Engaging Speakers For Panels

What makes a keynote truly resonate with an audience? I was recently helping a colleague prepare for his first keynote presentation. He knows that I spend a lot of time on keynote stages and that I enjoy coaching others who do as well. Stepping onto a keynote stage can feel daunting, but managing that adrenaline and delivering a compelling message comes down to preparation. When preparing a keynote, many people focus on gathering information. I encourage them to think instead about building a bridge of comprehension so the audience can clearly follow and connect with the message. One framework I often share is what I call the 5 P’s of keynote preparation. 1️⃣ Purpose. Define your goal. What exactly do you want your audience to Know, Feel, and Do? A clear purpose acts as a filter for what makes it into your keynote and ensures the content is relevant and meaningful. 2️⃣ Prime. Your keynote actually begins before you step on stage. Think carefully about your talk’s title and how it is announced. When you prime your audience well, they arrive ready and eager to hear your message. 3️⃣ Plan. Our brains crave structure. Instead of a wandering list of ideas, package your keynote logically. One framework I often use is “What? So What? Now What?” It keeps ideas concise, establishes relevance, and makes them easier to remember. 4️⃣ Premise. Avoid starting with “I’m glad to be here.” Capture attention immediately with a thoughtful question, a compelling story, or a surprising insight. Make it clear where you are taking the audience. 5️⃣ Presence. How you deliver matters just as much as what you say. Keep your posture strong and balanced, gesture with intention, use the space around you, and vary your vocal tone and pacing. These 5 P’s can help strengthen your keynote and improve any high-stakes communication. Always happy to help in crafting your keynote or delivering one to your firm. A quick glimpse at my keynote address at TiEcon last year, where I used the 5 P’s to prepare my own presentation. 👇

Confession: I'm a nervous public speaker… (yet I’ll make $1M+ from keynotes this year). Here are 9 strategies that turned my deepest fear into a powerful strength: PHASE 1: PREP WORK Strategy 1: Study the Best. We have the world's best speakers at our fingertips. Use them. Find 3-5 speakers you admire. Watch their talks on YouTube at 0.75x speed. Take notes on their structure and pacing, voice modulation, movement and gestures, audience engagement. Strategy 2: Create Clear Structure. Great speakers don't deliver speeches, they tell stories. Map your journey explicitly: opening hook, 3 key points, memorable close. Tell the audience where you're taking them. Strategy 3: Build Your "Lego Blocks." Don't memorize your entire speech. That's a trap. Instead, perfect these moments: your opening 30 seconds, key transitions, punchlines and closers. Practice in segments, not sequences. When things go sideways (they will), you'll adapt instead of freeze. Weird trick: Practice once while walking or jogging. It simulates the heart rate spike you'll feel on stage. PHASE 2: PRE-STAGE Strategy 4: Address the Spotlight. The Spotlight Effect: We think everyone's watching our every move. They're not. Use the "So What?" approach: Name your worst fear, ask "So what if it happens?", realize it's never that bad. You'll stumble? So what. Life goes on. Your family still loves you. Strategy 5: Get Into Character. Create your speaker persona. Ask yourself: What traits do they have? How do they move? What's their energy? Flip the switch. Become that character. It's not fake, it's your best self. Strategy 6: Eliminate Stress. The "Physiological Sigh" kills anxiety fast: Double-inhale through your nose, long exhale through your mouth, repeat 2-3 times. Science-backed. Immediate impact. PHASE 3: DELIVERY Strategy 7: Cut the Tension. Last week, they asked what song I wanted to enter to. I said "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys. They thought I was joking. I wasn't. "It's my 1-year-old's favorite song. Figured he'd be more excited to watch if Dad entered to his jam." Instant laughter. Tension gone. Audience on my side. Find your tension breaker. Use it early. Strategy 8: Play the Lava Game. Your pockets and torso are lava. Don't touch them. This forces you to gesture broadly, open your body, project confidence. Big gestures early build momentum. Strategy 9: Move Purposefully. Don't pace like you're nervous. Move like you own the room. Slow. Deliberate. Purposeful. Use movement to create dramatic pauses. Let your words land. Start with one speech, one strategy: Pick your next presentation—could be a team meeting, a toast, whatever. Choose ONE strategy from this list. Master it. Then add another. Public speaking is a muscle. These strategies are your workout plan. The more you practice, the stronger you get. Remember: Everyone gets nervous. The difference is having a system. Now you have one. Use it. Practice it. Watch yourself transform.

