Here's how you can become an expert in your public speaking niche through strategic decision making.

Do you girl! Well it’s tempting to imitate others. There’s only one authentic way forward and that’s to be yourself. In the Venn diagram of what you’re good at and what your clients want the bit that overlaps is gold!

Two thoughts: 1) The basics, tell them what your going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you've told them. 2) Advanced advice, i'ts like the old joke, "How to you get to Carnegie Hall (New York)?" Practice, practice, practice. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. Ta Dah..

One of the most popular mistakes public speakers make is talking the way they write. So many public speaking coaches teach people to “ tell the audience what you’re gonna say, then tell them, and then tell them what you told them” this tired tactic reduces the curiosity and engagement of the audience. Instead, talk in a way that gets the audience curious, then give them tangible actions to take. ?

If you are unable to explain the topic in a simple way, you have not mastered your topic enough. Work more on mastery. Story telling is also important, so that your audience can imagine in their minds what you are telling them. Sometimes starting or ending with an example story leaves a mark with your audience. Make sure you only have few points to make - and repeat them.

Give for free and those who love it will always come back for more! By sharing free knowledge on your social channels, you give your target market a window into your different perspective, your mastery, and your advocacy for the niche. Those that really feel empowered by your message will reach out for a more engaging and structured session. Only through sharing, can you be considered a master of your domain!

As a speaker, your success hinges on mastering your content and delivering it with impact. Dive deep into your subject, but remember that knowledge alone isn't enough. Structure your talk with a strong hook, clear main points, and a memorable conclusion. Use stories to make complex ideas relatable and keep your audience engaged. Vary your pace, use your voice effectively, and don't be afraid of strategic pauses. Visuals can help, but use them wisely. Anticipate questions and objections to show you've considered different angles. Above all, keep refining your craft. Seek feedback, analyze your performances, and always strive to improve. With practice and dedication, you'll connect with your audience and leave a lasting impression.

Despite some of the longer adventures I've undertaken, rather than the audience focusing on how out of reach it would be for them, I've found it's super helpful to show myself as human to my audience. If they know where you came from, how you grew, and where you are now, as speakers we have a better chance of the audience relating to us. Authenticity - sharing fears, mistakes and pain points. They will know and feel these well enough to cringe with us, cry with us and laugh with us. Human connection every time. It will keep them wanting to hear more.

I remember being invited to speak at an event about SOPs—yes, Standard Operating Procedures. It's not exactly the kind of topic that makes people jump out of their seats with excitement. I started with "Who is ready for their Broccoli Ice Cream??!” Puzzled looks, but I had their attention. "That's how most feel about SOPs—Ewww, no!" I made it interactive, using voice variety and appropriate humor. At one point I said, "SOPs are like business vegetables—boring but essential." By the end, the room was filled with with energy, engaged and laughing. The key isn't WHAT you say, but HOW you present it. Make it relatable, use your personality, and involve your audience.

Meet and greet. Arrive at least 20 minutes in advance of your presentation to make that you are ready-to go-and that all of the technology works on planned. Then, go out and meet your audience. Makes new friends. They will appreciate this extra effort and will return it with positive smiles and head-nodding confirmations during your presentation. This will relax you and allow you to delivery your message even more effectively.

You finally made it to presentation day. Whether giving a work presentation to your prospects, peers or superiors or giving a key note to a large crowd it is important to know your audience. Bring energy and a smile anywhere possible. Ask questions that generate thought and engagement from the audience. Make your stories and content relatable to your audience. Step toward the crowd when possible, not back to show confidence in yourself and your message. Engaging speakers with a great message create impact on their audiences well beyond the presentation.

These tips can be helpful - 1. Stay confident 2. Stay relevant & have a positive body language while delivering the speech. 3. Your voice tone & pitch should be apt & content delivery should be clear & concise. 4. Voice modulations & emphasizing content which is more important for the audience shall be taken care of well.

When speaking in public, there is a sure shot way to analyse your audience. Ask yourself a few questions... Are they big in number or small. 200 or 400? Or just 5 to 10 in number. Small group of people have a personal feel to it, large audiences have many smaller groups within them. You can stare in the eyes of people when in a small group and not with the large. But they connect with universal values. Like they all want to save their world - company, classroom, country, children etc. So do mention about it. Now ask yourself what values are of greatest importance to your audience. What are the topics they are really sensitive to, and do you want to touch upon them? Another factor to find out about your audience is how much time they have?

Audience Analysis: Understand your audience thoroughly to tailor your message effectively. This involves knowing their demographics, interests, and pain points related to your niche. For instance, if your audience consists of environmental activists and policymakers, you would adjust your content to address their specific concerns and priorities.

Who is your audience? Why are they gathered in front of you? Are they seeking clear, concise information or engaging content on specific topics they're interested in? Are they there to learn something new, gain insights, or find solutions to their questions? Do they want to hear relevant, well-explained ideas that address their concerns or expand their knowledge in a straightforward manner? Take time to get answers to these questions before getting started!

