Giving a talk – how to plan and give talks that engage

What is a talk, and what makes a good one?

A talk is basically a structured presentation where one person shares knowledge, ideas or inspiration with an audience. It can take place in a lecture hall, on a conference stage, in a classroom or through a digital meeting tool. Talks are used in many settings, from academic lectures and internal training to inspiring speeches at events or customer webinars.

What characterizes a good talk is not the place or the format, but the effect on the audience. A successful talk captures the listeners' attention early, engages them throughout and leaves them with new insights, ideas or tools when it is over. Some key factors tend to be:

• A clear purpose and message: As a speaker you have a common thread and a clear main message that runs through the whole talk. The audience understands why the topic matters and what they will get out of listening to you.
• Good structure: The content is well organized with a clear beginning, middle and end. You guide the audience through the topic in a logical way, for example by first giving context, then going deeper into the main points and finally summing up or ending with a call to action.
• Presence and energy: The speaker is present in the moment, makes eye contact and adapts to the audience's reactions. Enthusiastic and genuine engagement is contagious. Body language, voice and tone are used to reinforce the message.
• Audience contact: A good talk feels almost like a dialogue even though only one person is speaking. By involving the listeners, for example asking questions, asking for a show of hands or offering a short exercise, interest stays alive and the audience feels involved.
• Relevant content: The presentation is adapted to the audience that is there. Language level, examples and references are at the right level and the topic feels meaningful to those particular listeners.

In short, whether you speak on site or give a digital talk, it is about getting through to the audience effectively. In the next section we look at how to lay the foundation for such a talk through good preparation.

Preparing your talk, the foundation of success

Every successful talk begins long before you step onto the stage or log in to the broadcast. Thorough preparation gives you confidence and makes the talk flow better. Here are some important aspects to think about when you plan and prepare:

Clarify the purpose, goals and target audience: Start by asking yourself why you are giving the talk. What do you want the audience to know, feel or do afterward? Define the purpose clearly; it becomes your compass throughout the planning. Also think about the target audience: who will be listening? What background, level of knowledge or interests do they have? The more you know about your listeners, the better you can adapt the content and tone so that it hits the mark. An internal staff talk may need a different approach than a talk for new customers or students.

Create a common thread and structure the content: Build up the content of the talk with a logical structure. A simple rule of thumb is to have an introduction that sparks interest, a middle that delivers the main messages and a conclusion that ties everything together. Make sure every part of the content supports your purpose. Leave out what is not relevant; it is better to go deep into a few key areas than to try to cover too much. When you have the outline ready, you can create any presentation slides (for example in PowerPoint or similar). Do not let the slides drive the content; create them after you know what you will say (slides should support your talk, not be the script itself). We will come back shortly to common mistakes with presentation material.

Practice, practice, practice: Knowing your material is essential for feeling confident. When you have your script or talking points ready, rehearse the talk several times. Preferably say everything out loud; it is different to hear the words spoken than to just read them silently. Through repetition you discover whether a part is hard to explain or whether a section takes too long. Feel free to practice in front of a test audience (a colleague, friend or family member) who can give feedback. Alternatively, record yourself with your phone camera and watch it afterward. It can feel unfamiliar, but you will notice things such as pace, body language and whether you say “um” too often. By rehearsing, you polish away uncertainties and build up muscle memory so that the words are there when it counts.

Practical preparation: Make sure all practical details are under control well before the talk. This reduces stress on the day itself. Some examples:

• Venue and equipment: If the talk is physical, check the venue in advance. Is the right equipment there (projector, microphone, whiteboard etc.) and does everything work technically? Do a sound check if you will use a microphone. For a digital talk, test the platform (Zoom, Teams, etc.) beforehand: do screen sharing, camera and sound work? Also make sure your computer is charged and that you have any cables or adapters at hand.
• Timing: Time your run-throughs to make sure the talk stays within the allotted time. Plan roughly how long each part (introduction, the different sections, conclusion) may take. Do not forget to set aside time for questions or interaction if that is included. Running over time is a common mistake that creates stress for both you and the audience, so keep a clock easily visible while you speak.
• Material: Prepare handouts or digital material if any is to be shared. If you have, for example, promised to send the presentation or links afterward, have them ready. Being able to deliver material right away makes a professional impression.
• Plan B: Think through what you will do if something unexpected happens. How will you handle it if the projector gives up, or if the internet connection acts up in the middle of a webinar talk? Having a backup plan (for example printed slides, an extra internet connection via your phone, or being able to continue without slides) gives you the confidence that even unforeseen events can be solved.

