Public speakers in podcasting are situated in a unique role where their skills are doubly in demand. Public speakers are in demand in general, in virtually any industry. This is because of their ability to speak to an audience, engage with them, and bring attention to a product, service, or occasion. In podcasting, public speakers are built to host a podcast that engages listeners.
At Mr. Thrive Media, as a multi-media marketing and podcast production agency, one of our client goals is to help them make the best podcasts. A big part of that comes from learning how to host a podcast with ease.
That’s why, in this Mr. Thrive blog post, we’ll walk through the key traits of public speakers and dive into how those traits are crucial for podcast hosts. Whether you’re a public speaker, a podcaster, or a person looking to create a new podcast, this is the place for you.
Public Speaking and Podcast Skills
Public speaking and podcast skills go hand in hand. We’ve talked before on the blog about how to host a podcast. We’ve examined what it takes to make a great podcast–and even make your podcast into a business. That also means, in a way, we’ve talked about public speaking.
These seven key public speaker traits are skills every podcaster should invest time and practice into. Some of them will need to be adapted to your podcast, but overall they are suited to podcasts without major alterations. They serve as a basic podcasting set of guidelines and can be your benchmark for practicing and reviewing your own skills.
7. Take In Constructive Criticism
When you start out as a podcaster or public speaker, you’re sure to encounter some constructive criticism. The first step is to separate this constructive criticism from the non-constructive kind. You’ll have that too, there will always be folks who want to grumble. When you find the difference you can lean into constructive criticism.
The best constructive criticism will come from friends and family, mentors, and even guests. You can and should seek out ways to improve, especially in your early days. It’s one of the best ways to improve in areas you wouldn’t necessarily have found on your own.
6. Know Your Audience
Knowing your audience means something slightly different for public speakers and podcasters, but the sentiment is the same. For public speakers, knowing your audience often means knowing the specific audience you’re speaking in front of. This could be at a conference, a school group, or a networking event.
For podcasters, your audience is broader. It’s the general audience of listeners you want to reach. Have a buyer persona in mind, and speak to them. This will help you find your niche and connect with your listeners. This importance will never go away, and the more you work on it the better a podcast host you’ll be.
5. Avoidance of Rehearsal Tones
Avoidance of rehearsal tones is important for public speakers, podcasters, teachers, vloggers, business people, and, well, everyone who speaks in front of anyone else. You want to make sure what you’re saying doesn’t sound rehearsed. This is hard, because a lot of the time, you’ll be saying a variation of something else.
In each podcast episode, you’ll have different information, but your introductions and sayings will be similar across the board. Keep it light, and keep your tone in mind. If you sound rehearsed to yourself, others will notice it too. Saying the same thing in a few different ways in practice will help.
4. Practiced Speaking Skills
Practicing your speaking skills comes up throughout these skills and tips, but it’s important enough to deserve its own space on the list. When you’re a public speaker you get to practice with each occasion. You also have plenty of time to rehearse on your own or with friends. Depending on the type of public speaking you engage in you might even have a team you work with to practice.
In podcasts, practice will come with time. That said, you can start with a casual setting and practice with friends. Putting on a fake podcast might sound like something you’d cook up over summer break in middle school, but it’s helpful.
3. Personal Anecdotal Relations
Personal anecdotal relations are something every public speaker and podcast host should take to heart. You don’t want to pack your speaking with too many personal stories, it could end up taking away from the information. There’s a specific balance you should strike, and you’ll find that balance over time.
The importance of personal anecdotes is all about the connection it forms between you and your listeners. When you relate to the information you’re speaking about, your listeners will relate to it and to you. It doesn’t get better than that!
2. Knowledge and Authority
Knowledge and authority are some of the key building blocks of speaking and having people listen, understand, and respect what you’re saying. This applies to public speakers and podcasters. You’ll build up knowledge over the course of your time in these speaking roles. The main factor to start with is to do your research.
Sharing credible information will set you up for success. You can treat this facet of your role with journalistic integrity. Do your research, and make sure you aren’t spreading false information. If it’s not 100% guaranteed to be true, don’t label it as a fact. You can talk about it, but be open about what’s factual and what’s speculation.
1. Conversational Tone
A conversational tone is a factor of public speaking and podcasting that comes from a comfort with the other items on this list. As you gain knowledge and authority in your field, take in constructive criticism, and learn how to speak, you’ll find your conversational tone.
Your tone will be one of the identifying factors that set you apart. For public speakers, it’s a part of who you are. For podcasters, specifically, podcasters who don’t use video, it’s your key identifier. Your listeners will hear your voice and, with time, come back to it because of your tone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Public Speakers In the Podcast Industry
Public speakers find their way to the podcast industry, and vice versa, due to the similar skills and passions needed for both. This cross-industry collaboration leads to some interesting questions being asked online about the crossover.
Our answers to these frequently asked questions cover a range of public speaking and podcast-related questions. The important thing to note is, these came up when we searched for public speakers and podcasts in the same search keywords. They are inextricably linked.
Is Podcasting Public Speaking?
Technically, yes, podcasting is public speaking. You’re speaking to a public congregation of listeners. It’s slightly different from classic public speaking since the connotation of public speaking is an in-person event.
Beyond that connotative difference, however, podcasting is a form of public speaking. Podcasters who reach the highest levels of popularity are also occasionally drawn into traditional public speaking spaces.
What Is the Role of a Public Speaker?
The role of a public speaker is to share key product or industry information in an innovative, engaging, and solution-based way. They are tasked to write and deliver speeches to a live audience. They are often self-employed, but can also be a specific person at a company. In a small business, the public speaker is often the business owner. Our founder, Chaz Volk, often speaks at public events.
Who Is the Most Famous Public Speaker?
Winston Churchill goes down in history as the most famous public speaker, due to his leadership of Britain through World War II. If you’re curious about other famous public speakers, check out our Presidents’ Day special blog post. We took a look at several presidents with a talent for public speaking and engagement.
Can Listening to Podcasts Make You a Better Speaker?
Yes, specifically listening to podcasts is known to help you speak more fluently. This research is often closely tied to speaking a new language. It also applies to listening to a podcast in your native or primary language. When you listen to podcast hosts who have practiced their speaking skills, you’ll pick up similar skills.
What are the Three Qualities of an Effective Public Speaker?
Confidence, enthusiasm, and authenticity are three of the most important qualities an effective public speaker can have. They can occur naturally, but they can also be learned. If you want to be a public speaker, work on these aspects, and consider subjects that will draw out these qualities. A subject you feel passionate about will help you find these qualities in yourself.
Public Speakers and Podcasts: Why Public Speakers Fit with Podcasts
Public speakers fit into the podcast industry like a hand in a glove. If you’re switching up your career from public speaking to podcasts or looking to grow your podcast, reach out to Mr. Thrive Media today. Our team, packed with marketing specialists, podcast producers, and virtual assistants at the touch of a button, is ready to help you.