Are your presentations falling flat? Here’s how to master presenting in every setting. We now have to master 3 Worlds of Presentations: Virtual - hybrid - in person. Here’s all you need to know: Virtual Presentations 1. Boost your gravitas: In virtual settings, the presenter looks like everyone else. Inject energy with your voice and passion. 2. Raise your hands. They need to be chest-height to be visible. 3. Leverage chat & polls: Use chat features to encourage questions and feedback. Incorporate polls to engage your audience and gather real-time insights. 4. Ace the tech set-up: Lighting & sound matter. Familiarize yourself with the platform's tools (screen sharing, breakout rooms) before. Hybrid Presentations 1. Avoid two-class audience: Address both groups regularly to create inclusivity. 2. No hiding: Ask the remote group to have their cameras on. 3. Use Dual Screens: Set up a dual-screen layout where you can see both your slides and the audience. This helps you maintain eye contact and engage with both groups effectively. 4. Test Audio/Visual Equipment: Ensure all equipment works well in both environments. In-Person Presentations 1. Read the Room: Pay attention to body language and facial expressions to gauge audience engagement. Adjust your tone or pacing accordingly. 2. Utilize Movement: Move around the stage or room to create a dynamic presence. This helps to draw attention and energize the audience. 3. Encourage Interaction: Foster an interactive atmosphere by inviting questions and facilitating discussions throughout your presentation. 4. Avoid Death by Powerpoint: Resist the temptation to read from your slides. Slides are for the audience. No matter the setting, the key to a successful presentation is connecting with your audience. By tailoring your approach to each format, you can enhance engagement and leave a lasting impression. ♻ Please share to help your network and follow me Oliver Aust for daily tips on leadership communication.

Regardless of how great your ideas are in your virtual sales pitch, webinar, or team meeting… People are most likely checking their email, browsing social media, or working on other things while you present. How can you prevent that and actually get your audience to pay attention? Here are 4 of the most powerful techniques we use for our own virtual training courses: 1. Win the first five seconds According to research from the University of Toronto, people need only five seconds to gauge your charisma and leadership as a speaker. In virtual environments, this first impression is even more critical. To establish instant rapport: - Keep your posture open and inviting (avoid fidgeting, crossed arms, and closed-off postures) - Use open gestures that welcome the audience into your space - Gesture with your palms showing at a 45-degree angle - Speak with clear articulation and energy from the very first word The quickest way to lose your audience? Starting with tentative body language that signals you’re unsure or unprepared. 2. Design your presentation for virtual viewing When designing slides, assume varied viewing conditions. Design for the smallest likely device and the slowest likely Internet speed. Make your slides accessible by: - Using larger fonts (24-32pt) - Applying higher contrast colors - Limiting each slide to ONE clear idea - Adding more space between lines when using smaller text - Stripping excess content (you can provide additional information in a separate document) 3. Vary your delivery Our research shows the optimal length for linear presentations is just 16-30 minutes, while interactive ones can maintain engagement for 30-45 minutes. People’s attention will go through peaks and valleys during that time, so try these techniques to keep their attention: - Vary your speaking pace (faster to convey urgency, slower to express gravity) - Use intentional pauses to let key points land - Adjust your vocal tone (lower pitch for authority, higher for approachability) - Shift between slides, stories, and data at regular intervals Each change helps reset your audience’s attention and signals importance. 4. Build in structured interaction Don’t make your audience wait until the end of your presentation to interact. According to our research, presentations that incorporate audience engagement through polls, chat responses, or breakout discussions maintain attention longer. For the highest engagement: - Use a variety of interaction types throughout your presentation - Incorporate breakout rooms for small-group discussions - Switch modalities regularly to keep it interesting Remember: In virtual environments, you need to recreate the natural engagement that happens in person. Your virtual presentation success isn’t measured by perfection…it’s measured by action. Master these techniques and your audience won’t just pay attention, they’ll respond. #VirtualPresentations #CorporateTraining #WorkplaceLearning