Mental preparation: At least as important as sorting out the technology is preparing yourself mentally. Build up a positive picture of the talk in your head. Remind yourself why you in particular are speaking: you have knowledge or experience that is valuable to the audience. Think through possible questions that may come up and how you will answer them, so that you feel equipped. If nerves tend to be a problem for you, work out strategies for handling them already now (more on that in the next section). It can also help to visualize a successful performance: imagine yourself going up, feeling confident and getting a good response from the audience. Mental preparation raises your self-confidence.

Checklist before your talk: As the day of the presentation approaches, check that you have ticked off the following:

• Defined the purpose of the talk and adapted the content to your target audience.
• Created a clear outline (beginning, middle, end) and possibly prepared visual aids that support the message.
• Rehearsed the talk several times, preferably out loud and ideally with a test audience or a recording, until you feel comfortable.
• Gone through the technology: tested the microphone, projection or webinar platform, and made sure of a stable internet connection for a digital talk.
• Prepared the venue or your broadcast location: the right lighting, a calm, uncluttered background, and the equipment (computer, camera, pointer etc.) in place and in order.
• Remembered the practical details: sending out the invitation or reminders to participants, material to hand out, and having your own clothes and any aids (water, notes) ready.

By taking care of the points above beforehand, you lay a stable foundation. You reduce the likelihood of stressful moments and can focus more on the performance itself when it is showtime.

Pro tip: Do you feel you need a more thorough plan for the event around the talk? Check out our event guide for planning and running successful events; it has tips on everything from invitations to follow-up (Read more: How to succeed with your event and How to organize a digital event). These guides help you handle the whole event, so that you can put your main focus on the talk itself.

Handling nerves and stage fright

Feeling butterflies in your stomach before a talk is completely normal; even experienced speakers get nervous. The key is not to let stage fright become an obstacle, but to learn to handle it so that you can perform anyway (and even benefit from the extra energy). Here are strategies for taming your nerves:

Accept that you are nervous: First of all, realize that nervousness is not a sign of weakness or inability; it is a human reaction to being the center of attention. Instead of thinking “Help, I am so nervous, this will never work!”, say to yourself: “Okay, I am nervous. That is natural; it means I care about this.” By acknowledging the butterflies rather than fighting them, you take the drama out of the feeling. Small doses of nervousness can even make you sharp and extra focused.

Reinterpret the butterflies as positive energy: Did you know that the body reacts the same way to nervousness as to anticipation? You can try to trick your brain a little by changing your mindset. When your pulse rises and your hand is perhaps a little shaky, think: “I am pumped and eager to get started” instead of “I am losing it from nerves”. This mental reinterpretation can help you turn anxiety into something more manageable. The next time you feel the adrenaline pumping before you speak, try to see it as your body giving you extra energy to deliver with passion.

Breathe deeply and calmly: One of the most effective ways to quickly calm your nerves is through your breathing. When we are stressed, we often breathe short and shallow high up in the chest, which sends further alarm signals to the body. Break that spiral with conscious breathing: take slow, deep breaths all the way down into your belly. Try breathing in through your nose for 3 seconds and out through your mouth for 4–5 seconds. The longer exhalation activates the body's rest-and-digest system (the parasympathetic nervous system), which lowers your pulse. Just a few such breaths can take you from panic to a more centered calm. Make sure to breathe like this both before you start speaking and, if you need to, pause for deep breaths in the middle of the talk.

Shift your focus outward to the message and the audience: Nervousness often thrives on self-critical thoughts spinning around: “How am I coming across? What if I lose the thread? Everyone is looking at me!” Try to break that by directing your attention away from your own inner world. Focus instead on the message you want to get across and the audience you want to reach. Remind yourself that you are there to give them something of value: knowledge, insight or inspiration. If you notice that you are getting stuck in thoughts about yourself, actively think of a person in the audience who really needs to hear what you are going to say, and imagine that you are talking directly to that person. Then it becomes easier to forget your own nervousness for a while.

Remember that the audience wants you to succeed: A common worry for anyone about to speak is the fear of being judged by the audience: “They will notice that I am nervous and think I am bad.” The truth is that most people in the audience are not sitting there looking for faults. On the contrary, most listeners want the talk to be good; after all, they have come to listen and learn something. And since many of them know what it feels like to stand in front of others, they sympathize with you. If you happen to stumble or lose the thread, it is usually only you who notices how big it feels; the audience may not even react. And if it does go badly wrong, no harm done: you can calmly say something like “Oops, I lost my place for a moment, let me take that part again”, smile a little and then carry on. Showing that you are human can even increase the audience's trust, because keeping calm despite a mistake comes across as professional.

