Public Speaking

Overview

Systematic procedure for preparing and delivering impactful presentations, speeches, and talks

Steps

Step 1: Analyze audience and context

Before creating any content, understand your audience deeply:

Who will be in the room? (roles, demographics, group size)
What do they already know about this topic?
What do they expect from this presentation?
What are their pain points or concerns related to your topic?
What would make this talk valuable TO THEM?
What’s the physical/virtual setup? (room size, AV, remote)
What happens before and after your talk? (context matters)

Step 2: Define your core message

Distill your talk to one essential message:

If the audience remembers only ONE thing, what should it be?
Write your core message in one sentence (15 words or less)
Test: Would someone who missed your talk understand it from this sentence?
This message should appear at least 3 times in your talk
All content should support or illustrate this message
If content doesn’t serve the core message, cut it

Step 3: Structure your content

Build the architecture of your talk:

Opening (10-15% of time):

Hook: Grab attention in first 30 seconds (story, question, surprising fact)
Establish credibility and relevance
Preview: Tell them what you’ll tell them
State your core message

Body (70-80% of time):

Limit to 3 main points (audiences can’t absorb more)
Each point follows: Claim -> Evidence -> Example -> Relevance
Include stories and concrete examples (not just abstract concepts)
Build in transitions between sections
Return to core message after each main point

Close (10-15% of time):

Signal you’re concluding (“In closing…” not “So, yeah…”)
Summarize: Tell them what you told them
Restate core message powerfully
Call to action: What should they do with this information?
Strong final line (not “Any questions?”)

Step 4: Develop stories and examples

Make abstract concepts concrete and memorable:

For each main point, find at least one specific story or example
Stories should have: character, conflict, resolution, lesson
Use the “STAR” format: Situation, Task, Action, Result
Personal stories are more compelling than hypotheticals
Make examples relevant to THIS audience’s experience
Include sensory details that help people visualize
Practice telling each story until it flows naturally

Step 5: Create visual aids (if applicable)

Design slides or visuals that enhance, not compete with, your message:

Slides support YOU, not replace you (you are the presentation)
One idea per slide maximum
Use images over text whenever possible
If using text: 6 words or fewer per slide
No bullet points if you can avoid them
Data should be visualized, not shown in tables
Use consistent, simple design (no busy templates)
Include blank/pause slides for key moments
Number slides for easy navigation during Q&A

Step 6: Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate and prepare for audience questions:

List 10 questions you might be asked (hardest ones first)
Prepare concise answers for each (30-60 seconds)
Practice bridging from hostile questions to your message
Prepare “I don’t know” responses that maintain credibility
Plan for common Q&A challenges (tangential questions, hostile questioners)
Prepare 2-3 questions to seed if audience is quiet
Decide how you’ll handle questions during vs after the talk

Step 7: Practice delivery

Rehearse until delivery is natural, not memorized:

Practice sequence:

Read through silently (content familiarization)
Talk through sections out loud (find your words)
Full run-through standing up with slides (timing)
Record yourself and review (identify weak spots)
Practice in front of someone and get feedback
Final run-throughs focusing on weak spots

Delivery elements to practice:

Opening: Practice until it’s automatic under stress
Transitions: Know exactly how to move between sections
Stories: Tell them until they flow naturally
Closing: Memorize your final line word-for-word
Timing: Know which sections to cut if running long

Volume: Minimum 3 full run-throughs, more for important talks

Step 8: Manage nerves and energy

Channel anxiety into positive energy:

Before the talk:

Reframe: Nervousness is excitement, your body preparing to perform
Prepare obsessively: Confidence comes from preparation
Arrive early: Familiarize yourself with room and equipment
Move your body: Walk, stretch, do light exercise to burn adrenaline
Breathe: 4 counts in, 4 counts hold, 4 counts out (repeat 5x)
Power pose: 2 minutes of expansive posture before going on
Visualize success: See yourself delivering confidently

During the talk:

Focus on serving the audience, not on yourself
Find friendly faces to speak to
If you lose your place, pause and breathe (feels longer to you)
Move purposefully to channel nervous energy
Remember: Audience wants you to succeed

After the talk:

Adrenaline will spike - this is normal
Don’t immediately critique yourself harshly
Write down what worked while it’s fresh

Step 9: Deliver the presentation

Execute your preparation with presence and connection:

Physical presence:

Stand grounded, feet shoulder-width apart
Make eye contact (3-5 seconds per person, or sections for large rooms)
Use purposeful gestures (avoid fidgeting or repetitive movements)
Move with intention (not pacing)
Vary your position in the room

Vocal delivery:

Speak louder and slower than feels natural
Pause before and after key points (silence is powerful)
Vary pace and pitch to maintain interest
Emphasize key words with volume or pause
Avoid filler words (um, uh, like, so)

Audience connection:

Start with the audience, not your slides
Read the room and adapt (energy level, confusion, engagement)
Ask questions to involve the audience
Acknowledge reactions (laughter, nodding, confusion)
Be genuinely present, not performing a script

Step 10: Handle Q&A effectively

Manage questions with confidence and clarity:

Receiving questions:

Listen fully before formulating response
Repeat or paraphrase question for large audiences
Thank the questioner genuinely (not perfunctorily)
If unclear, ask for clarification

Answering questions:

Keep answers concise (30-60 seconds typical)
Structure: Answer, Evidence, Bridge back to message
It’s okay to say “I don’t know, but I’ll find out”
Redirect off-topic questions: “That’s interesting - let’s discuss offline”
Address the whole room, not just the questioner

Difficult situations:

Hostile questioner: Stay calm, acknowledge their point, bridge to your message
Long-winded questioner: Wait for breath, summarize their question, answer briefly
No questions: Ask your seeded question, or “A question I often get is…”
Wrong question: Answer the question they should have asked

Step 11: Reflect and improve

Capture learnings while they’re fresh:

What went well? (specific moments, audience reactions)
What would you do differently?
Where did the audience engage most? Least?
Did the core message land?
How was your pacing and timing?
What questions revealed gaps in your content?
Get feedback from trusted observers if possible
Watch recording if available (painful but valuable)

When to Use

Presenting at conferences, meetups, or industry events
Delivering keynote speeches or opening remarks
Leading team meetings or all-hands presentations
Pitching to investors, clients, or executives
Teaching workshops or training sessions
Giving toasts, eulogies, or ceremonial speeches
Presenting project updates or proposals to stakeholders
Defending thesis or presenting research findings
Speaking at panel discussions or fireside chats
Recording video presentations or webinars

Verification

Core message is clear and stated multiple times
Opening grabs attention in first 30 seconds
No more than 3 main points in the body
Each point has at least one concrete story or example
Closing is strong and includes call to action
Practiced at least 3 times out loud
Prepared for likely Q&A questions
Timing has been checked and fits allocation

Input: $ARGUMENTS

Apply this procedure to the input provided.