Public Speaking Mentoring

20 years of stammering. 7 Ted Talks & Over 1,00,000 professionals trained later - Let’s skip the fluff. This is everything I know about public speaking. Not from theory but from life, from watching people speak and not get what they deserve. From helping them fix it. Call it a blueprint. Call it a cheat code. Or just save it and come back when you’re tired of being ignored in rooms you deserve to lead. Let’s start with this - Public Speaking doesn’t start when you take the mic. It starts way before that. It starts the moment you wake up and think “Shit, I’ve got a presentation today.” So here’s how I’d walk you through it if we were grabbing coffee: ☀️ Morning of the big day? Don’t rehearse in your head right away. First, move your body. Stretch. Get some oxygen in. Because your voice is not just in your throat, it’s in your breath. And if your body’s tight, your voice will be too. 🧠 Next: Mindset. I’ve seen too many people ruin a great talk because they spent all morning trying not to mess up. Forget that. Ask yourself this instead: “Who needs to hear what I’m about to say?” Say it out loud. Anchor into that. That’s your real WHY. 👔 What should you wear? Something that makes you feel like you’ve already won. Not something you hope will impress them. Trust me, when you feel good in your skin, it shows in your voice. 🚶♂️Walking into the room? Don’t tiptoe in like you’re sneaking into class late. Walk like you belong. People decide how to treat you before you even speak. Let them decide well. Now, here’s the speaking part broken down like I explain it to my clients: 1. Stop obsessing over fancy slides. Start with the one thing you want them to remember, then build backward. 2. Drop the “corporate voice.” & speak like you talk to your friends. Clarity + authenticity beats formality. 3. Nervous? Good. Breathe deeper, start slower & let your body catch up to your brain. 4. Don’t shout to sound confident. Use your voice like a highlighter - slow down, drop tone, pause. 5. Tell real stories because a moment they can feel > a metric they’ll forget. 6. Don’t scan the room. Hold eye contact for 2–3 seconds, make them feel seen. 7. Use your hands, it makes you look alive, not rehearsed. 8. Don’t memorize. Rehearse the flow, not the script! Most importantly? Don’t end your talk wondering, “Was I good?” Ask: “Did they feel something?” Because that’s what they’ll remember. P.S. I teach all of this (and more) in my Sunday masterclass - https://divasgupta.in/Li But honestly, even if you never join, take this post seriously. I built it from scratch, brick by brick, after years of stammering and silence. And if it helps even one person walk in, speak up, and own their story - It’ll be worth it. #PublicSpeaking #Communication

Public speaking used to terrify me. I'd lose sleep the night before... go completely blank in front of a room. I used to dread every presentation. I’d stress over every word. And when I’d finally get up there...nothing. My mind would go blank. Fast forward to today... As a coach, I now run workshops, facilitate, and speak publicly with confidence. This morning, I shared my top 5 tips with the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (FCCS) on how to "Speak to Influence". Here’s the breakdown: 1️⃣ Hook them early — 5 ways to open strong: ↳ Tell a story: “I once stood in front of 30 people... and forgot everything I planned to say.” ↳ Ask a question: “What if your biggest fear became your biggest strength?” ↳ Make a bold claim: “Most presentation advice is wrong—and here’s why.” ↳ Drop a stat: “75% of professionals fear public speaking. I used to be one of them.” ↳ Lead with WHY: Not what you're saying—but why it matters. 2️⃣ Prepare with the end in mind Ask yourself: ↳ What do I want the audience to feel? ↳ What do I want them to do after? Design everything—your tone, structure, slides—to drive that outcome. 3️⃣ Say it out loud—before you write it down ↳ We don’t speak like we write. So prep like this: ↳ Speak your ideas aloud. ↳ Then shape them into your script. (Because “Henceforth, furthermore…” doesn’t land in real life.) 4️⃣ End on a peak People remember two things: the peak and the end (Peak-end effect bias). So don’t fizzle out. Close with: ↳ a challenge ↳ a poll ↳ a call-to-action ↳ Or a simple mic-drop moment Make it stick. 5️⃣ Use story structure ↳ Forget data dumps. ↳ Build a narrative: set the context → introduce the hero → the pain → the climax → the solution. Most importantly, Don’t try to be Obama. Be you. Flaws and all. "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." Oscar Wilde If you’ve ever frozen in front of a room, I’ve been there. And I promise. It gets better. Which tip above would’ve helped you the most? P.S. If this helped, consider reposting ♻️ and share it with someone who's prepping for their next big talk.

