Create speaking success in 2024

Speaking
Written By Liam Sandford
speaking success

Do you want the same outcomes as last year? Or are you looking for something different? If you gained speaking confidence last year more of the same might do the trick. But if you are in the same spot something different will be required.

Creating speaking success is simple but it is not easy. Rep by rep, stacking success on top of success is how you become a competent speaker. The trouble is you were taught the wrong things about speaking. This created negative experiences, bad habits and poor engagement strategies for your audience.

To scale your impact through every presentation, pitch and conversation consistent effort is required. And that effort starts with being able to bounce back from negative speaking experiences.

Regaining confidence after negative experiences

If you have had negative experiences in the past, part of your fear might be that they happen again. Maybe that is your worst-case scenario, so before every speaking engagement it is worth considering what that scenario looks like.

Write down the top 4 fears you have so you can see them in front of you. Writing down your fears will help you process and gain control over them. For each of the fears ask this series of questions:

  • What is the worst possible outcome from this fear?

  • Am I in control of the outcomes?

  • What is the reverse of this fear if it goes really well?

  • How likely is it that your fear becomes the reality?

  • Is the fear really that bad?

Essentially, if you actively spend time reducing the likelihood of the fear you will gain control over it. It will not seem so bad because you have put mitigating factors in place. And seriously consider, what is the worst that could happen? — the chances are it is not that bad.

The 4 bullet structure

The days of scripting your presentation are over. Scripts only create more pressure to remember what you are going to say. They also tend to be too long. The one solution you need to keep you on track is the 4 bullets:

  • How you will open

  • The main point

  • A story or analogy to make the main point memorable for the audience

  • How you will close

For every presentation these 4 bullet points make up your nano speech. Roll through them and transition to your next main point. If you have 3 main points, all you need is 12 bullets to get you through the presentation.

This keep you conversational, it keeps you on track, and it helps keep you calm because you have a clear structure to follow.

Stop throwing away your presentation

Most people throw away their presentation. Instead you should consider how you can pass it to your audience. This means making your presentation memorable for people. You can do this through the story or analogy in the 3rd bullet point.

The throw away is closing with ‘that’s everything I had to say’ or not having clear transitions between points so rambling on trying to figure it out in real time.

Plan your open. Plan your transitions. Plan your close.

This is where your presentation is won or lost.

Throwing away your presentation ruins all of your hard work, preparation, and time spent putting it together. Spend time where it matters most and you will realize more impact in every presentation you deliver.

Actionable takeaways

  • Write down your worst case scenarios for speaking in public. With every scenario run through the questions to reduce their likelihood and gain control over them.

  • Use the 4 bullet structure and stop scripting.

  • Plan your open, transitions, and close very clearly. Without it you will end up rambling and throw your presentation away.

More from me

Liam Sandford
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