How can a consultant create an effective public speaking strategy?

At my workplace, as a business leader, I was asked to present to the board. I began by identifying the 'WHY' - the purpose of my presentation, focusing on the strategic importance of understanding these elements for the company's future. Next, I tackled the 'HOW' by carefully considering how to connect with the board members, ensuring my presentation style and content were aligned with their interests and expectations. Finally, I concentrated on the 'WHAT' - the core message I wanted the board to take away - our potential growth areas and the hurdles we needed to overcome. This method effectively connected personal stories to crucial insights, highlighting their relevance and clarifying the main takeaways.

There is nothing worse than hearing a speaker who has zero experience or is not passionate about the topic they are speaking on. Before you accept an opportunity make sure the above boxes are checked. If they are not, politely decline as going forward might severely damage your speaking reputation.

The way you define your purpose is perhaps the most important step. Ideally you should be able to convey that in a single line. Eg. 'I want to convey only facts in the most interesting manner and let the audience arrive at their own conclusion' or ' I want to shift the audience from the traditional approach to this new way of thinking'. For the same subject the way you design the two speeches will be completely different. The first could be an academician's approach while the second could be a more sales oriented approach. Spend time and thought in defining and crafting your purpose and the rest will flow smoothly.

The purpose of a speech is the compass that guides the entire presentation/speech. Clearly articulating the purpose effectively and concisely serves as the gateway to capturing the audience's attention. Once engaged, you can seamlessly delve into the subject matter, confident that your audience is aligned with the overarching goal of your speech.

1. Know your audience - Find out the kind of people you are meeting with 2. Understand your audience - Ensure your message is resonate with the people's needs and interest 3. Have a clear objective - Have a define clear goal 4. Have a structured Content by organizing the speech with a logical flow which including an engaging introduction, key points, and good conclusion. 5. Have a good delivery techniques, this includes your tone, pace, and body language this helps to keep the audience engaged also. 6. Tell interesting stories in between the presentation makes the content memorable and relatable. 7. Seek feedback from mentors to enhance your public speaking skills.

- The speech should revolve around the company’s vision for the project you are working on: Adopt the same keywords the company use - Make it as a story with logical links and good flow, bullets can be used also just make sure that the transition from one idea to another is well defined (first, second…) - Prepare well in advance and practice it - Don’t overwhelm people with too much details while speaking, keep details for written documents and reports; same applies for the length of the sentences, use short simple straightforward sentences while speaking - In person maintain good eye contact, virtually, keep your camera on - Show passion and genuine interest about your project with your voice and body language

Researching your audience is pivotal for a successful speech. Understanding their demographics, challenges, and goals allows you to tailor your content to resonate with them. Incorporating relevant topics of interest and sharing personal experiences, especially overcoming challenges, establishes a connection and provides valuable insights, making your speech more impactful and relatable.

Understanding the audience is critical when crafting a speech. As a consultant, your aim should be to not just inform, but also to resonate and empower. Reflecting on the audience's challenges is a way to ensure your message isn't just heard but felt and acted upon. By aligning your message with their needs, you transform your speech from a mere presentation to a solution-oriented session that could offer them a clear path to overcome their hurdles. It's about creating a bridge between your expertise and their context, ensuring what you say translates into actionable insights that address the very challenges they face. This strategic approach turns public speaking into a powerful tool for change.

So many options here... 1) If I have time, I generally send out a short survey to as many individuals as I can in a group, division, or organization. The questions are simple. The survey is unscientific, but it gives members of the audience time to think ahead before the speech/presentation is delivered. I also aggregate all the answers so no one is called out or recognized. Examples of a few questions: 1) What do you like best about your job? 2) What do you like least about your job? 3) Overall, do you feel appreciated for the work you do? These kinds of questions allow me to get into the "heads" of the audience and help to shape the direction of the conversations to follow.

?? To resonate, a consultant must become an audience anthropologist, delving into the intricacies of who they are addressing. Demographics, interests, challenges - these are the threads that weave connection. The speech should be a mirror reflecting the audience's needs and expectations. By understanding their knowledge level on the topic, a consultant can pitch the narrative at the right altitude, ensuring engagement without being overwhelmed. It's not just about what you know but how well you know your audience.

?? An effective speech is not a mere address; it’s a meticulously choreographed performance. The outline is the script, the scaffolding that ensures a seamless and impactful delivery. A captivating introduction, a body rich with supporting elements, and a conclusion that leaves an indelible mark - each element is a stroke on the canvas of influence. The audience should embark on a journey; the outline is the roadmap that ensures they reach the destination with a sense of enlightenment.

