While marcomms pros are inherently savvy across many modes of communication, public speaking requires a specific skill set in order to truly be impactful. Jillian Straus, founder of Straus Strategic Communications, shares her top tips for mastering the art of public speaking – advice backed by a 20-year career spanning work on The Oprah Winfrey Show, advising Fortune 500 executives, coaching startup founders and more. Bookmark this page for the next time you’re helping a client prepare for a speaking engagement or gearing up to present yourself.  

It’s Not About You, It’s About the Audience

Whether it is a speech, a pitch, or an interview, understanding and delivering your message tailored to that audience is the goal. Don't pitch all of your clients the same way. If you’re pitching a client you need to understand clearly what that client's goals are or your audience's agenda. Avoid using the word "I," or if you are speaking for your company "we." Instead try to use words like "you" when appropriate. You must tailor the pitch, or the speech, so that specific audience will be invested and hear it. 

Be Human

Showing your human side allows people to connect with you. Whether it is a toast at a wedding or presenting at a meeting, because when people like the messenger, they listen to the message. 

Tell a Great Story

People won’t remember statistics or all the details in a PowerPoint presentation, but they will remember a great story. Communicating in the form of a narrative captures your audience’s attention and will make your message memorable.

Send a Clear, Concise, and Consistent Message

Say things succinctly in more than one way to get your point across. People don’t act on something you tell them until they hear it in at least three different ways. We must have clear, consistent, and concise messages that we repeat. The goal is to reinforce your message without being redundant.

Show Your Passion

Passion is contagious. People can feel your passion through your body language, as well as in the tone and energy of your voice. Don't be afraid to let that emotion come through for fear of being unprofessional. 

Capture Your Audience’s Attention

You need to captivate your audience within the first 10 to 15 seconds. There are various ways to grab your audience’s attention. For example, start by asking a question or begin by telling a story. If you fail to do so, they’ll start to tune out, check their phones, and it’ll be hard to regain their attention.