Be kind to yourself: Before and during your talk, try to keep a friendly inner dialogue. Encourage yourself with thoughts like “I am prepared, I can do this” or “It is okay not to be perfect”. If negative self-criticism creeps in, replace it with a more supportive voice: think of what you would have said to a good friend in the same situation. A little humor and self-distance also help; being able to laugh at your own mistakes or openly admit your nerves (in a light-hearted way) can ease the pressure for everyone in the room. You do not need to be a superhero on stage; the audience appreciates a speaker who is genuine and relaxed more than one who seems stiff and perfectly memorized.

Practical tricks just before you start: In the last few minutes before you begin, nerves can peak. Then you can take a few quick measures:

• Arrive in good time: Be in place (physically or logged in digitally) with a margin. That way you avoid rushing and have time to get used to the environment. Take the opportunity to greet some of those who have arrived (if appropriate); a little informal small talk beforehand can make both you and the audience feel more comfortable with each other.
• Warm up your body: Nervousness is largely physical. Move around a little before you start: do a few deep squats, roll your shoulders, shake out the tension in your arms and neck. This burns off excess adrenaline and makes your muscles relax.
• Super-breathe and center yourself: Just before you go up, take a couple of really calming breaths as described above. Feel your feet against the floor and your contact with the ground. Remind yourself: “Here we go, this will go fine.” In the last second before you begin, you can smile; it sends signals to your brain that you are calm and gives you a positive start.

By accepting and handling your nerves in these ways, you can see them as a boost of energy rather than an obstacle. Soon you will notice that the first, most intense spike in your pulse settles as soon as you have started talking, and you can begin to enjoy the moment more.

Audience contact and engagement, involving your listeners

A talk is at its best when it feels interactive, when the audience feels seen and engaged even though the format is mainly one-way. By actively creating audience contact early and keeping engagement up, you get a livelier atmosphere, which in turn makes you more confident as a speaker. Here are some ways to involve your listeners and build a positive connection:

Start with eye contact and a smile: When you step up in front of the audience (or start your camera for a digital talk), take a moment to look out over the room in silence and meet a few people's eyes. Preferably identify a couple of friendly faces in the audience and hold eye contact for a few seconds. Combine it with a genuine smile if it feels natural. This simple trick immediately establishes contact and signals that you are present and interested in them. Even if you feel nervous inside, eye contact makes you come across as confident and trustworthy. For the audience it creates a sense of belonging; they experience that you are talking with them, not at them.

Involve the audience early: Instead of giving a long monologue from the start, break the ice as soon as possible with some small interactive gesture. It can be a quick show-of-hands question: “How many of you have…?” (and people raise their hands), or a prompt to nod if they recognize themselves in a statement. You can also ask the group a rhetorical question to make them reflect. In smaller groups it may work to let two people share a thought with each other for half a minute. The point is to get the audience active early instead of passive; then the energy level in the room rises. In larger talks, digital polling tools such as Mentimeter can be used to let the audience give their views or answer questions on their phones (great for getting interaction going during webinars or conferences). If you suspect that the audience is shy, you can plant a question in advance with someone you know in the room, or ask a colleague to raise their hand first; more people often dare to follow then.

Adapt to the audience: Make small checks during the talk to read the audience. Do they seem to understand, are they nodding in agreement or do they look confused? Is the energy high, or are people starting to look tired? Depending on what you see, you can adjust the pace or tone. Perhaps you need to back up and explain something more simply if many look puzzled, or ask a question to liven things up if the energy is dropping. Show with your body language and expressions that you care about their reactions. A simple “Are you with me?” with a smile can both check the situation and make people feel included. Being responsive in this way makes the audience notice that you see them, which increases their willingness to listen actively.

Dare to share yourself: Personal anecdotes, humor and self-distance are fantastic tools for building trust and a good atmosphere in the room. If it suits the topic, share a short story from your own life that connects to what you are talking about, something funny, moving or vivid. It makes the content more memorable and human. Humor is also worth its weight in gold: getting the audience to smile or laugh a little spreads a positive feeling. It does not have to be about telling jokes or trying to be a stand-up comedian (that can easily feel forced). A smile, a twinkle in your eye and perhaps a light-hearted comment are often enough. Example: if you notice that you happen to be nervous and are fumbling with your papers at the start, you can say with a little laugh: “Heh, yes, you can tell I am a bit jittery; the papers seem to be shaking by themselves.” The audience will probably laugh, the tension eases, and you show that you are human. When you share yourself in that way, you create closeness and get the audience on your side. They feel “they are one of us”, and then they listen even more favorably.

Handle questions and dialogue: If the format allows questions during the talk, feel free to encourage them. Just make sure you keep track of the time; questions can run away with you. A good way is to say at the start “Feel free to ask questions, either right away or save them for the end, whichever suits you best”. Then the listeners know there is room for them. At larger events it may be better to take all questions together in a Q&A at the end or to use a moderator who helps select questions (especially for digital talks with a chat function where lots of questions can come in). By engaging with the questions asked and thanking people for them, you show that you value the audience's input. It turns the talk from one-way communication into a conversation, at least partly, which increases engagement further.

