Here's how you can build credibility and authority for confident public speaking.

As a Keynote Speaker who understands the heart-pounding terror of public speaking, here's how: 1) The Audience is Your Co-Pilot We often forget the audience is there to hear something valuable. Instead of seeing them as judges, see them as co-pilots on a journey of discovery. Before you speak, picture yourself having a conversation with a friendly face, calming your nerves and fostering authority, human connection and emotion. 2) Embrace the Imperfect Pause We fear silence during a speech instead of using it strategically. Before diving into a particularly important point, take a deep and deliberate breath, letting a beat of silence hang in the air. It creates emotion, anticipation, authority and emphasizes what you're about to say.

In my opinion, confidence in public speaking comes from preparation that involves understanding: - what you are talking about (understanding the topic of your speech deeply, combining both theoretical and practical knowledge). - who you are talking to (understanding your audience and what parts of your knowledge are most interesting and useful for them). - when you are going to speak (e.g., who is speaking before your session, what the energy level will be like during your session, etc.). - how you are going to speak (this involves proper preparation, including details like: is the internet quality good enough for me to show demos or examples, what is the quality of projector etc).

Building credibility and authority in public speaking is a multifaceted process that goes beyond mere topic knowledge. Being a TEDx speaker, I leverage my platform to share personal anecdotes that resonate deeply with my audience, forging an immediate connection based on shared experiences. During interactive Q&A sessions, I actively engage with participants, demonstrating my deep understanding and adaptability in addressing diverse perspectives. Visual aids like charts and real-life examples not only clarify complex ideas but also underscore my expertise effectively. By incorporating case studies that highlight practical applications of my knowledge, I showcase real-world relevance and innovation.

Building credibility and authority for confident public speaking starts with thorough knowledge of your subject matter. By deeply understanding your topic, you can speak confidently and answer questions effectively. For example, if you're discussing leadership principles, you might cite recent studies or industry trends to support your points. This demonstrates expertise and reinforces your credibility with the audience. Additionally, anticipating potential questions and preparing well-rounded responses further solidifies your authority, showing that you are well-prepared and knowledgeable in your field.

Este es sin lugar a dudas uno de los elementos más relevantes para lograr un impacto duradero en tu audiencia. Además de dominar el tema debes se capaz de identificar la mejor estrategia para que los asistentes comprendan tu mensaje. Investiga y aprende tanto como puedas sobre tu auditorio y diseña varias ideas para hacerles vivir una experiencia de aprendizaje real. Busca anécdotas, historias, juegos, chistes y pequeñas actividades donde todos tengan que participar, incluso si solo es levantar la mano o leer un texto en voz alta. Permítete crear una experiencia multisensorial adecuada para el público que te recibe, así crearás un vínculo inolvidable y te sentirás mucho más motivado para continuar hablando en otros espacios.

Different people will define "A perfect delivery" differently. Some speakers have got the gift of the gabs and some struggle with stage fright. My definition of a perfect delivery is having the best intention in your heart. An intention to serve the audience, an intention to provide as much value as possible, an intention to solve their problems. If you have the best intentions, the audience will pick it up and appreciate you even if you didn't have the perfect polished delivery. Your mistakes will be forgiven and your content will be heard. So have the right intention first which will help you with the perfect delivery

A great strategy to bring as part of your "A Game" when speaking in front of a crowd, is storytelling. Always remember "never make a point wihtout a story and never make a story without a point". You want to craft your speech to be engaging, fresh, easy to relate to and most important, real. When you tell stories to your audience, you make the message easier to digest, as we all have a way to see your point being brought into action.

There could be a lot of people that talk about the same things you do, but we all want to hear how you do it. The way each speaker presents each topic is different and the autenticity behind that is what makes it stick on people's minds, or be completely forgotten right after you are out off the stage. Find a way to present yourself and your ideas, in a way that people will remember what you said and how you made them feel, so they will walk of that room and have that urge to put into practice those adive pieces you just shared with them.

It should be a continuous process, and that should also be true within your preparation. If it happens to be your very first time publicly speaking, do it first in front of one colleague, then five, and five is basically as good as fifty. This way, you both rehearse and gauge the audience's reaction. Also, remember that you are the one who cares the most in the room. No one else cares enough to remember that you stuttered, mispronounced a word, or even fell from the podium (well, maybe that…). And then you have breathing exercises, posture exercises, and whatever else floats your boat...Lastly, it will be easier each time you do it, I promise.

Along with continuous learning, be open to solicited as well as unsolicited feedback. It's important to address what matters to the audience. Audience is powerful!