Saludos, A?adiendo a los comentarios de compa?eros y colegas, mientras más conozca a mi audiencia, mejor puedo prepararme para llevarles el mensaje que esperan. Sería ideal realizar una breve encuesta previa a la conferencia para recoger sus expectativas y necesidades. También, incluiré en la promoción detalles específicos de lo que se tratará en la conferencia, asegurándome de no obviar ningún detalle ni salirme del objetivo principal. ?Sigamos aprendiendo! #TereMontes??

Before your speaking to audience, it is very important to analyse them like their choice, concerns, interests, etc. For example, they are from social working backgrounds like working for free education for poor children. You will speak clearly and focus how the children benefit from free education and what their future will be. You will prepare your speaking notes or memorize your speaking well in advance and ensure that audience will understand your speaking well.

The largest room in the world is indeed the room of improvement, and this is especially true when it comes to public speaking. No matter how experienced or skilled a speaker may be, there is always room for growth and development. Continuous improvement in public speaking involves a commitment to ongoing learning, self-reflection, and practice. It requires a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, take risks, and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

An iterative process of reading more about the subject, write about the subject to refine your own position on the material, speak to your audience to assess their background knowledge and interests, then speak to the audience (as opposed to read to the audience) and observe their reactions. After the lecture, if it goes well or not, go back to reading and writing to improve subject mastery. This is the foundation of everything else.

Nope. Your audience isn't qualified to give you speaking advice. Don't ask them for feedback on how you can improve. Ask them about their experience. Ask them what their favorite part was. Record everything. If you can't get video, get audio. Then go through the painful process of reviewing it. Take notes. At the very least, ditch the worst part and replace it with something else...anything else. Then repeat the review process.

Continuous Improvement: Public speaking expertise is built over time through continuous learning and refinement. Seek feedback from peers and mentors, attend workshops or courses, and analyze recordings of your presentations to identify areas for improvement.

When networking make sure that you are reaching out to the right people not just anyone. You have to be strategic with you networking which all starts with having a plan. Have a place on how you are going to communicate with them and have a plan on follow up. Good networking doesn’t just happen after 1 interaction it takes at least 6 interactions to truly become memorable.

Strategic networking is about more than just increasing the number of connections; it's about creating meaningful relationships that provide mutual value. Winning in your network means focusing on quality, not quantity—building connections that meet each other at your points of need and support mutual growth. Identify your areas of expertise and seek out others in your specific niche. Platforms like LinkedIn enable you to connect with professionals not just locally, but globally, allowing you to expand your reach and impact. By nurturing these purposeful connections, you enhance your visibility and solidify your status as a thought leader in your field.

In addition to networking with other professionals in your field, it's equally important to connect with your target audience. Attend their events and participate in their activities to gain deeper insights into their needs and interests. Show genuine care for them. This will enable you to choose topics that truly resonate with them.

My favourite speaking opportunities are when there are Q&A at the end - or even just after when people come up to you with questions. When you are networking always have some primer questions ready, like "what resonated with you?" "what did that make you think of in your company" "what will you do differently" to get the conversation going.

As a nurse educator administrator, I believe strategic networking is essential for establishing expertise in public speaking. Connecting with other professionals in your field, joining relevant associations, and attending industry events can open doors to speaking opportunities and collaborative projects. Networking not only helps you share experiences and learn from others who have successfully navigated public speaking but also enhances your visibility and positions you as a thought leader in your niche. Building a strong professional network is key to advancing your career and influencing the field.

I have delivered over 200 talks in the last 10 years. For audiences ranging from 5th grade students to global leadership teams of Fortune 500 companies. Here is what worked for me - keep the content authentic. The scaffolding of your talk must be based on your personal experiences: both your failures/challenges as well as your successes. Be honest and sincere. - bring in learning based on above as well as well researched facts - know your audience and the need of the audience. Adjust your content accordingly - mix emotions with rational lessons. - take them on an emotional crescendo and then break the seriousness with humour - use your voice modulation to convey emotions powerfully - end on a high You will have the audience in raptures!!

Think about your speech as “bricks” and “balloons”. Bricks are your hard data and information. They are a rational/intellectual element of your speech. Balloons are your stories and everything you can use to connect and make your point memorable at an emotional level. Most great speakers become masters in how to combine both.

Effective public speaking takes practice. You will lose your skill and comfort if you don’t find ways to stay engaged in it. To enhance your ease at speaking to a variety of groups, join a local Toastmasters group and consider getting involved with the program committee of your local Rotary International organization. This will also aid in networking.

Public Speaking is a practical skill and therefore requires constant and continuous practice To keep practicing, you don't wait for invitations to speak, you can also create a platform for yourself That's why I organize my audio event on LinkedIn regularly in addition to the physical speaking engagements I have