Small Businesses

Good leaders master the art of public speaking: Tips for nailing your next speech

  • 3 min Read
  • June 3, 2021

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

Communication greases the wheel of every organization. In its absence, you can’t form connections, influence decisions or motivate change in the workforce, to say the least.

And for leaders, the most important type of communication is effective public speaking. A leader who is a skilled public speaker leader can motivate and inspire.

Yet the fear of public speaking is common, even among seasoned executives. While some people join organizations like Toastmasters or take classes to get comfortable with it, plenty just try to avoid situations where they’d need to make a speech.

For those of us who seek to communicate better but don’t necessarily want to become professional speakers, we’ve culled practical recommendations from public speech experts on the best ways to finesse public speaking that anyone can use.

Prepare

Know your subject.

To be an effective speaker or a go-to expert on your topic, you need a deep understanding of your subject. If you try to teach something you don’t understand, people will see right through you.

Know your audience.

Familiarize yourself with the demographic of your audience. This lets you deliver a speech that resonates with your audience. Speakers who wing it have little chance of connecting with listeners.

Know the site.

Get familiar with the venue and its stage, if there is one, in advance. This will help you be more at ease when it’s speech time.

Dry run.

Head off last-minute technical difficulties. Test the equipment well ahead of time, including your computer and any music arrangements.

Rehearse

Practice again and again

. There is no such thing as being overly prepared. Schedule a practice time and stick to it every day. Rehearse in front of the mirror to fine-tune your facial expressions and hand movements. 

Incorporate humor.

Balance factual information with lighthearted wit in the speech to keep your audience engaged.

Work on tone, projection.

Nobody wants to hear an awkward, monotone speech. Tone and projection are just as important as the speech itself.

Introduce distractions.

Add distractions while practicing your speech to test preparedness. Turn on the TV or push your child on the swing while rehearsing to ensure you are ready in the event of the unexpected.

Take every opportunity to speak.

Regularly perform in front of a live audience whenever the chance arises.

Fine-tune

Slow down.

To engage with the audience, focus on delivering a clear, unrushed message with built-in pauses as opposed to a rapid-fire slew of words. Taking longer pauses than you think is necessary can be great for emphasizing key points and emotionally connecting with the audience.

Ensure eye contact.

The audience is the essential element in public speaking. Make eye contact with as many people as possible to keep them engaged.

Display confidence.

The more confident you act, the more confident you will feel. Even if you feel nervous and uncomfortable, fake it.

On the day of the speech

Work out beforehand.

Exercise will help curtail anxiety and stress.

Mentally prepare.

Before your speech, spend time alone reviewing what you plan to say. At least 10 minutes beforehand, try to calm down so you are able to think clearly.

Aim to wrap up before the allotted time.

Never go over the planned time for the speech. It’s poor etiquette and shows you are either unprepared or willfully ignoring the agenda.

Request feedback.

It’s natural to fear criticism. But asking for feedback is a good way to connect and build relationships with audience members, and it will inform your future speeches for the better.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Accounting & Finance

October 15 Tax Deadline: What to Double Check Before You File

If your business or personal tax return was extended back in April, October 15 is the final deadline to submit....

Accounting & Finance

Key Financial Deadlines Every SMB Should Know for Q3 and Q4 

For small and mid-sized businesses, the second half of the year often comes with increased operational demands, from budgeting and...

Small Businesses

From Bookkeeping to Strategic Finance: Preparing Your Family Business for Growth

Is Your Family Business Ready for Its Next Chapter? As a family business leader, you've built something remarkable. Through years...

Accounting & Finance

Subscription Revenue in 2025: Fatigue, Churn, and the Imperative to Diversify 

For much of the last decade subscription models symbolized modern growth, predictable revenue, sticky customer relationships, and rising valuations. But...

Accounting & Finance

Closing the Books in Q4: Common Mistakes That Delay Reporting 

Closing the books at year-end is one of the most important financial events for any growing business. It sets the...

Leadership & Growth

Building a Scalable Tech Stack: How to Choose the Right Tools for Growth 

In today’s business landscape, technology is more than a convenience—it’s a strategic asset that can supercharge growth. But as you...

People Management & HR

The Role of HR Analytics in Strategic Decision-Making 

In the era of big data, human resources (HR) analytics has emerged as a powerful tool that can transform how...

Accounting & Finance

Understanding Customer Lifetime Value and Its Impact on Strategy 

In the world of business, not all customers are created equal. Some make one small purchase and disappear, while others...

Accounting & Finance

Tax Strategies for Succession Planning in Family-Owned Businesses 

Succession planning in a family-owned business is a delicate dance that involves not only leadership and emotional considerations, but also...