🎤 Forget “Natural Talent.” Here’s the Real Framework for Mastering Public Speaking Great speakers aren’t born confident. They’re trained, refined, and disciplined. After coaching executives and leaders for years, I’ve noticed one truth — most people don’t fail because they lack confidence. They fail because they lack structure. Here’s an 8-rule framework that consistently turns average speakers into trusted voices: 1️⃣ One Big Idea — Build your entire talk around one core message. Everything else supports it. 2️⃣ One Visual Per Slide — Use strong visuals, not paragraphs. Let your words bring meaning. 3️⃣ One Main Idea Per Slide — Think billboard, not textbook. Simplicity keeps attention. 4️⃣ Multiple Stories Per Idea — Stories make data stick. Facts inform, stories transform. 5️⃣ 3rd Grade or Lower Language — Simplicity shows mastery. Ditch the jargon. 6️⃣ Embrace Silence — Pauses give power. Let your message breathe. 7️⃣ Record Yourself 30x — Repetition builds fluency and confidence. 8️⃣ Rewatch Every Recording — Painful but essential. Feedback drives growth. The best speakers don’t perform for applause — they prioritize the audience experience. Your goal isn’t to sound smart. It’s to make sure your message is heard, understood, and remembered. Which of these 8 rules do you struggle with most? Drop a number in the comments. #PublicSpeaking #LeadershipCommunication #ExecutivePresence #PresentationSkills #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #JobScholarGuide

Siddharth reached out to me with a peculiar challenge: 👉“People join my webinars... but they don’t stay till the end.” He had recently started hosting online sessions - but found it tough to hold his audience’s attention. When I watched his recordings, a few things stood out: 🔹 Monotonous voice 🔹 Lack of facial expressions 🔹 Poor posture 🔹 Struggles with storytelling 🔹 Difficulty answering on-the-spot questions Like many introverted professionals from a technical background, Siddharth was more comfortable behind the screen than in front of an audience. But he was committed to changing that. We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. I attended his webinars, watched his videos, and created personalized practice sessions. We worked on: ✅ Crafting relatable narratives using his tech expertise ✅ Adding vocal variety and expression ✅ Strengthening his body language and posture ✅ Handling Q&A with confidence ✅ Delivering content that resonates - not just informs In just 3 months, a lot changed! 🎯 His confidence grew. 🎯 He started speaking with energy and passion. 🎯 His audience started staying till the end. Was it easy? Not at all! But his consistency, openness to feedback, and willingness to step out of his comfort zone made all the difference. If you're someone who’s great at what you do - but struggle to express it clearly and confidently - know that transformation is possible. You don’t need to be born a speaker. You just need to learn how to connect. #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills #Communication

Still nervous before every presentation? Still reading from slides like a robot? Still losing your audience after 2 minutes? You don’t need “natural talent” to fix this, You need the right playbook. After coaching 100+ speakers, here’s what I’ve seen consistently work 👇 1. Master your topic No shortcuts here. Know it inside out or don’t speak about it at all. 2. Research your audience Age, background, expectations, tailor your delivery to who’s listening. 3. Keep it simple If you can’t explain it to a 10-year-old, rework it. Clarity > complexity. 4. Use visuals wisely Slides should support, not replace you. (And please, no clipart from 1995 😅) 5. Vary your delivery Monotone kills energy. Change your pace, volume, and tone. 6. Tell stories Every great talk has at least one story. Stories stick. Data fades. 7. Own the stage Confidence doesn’t come from magic, it comes from preparation. 8. Get people involved Ask questions, run an exercise, start a discussion. Engagement = impact. 9. Practice until it feels natural And when you think you’re ready, practice 3 more times. The truth is: Great speakers aren’t born, they’re made. And with the right structure and practice, anyone can hold an audience. So tell me, Which tip resonates with you most? Drop it below. P.S. Public speaking is just one part of stepping into your spotlight. If you want more updated insights, exclusive strategies, and step-by-step frameworks to grow your confidence, communication, and career, Join my Career Spotlight Group for insider tips and live sessions designed to help you stand out. 📌 Join here - https://lnkd.in/gB22r3_b #publicspeaking #communication #speaker