HOW I'VE ENGAGED MY AUDIENCE FROM THE MOMENT I STEP ON STAGE! First impressions do count, especially when you first step on stage. You need to capture your audience's attention in that moment; otherwise, they will switch off. It comes down to your positioning and what your first words are! I remember starting my talks with, "Hi, I'm Zoe Cairns"., It was a simple introduction but not one that immediately grabbed attention. Over time, I learned the importance of making those first words count to engage and warm up the audience. Here's how I capture attention right from the start: ONE ↳Personal story: Begin with a personal story that relates to your topic. This immediately captures attention and creates an emotional connection with your audience. TWO ↳Humor: Open with a light-hearted joke or humorous anecdote relevant to your topic or the event. A bit of laughter helps to break the ice and draw people in. THREE ↳Interactive question: Ask the audience a question that encourages them to think and respond, either mentally or with a show of hands. For example, "How many of you have faced a similar challenge in your career?" This engages them right away and makes them feel involved. FOUR ↳Show of hands: Conduct a quick, relevant poll to get the audience involved. For example, "By a show of hands, how many of you have ever...?" This simple action creates immediate participation and connection. FIVE ↳Icebreaker statement: Start with an intriguing fact or a bold statement that prompts curiosity and engagement. For example, "Did you know that 70% of success in this field comes from just one key habit? Today, we're going to dive into what that habit is and how you can master it." (my least favourite, but effective). And guess what? It works. By starting strong, I've been able to capture and maintain my audience's attention from the very beginning. Engaging your audience right away makes them feel involved and valued, setting the tone for a successful presentation. Now, every time I step on stage, I focus on making a powerful first impression that hooks my audience immediately. To anyone looking to improve their speaking engagements: Grab your audience's attention from the start. Use these techniques to make them feel involved, valued, and eager to hear more. Connect, educate, and inspire! How do you warm up your audience? Lots of love, Zoe. ____________ If you like this post, you will love my newsletter 💜 Join my newsletter for a FREE weekly growth strategy for speakers and thought leaders - see the first comment below to join 👇

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about speaking on a panel or podcast. Most people are so focused on sounding smart that they forget the ONLY thing the audience cares about. Connection. Real, human, punch-you-in-the-chest connection. After speaking at SXSW, SEAT, and presenting to teams at Disney Entertainment, Live Nation Entertainment, Peloton Interactive, and a few others who definitely didn’t have time to be bored, I’ve learned one truth. Public speaking is not a performance. It’s a service. And when you treat it like service, everything changes. Here are the data-backed habits that actually move the needle. 1. Speak in 12-second blocks. Studies show the average listener tunes out after 12 to 18 seconds. Break everything into short, clean blocks. No paragraphs. Just punches. 2. Start with a story, not a credential. Neuroscience says stories activate up to 7 regions of the brain. Credentials activate one. Make them feel before you make them think. 3. Give one controversial take. Panels are full of "nice" opinions. Be the person who says the thing everyone is thinking. Bold viewpoints create 3 to 5 times more engagement. 4. Make every answer actionable. People remember speakers who solve problems. Not speakers who speak. Every point you make should pass the "can someone use this tomorrow" test. 5. Let your personality leak. Humor increases retention by 20 percent. Vulnerability increases trust by 40 percent. Combine both and you’re basically cheating. 6. Slow your pace by 15 percent. Most speakers rush. Research shows listeners rate slower speakers as more credible, more confident and more strategic. 7. End with a takeaway, not a thank you. Give them the line they quote later. The line they text to a friend. The line that gets screenshotted. If you’re stepping onto a stage or into a podcast, remember this. You’re not there to impress. You’re there to impact. And when you shift your mindset, the audience shifts with you. #sales #publicspeaking #podcast

