If you want to grow your business, land speaking gigs, lead your team with confidence, or simply stop shaking like a leaf every time someone hands you a mic, let me tell you something loud and clear: public speaking is a non-negotiable skill. Whether you're on a stage or in a Zoom room, how you show up and speak has the power to open (or slam shut) doors.
I've coached hundreds of professionals who started out dodging every opportunity to speak—and now they own the room. The shift? It came from preparation, practice, and having the right tools in their back pocket. Let me show you what belongs in your public speaking toolkit.
You need one story that people remember after the mic is off and the coffee is cold. Your signature story should do three things:
Start with where you came from. Tie it to what you do now. End with the transformation. If you're a coach, leader, or business owner—you've lived through something that shaped you. THAT is the story that belongs at the center of your talks.
Example: I often share about growing up in my dad's restaurant, learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship by watching him flip burgers and lead with grit. It's not flashy, but it's real.
Forget complicated slide decks for a second. If I handed you a napkin right now, could you outline your go-to talk?
Here’s the basic structure I teach:
You can expand or condense this depending on your audience and time slot, but this is the skeleton of every powerful talk.
Confidence isn't a personality trait. It's a skill. And skills? They can be learned.
My go-to formula:
Bonus tip? Your brain follows your body. So if you act confident, your brain catches up.
Before you step on stage, ask this: What does my audience need to feel, know, or do after I speak?
Your talk isn’t about YOU. It’s about them. Always run your content through that lens. Eliminate fluff, jargon, and anything that sounds like you're showing off. Speak to serve, not to impress.
Your goal isn’t to lecture. It’s to connect. Keep your audience with you by:
Whether you're in-person or virtual, tech is your co-pilot. Pack:
If you’re going to present, make sure your environment supports your energy. Don’t get sabotaged by weak lighting, bad Wi-Fi, or awkward hand gestures because you're tied to a laptop.
You don’t need to memorize every word. But you do need to:
Bonus if you walk while you rehearse—it gets the blood (and ideas) flowing.
Your talk doesn’t end when the applause does. Keep the momentum going:
Every speaking engagement is a business card for your brand. Treat it like one.
You don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to be a great speaker. You just need to be the clearest, the most prepared, and the most you.
Speaking is one of the most powerful tools you have to lead, influence, and build something bigger than yourself. So stop waiting to "feel ready." Pack your toolkit. Practice your voice. And go light up a room.
Want coaching on your next keynote? Let’s talk. I help professionals go from rambling to riveting — and from nervous to booked and paid.
Visit heatherferrari.com to get started.
