10 Habits of Highly Effective Business Speakers

Have you ever attended a business conference and had the pleasure of witnessing a truly fantastic speaker? If so, you may be wondering how they got to become such a great speaker. While some of it could be chalked up to natural charisma and personality, the truth is that truly successful speakers often take daily action to move toward their goal of becoming a highly effective speaker. There may be some people who are naturally gifted in this area, but the majority of us have to work really hard at it. Fortunately, there are things you can do to put yourself on the path to becoming a better speaker. Here’s a list of ten habits of highly effective business speakers.

1. They have a passion for their topic. 

Consider this when taking a job. Is it something you are passionate about and enjoy doing? Try to look for opportunities to speak on topics that interest you. When you are passionate about your topic, the audience will feel your enthusiasm and feed off of it. 

2. They attend workshops and presentation training classes.

Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a great deal of practice to become a successful speaker. Put yourself in front of others who are skilled in this area and can teach you strategies. Take the time to attend workshops and classes to improve your skills. 

3. They are masters of discipline and preparation.

The magic that you see doesn’t happen by magic. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work, practice, and preparation. Always be thinking about the inspiration for your next presentation. Topics don’t come from assignments. Rather, they come from life experiences, family, and day-to-day interactions in supermarkets and restaurants. Think about how all of these experiences can be used to tell your story. Then, invest plenty of time preparing and rehearsing. 

4. They connect with their audience. 

Effective speakers know their audience, their needs, their wants, and their challenges. This allows them to build a stronger connection with their audience, which in turn, helps to sustain their attention. 

5. They have a clear purpose.

Successful speakers begin their presentations with the end in mind. They have a clear goal for the presentation and they know what they want the audience to know, feel, and do immediately after the presentation.

6. They involve the audience.

Audience interaction is one of the most effective speaking strategies. Effective presenters involve the audience by asking questions, prompting them to think, and even involving them in demonstrations. The best way to get your message to resonate with your audience is to make them part of the conversation.

7. They rehearse. 

Even the best speakers know the importance of practice. They spend ample time practicing and rehearsing their presentations so they appear flawless by the time you see them. 

8. They visualize success. 

Speaking in public is not easy, even for the seasoned presenter. That’s why effective speakers spend time meditating and visualizing themselves giving a successful presentation. There is so much power in positive thinking and if you visualize yourself doing something well, there’s a good chance you will succeed. 

9. They start and end strong. 

One of the best ways to give an effective presentation is to nail your takeoff and your landing. If you have an outstanding opening and closing, it doesn’t matter as much what you do in the middle. Don’t miss your opportunity to engage the audience right away and leave them with a lasting impression.

10. They show up early. 

Successful business presenters show up to the venue early. They take the time to familiarize themselves with the venue, test their technology, and get a feel for the audience. They meet the audience members, making a personal connection before they even take the stage.