Million-Dollar Lessons About Public Speaking

The Unexpected Journey

When I first stepped into the world of public speaking, I had no idea it was a business. Like many, I assumed speaking was something people did after retiring from their “real” job or as a side gig to share their adventures.

Fast forward nearly two decades and several million dollars later, I not only turned speaking into a thriving business but also helped hundreds of others do the same.

Public speaking is competitive. There’s no shortage of advice on how to stand out—be funnier, maintain eye contact, use a dynamic slide deck, or craft a unique brand. All valuable insights, but one principle stands above the rest:

Make It About Them

Audience Attention Is Like a Hummingbird

Think of audience attention like a hummingbird—rapid, fleeting, and selective. The moment they recognize something relevant to them, they zoom in with full attention. But the second your words lose relevance, their minds wander to the buzzing phone in their pocket, their upcoming lunch plans, or even their bladder.

It’s not that audiences don’t care—it’s just that listening requires effort. People process spoken words twice as fast as speakers deliver them. Add distractions and competing thoughts, and holding their attention becomes a challenge.

Your advantage? Understanding one universal truth:

Your Audience Is Selfish (And That’s a Good Thing)

Every person in your audience has a gap—the space between where they are now and where they want to be. It could be related to productivity, finances, happiness, or even broader goals like social change.

Your job as a speaker isn’t to impress them with your achievements. Your job is to help them close that gap.

When they walk away from your talk, what matters is what they can act upon. Here’s how you ensure your speech delivers impact:

5 Ways to Deliver a Powerful Speech

1. Be Likable

Before your audience trusts your message, they must trust you. Likability fosters connection and makes people receptive to your ideas. Here’s how:

• Step out from behind the lectern and move naturally on stage.
• Dress one level above your audience—not too casual, not overly formal.
• Keep your language simple. As Mark Twain said, “Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.”
• Smile—it’s the easiest way to be approachable.
• Admit your flaws. You may be the expert, but humility makes you relatable.
• Engage with the audience before and after your talk. As speaker coach Craig Valentine says, “Even when your speech is over, it’s not really over. You are still on stage.”

2. Tell a Story

Stories are the glue that makes information stick. The moment you begin a story, your audience starts crafting a mental movie with themselves as the lead character.

I use stories to:

• Open my speech and capture attention.
• Introduce key lessons.
• Reinforce takeaways with real-world applications.

When people remember your story, they remember your message.

3. Focus on “You,” Not “Me”

Want to instantly engage your audience? Shift your language from “I” and “my” to “you” and “your.”

Instead of saying, “I discovered a life-changing habit,” try, “You can use this habit to transform your day.” This small change invites the audience into the conversation rather than keeping them as passive listeners.

4. Give Actionable Examples

Concepts and theories are only valuable when paired with actionable steps. The clearer the path, the more valuable your message becomes.

For instance, if I’m discussing small wins in health, I won’t just say, “Small wins matter.” I’ll list practical steps:

• Drink water first thing in the morning.
• Take a short walk at lunch.
• Track your exercise.
• Limit alcohol to once a week.

People don’t just need knowledge—they need a roadmap to apply it.

5. Sell Progress, Not Perfection

Your speech should be a roadmap to closing the audience’s gap. Even if your message includes lots of detail, ensure they leave with a clear sense of direction.

Progress is a powerful motivator. In my speech about small wins, I have the audience write down and share one action they’ll take immediately. That simple act significantly increases the likelihood they’ll follow through.

Public Speaking Is a Journey, Not a Speech

A great speech isn’t just a presentation—it’s a journey. As TED speaker Bryan Stevenson once said, “Your audience needs to be willing to go with you on a journey.”

I learned the hard way that simply sharing knowledge, stories, and research doesn’t make a speech valuable. The real secret? Cutting anything that isn’t about the audience or their progress.

When you get this right, the results are powerful. Your audience will remember you, share your message, and bring you new opportunities.

And that’s when the business comes to you.