Stepping on stage for the first time is intimidating. But, as you prepare for your first speaking opportunity, keep in mind it's one of the fastest ways to level up your influence, authority, and business.
With intention (not perfection), your first speaking gig can become a launchpad instead of a source of stress.
In this post, we’ll walk you through what to focus on before, during, and after your talk with practical preparation tips. We’ve also pulled in guidance from a Showit-approved keynote speaker AND speaking coach (and friend of ours!) Mike Pacchione, whose advice on presence, practice, and storytelling is gold for anyone new to public speaking.
Why Speak (Even When It Feels Scary)
Before talking logistics, let’s anchor the mindset. Speaking isn’t just about delivering content; it’s about connection, authority, and opening doors. A well-delivered talk can:
- Attract ideal clients who resonate with your message
- Position yourself as a leader in your niche
- Create opportunities you didn’t know existed (podcasts, guest posts, collaborations)
- Force you to clarify your thinking and message
Yes, it’s worth doing, even if it feels uncomfortable. If building community and joining masterminds are investments in growth, speaking is the next tier of influence.
Before the Talk: Strategize & Prepare
Clarify your message
Decide on one clear, central idea you want your audience to walk away with. Everything else should support that. Avoid trying to teach everything—you’ll lose their attention. Mike emphasizes that speakers often “say too much” and that clarity trumps content overload.
Create a strong hook and opening
Your opening matters more than you think. The first few minutes set the tone and decide if the audience leans in or zones out. Mike teaches that when he works with speakers, they obsess over the beginning—because if you win the audience early, the rest feels easier.
Start with a story, a provocative question, or a vivid image, something that makes them curious. The goal is to shift them from “Why am I here?” to “Tell me more.”
Structure your talk into digestible parts
Break the talk into two to four major sections. Use transitions like mini-summaries or questions to help the audience follow along. Don’t pile on too many sub-points. Mike warns against clutter: “Speak from clarity, not clutter.”
Rehearse intentionally, in pieces
Don’t just run the talk from start to finish repeatedly. Instead:
- Practice your opening until you feel confident
- Rehearse each main section separately
- Rehearse each main section separately
This way, each part is internalized, so you aren’t struggling with everything at once. Mike suggests exactly this: master each section before stringing it together. He also cautions against memorizing every word—knowing your material deeply is better than sounding robotic.
Get feedback early
Before stepping on stage, share your talk with someone you trust—or record it for feedback. Ask specific questions like:
- Where did I lose your interest?
- What felt unclear or redundant?
- What was your favorite moment?
Mike often has clients use anonymous feedback forms so reviewers can be fully honest.
Plan your stage presence
Think through logistics ahead of time:
- Where will you stand?
- When will you move, pause, or change pace?
- How will you handle a glitch or forgotten line?
Part of being present is feeling calm. Visualizing the talk, anticipating obstacles, and giving yourself grace helps. Mike also suggests finding a “friendly face” in the audience to ground yourself.
Design slides to support, not overshadow yourself
If you’re using slides, keep them simple and secondary to your delivery. Mike’s tips include:
- Rely on visuals more than text
- Avoid reading from slides—the audience wants to hear you
- Click slides after you’ve made the point, not before
- Treat slides like billboards: easy to process at a glance
The Day Of (and On Stage)
Center yourself & warm up
On the day of, create a ritual that calms nerves and prepares you mentally. Try breathing exercises, affirmations, or visualizing a strong delivery. Mike often reminds speakers: the audience wants you to succeed.
Be present and responsive
Once you step up, connection matters more than perfection. Mike advises that the greatest gift you can give your audience is your presence. Be willing to pause, adjust, or deviate from your script if needed.
Silence is powerful. Pauses allow your words to land. If someone interjects, pause, acknowledge, respond, then return to your flow. Presence makes you adaptable.
Use storytelling and vulnerability
Facts inform, but stories move. The parts your audience will remember are often your personal stories, challenges, or wins. Mike encourages using your own journey to make complex ideas digestible.
Vulnerability invites trust. You don’t need to appear perfect—you just need to be real and relevant.
After the Talk: Reflect & Grow
Debrief and ask for feedback
Soon after, ask for honest feedback from peers and attendees. Look for patterns (for example, “several people said you rushed the second half”) and use that to refine.
Capture what worked
Archive your talk materials and notes. Highlight which stories landed, which transitions worked, and where pacing could improve. Next time, you’ll have a refined baseline.
Repurpose your content
Your talk can live beyond the stage. Repurpose it into:
- A blog series
- A video or webinar
- Social media snippets
- Lead magnets or workshop outlines
Plan your next stage opportunity
Once you’ve spoken once, it’s easier to get booked again. Pitch the same talk to similar audiences or offer a revised version. Ask organizers if they’d like you back in a different format. Each talk builds your authority and comfort level.
Your first speaking opportunity might feel intimidating, but it’s also an incredible growth moment.
With strategy, rehearsal, intention, and presence, you can turn stage time into momentum, authority, and relationships.
As Mike teaches: be present, don’t over-memorize, let silence land, and focus on clarity over fullness. With the right preparation and mindset, you won’t just deliver a talk, you’ll take the first step toward building a speaking legacy that supports your business growth.
