What are some strategies to make your public speaking competition performance stand out?

To stand out in a public speaking competition, focus on compelling content, confident delivery, feedback and poise are the key.

It goes back to what I shared in other threads under this topic and #Facilitation - These are the two questions I always ask before I even start preparing a gig: Question 1 - What's my message to the audience? Question 2 - What's the message to "me"? I will start the remaining process only when I have clarity to Questions 1 & and 2.

I trust many experts will list how to ensure the topic is adequately researched. . As far as I am concerned, I read news about my topic regularly and do my best to stay up-to-date with current affairs. It is to ensure whatever I share is relevant and most recent. This also displays dedication and a real-time understanding of your subject, speaking from my experience.

The content doesn't matter to me. One can illustrate their points with evidence, examples, data ... blah blah blah. It reminded me of a story from a University professor, which I got from my friend. The speech was 45 minutes. The contents were solid and concrete. You could tell the Professor is very knowledgable. . My friend wanted the Professor to do these things only to keep her awake - framing the context and asking many questions. . A speech is a conversation and not a presentation of data and information. Human beings connect through interactions physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Monroe's. Motivated. Sequence. Every speech competition I've ever been to has been won using this style. You can google it to see how it works but if you're persuading, you cannot beat it.

If you have speech anxiety, the best way to overcome it is by practicing. It is best to practice off of a speaking outline that isn't very detailed so you don't get caught up on the exact phrasing of things. This way you have more agility and confidence in front of a crowd. If you "memorize" it, and mess up the wording, you will freeze and the anxiety will hit. Practice makes confidence.

I am curious to know whether this is possible in your room as I do public events. . All said here were excellent. And one thing I do is to walk off the stage to connect with audiences. As I shared with my students in platform closing, the stage is everywhere. So, I will do this and be with them closely where possible.

In my approach to public speaking, I aim to transform these sessions into more than just monologues; I strive to create a dynamic conversation with the audience. This interactive approach enhances the overall experience for the audience, making it not only engaging but also intellectually stimulating. By fostering this exchange of ideas and perspectives, I believe we can forge a deeper connection, making the session both informative and enjoyable. This approach not only captures the audience's attention but also ensures that their input is valued, fostering a sense of involvement and making a lasting impact.

I believe feedback is the pulse of growth in public speaking. Actively seeking feedback during a speech not only enhances performance but also enriches the experience. By inviting audience or judge input in real-time, we foster shared learning and adaptability. Embracing feedback during presentations elevates them from performances to collaborative learning opportunities, celebrating its pivotal role in our journey as communicators. Let's make feedback-driven speaking even more engaging.

Public speaking is an art that comes with experience and moreover with constant improvement from feedbacks. The only thing that I believe can differentiate is being genuine and sharing thoughts that audience can resonate and relate with.