I've invested over $100k learning how to become a better public speaker... ...books, courses, programs, webinars, coaching, seminars and a BA in communication. Here's a list of some of the incredible people I've learned from: Pat Quinn Josh Shipp Brian Bosché Gabrielle Bosché Grant Baldwin James Malinchak Russell Brunson Nick Unsworth Vinh Giang Donald Miller Kristin Lindholm Stephen E Lucas Pete Vargas Aristotle Taylorr Payne 🎤 Eileen Wilder Michael Port Andrew Davis Ty Bennett Scott Goodwill John Mark Comer Craig Groeschel Louie Giglio Erwin Raphael McManus Stacy Huston Richard Greene Chris Anderson Simon Sinek and soooo many more. I've also studied the top speakers in the world, the most viral Ted Talks, and the most inspirational leaders. Here's some things I've learned: 1. Authenticity is more important than "following the rules" -Some of the greatest speakers in history said "um" and put their hands in their pockets. Be yourself. 2. Conviction is more important than "presentation skills" -If you believe with every fiber of your being that what you are saying matters, it solves 90% of your problems with gestures, tonality, tempo, posture etc. 3. Every great keynote should have exactly 1 main point -It's better make 1 point 10 times than 10 points 1 time. 4. Tell stories in the present tense -Instead of "I looked at her and cried" say "I look at her and begin to cry". It helps the audience relive the moment with you. 5. Your structure matters -Your audience needs to know 1. what's in it for them and 2. why they can trust you, before they will receive your content 6. Humor and vulnerability are the quickest ways to make a connection with the audience 7. Confidence comes from being secure in your identity -Speaking is a form of self expression. Most people aren't afraid of public speaking. They are afraid of being fully seen. I hope this serves you!

As an Actor and now a Public Speaking Coach, I’ve discovered that unforgettable communicators share one thing in common: They train like Performers. That’s exactly what we talked about this week during my Masterclass, where I taught the Triple P Performer's Method. It's my signature style to help leaders go from unsure to unforgettable. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what we talked about: P1: PRECISION Clear, confident speech that keeps people listening. We focused on how to bring clarity, purpose, and vocal variety — especially if English isn’t your first language. P2: PRESENCE You own the room before you say a word. Using posture, breath, and grounded energy, we practiced commanding attention with your body language alone. P3: PERSUASION This is where the magic happens. Emotional storytelling, authentic delivery, and real audience connection: because people don’t buy your idea unless they feel it. Whether you’re pitching investors, leading teams, or preparing for a high-stakes keynote, these skills matter. And they matter a lot. Especially when decisions are made in the first 30 seconds. Stop feeling unsure. Start controlling your communication. And become unforgettable! #Leadership #CEOCommunication #PitchTraining