End with a clear point and a call to action: Audience contact also applies to how you finish. Aim to round off with a proper ending rather than just fading out. Sum up the main point and preferably connect back to something you said in the introduction (it gives a sense of wholeness). Thank the audience for their time and attention. If it fits, leave them with a question to think about, a challenge to take on or a call to action (CTA), for example “So next time you… try…”. A strong ending gives the audience something to take with them and reinforces the feeling that the talk was rewarding. It also rounds off the experience so that they are not unsure whether you are finished or not.

In summary: when you make the audience feel involved and seen, you are rewarded with better focus and response from them. It becomes more fun for everyone involved. Remember that a talk does not have to be a rigid one-man show; think of it as a meeting where you happen to do most of the talking. That way it becomes more natural to involve and interact with those listening.

Body language and voice, the speaker's toolbox

How you deliver the message can be almost as important as the content itself. Your body language and your voice affect how the audience perceives you and how well your message gets through. By using these tools consciously, you can come across as a confident and engaging speaker. Here are some key tips:

Stand firmly and openly: Your posture signals a lot about your self-confidence. Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and your weight evenly distributed; it gives you a stable base. Avoid crossing your legs or rocking back and forth, as that can come across as uncertainty or nervousness. Straighten your back, roll your shoulders back and open up your chest (stand “proud”). A relaxed but upright posture radiates confidence. Also try to avoid keeping your arms tightly crossed or your hands clasped in front of your chest for long, as that can seem closed off. Instead, rest your arms by your sides when you are not actively gesturing. Remember to smile if it suits the situation; a smile gives an inviting impression and can make both you and the audience feel more relaxed.

Use gestures with meaning: Your hands can be fantastic tools for reinforcing what you say, as long as you use them consciously. For example, you can use open gestures such as showing your palms (a signal of openness and honesty), pointing at the presentation slides or counting off points on your fingers when you say “first…, second…” and so on. Avoid distracting fidgeting, though: many people have the habit of fiddling with their clothes, twisting a ring or repeatedly clicking a pen when they are nervous. Try to keep still with such movements, since they can draw the audience's attention away from what you are saying. If you notice that you are tensing your shoulders or arms unnecessarily, you can discreetly shake them out a little during a longer stretch of talking or in a pause; it helps your body relax.

Move on the stage (or in the room) with intent: When you give a talk, you may be standing at a lectern, on a stage or in front of a whiteboard. Feel free to move around; you do not need to stand completely still if that does not suit your style. But avoid aimless wandering back and forth, as the audience may then become more fascinated by your walk than by your words. Instead, move with purpose: for example, you can take a couple of steps closer to the audience at an important point to create closeness, or move to the side when you switch to a new topic, to give a visual sign of the change. Some speakers like to have “stations”: they start, for example, in the center, go to the left to tell an anecdote, back to the center for the main point, then to the right for the next example. Find what feels natural to you. Even in a digital talk, “movement” can matter; there it is about how you use the frame. For example, you can lean a little toward the camera for emphasis on something important, or use hand gestures within the camera frame. The point is that all movement should tie in with what you are saying, not just become a nervous habit.

Speak clearly and at a suitable pace: Many people automatically start speaking faster when they are nervous. Be aware of this and slow down, especially at the beginning of the talk. It may feel unnaturally slow to you as the speaker, but to the audience it will sound clear and distinct. Pauses are your friend: dare to take short pauses between sentences or after making an important point. It gives the listeners time to absorb the information, and it makes you come across as calm and thoughtful. Using pauses effectively can also help you avoid filler sounds like “um”, since you give yourself permission to be silent for a moment.

Support your voice from your belly and articulate: For your voice to carry and sound steady, think about speaking from your belly (the diaphragm) rather than from your throat. One trick is to stand with good posture and imagine that your voice comes all the way up from your abdominal muscles. Then you get more resonance and power without having to strain your throat. Relax your jaw and mouth when you speak; one trick is to yawn widely just before you start speaking, which helps the muscles of the jaw and throat release tension (do it discreetly backstage or before you log in digitally!). With a relaxed jaw, your articulation becomes clearer. Also make sure to open your mouth and really pronounce the words properly; it may feel exaggerated to you but comes across as suitably clear to the listener.

