, I understand that I am, in that moment, holding space for the emotional Wellbeing of every person sitting there🌹 So preparation is a no brainer, but the magic of the moments, is when I connect at the Soul level, not just the mind level🙏 Being intentional weaves a delicious mist of excitement, unexpected humor, authenticity, laughter, connection and meaningful engagement with the audience.🙏🔥 The Art of Compassion🔥

Be comfortable and confident, smile and project professionalism combined with intent, subject matter expertise, and graciousness. And, have fun because life is short. Don’t speak if it is stressful and aggravating. There are other ways to make your mark or get a coach to help you along.

6 Things You Should Never Do as a Speaker I transformed into a leading keynote speaker on design thinking innovation. I like to share my mistakes at the start: 1. Talking to ‘strangers’. Be sure to understand who’s in the audience and what’s relevant. 2. Introduce yourself. You are the hero. Let the host do it. 3. Open with “how honoured you are…” The first 30 seconds are crucial. Do not open with ‘bla bla bla …’ 4. Use a handheld microphone. Speak with your hands. Get a headset. 5. Allow questions in your speech. They get you into trouble: Q&A afterwards. 6. Talk in a one rythm. This will make your audience fall asleep. Vary tone, pace and volume. I wish you lots of success! #keynote #keynotespeaker #speaker #motivationalspeaker