Top 7 Tips To Becoming An Impactful Speaker

The one thing all great speeches have in common is impact. They stay in the mind of a listener like an epic novel or an amazing painting. They might inspire the audience to take action, make them erupt in laughter, or move them to tears. But they are always memorable.

Here are some tips from top public speaking coach Jose Ucar to get you moving on your journey to becoming an impactful speaker:

1. Practice Does Not Make Perfect

There is no such thing as perfect communication. You cannot express yourself flawlessly – no matter how much you might want to. However, you can become an amazing speaker if prepare meticulously for every presentation and give it your best every single time.

Nerves are inevitable too. But you can learn to use them to your advantage. Channel your emotions into a passionate speech. And before you speak, visualise your desired outcome. Whether you want rapturous applause at the end, a standing ovation, or your favourite song playing through the loudspeaker, imagine it. Then go out on stage and make it happen.

2. Your Speech Is About The Audience

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for and learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words and the kind of stories you share.

After all, there is no point going into great detail about a particular industry if most of the audience knows nothing about it. And you will not achieve anything if you talk about improving company culture or sustainability if the only thing the CEOs in the room care about is their bottom line.

3. Structure Your Content To Keep Your Listeners Engaged

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the overall topic, the central ideas you want to convey, the aim of your speech and the main points you want to cover.

Then come up with ways to ensure you grab the audience’s attention in the first few seconds of the speech and keep them engrossed throughout.

4. Adapt To Audience Feedback

Always be aware of your audience. Gauge their reactions and be flexible enough to adjust your message when their attention is wavering. Delivering an entirely pre-programmed speech will virtually guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Shine Through

No matter whether you are giving a speech, having a conversation with a friend or talking to someone at a party, always be yourself. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Tell Stories And Incorporate Humour

If you can tell an entertaining tale or make people laugh with a funny anecdote in your presentation, you will certainly keep your audience engaged. The vast majority of listeners appreciate a personal touch in a speech, and stories are by far the most effective method of providing that.

7. Grab Attention At The Start, And Close With A Dynamic End

Most people do not enjoy it when a speech starts with an outline of what the speaker intends to cover in the rest of their speech. It is boring to listen to, and they might lose interest straightaway.

You will get a much better response if you open with a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or a thought-provoking quotation. Then make sure to conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

If you would like to learn more about how you can become an impactful speaker, book a virtual coffee with Jose .