🎤 "From stage fright to spotlight: How I went from bombing my first speech to coaching clients for their keynotes. My 3-week formula for presentation success..." As someone who has delivered countless presentations, I've developed a 3-week formula for conference success. Let me walk you through my process and share some insights I've gained along the way. 3️⃣ Weeks Out: • Outline key points - I identify 3-5 core messages I want the audience to remember • Create an inspiring mood board 🖼️ - This helps me visualize the presentation's tone and style. This also provides me with inspiration. 2️⃣ Weeks Out: • Craft presentation draft - I focus on creating a coherent narrative flow • I aim for 1 slide per 3 minutes of allocated time - This ensures I don't overwhelm the audience with information and also allows me to read the room if certain topics create more engagement • Weave in a compelling narrative arc - I use storytelling techniques to engage listeners. Villains, Heroes, Fairy Tale Endings! 1️⃣ Week Out: • Polish transitions - Smooth segues between topics to maintain audience attention and keep the presentation from feeling choppy • Perfect timing ⏱️ - I practice with a timer to ensure I respect the allotted time slot 2️⃣ Days Before: • Full run-through with notes 📝 - This helps identify any weak spots in the presentation and ensures I have notes for a fallback 1️⃣ Day Before: • Practice without notes - This builds confidence and improves natural delivery • Familiarize myself with the venue - Understanding the space helps me plan my stage presence ⏰ Day Of: • Don't overprepare the day of - you got this and last-minute changes can trip you up • Nail the first 30 seconds - A strong opening sets the tone for the entire talk • Smile and get comfortable on stage 😊 - Positive body language helps connect with the audience ✅ Pro Tips: 1. Use bullet points, not complete scripts. This keeps delivery natural and engaging. I've found memorizing word-for-word can lead to stilted delivery if I lose my place. 2. Be authentically you. Your unique perspective is your superpower on stage. Audiences respond to genuine speakers who share personal insights. 3. Incorporate audience interaction. I like to include a brief Q&A session or a quick poll by hand to keep listeners actively engaged. 4. Leverage the power of pause. Strategic silences can emphasize key points and give the audience time to absorb information. 5. Prepare for tech issues. I always assume the presentation won't work and I will just have to speak to it as a worst-case scenario. 6. Connect with other speakers. Networking at conferences can lead to valuable collaborations and future opportunities. Remember, public speaking is a skill that improves with practice. Each presentation is an opportunity to refine your technique and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills #ConferenceTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #SpeakerPrep #StagePresence

Know your audience - don't just start speeching Have you ever given a speech or presentation to an audience of strangers and felt nervous about how your messages will land? Did you realize afterward (maybe in the Q&A section) you misjudged what they care about most and didn't speak to it, even though you could have? If you have the flexibility to change the format, I'd say: Never give a speech to an audience of strangers if you can instead create a collaborative session where everyone can contribute (e.g. by using Liberating Structures facilitation tools https://lnkd.in/eftKSyjt). Because if you have 50 people in a room, it's rare that the things one person can come up with are more intelligent than the combined wisdom of 50. But I digress. Sometimes you won't have the power to make radical changes. But you may be able to sprinkle in micro-engagement, while still following the given format. Try this: Before you start, ask the participants to raise their hands answering three questions. Make sure these focus on the key messages or concerns of your speech. How do you pick these questions? Complete this sentence: "If only I knew how my audience thinks about / whether they care about / whether they prioritize X or Y... I could cater my speech better to their needs". Ask about the things that come to mind. Don't ask questions where you expect everyone to say yes anyway - a wasted opportunity for learning about your audience. Don't ask questions that would be uncomfortable to answer or where participants expose something about themselves they may want to keep private. Once participants have raised their hands, you may (if it makes sense in the context of the question) encourage them to look around and see how many people in the audience have similar concerns. This can shift the atmosphere in the room, adding just a tiny bit of warmth and connection. During your speech, make sure to remind them of these questions and how they answered and show that you are aligned or have additional information about the issue you will focus on because it is their concern. Try it out and share how it worked. As a facilitator, I love being able to design amazing participatory purpose-driven sessions from scratch. But I'm also committed to reality. And I love finding cracks in traditional formats (e.g. the speech, where one person talks and everyone else listens) and figuring out how to sprinkle some sparkles and participation through these cracks. I'm curious to hear from others about the small changes you have made to invite more participation in spaces where you had limited wiggle room.

