7 KEY TIPS FOR A GOOD PUBLIC SPEAKING AMBITION.

Last night I had a fruitful private session with a participant from the Enterprise and Heels Conference bordering around HOW TO STEP UP HER PUBLIC SPEAKING.

This person has 2 strong messages going for her (which I won’t share until she’s ready to be unveiled) and I told her that there are 7 SEGMENTS to a sustainable, profitable public speaking ambition. They include:

1.⁠ ⁠The Message. Every public speaker represents a message. There is something that has happened to you, or that you’re passionate about, or that you’re angry about (advocacy) or that you’re an expert of or that is drawing you in. Every time you mount a stage, you embody a message, no matter your topic.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR MESSAGE?

2.⁠ ⁠The Structure. Public speaking aims TO PERSUADE, NOT IMPRESS. When you’re invited to speak anywhere, anytime, irrespective of audience and preparation, there’s a cardinal question you must answer: WHAT MUST THE AUDIENCE HAVE ACHIEVED OR RECEIVED OR KNOWN OR BE INSPIRED TO DO when I’m done talking? Then you will design your message to flow to this OUTCOME.

WHAT STRUCTURE WORKS MORE EFFECTIVELY FOR YOU? DO YOU EVEN HAVE ANY?

3.⁠ ⁠The Audience. Every audience is unique … every single time. A public speaker should make inquiries about the demographics of the audience they’re speaking to. Age, Gender, Career, Business Sectors, Status, etc. Any data that can help you find appropriate examples and illustrations is inevitably an advantage.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO MAP YOUR AUDIENCE?

4.⁠ ⁠The Method. Personally, speaking with slides dampens my mojo. For trainings, that’s excellent but for speaking purposes, no. Especially if I am discussing business or life matters. I prefer to use OUTLINES on paper or extemporaneously. Know what works for you and as much as it lies with you, stick with it.

WHAT IS YOUR STYLE? SLIDES? OUTLINES? STICKY NOTES? PAPER SCRIBBLES? Or JUST OFF THE CUFF?

5.⁠ ⁠The Promotion. Public Speakers are “public”. There is NO PRIVACY to the ‘work’ of public speaking. You, as a person, may be private but your work cannot be private. A Public Speaker MUST maintain a properly groomed public profile that is constantly being promoted. You must develop the discipline to own your narrative online and offline. Your Personal Brand must be strong and growing. The least you should have is a LinkedIn account and perhaps an Instagram handle and they both must be active. LinkedIn helps you build THOUGHT LEADERSHIP. IG helps place variety, visuals and fun to your brand. You may not post everyday but you MUST post WITHIN EVERY WEEK. Once a week is POOR. Best case, 3 posts DAILY. Normal case, once every 2 days (3 days a week).

ARE YOU A “PRIVATE” PUBLIC SPEAKER OR I SHOULD MIND MY BUSINESS? 😊

6.⁠ ⁠The Funnel. After speaking to an audience, then what? A public speaker must see each speaking opportunity as a FUNNEL ACTIVATOR. The speaking is a door that should lead to new places. Places like a product, a book, a coaching sign up, a counseling sign up, a consultancy sign up, a follow on your handle, a newsletter sign up, something-anything. DO NOT WASTE THE STAGE. This is a CALL TO ACTION. Make sure the audience TAKES ACTION for your. The LEAST you should acquire from speaking is NEW CONTACTS in your funnel (Follow Me on IG, scan QR Code to join my WhatsApp Group, enter your email on the link to join my Newsletter, etc.)

HOW MANY STAGES HAVE YOU WASTED? WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER ONE CALL TO ACTION (CTA) TODAY?

7.⁠ ⁠Post-Event Routine. Public Speaking leads to a funnel but more importantly, it should also show PROOF OF YOUR ACTIVENESS. Every time you speak, take visuals (pictures, videos, testimonials, evidence) and MAKE NOISE ABOUT IT. Let more people SEE that you’re still in the game and strong at it too. Do not be decent about promoting your public speaking work. THERE IS NO PRIVACY TO PUBLIC SPEAKING AS A SERVICE.

WHERE DID YOU POST THE EVIDENCE OF THE LAST PLACE YOU SPOKE TO ANYONE?

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I hope these 7 tips can help you. Maybe soon, when I have the time, I will organize a Group Coaching programme to help some people to become better at public speaking. Some people need coaching. Some people need therapy. Some just need training. Let’s see how that goes… in the meantime, I am open to taking ONLY 2 PEOPLE for PUBLIC SPEAKING COACHING. I will coach you to move from GENTLENESS TO BEAST MODE on stage. If you pay, you will be automatically added to OCTOPUS SPEAKERS POOL (OSP) where you get a platform to express yourself WITH NO LIMIT. Is that you? Hit me up now.

Reply me directly or chat Stella on 07035953367. ONLY 2 SLOTS.

m a k t u b !!!

Sam Obafemi
The Octopus 🐙