Vary your pitch and emphasis: A monotone voice is one of the most sleep-inducing things there is for an audience. If every word comes out with the same tone and rhythm, the brain stops reacting to the content after a while. So try to add variation to your voice. You can do that by changing your pitch, perhaps a slightly higher pitch when you are enthusiastic and a slightly lower, more serious one when you underline something important. Also play with emphasis: stress key words in your sentences to bring them out. Example: the difference between “This is very important to think about” and “This is very important to think about”; in the first case you clearly hear where the focus is. Pace and volume can also be varied; lower your voice and speak a little more slowly to create intimacy in a personal story, or raise the volume and pick up the pace a little in an encouraging part. By varying your speech in this way, it becomes like a dynamic journey for the audience, which keeps them alert. Your engagement with the topic should be audible; let the passion show in your voice when you talk about what you care about.

Radiate presence and enthusiasm: All the techniques with body and voice aside, the most important thing is that you feel present. That means you mean what you say and are in the room (or the broadcast) together with the audience in the moment. A practical tip: lift your eyes from any notes and speak directly to the audience at regular intervals, even if you have a script. If you see some people nodding in agreement, respond to it: “I see you nodding, you recognize this, right?”. Small interactions and adjustments show that you are with them. Try to have the attitude “This is going to be fun!” instead of “I have to survive this” when you go up. Even if you may have to act a little self-assured at the start, that feeling usually soon becomes genuine when you see that everything is going well. The energy you send out is often reflected back by the audience; if you show enthusiasm and presence, they will also be more alert and interested.

Dress for success: One last detail about how you come across: think about your clothes. Choose something that suits the context and that you feel comfortable and good-looking in; it gives you extra self-confidence. Avoid distracting clothes, such as extremely loud colors or T-shirts with big texts or slogans, if the focus is to be on your message. If you will be on video (a digital talk), keep in mind that some patterns (for example narrow stripes or checks) can “flicker” strangely on camera. Simple, single-colored garments usually work best on video. And wear clothes you can move in without problems. If you feel well dressed and comfortable, you will also behave in a more relaxed and professional way.

In summary, body language and voice give you the opportunity to reinforce your message considerably. By standing firmly, being open in your gestures and posture, and speaking clearly and vividly, you signal both to the audience and to yourself that you are confident in your role. And that signal is positively contagious!

Digital talks, how to succeed online

Giving talks digitally via Zoom, Teams or other platforms has become more and more common. A digital talk places partly different demands than a physical one, but a lot is also the same: you need to plan the content well, engage the audience and deliver clearly. Here we focus on the extra things you should think about when you give talks online:

• Technology first, make sure of a professional setup: In the digital environment, your technology is your stage. So make sure to have the camera at eye level. If you use a laptop, put it on a few books or a laptop stand so that the webcam is straight in front of your face, not below your chin. Then it looks as if you are looking straight at the participants (nobody wants to be lectured by someone who “looks down” on them or where only the forehead shows). Lighting is also crucial: avoid sitting with a window behind you (you become dark like a silhouette). It is better to have the light from the front or diagonally in front, for example by placing yourself facing a window, or by using a lamp or ring light behind the screen to light your face evenly. Check in advance what the background looks like on camera; clear away clutter and try to have a neutral, calm background. It does not have to be completely empty, but it should not draw focus either. A bookshelf, a potted plant or a neutral wall works fine; the main thing is that you are at the center, not your messy ironing board or family members moving behind you.
