Here's how you can cultivate a distinctive speaking style as a beginner in motivational speaking.

This is not difficult, it is simply time consuming. Go to Toastmasters. Do not stop, do not pass go, collect a many times more than $200. A truth: If you want to be a speaker, then speak. Writers need editors. Speakers need honest feed back from multiple sources. They are called coaches. Practice DOES NOT make perfect. Perfect practice, makes perfect. Toast Masters has multiple levels. This is a fault free program, give a bad talk at Toastmasters and, it will not cost you money, or a client, or ruined your life. If you want to be speaker, treat it as a profession and consider this continuing professional education. Or you may see if this is what you really want. Great for anyone, not just speakers.

Cultivating a distinctive speaking style as a beginner in motivational speaking starts with finding your unique voice. This involves understanding your strengths, experiences, and perspectives to create an authentic and engaging presentation style. Begin by reflecting on what motivates you and your core message. For example, if you have overcome significant personal challenges, use your story to connect emotionally with your audience. Practice delivering speeches with various tones, tempos, and emphases to discover what feels natural and resonates with listeners. Record your practice sessions and seek feedback to refine your delivery. Over time, this process will help you develop a unique speaking style that is both impactful and memorable.

One piece of short form content you create on socials daily for 365 days is what Eric Thayne did. He explained this when I saw him speak at Funnel Hacking Live in 2023. It seemed like he had really found his voice when he spoke so I decided to try it myself. I've been doing this and it's been a solid tactic to find my voice so far.

It's good to learn from people. But it's better to find what works for you personally. When I speak I usually: - Include my Barbadian /Bajan heritage 🇧🇧. - Use anecdotes and analogies. - Tell stories. Amongst other things. The combinations of these things help me to have a distinctive voice that helps me to stand out. We are a mixture of our experiences, backgrounds and skills. We should tap into them to help us find our speaking voice.

As a beginner in motivational speaking, it's essential to focus on these steps to create an impactful presence: 1. Find Your Voice: Discover what makes your perspective unique. Embrace your authenticity and let your passion shine through. Remember, your voice is your most powerful tool.

Whenever I speak I start with the end in mind. I figure out the overall, general objectives of my speech: What do I want my audience to know, grasp or understand by the time I'm done? Then I map out the individual, bite sized pieces within my speech that will help them to get to the broad goal. What I say and do will change according to the audience and topic: - I may tell stories. - Play games. - Use music. No matter the methods used, I connect with my audience and show my own humanity and vulnerability. Once you know your end goal, the sky's the limit on how you can lead your audience there.

Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them. Then tell them what you told them. Almost all audiences have wondering minds; this was not true if Robin Williams was on stage. We are not Robing Williams so we must do something to keep their attention. Use anecdotes, make yourself the butt of the joke, how did you overcome. Like the Marines, improvise, adapt , overcome. If you are not quick on your feet, public speaking may be become a real challenge. It;s not stand up, you should not be heckled. You will be answering questions and they often come from places and connections you never thought of. I hate when that happens, it happens. You cannot rehearse enough. Rehearse with someone that will ask hard questions. Rehearse again again.

2. Craft Your Message: Clarify your core message. What do you want your audience to take away? Develop a compelling narrative that resonates with your listeners. Use relatable stories and examples.

I love engaging my audience. It's the best way for them to learn. And it helps me to connect with them. ✅ I ask questions. ✅ Get volunteers. ✅ Play games. ✅ Tell stories. I also use cues from their reactions and enthusiasm to guide me on transitions and how long to engage in a particular activity.

3. Engage Your Audience: Connect with your audience emotionally. Ask questions, share relatable experiences, and maintain eye contact. Active engagement keeps your listeners attentive and interested.

The best speakers have the ability to pull their audience in by the stories they share and the way they share them. In working with speakers for over 20 years it is clear that there are many ways to engage your audience. Regardless of your approach it will generally fall into one of two categories: direct or indirect. Directly engaging your audience involves a series of questions and activities that you ask them to do during your keynote. This can be asking for responses or having them do something with a partner that gets them talking and sharing. Indirectly engaging an audience involves the use of stories, strategic pauses and emotive language to connect with them on an deeper emotional level. Experts use this masterful technique.

4. Utilize Body Language: Nonverbal cues matter! Stand tall, use expressive gestures, and vary your tone. Your body language should reinforce your message and convey confidence.

Pace, body language, tone of voice, and volume of voice and pace are all part of how you show up on stage. With a podium and mike? Just a mike in your hand, a Garth Brooks style over the head tiny mike? No mike, no podium, no stage? just you and 6 other folks around a long table waiting for you new proposal? First know the environment you will be in. Tailor your speaking to the room, not just the words, volume and tone, the physical room is how you choose volume. All of which need to be switched around regularly. No exceptions, every conversation is a sales conversation and every public speaking opportunity is a sales opportunity. Can you whittle you message down to a simple declarative sentence? Why not? KISS. Clarity Clarity Clarity

5. Develop Your Peace: Prioritize self-care. A calm mind and positive energy enhance your speaking abilities. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or any activity that brings you inner peace.

The speakers that become successful in less time are the ones that continuously review and refine their speaking. One technique that I have taught new speakers to use is to reflect back on 4 key areas: audience engagement, story delivery, speaking technical and Next time. Audience engagement is reflecting to the audience and asking did they get the main point of your message? It is also about where they engaged and with you during your keynote and did they walk away with value? Story delivering is about how well you delivered your story and the vocal inflection, pace and content. Speaking technique is about the opening, the closing, time management and use of the stage. Next time is about what shifts need to be made to improve.

6. Reflect and Refine: After each speaking opportunity, reflect on what went well and what you can improve. Seek feedback, learn from your experiences, and refine your approach.

I always rehearse my speech with someone to get feedback. I always get feedback after an actual speech and I take my lessons. I got better as a person by accepting feedback, good or bad without taking it personally. Feedback is a present, we should take it as it is.