More importantly, KNOW YOUR TOPIC BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE! Know it forwards, backwards, sideways, inside-out, etc. You should not have to rely on notes or pages of tests to read from. You should have some "key" words that will prompt you into dialog with the audience. It needs to appear as a conversation, not a "talking to."

The art of storytelling, particularly through concrete business case studies, elevates a speech from a mere transfer of information to a journey of collective discovery. By presenting examples that reflect the challenges of the audience, you offer not just context but also a mirror to their own experiences. This method of delivery allows the audience to visualize potential solutions to their issues, providing a multi-dimensional learning experience. It’s about crafting a narrative that’s not only memorable but also immensely practical, leaving the audience with not just a message, but a takeaway that's relevant and implementable.

I think that the delivery is at the top of my list as a key element for a successful speech/presentation. Audiences will forgive a lot of hiccups with electronics and microphones, but if you confuse them--if your presentation is illogical and disorganized--they will crucify you for wasting their time.

Practicing your delivery is making a connection with both the message and the audience. It is good to hear yourself as you enunciate the words paying attention to your tone of voice, what words to emphasize and being aware of one’s body language. Unncecessary movements or adlibs can shift the focus from the heart of the message and you catch these when you practice. Public speaking is a craft that requires persistence and focus, something that doesn’t develop overnight.

Effective speech delivery involves more than memorization; it's about internalizing key points and understanding the subject deeply. While having main sub-topics memorized can serve as a foundation, it's crucial to speak from your knowledge, allowing for a more engaging and natural delivery. Avoiding a word-for-word approach and incorporating pauses, expressions, and adapting to the audience enhances your ability to capture attention and make your speech more dynamic. In meetings, starting with memorized sub-topics provide structure, allowing you to seamlessly transition through points for a cohesive and impactful discussion.

??? Practice is the crucible where raw content transforms into a compelling narrative. A consultant must not only master the material but also fine-tune the delivery. Confidence, naturalness, and engagement are the keynotes. Standing before a mirror, a camera, or a friend acts as a crucible for self-evaluation. It’s not just about what you say but how you say it. Recording the practice sessions mirrors the consultant's performance, revealing areas of strength and opportunities for enhancement.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure a smooth delivery. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or present to a trusted friend or colleague for feedback. Familiarity with your content boosts confidence and reduces nervousness.

Creating a speech that is not just heard but experienced requires establishing an environment of interactive engagement. Inviting the audience to participate during the presentation promotes a dynamic of collective discovery, enriching the quality of the discourse. Such an approach demands broad expertise, improvisation skills, and the ability to connect disparate narratives into a cohesive whole. This level of engagement ensures that the speech is not only informative but also impactful, fostering an immersive learning experience for both speaker and listener.

?? Feedback is not a postscript; it’s an integral part of the speech continuum. After the curtains fall, the consultant must actively seek feedback, not just as a formality but as a pathway to refinement. Every comment, compliment, or criticism is a gem waiting to be unearthed. It’s not just about receiving feedback; it’s about leveraging it for continual improvement. A consultant must embrace feedback with an open mind, dissect it, and use it as the building blocks for an even more impactful encore.

The feedback, good, bad, and ugly, is your focus points to make your performance even better. Don't discount the patterns either. They all can be used to make you a better presenter.

Having been a consultant for the past 20 years and transforming myself from being a chronic stammerer to a keynote speaker, I'd say that the key is to shift your focus from yourself to helping others, when you're given such an opportunity. Whatever be your challenge, it's all ultimately about practicing, practicing, practicing the A.R.T. of public speaking: A - Authenticity R - Relevance T - Talkability A great memorable, speech is about the experience you deliver, when you put your skin in the game, showing your passion and making it relatable and useful for the audience! Lastly, remember, humans are feeling creatures that think, not thinking creatures that feel... so, let people remember how they FELT during your speech!

From my perspective, a consultant can craft an effective public speaking strategy by deeply understanding the audience. Tailor the message to resonate with their needs, use compelling anecdotes, and incorporate visuals. For instance, illustrating successful project outcomes captivates the audience, making the presentation memorable and impactful.

Embrace strategic pauses during your speech. Silence not only emphasizes key points but also allows your audience to absorb information. It cultivates a sense of anticipation and keeps listeners engaged, amplifying the impact of your message.

As more and more consultants are making use of AI, I believe that one of the most effective things a person can do in their public speaking strategy is remain true to their own message. Avoid the easy out of having AI develop speeches and/or outlines, and remain committed to offering YOUR gift to the world (as opposed to the amalgamized rendition offered by various AI platforms. The most effective strategy is to ask (and answer) the question, "Why am I being asked to speak instead of someone else?" The more unique and personable one can be, the better off they are!