• A stable connection and sound quality: Nothing ruins a digital talk as quickly as choppy sound or a frozen picture. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection, preferably a network cable straight into the router if it matters (Wi-Fi can be less stable). If possible, use a connection with at least 100 Mbit/s up and down to handle video well. Turn off other programs or devices that use bandwidth in the meantime (for example big downloads or streaming devices). Sound is actually even more important than the picture; many can accept a little lag in the picture as long as they hear you clearly. So feel free to use a headset or an external microphone for better sound, instead of the built-in computer microphone that easily gives a tinny or distant sound. Test the sound beforehand: record a short clip to hear how you sound, so that you can adjust the volume or microphone placement. If you are part of a larger digital event where several of you are speaking, an external microphone and possibly an external webcam can give an extra professional touch to picture and sound.
• Clothes and eye contact, adapted for the camera: Just as we mentioned under body language, clothing matters digitally. Avoid patterns that can disturb the camera (for example very fine stripes). Preferably wear a color that contrasts with the background so that you show clearly (but not neon colors that stand out too much). Look into the camera lens when you speak, not just at your screen or at yourself. It can feel strange to talk to a camera, but to the audience it feels like eye contact. One tip is to put a small sticky note with a happy smiley right next to the camera to remind you to look there and smile!
• A clear meeting structure and run sheet: Online it is harder to hold the participants' attention; distractions are just a click away. That is why a clear structure is even more important. At the start, present the agenda for the digital talk: what will be covered and roughly how long each part takes, when there will be a break, and so on. Feel free to use a presentation slide at the start that lists the points. Have a run sheet with changes of pace and preferably some kind of break or leg stretch if the talk runs long (for example more than 45–60 minutes). If you run for about 2 hours online, consider a 5-minute stretch break in the middle; it is appreciated. Be extra careful with time discipline in a digital environment; finish when you have said you will finish. Participants become more impatient online and will drop off if it runs over time.
• Engage the online audience: Use the interactive tools that the digital platform offers. Ask people to write in the chat in answer to a question (“Write in the chat what you hope to learn today!” gets some activity going). If the platform has a poll function, add one or two quick polls to break up the presentation. Feel free to call participants by name when you answer questions from the chat; it makes the experience more personal (“Good question, Anna, it actually works like this…”). For large online events with many participants, a moderator who helps you can be worth their weight in gold: a person who keeps an eye on the chat and picks out questions or signals if someone cannot hear or see. Then you can focus on the talk itself and still take audience questions without losing the flow. Do not forget that people online also like to be seen, even if their cameras are usually off. Encourage them to use reactions (thumbs up, applause emoji etc., if available) to create more of a two-way feeling.
• Visualize and demonstrate: Since the online participants are not in the room with you, your visual aids become even more important for holding their interest. Share a presentation, pictures or perhaps short video clips to vary the content. But beware of “Death by PowerPoint” here too: do not put up a slide deck with nothing but masses of text that you then read aloud, because then people will zone out for sure (more on this mistake in the next section!). Keep the visuals simple, good-looking and supportive of your talk. If you demonstrate something, consider doing it in front of the camera, for example showing a product, holding up a book or drawing something on a physical whiteboard if you have the option; such breaks in the digital flow can make everyone sharpen their attention.
• Be prepared for the unexpected: In digital talks, the technology can cause trouble at any moment. Prepare yourself mentally for how you will handle typical interruptions: if your screen sharing suddenly does not work, can you keep talking without slides for a while as you sort it out? If your internet connection drops, do you have a mobile hotspot ready as a backup? If the audience happens to hear background noise (someone who forgot to mute), dare to pause and kindly tell them they can turn off their microphone. This may sound stressful, but by having thought through the problems in advance, you will be less thrown if they happen. And when everything runs without hiccups, you will feel doubly relieved!

