How to become productive public speaker

Have you ever wondered how to become a productive public speaker (PPS)? How do you present in a way that makes your talk as impactful as possible? Below are some strategies rooted in our own experience that we’ve found helpful.

1. Know your topic: It’s essential to know your material so you can speak with confidence. This often means spending hours preparing, especially if you're new to a role or working with unfamiliar content. For example, Dr. Nicol Nicola was once asked to give a five-minute talk about the economy. She spent at least five hours preparing, which included reading economic articles, listening to podcasts, and integrating that information with labor market data. Executive Director Kate Conroy has a colleague who presented for two hours on sales strategies, and it took her months to refine her material and slides so that it flowed perfectly. Preparation is key both for your comfort and for the end result.
2. Present to colleagues and practice: Before delivering your talk externally, rehearse in front of colleagues or staff and invite their feedback. This step is crucial if you want your presentation to resonate. At work, we practice collective intelligence, where we present to one another and refine our remarks based on input from peers and managers. These internal dry runs help sharpen both the message and delivery. In addition to presenting to colleagues, don’t be afraid to present to yourself. Stand in front of a mirror and deliver your remarks and you’ll be surprised and what you see.
3. Keep your audience in mind: Present as if your life depends on it—and tailor your message to your audience. An audience-centric talk is far more engaging. Be ready to pivot if your listeners seem disengaged: switch to a different slide, ask a quick poll, or tell a relevant story. If people aren’t paying attention, you're essentially talking to yourself. That being said, a good way to bring the temperature down for yourself (if you’re not a fan of public speaking), is to remember that we’re all the star of the movie playing in our own head, and no one is paying 100% attention 100% of the time. Give yourself some grace and remember that the audience is on your side. They want you to succeed and they’re genuinely interested in what you have to say, that’s why they’re there.

There are no hard rules for becoming a PPS. Everyone finds their own path. We hope these strategies help strengthen your style and confidence as a speaker.

The bottom line: build a consistent public speaking routine—and stick with it—and take the time to make sure your material is so much a part of you that you could deliver it in your sleep, to become a more productive public speaker.