Here's how you can improve your public speaking skills with strategic thinking.

All the point that have been made about the strategy around the audience is right… but and it’s a big one.. no amount of strategy or prep or knowledge about your audience will make you and your message land if you are a poor performer. The strategy of your message must be owned and in harmony with your ability to demonstrate this. Great communication is the ability to express and control emotion at the same time… this is hard until you realise that you are the message! Emotional connection is the fuel to connecting authentically with your audience, and this comes from projecting it, and staying real. Then working out how to hook your audience in will be a big part of your knowing who they are and what you want them to go away with.

The first step for me has always been to know and understand my audience and prepare the talk accordingly. Whenever a talk/ speech is pitched, it should be at the level of the audience we are delivering to and anecdotes should be such that people connect with it. The key to success remains practice so one should practice ample number of times and ensure the delivery becomes smooth and effortless. Starting with a story, quote or anecdote helps you grab the attention of the audience. Another way of connecting with the audience is giving personal examples as that makes you more real and approachable. Last but not the least walk up on that stage with confidence and enjoy your time there, as that will naturally make the delivery a success.

From a VC's perspective, one of the biggest things I look for is founders who can clearly define success. Before you pitch, take a step back and ask yourself: what do you want the outcome of this meeting to be? Is it to get them fired up about the massive market opportunity you're tackling? Do you want them to walk away remembering your company name and itching to learn more? By setting specific, measurable goals, you can craft a pitch that hits the mark and leaves a lasting impression. This approach will not only guide your presentation but also help you measure the impact of your pitch. Did you achieve the goals you set out with? Refine your approach based on the results, and you'll be well on your way to securing that investment.

You are there to change their lives! Have your goal for your talk clearly defined. It keeps you from getting drawn off course. Each thought should be like an arrow pointing toward that goal for them. You want your audience to leave with that one thing. Keep your talk aimed there!

Absolument nécessaire de se fixer des objectifs oratoires. Un discours est un projet qui nécessite des objectifs intermédiaires. C’est la raison pour laquelle je pense qu’il est aussi important de se fixer des sous-objectifs qui aideront atteindre l’objectif général (inspirer, informer, divertir etc.) L’un des premiers sous-objectifs c’est de capter l’attention.

Absolutely essential. But remember, your goals should be SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach can help you stay focused and make your speech more effective.

I strongly believe in storytelling as the best form of crafting a great pitch when seeking investment. The core of your pitch is your story. Think of yourself as a storyteller captivating your audience. Use clear language, ditch jargon, and weave a narrative that connects with investors on an emotional level. Make them see the problem, believe in your solution, and remember your company.

As an executive in healthcare, when making changes you have to convey a vision of where you want to go. First you would layout the issues and then through a positive vision you articulate the goal of the change ( or new mission, etc). It is imperative that you don’t have all the details on how you will get to the end goal. Instead depend on the staff to help formulate the plan by tapping into their expertise. When you are crafting your message, you want to create a vision and appeal to the values of the organization and put the customer or patient in the center. .

Public speaking is a skill; I work hard to define a message and make my point by telling stories. It is all about relating and connecting. I write it out, record it, listen repeatedly, and rehearse. It is hours of work. But when it is done, I set it aside. I know the presentation and then have a conversation with the crowd. It is not a presentation at that point; I am providing a message and connecting. If I am reading, I might as well print it and hand it out. It needs to be honest, genuine, and entertaining while being informative.

One thing I have found is that when one is clear within with the why(why are you writing the message, beyond the possible financial return or notoriety, but truly why do you want to help in this way) who (whom are you speaking to, why are the possible burdens carried, and what can you deliver in your speech to help them) and the outcome(simply what do you want the audience to walk away with), crafting the message can flow much easier when the person is the focal instead of the opportunity. This clarity will I believe, help one strategically craft a message needed for the audience served.

"L'émotion fait passer à l'action, la raison la confirme. " Utiliser les émotions pour faire ressentir votre propos dans les références de votre public. Comment ? - L'histoire - La métaphore - Le ton et la manière de ta voix. Oublier les termes techniques, conceptuelles sauf si vous êtes avec un public d'expert.

To improve public speaking skills with strategic thinking, consider these tips: 1. Engage Emotionally: Connect with your audience on an emotional level to make your message more impactful and memorable. 2. Use storytelling techniques to evoke emotions and create a personal connection. 3. Understand your audience's needs and tailor your message to resonate with them emotionally. 4. Practice active listening to gauge audience reactions and adjust your delivery accordingly. 5. Incorporate strategic pauses, tone variations, and body language to enhance emotional engagement during your speech.

A skilled presenter knows how vocal delivery brings narratives alive. By modulating tone, pitch, volumne and cadence, a speaker can transport audiences to feel a wide spectrum of human emotion. Slowing speech allows solemn reflections to sink in, while varying pace builds anticipation. Strategic pausing increases intensity just as raising volume level does. Speaking with urgency conveys anxiety or excitement, while lowering voice draws focus to somber topics. Even speeding up breathing subtly influences feeling.

In my journey as a public speaker, I’ve found Maya Angelou’s words to be profoundly true: "People will forget what you said, and what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel." We often believe that the essence of life is the air we breathe. However, I argue that life is defined by the moments that take our breath away. These moments can be crafted with words that have the power to uplift or harm by connecting deeply with emotions. As a speaker, the most effective way to connect with your audience’s emotions is through storytelling. People love sharing in the memories of others, especially those they can relate to. Embrace the art of unlocking emotions through storytelling. Follow page for more insightful contributions

Humans have been telling stories since the beginning of time, and it's the power of crafting a story that makes your audience really feel something, that is the key to a memorable talk. Keep your personal mission front of mind, and use this and the power of vulnerability to deeply connect with others to ensure your message is heard and remembered.