Giving talks online has its challenges, but also advantages: you can reach widely, participants can join wherever they are, and digital material can be saved and shared easily. By following the tips above, you give your digital talk the best conditions for feeling just as professional and engaging as if you were in the same room. Many of the tips for physical presentations (eye contact, voice variation, audience contact) still apply; they just need to be translated to the digital environment.

Common mistakes in talks and how to avoid them

Even the most experienced speakers can fall into classic traps. By knowing the most common mistakes, you can be proactive and avoid them. Here are some typical mistakes many speakers make, along with tips on what you can do instead:

1. A slow start (“buffering”): Many open their talk with unnecessary small talk or apologies, perhaps out of nervousness. They talk about the weather, joke away the time or go through everything that is to come instead of actually starting. The result? The audience loses interest within the first minute. Avoid this by jumping straight into the topic with something that captures interest. Rather start with a strong opening sentence, a question or a short, relevant anecdote. Example: Instead of saying “Hi everyone, thanks for being here, my name is X and I was going to talk about Y today…” (which is a rather dull and predictable start), try something like “Did you know that more people die from taking selfies than from shark attacks? It is about distraction, and that is what we will talk about today.” If the topic allows a surprising fact or story at the start, go for it! The point is not to lay out everything you will say in advance or to apologize, but to throw the audience straight into your message. You can always come back and introduce yourself properly after a minute, when you already have their attention.
2. An unclear common thread and ending: Another common mistake is that the speaker does not have a clear structure, which leaves the audience feeling lost. If you jump between topics or do not tie things together, the listeners may wonder “Where is this going?”. Likewise, a tame ending where you mostly fade out (for example “Well, I guess that was all…”) is an anticlimax that keeps the message from sticking. Solution: spend time creating a clear plan before you give the talk (as we covered under preparation). During the talk, you can also help the audience with clear signals: use verbal transitions such as “Let us move on to the next part, where we will look at…” so that they keep up. And make sure to end with emphasis: sum up the core point and give a clear final message. A rule of thumb is that the audience remembers the beginning and the end best, so do not waste them!
3. No contact, “forgetting the audience”: Some speakers run their race without caring at all about who is listening. Perhaps they are so into their topic that they use internal language or overly difficult terminology, or they are on autopilot and deliver a standard presentation identically regardless of the audience. The result is that the listeners feel “This gives me nothing” and their thoughts start to drift (people may start sneaking looks at their phones, a bad sign). To avoid this, do your homework on the audience beforehand (as mentioned, get to know the target audience) and adapt the content to them. During the talk, pay attention to their reactions and adjust if needed. Also ask questions or invite a brief dialogue as mentioned earlier, so that it does not become one-way communication. Nobody likes a speaker who seems to be talking past the audience. Show that you are there for their sake. If you manage to answer the question that is surely in their heads, “Why is this talk relevant to me?”, then you have them with you.
4. A monotone or lifeless delivery: A common mistake is to speak in an even, monotonous flow without feeling, or to be so serious that nobody dares to crack a smile. It quickly makes the listeners lose focus. We humans need variation and feeling to keep our interest up. The solution is to dare to live out your message more. Use your voice as a tool, changing pace, volume and pitch as we have gone through. And do not be afraid to add a little humor or lightness where it fits. A talk may well entertain while it informs. If the audience laughs or smiles now and then, they also become more receptive to the serious parts. The trick is to be genuine: do not force jokes that do not feel comfortable for you, but a warm manner and a little laugh here and there can work wonders. Not being monotone also means showing passion: if you are enthusiastic about the topic, let it show! Nothing lights up an audience's eyes like a speaker who burns for what they are talking about.
5. “Death by PowerPoint”, poor presentation slides: This is a classic. The speaker shows slide after slide crammed with text in 10-point type, endless bullet lists, complex diagrams nobody understands, and perhaps some outdated animations or “fun” clip-art pictures as well. At the same time the speaker stands and reads the text on the slide word for word. The audience can keep up neither with reading nor with listening, and fairly soon they give up trying. To avoid killing a good talk with bad slides, remember that less is more when it comes to presentation material. Use large, clear text and only a few key words per slide (or none at all if the slide shows a photo or graphic). The slides should reinforce your message, not be your message. Rather use a strong picture or a clear graphic to illustrate a point than five bullet points. If you have data to show, simplify the diagrams as much as possible. And definitely no logos, page numbers and unnecessary frills on every slide; they just take up space. A good tip is to never let your PowerPoint replace your script. Write your script separately and create the slides based on what the script needs. And do not read straight from the screen; the audience can read for themselves much faster than you speak, so your talk risks becoming superfluous if you do that. Instead, use the slide as background support: develop and explain in speech what the slide perhaps only hints at. Then speech and visual aid complement each other. If the technology allows, you can also spice up the talk by showing physical objects on camera or on stage instead of having everything in a PowerPoint; it gives a much-needed change. The bottom line: avoid drowning the listeners in text and information on the screen, and stick to good-looking, simple and relevant visual aids.
6. Insufficient preparation and planning: Finally, a mistake that often lies behind many of the other mistakes: simply not having prepared enough. Jotting down a few bullet points the evening before and “winging it” may work if you are very experienced in the topic, but for most people it leads to unnecessary stress, running over time and a messy talk. Technical mishaps that could have been avoided also often happen because of poor preparation (such as not testing the microphone and then standing there without sound). The solution here is obvious: set aside time for proper preparation in your schedule before the talk. What we covered earlier about practicing, making checklists and test-running the technology will save you. A practical tip is to arrive early at the venue for the talk (or log in early if it is digital); that way you can set everything up in peace and quiet and get a feel for the room. You have time to fix anything that is missing. Last-minute stress is otherwise a breeding ground for more mistakes. So take command of what you can control in advance; then you will have fewer unexpected problems to handle live.

By being aware of these common missteps, you can watch out for them when you plan and give your talk. And if you do make a mistake anyway, no harm done; lessons often come from having made a blunder and corrected it. The point is to keep reflecting and to strive to get a little better each time.

How to develop as a speaker

Rhetoric and presentation technique are perishable skills that you never fully master. The best speakers work continuously on honing their craft. Here are some ways you can develop as a speaker over time and take your speaking to the next level:

