How to Give a Speech or Presentation – Video

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If you want to sound natural when you speak, the real work starts before you walk on stage.

This video explains why your message and your audience matter more than your stance or gestures. You’ll also hear practical advice on preparing the room, managing your AV setup and delivering a strong opening and close.

What you’ll learn – How to give a speech

• Why natural delivery comes from clarity of message
• How to prepare the room and AV setup so you feel comfortable
• Simple ways to build rapport in the first few minutes
• How to use slides without letting them take over
• Why your opening and close are the two most important parts

Summary

Good presenters look relaxed, but that confidence usually comes from knowing their message and understanding their audience. This video shares quick, practical guidance on preparing your room, working with the AV team, shaping a strong opening and planning an ending that stays with your audience. You’ll also learn why your slides are not your presentation.

Learn more about public speaking coaching

Mini FAQ

How do I appear natural when speaking?
Be clear on what you want to say and why it matters to your audience. If you believe in your message, your delivery will feel more natural.

Should I rehearse with the AV team?
Yes. Arrive early, check the kit and agree cues for any video or slides. It helps you settle and prevents surprises.

Do I need slides?
Only if they genuinely help your audience. Your talk should stand on its own before you add any visual aids.

What part of a speech matters most?
Your opening and close. They shape the audience’s first impression and decide what they remember.

Transcript (edited)

When you give a speech, you want to appear natural. The best speakers are relaxed, which makes the audience relax too. They achieve this because they’ve thought deeply about their message and who they’re speaking to. If you get that right, you’re far more likely to sound natural.

Many people come to me saying they need help with how they stand or move. Often the real issue is that they don’t fully believe in what they’re saying, or they haven’t shaped their message properly. That’s what holds them back. I’ve probably helped more people by tearing up their PowerPoint than anything else.

When you’re speaking at an event, go early to check the equipment, lights and sound. This makes you more comfortable, and getting on well with the AV team helps too. They can adjust the sound for your voice and make sure the lighting doesn’t dazzle you. If you’re using video or other material, talk them through your cues and how you plan to start and finish.

Building rapport is essential. Start with good research so you know what matters to your audience. Then use the first two or three minutes to show that you understand their challenges and plan to help them.

PowerPoint is often a problem. People say “this is my presentation” and show a stack of slides. But slides are only visual aids. You are the presentation. When we work with people at Benjamin Ball Associates, we often take away the slides at first. Only once the message is clear do we add visual aids that support it.

If you have a speech coming up, the worst thing you can do is open PowerPoint straight away. Start with a blank sheet. Plan your message. Only at the end should you think about visuals that help your points land.

The close of a speech is the second most important moment after the opening. Leave the audience with a clear idea or a call to action. Work out your final lines and practise them. If you’re short on rehearsal time, focus on your beginning and end, because they matter most.

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