I've coached ~70 speakers in 2025. (Mostly in tech.) Here are the 6 most common delivery mistakes I see. MISTAKE 1. Adopting an oddly formal tone Most speakers I coach are great conversationalists. • Smart • Energetic • Funny But as soon as we work on delivery they become... • Stilted • Dry • Formal Here's the thing: Most talks at conferences are so awkward that just being conversational will be very compelling. → Pretend you're talking with friends over coffee. → People will treat you like you're Tony Robbins. MISTAKE 2. Just reading your bullet points Good speakers develop talks with a simple outline. No manuscript. Just bullets. But their first inclination is often to read the bullets. That won't work. If you just read the bullets, the talk will last about 2 minutes. Here's the easiest way to learn to riff on your outline: → Set up each bullet by first stating the status quo. → Then explain your idea in contrast to it. Create tension before each point. Then unpack the idea to resolve the tension. MISTAKE 3. Sloppy transitions This may seem obvious but... You know your outline. The audience does not. Slooooow down in the transitions. → Each of your points is like a platform. → The transitions are like bridges between them. → Make sure people get across the bridges safely. MISTAKE 4. Under-explaining the key ideas You’ve thought about your topic for 40+ hours. Your audience has thought about the topic... 0 hours. Most speakers forget this and breeze through points without ever really explaining what they mean. → You're not dumbing it down when you explain. → You're just breaking it down. MISTAKE 5. Smiling too much One of the most common (and worst) public speaking tips is to smile as much as you can. I'm constantly telling clients: "Stop smiling so much." → A perma-smile feels fake & creepy in conversation. → A perma-smile feels fake & creepy on stage. (If you want to fact-check me, go watch any talk from the world’s most famous CEOs. None of them smile constantly.) MISTAKE 6. Thinking of your talk like a performance Most new speakers think of their talk as a performance. They go theater / speech class / valedictorian mode. This is a recipe for stage fright (and for acting odd). Instead, don’t think performance. Think service. "I'm here to help these folks in their day-to-day work." → You don’t need them to like you or applaud. → You need to help them win. And if you do, they’ll applaud anyway. This sets you up for more confidence and less anxiety. Go get 'em. ____ P.S. My signature talk cohort is returning in October! It’s a 4-week sprint to nail your next big talk. DM me for details!

Speaking in public is daunting. Unless you follow these 7 steps. Many leaders are terrible at public speaking. Let's be real. It’s daunting. » People are watching you. » The stakes are high. » You need to remember your talk. But here's the deal ⤵ Mastering public speaking can open doors. It's worth learning how to do it right. I've helped hundreds of leaders ace speaking at events like SXSW, TED, and Web Summit. Here are 7 solutions to help you succeed: 1. Develop emotional control: ➥ Avoid emails and messages before a talk - they throw you off course. ➥ Learn to reset your nervous system. 2. Seek constructive feedback: ➥ Ask for feedback. ➥ Address audience concerns. 3. Confidence through preparation: ➥ Rehearse thoroughly. ➥ Record yourself or work with a coach. 4. Personal connection: ➥ Speak from the heart. ➥ Be authentic. The best show up as themselves. 5. Be a high-energy speaker: ➥ It needs to feel over the top for you. ➥ Let your passion infect the room or zoom. 6. Body language: ➥ Use positive body language. ➥ Start with a warm welcome. 7. Audience-centric presentations: ➥ Show up to give not to get. ➥ Actively engage the audience. Your voice matters. Use it to your advantage. ♻️ Please share with your network & follow Oliver Aust for daily tips on leadership communication.

So far, I’ve spoken at 20+ conferences from Amsterdam to Dubai. And here are my 2 biggest hacks to nail your next public speaking gig. What I've learned about public speaking in the last 5 years: 1. Public speaking doesn’t just trigger stage fright. 2. It also triggers self-doubt. Whether it's in front of 500+ pros as a keynote or in front of a business school class of students, many fear public speaking more than death. Here are two mindset shifts that changed the game for me: → Hack 1: Stop memorizing. Start paraphrasing. Yes, practice a million times. But never memorize word-for-word. 1. Each time you rehearse, paraphrase it. 2. Say it in a different order. 3. Try different words. So when you're on stage and your mind goes fuzzy? You’re not stuck, you’re fluent in your message. → Hack 2: Your content feels obvious to you, but it's gold to your audience. I've heard so many smart people say, “But this is too basic…” No, it’s not. You’ve spent years learning what you now take for granted. Your audience hasn’t. They came to learn from you. Don’t rob them of that. And for me? I love being on stage. Give me a mic and an audience, and I’m all in. If you’re organizing a conference or team workshop and want someone who can energize, educate, and inspire, I’d love to be part of it.