Our brains are built to consume information through storytelling. I love analogies and parables. Think about the point you want to make. Write down all of the feelings associated with that point. Take each emotion and write a story idea that also evokes that same emotion. (It doesn't have to be your story, maybe one you heard, a piece of fiction- literature or movie.) Look over your possible list of stories and see if anything else in the story aligns with the point. Use the emotion as the bridge between the story and your point. I use this in creating hooks for my social media posts all of the time. I think about the point I want to make and then a metaphor that I can exaggerate with humor to grab attention.

Hearing your own voice practice a talk enables you to become fluid and avoid the need for a script, which can become stilted and unnatural. Once clear on the key points to make, practising it out loud, helps you find a natural rhythm. I personally prefer doing this whilst moving, standing up, perhaps whilst walking in nature. This would also work better for many neurodivergent brains than sitting static at a desk!

By practicing, reflecting and improving you get to know your content so well that even in the heat of the moment you will be comfortable delivering it spontaneously, that is not from a script. It will also enable you to check how your audience is receiving your message and adjust as you present to their reactions. This will make your presentation more engaging as you will have a dynamic feedback with the audience throughout. Seeking feedback at the end with a short form is also really useful practice to improve future presentations. But, most importantly, try and relax into the moment and enjoy it. This alone will make you a lot more captivating and memorable.

The most underrated skill in the “new age” is practice! Yes I agree that there is strategy that goes along with this but let’s keep it simple here. Do more and you will become more, speak more and you will speak more effectively. Practicing makes progress and allows you to overcome the fear of public speaking. I was the worst when I started, I froze up, repeated myself, overthinking was natural and fear of the audience felt like it came natural to me ?? If you’re reading this just know you have past experiences or lack of experience that has gotten you to who you are today, you just need to overcome them and commit to it! So, practice deliberately until you become the person you know you are becoming! CTA: Pack your calendar now

Instead of just rehearsing your speech, simulate the actual speaking environment. Wear the clothes you'll present in, stand in front of a mirror or camera, and visualize your audience. By turning practice into a full performance, you condition yourself to handle the pressure and nuances of the real event. A well-prepared speaker isn't just confident in their material but also comfortable in the setting. This immersive practice approach helps you refine your delivery and boosts your confidence, ensuring you're ready to captivate your audience.

It is crucial to be deliberate with the amount of time given. The language you select must be precise. There literally may be no time to be misread. Also consider that here may never be another time to advance. Speak and with deliberate nature.

Every single speech or workshop, I survey my audience. What did they like or dislike? What did they get from it to take away and apply? They help me craft my message to deliver the next time more perfectly to help them the most.

After every speech, take time to reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. Don’t hesitate to make necessary changes. Adaptability is key in public speaking, as it is in life.

Reflecting can help in assessing what went well and what could be improved upon during your speech. Taking time to reflect creates this self-awareness that helps you identify the strengths to take advantage of and weaknesses to work on. It also helps to better refine your presentation by understanding where improvements should be made on skills such as articulation, tone and voice modulation. Adapting your approach based on your reflections helps you gain confidence in your ability to handle different speaking situations as this confidence is essential for delivering impactful presentations. Reflecting and adapting can helps you refine your public speaking skills over time, leading to increased efficiency and better speech management.

Reflecting on your speech and adapting based on your preferences and audience feedback is crucial for future improvements. Personally, I pay close attention to my pace, as it greatly impacts my delivery. If possible, record your final speech production and review it objectively. Rather than being overly critical, focus on identifying areas for improvement and strengths to build upon from your performance.

When possible, ask for feedback. Your audience will be able to provide a unique perspective on your delivery that you can use to improve your public speaking skills.

I’d add “Know your location”: If you can, try to rehearse at the location of the speech. Use the tech and audio equipment, get a feel for the stage and lights. These might seem minor while crafting a perfect pitch or speech, but your performance will depend on these just as much. Make sure you use the stage to your advantage.

Two years ago, I had to craft a speech with less than five minutes notice. My uncle had passed away and I attended his funeral thinking I was going to simply read a scripture from the old testament based on my aunt's ask. I had been running a few minutes late because I had prepped to go out of town right after the funeral. When I arrived, my brothers pulled me to the side and asked if I had read the program, to which I replied I hadn't. I simply thought I was just going to read something from the new testament and it was a simple switch. Reality was I was on the program to give a tribute and I was next. In that moment, I remembered the man who loved God, his family, the Mets, food and hit it out the park (pun intended). Be in the moment

Improving public speaking skills with strategic thinking involves several key steps. Firstly, it's essential to prepare and structure your speech effectively. Start by outlining your main points and organizing them logically to ensure a smooth flow of information. Secondly, incorporating strategic thinking into your public speaking involves understanding your audience. Tailoring your message to resonate with your listeners can make a significant impact. Furthermore, utilizing storytelling techniques can make your speech more compelling and memorable. Lastly, seeking feedback from peers or mentors after your speeches can provide valuable insights for improvement.

I have seen several contributions on the subject and I will only like to reiterate one. FEEDBACK. It is very important to get feedback from your audience to know if communication has effectively taken place and it will also help you prepare better for another opportunity. Get feedback!