Mastering Public Speaking: 3 Key Presentation Styles You Need to Know

Mastering Public Speaking: 3 Key Presentation Styles You Need to Know

As someone who's had the privilege of hosting, interviewing, and delivering keynotes at various events, I've had the chance to explore different styles of presenting. Each one offers its own unique challenges, benefits, and ways to engage with the audience.

1. Hosting: Keeping the Energy Flowing

Hosting an event, like the The National AI Awards or a BBC Radio Show, is all about creating an engaging, smooth experience for the audience. As a host, your job isn’t just to speak, it’s to make sure everything runs like clockwork, all while keeping the energy high and the audience engaged.

What’s key in hosting?

  • Adaptability: You have to stay on your toes because you never know what might go wrong, and you need to adjust on the fly.

  • Audience connection: As a host, you’re often the bridge between the speakers and the audience, so building that connection early on is critical.

Sonya Barlow x The National AI Awards 2024

2. Interviewing: Drawing Out the Best in Your Guests

When I interview guests, either on the streets or on the LMF NETWORK (Like Minded Females) podcast, my role shifts from simply presenting information to making sure the person I'm interviewing feels heard and valued. Interviewing is an art in itself, and it requires a blend of curiosity and being a great, active listener.

What’s key in interviewing?

  • Active Listening: You need to focus on what your guest is saying, not just waiting for your turn to speak.

  • Empathy: People open up more when they feel comfortable, so creating a relaxed atmosphere is essential.

  • Follow-up Questions: You don’t always get the gold answers from the first question. Asking deeper follow-up questions keeps the conversation flowing and insightful.

I've recently launched a new series of street interviews, where I ask students and professionals for their thoughts on networking. Check them out on IG & TikTok!

3. Keynotes: Commanding the Stage

Keynote speaking, particularly at tech conferences or business events, is probably the most challenging yet rewarding style for me. It’s all about crafting a narrative that resonates with your audience while delivering your core message with authority.

What’s key in keynotes?

  • Structure & Clarity: The bigger the audience, the clearer your message has to be. A great keynote is well-structured and easy to follow, with a strong call to action.

  • Engagement: It’s not just about delivering information. A keynote should engage the audience in a way that leaves them thinking long after you’ve left the stage.

  • Passion: This one’s a given, but passion is contagious. If you're excited about what you're talking about, your audience will feel it too.

Sonya Barlow x Finance Magnates London Summit 2024

Takeaway

Whether you’re hosting an event, interviewing a guest, or delivering a keynote, each style of presenting requires a unique approach. The key is to adapt your style to suit the audience and the goal of your presentation, all while staying true to yourself.

Key Piece of Advice

Embrace the diversity of presenting styles! Every opportunity, whether it's hosting, interviewing, or speaking at a conference, offers a chance to grow and refine your public speaking skills. The more you experience, the more comfortable you become with different formats and challenges.

So What?

Presenting isn’t just about getting in front of an audience. It’s about making a connection, whether you’re inspiring an audience with a keynote, engaging a guest during an interview, or keeping an event running smoothly as a host. And every time you step into one of these roles, you’re not just speaking, you’re learning how to communicate more effectively.

📧 For business consultations, workshops, or speaking opportunities, you can reach out to me at hello@sonyabarlow.co.uk

Sonya Barlow is an award-winning entrepreneur, presenter and author with over 100K followers. She hosts her self-titled YouTube show "The Sonya Barlow Show", authored the business book "Unprepared to Entrepreneur" and runs a business inclusion consultancy and networking app the "LMF Network". You can work with Sonya for campaigns, content and conversation. Connect via email - Hello@SonyaBarlow.Co.Uk.

Career Advice, Public Speaking, Career Development, Leadership, Confidencesonya barlowPublic Speaking, presentation skills, Sonya Barlow, Confidence Building, Keynote Speaking, Interviewing Skills, Hosting Events, career growth, Professional Development, Networking Skills, career advice, Business Networking