If you know me well, you know that I know nothing about most sports. But I did know that being asked to fly to Chicago to speak at Soldier Field was major.
After learning that the Bears were a football team and not a baseball team, I got to work on my talk for an incredible law firm. It’s always a joy to speak at law firm retreats.
Here are a few basics that I wanted to pass along that might help as you prepare for your next high-level speaking engagement. I also welcome hearing your thoughts as well about what makes a talk truly “hit it out of the stadium” (or is it “kick it out of the stadium”?)
1. Customize every single talk.
No matter how many times you’ve spoken on a topic, each audience is different. Spend time getting to know the people in advance—on the phone, in prep calls, or in person if possible. I like to arrive early to hear the speaker before me, meet audience members face to face, and to get a feel for the room. That way, I can make adjustments on the spot to ensure I am responding to the needs of my client.
2. Understand the “why.”
There’s always a reason you’ve been asked to speak. Is the firm undergoing a leadership change? Are they trying to spark momentum around business development? Understanding the “why” behind the invitation helps you shape your message so it lands with greater impact. What do the organizers want to have as the take-away? For example, it may be a change in behavior, or simply to build awareness or excitement.
3. Think beyond the day itself.
A speaking engagement is not just about showing up. The prep beforehand and the follow-up afterwards are just as important. Respond to questions that come in afterwards by email or LinkedIn, and use the opportunity to continue conversations long after the session ends. If your talk was with the hope to affect change, be there to offer follow up ideas on how to get that done.
4. Make it interactive.
Even in the most formal settings, people appreciate the chance to be engaged. Build in moments for questions, small discussions, or real-world examples. The more you involve your audience, the more memorable and valuable your talk will be.
I would love to hear your ideas on how to continuously improve how to give great presentations.
FYI: Housed within the stadium is a huge event space for corporate retreats. I was not performing within the 62K-person-capacity playing field à la Taylor Swift.
