What do you do if your motivational speaking performance needs evaluation?

1 Seek Feedback

Constructive feedback is the cornerstone of improvement. After delivering a speech, seek out opinions from various sources. This could include audience members, event organizers, or professional peers. Encourage honest and specific feedback on aspects such as your delivery, content, and audience engagement. Remember, the goal is not to gather accolades but to identify areas for growth.

2 Record Yourself

One of the most effective ways to evaluate your speaking skills is by recording your performances. Watching yourself can reveal habits or gestures you may not be aware of. Pay attention to your body language, voice modulation, and pacing. Are you maintaining eye contact? Are you speaking clearly and with the right volume? Recordings don't lie, and they can be invaluable in helping you see yourself as your audience does.

3 Analyze Impact

Evaluating the impact of your speech is about understanding the effect it had on the audience. Did they seem engaged and responsive? One way to measure this is by observing their body language during the speech and their behavior afterward. Are people inspired to take action or discuss the points you raised? The level of audience interaction can be a good indicator of the speech's effectiveness.

4 Continuous Learning

Motivational speaking is an art that requires continuous learning. Stay updated with the latest trends in public speaking and incorporate new techniques into your repertoire. Reading books, attending workshops, and watching other motivational speakers can provide fresh insights and ideas. Always be open to learning from various sources to keep your speeches dynamic and impactful.

5 Set Goals

Setting specific, measurable goals for each speaking engagement can guide your focus and help you track progress. Perhaps you want to improve audience participation or master a new speaking technique. By having clear objectives, you can tailor your preparation and measure success against these benchmarks. Goals give direction to your efforts and can be incredibly motivating in themselves.

6 Reflect Honestly

Honest self-reflection is vital for any motivational speaker looking to improve. Take time after each performance to consider what went well and what didn't. Reflect on whether you met your set goals and how you felt during the speech. Were you confident and in control? Self-reflection can provide deep insights that are essential for personal growth and development in your speaking career.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?