UK Startup & Scaleup Week

In this interview, Simon Raybould (Specialist Trainer in Voice & Presentation Skills) shares some essential techniques & strategies for effective public speaking, moving beyond just looking good to achieving actionable results.

(Simon has been a professional voice & presentation skills trainer for almost 30yrs & is also author of the highly-regarded books; ‘Presentation Genius: 40 Insights from the Science of Presenting‘, ‘StoryMaking: How to use stories, not just tell them‘ & ‘The Little Big Voice: Voice Coaching for Ordinary People‘).

1. The Goal: Actionable Presentations

Raybould emphasises that a great presentation must “move the needle” – it must lead to action, not just be entertaining. He references “Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?” – a powerful, questioning mindset used by the 2000 British Olympic rowing team to achieve gold by ruthlessly eliminating any decision, action, or distraction that did not directly improve performance. If an element of your presentation (a slide, a prop, a story) doesn’t make the audience more likely to act, remove it.

• Design Backwards: Start by asking: “What do I want to happen at the end of this presentation?” Then, design every element to support that single goal.
• Simplify the Call to Action: Avoid giving too many options (email, phone, LinkedIn, website). Limit choices to a single, clear action, such as a QR code leading directly to a specific resource (e.g. a PDF download).

2. Preparation is Key

Raybould highlights that fear of public speaking is common and that being too comfortable is a red flag. To manage nerves:

• Rehearse Out Loud: You don’t stumble over words in your head & internal time moves 10 times faster than spoken time. Rehearsing out loud is therefore crucial for accurate timing & fluency.
• Use a Checklist: Implement a detailed “Ties & Flies” checklist for all logistical elements before an event – checking mic batteries, charging the laptop, confirming parking or testing a hardwired HDMI cable (he recommends avoiding WiFi connections to screens whenever possible).
• Find Your Zone: Determine if you are personally energised by people or silence before giving a presentation or talk. Use a pre-presentation ritual, such as a specific music playlist or seeking solitude, to get into the right frame of mind.

3. Optimising Delivery

Subtle changes in delivery can significantly impact how your message is received:

• Diction Over Accent: The issue is not your accent, but the clarity of your diction. Poor clarity forces the audience to spend cognitive energy “translating” your words, distracting them from your content. Simple warm-up exercises (like exaggerated stretching & yawning) can help clarify your speech right before you go on stage.
• The Power of a Smile: Even if the audience can’t see you (such as on a phone call or podcast), smiling subtly lifts your voice’s energy & bounce, making it more enjoyable to hear.
• Body Language: For authority, research suggests that the less you move, the more authoritative you appear. However, movement can be effective if it reinforces your message (e.g. physically moving to illustrate a ‘journey’ or ‘progression’). Use natural, conversational hand gestures & don’t overthink them.

4. Slides & Scripts

Effective presentations use tools correctly:

• No Reading Slides: Avoid dumping bullet points onto a screen & reading them aloud. Audiences read much faster than a speaker can talk, leading to boredom & distraction.
• Use Speaker Notes: Utilise physical index cards if you must or the ‘Presenter View’ in software like PowerPoint to keep your notes separate from what the audience sees.
• Avoid Scripts: Writing a full script often leads to stiff, formal language (‘Norman’ language) rather than accessible, conversational speech (‘Saxon’ language). Rehearsing to the point of semi-improvisation is much more effective.

5. Storytelling as a Tool

Stories should be used consciously to serve the message, not just for filler.

• Story-Making, Not Story-Telling: Avoid lengthy personal chronologies that simply burn audience attention. Instead, use short, tight stories that immediately back up the data or argument you are making.
• Adopt an Avatar: To manage stage fright, create a stage version or avatar of yourself (like Beyoncé’s alter ego ‘Sasha Fierce’) – a high-confidence persona you can step into before a presentation, then leave behind when you exit the stage.

If you are a team or professional that needs to deliver more effective presentations or communicate better, you can work with Simon by connecting with him on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/simon-raybould-presentations or visiting his website.

ps You can also listen to this interview (& more) on Paul’s ‘SuperConnector Show’ podcast which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible or Spreaker via our ‘Podcasts‘ page.