Most presentations are built completely backwards. You open your slide deck and start piecing something together that sounds close enough to a comprehensible narrative. You take shortcuts because you know there will be a prompter or you can read your notes on the virtual call. But, If you want to be persuasive, if you want your team to feel part of something bigger than themselves, you need to put your slides down and start designing an experience. This takes time, thought, and actual care. Not last-minute and rushed formatting energy. Here are four shifts I want you to try: 👉 ONE: Put your slides away. Close the deck. Yes, really. Slides are support. They are not strategy. They are not meaning. When you start with visuals, you start decorating before you know what the room actually needs. You end up solving layout problems instead of communication problems. 👉 TWO: Get clear. Why this talk. Why now. Why these people. 👉 THREE: Design for the person with the least context in the room. Your audience is never one type of human. You have different learners. You have experts. You have new people. You have customers. You have folks who are pretending to understand and hoping no one calls on them. Ask yourself, who in this room has the least background on this topic, and how is this landing for them? This is not about watering anything down. It is about being concise and intentional. It is about cutting the extra language, the internal shorthand, the industry speak that makes you sound smart but leaves half the room behind. When you do this well, the experts still feel respected and everyone else can actually track with you. That is how trust gets built. 👉 FOUR: And this is a biggy, get your audience involved in the content! Not just emotionally. Actually involved. Yes, people should see themselves in your stories. That is step one. Step two is participation. Are you asking real questions or just talking at them? Are they turning to each other at any point? Are they thinking, choosing, reacting? Are you showing something in action instead of explaining it to death? Engagement is not just being charismatic at the front of the room. It is shared experience. When people do something with you, even something small, the message lands in their body, not just their notes. A presentation is not a slide deck with a human attached. It is a live moment with actual people. Treat it like that, and your talks stop feeling like information and start feeling like something worth being in the room for. Nobody want to be talked at anymore. People want community. What are you doing to build this? #publicspeaking #meaning #leadership #presentations #engagement

After 15+ years of coaching speakers, I've identified the number one presentation killer, and it actually happens before the talk is ever given. It's this: Obsessing over WHAT you'll say while completely missing WHO you're saying it to. Here's the truth: A good message to the right audience beats a brilliant message to the wrong one. Think about it, would you use the same approach presenting to: • A room of C-suite executives • A class of graduate students • A conference of industry peers Of course not. Yet most speakers skip the crucial first step: audience analysis. Want to transform your next presentation? Start with these 3 power questions: 1) WHO ARE THEY? (The Demographics Deep-Dive) • Age range & experience level • Professional backgrounds • Industry context & company dynamics • Decision-making authority 2) WHAT DRIVES THEM? (The Motivation Matrix) • Core challenges they're facing • Career aspirations & goals • Pain points keeping them up at night • What would make them lean in and listen 3) WHAT DO THEY NEED? (The Value Filter) Not what you WANT to share, but what they NEED to hear. Big difference. Pro Tip: Write these questions on a sticky note before your next prep session. Let them guide every slide, story, and statistic you include. The result? You'll stop being just another speaker and start being the one they remember.