• Seek constructive feedback: After every talk, try to collect some form of response. It can be as simple as asking a colleague or friend who was there: “What do you think worked best? Is there anything I should do differently?”. If it is an internal presentation, you can send a short anonymous survey to the participants and ask what they found most valuable and whether anything could be improved. Be open to hearing both praise and criticism. At first, criticism may sting a little (you are often your own harshest critic as well), but see it as a gold mine of information for your development. If someone points out, for example, that you spoke a little fast, you know exactly what to practice for next time. Through regular feedback you get a clear picture of your strengths to build on and weaknesses to work on.
• Record and analyze yourself: Seeing or hearing yourself give a talk can feel unfamiliar, but it is incredibly useful. If possible, ask someone to film you during a live talk, or set up your phone at the back of the room to record. In digital talks you can sometimes choose to record the meeting (do not forget to tell the participants if you do). When you then watch or listen afterward, try to do it with objective eyes and ears: how was your body language? Did you seem engaged? Did you keep eye contact (or look into the camera)? How did your voice sound, monotone or varied? Note what you yourself would like to improve. Many professional speakers use this technique to fine-tune details. You may discover habits you were not aware of, such as always saying a certain word or phrase, or rocking on one leg. Once you have discovered it, you can actively work on adjusting it. Feel free to compare recordings over time; you will see progress, which is motivating!
• Study material and inspiration: Learn from other skilled speakers. Watch TED Talks or other recorded speeches for inspiration on delivery style, structure and rhetorical devices. Notice how they open, how they use pauses, humor, stories and body language. Read books or articles on rhetoric and presentation technique. There is plenty of literature on the art of speaking (for example books by well-known rhetoric experts) as well as blogs and guides online. A course in presentation technique or rhetoric can also be valuable, either a classroom course or perhaps an online course. In such forums you often get to try speaking in front of a coach or a group and get professional feedback.
• Practice in different settings: Take every chance you get to speak in front of a group, even on a smaller scale. The more stage and speaking time you accumulate, the more comfortable you become. Volunteer to give a presentation at work, give a talk at a local event, or why not join an organization like Toastmasters, where you regularly practice public speaking in a supportive environment. By practicing in varied situations, both formal and informal, you learn to adapt and become more confident with different types of audiences. You can also challenge yourself: if, for example, you always use presentation slides, try at some point speaking entirely without slides to practice your storytelling. Or the other way around: if you usually speak freely, challenge yourself to structure a clear series of slides as support. Every new form of practice develops a new “muscle” in your speaking.
• Fine-tune one thing at a time: Do not try to change everything at once; it becomes overwhelming. Choose one or two specific aspects at a time that you want to improve, and focus on them during your next talks. For example: “This month I will work on not speaking too fast and on better eye contact.” So during every talk that month, you remind yourself of just those two things. When you feel they have become better integrated into your style, you can choose the next thing, perhaps “using more stories” or “daring to take longer pauses”. With this iterative method you steadily build up your skill without feeling overwhelmed.
• Network with other speakers: If you have the opportunity, talk to others who also give talks or present a lot. Exchange experiences and discuss what works and what does not. Perhaps you can watch each other's performances and give honest feedback. In a company setting you can have internal “speakers' clubs” where colleagues help each other get better at presenting. If you freelance or give talks as part of your profession, there are speaker networks and online forums where you can get tips and support. Alone is not always strong; hearing how others tackle stage fright or tricky audience situations can give you both comfort (“what a relief, it is not just me”) and concrete ideas for solutions.

Ultimately, experience is the best teacher. Every time you give a talk, reflect afterward: What went well? What can I adjust for next time? Be proud of what worked, since it builds your confidence, and take with you at least one small thing to improve. With that attitude of constant learning, you will notice that over time you develop your own confident style as a speaker. Nobody becomes a master overnight, but with every performance you take a step forward.

And do not forget: the most important thing is never to stop saying yes to opportunities to speak. Even if you feel unsure now, dare to take the plunge. You become better by doing. Your future, experienced speaker self will thank you for taking the chances you were given to grow.

Summary

Becoming a really good speaker is a journey without a final destination, but every talk you give takes you further along that journey. In this guide we have gone through how to prepare effectively, handle nerves, engage the audience and avoid common mistakes. You have also got tips on how to keep developing over time. Now it is up to you to put the advice into practice.

Remember that nobody is born a perfect speaker; there is hard work, repetition and sometimes a little courage behind those really sharp talks you may have seen others give. But the reward is great: when you notice that you are starting to master the art of giving good talks, you will feel a wonderful combination of pride and ease. It becomes more fun to say yes to speaking in front of people, you get your message across better and you make a stronger impression on those listening.

So the next time the chance comes up to give a presentation or a talk, take it! Prepare well, use the tips from this guide and dare to step outside your comfort zone. Bit by bit, you will notice that your stage fright decreases and your joy on stage increases.

Good luck with your talks

You have something unique to share, and your audience wants to hear your voice and your experiences. With the right tools and attitude, you will be able to inform, inspire and make an impact through your words. Now it is your turn to shine on stage, physically or digitally, and we look forward to hearing about your successes!

Do you need help with the practical side around your talks? With Paloma's event module, it becomes easy to plan and administer both physical and digital events. You can create good-looking invitations to your talks, handle registrations and participant lists, take care of reminders and even take payment for tickets, all in one and the same system. Let us take care of the logistics, so that you can focus on the content of your talk. Read more about Paloma Event on our website and discover how we can support you from invitation to follow-up.

Want to learn how to make a good survey? Read our survey guide!

Frequently asked questions about talks

Handle the practical side of the talk in Paloma

Create the invitation, take the registrations, send the reminders and follow up with an evaluation. All in the same place in Paloma's event platform, so that you can spend your time on the content instead of on the logistics.

Create a free account. No credit card. No lock-in period.