How can live streaming enhance your public speaking skills?

The best thing about livestreaming on LinkedIn (doing a LinkedIn Live) is that you can use it to practice your speaking skills in front of a live audience, but without extra pressure. Most of the people who join will probably be in your network (unless you go out of your way to invite strangers), so it'll be a cozy, safe atmosphere but with some external pressure of performing in a live environment.

Best thing about live streaming - You will sound natural - You can't edit while streaming - Your content will be raw - You will be efficient with time - You will appreciate your audience more.

Once you have your topic chosen, it's important to deliver your message in multiple ways. You can take that one message and share a variety of stories and case studies to make it alive - people engage far more when you paint the picture and they can see it and feel it. You also want to get the audience's attention by adding in unique insights that get people thinking and reflecting. And by sharing a simple tool or strategy that gives them an easy to implement, tangible result. It will build trust with your audience. Lastly, prepare questions you can ask your audience throughout the livestream to get them engaged and commenting.

"Practice your speech" means "be prepared". People scribbling on an electronic white board, doing the same with PPT (or whatever) slides, typing on the screen, and asking the question "Makes sense?" over and over are a huge turn off for your audience. Even little ol' Power Point has some incredible tools built in but you first have to learn them and then you have to learn to use them effectively to enhance the points your making on the screen. And, no... remember that you shouldn't use a bunch of seriously distracting features just to show off what you think you know about Power Point. Everything you do in your presentation should be done to enhance understanding. Take some lessons both in speaking and presenting your information.

Make sure you have the chat visible so you can call out people as they are commenting. Ask people where they are from and share their cities verbally while the room fills up. Continue to share comments throughout the speech. Talk with your audience and not to them.

A lot of people think that having people "ask lots of questions" during your presentation is a good thing. Actually, it's the worst thing possible. It frequently means that you're not doing a good job as a "mentor" that's presenting. If someone does have a question, repeat the question even if you're not being recorded. Just because you heard the question, doesn't mean that everyone else has. And, yeah... you can ask questions, as well. Just don't ask any questions in the form of "Makes sense?" Ask if there are any questions, instead. Above all, have fun but be prepared!

I recommend doing a test stream with your tech before the main event. Observe if there is any lag or connection issues. Make sure you reset your modem and take all devices off the wireless.

Talk with the audience as of if you were having a conversation with one of them. Almost everyone is good at that. There's no real difference in teaching someone one on one or teaching 500 people, if you're prepared. If you get the chance, start with "Lightning Rounds" at your local SQL Server groups. Ask if you can do one as an "opener" for a regularly scheduled event. If you have a plan, you won't be nervous. Your presentation should be a part of that plan. Again, never type or write during the presentation. It should all be planned out and you should be prepared for how to handle things if the plan doesn't go quite right. Remember, you're supposed to be the SME on the subject. I can't say it enough... be prepared.

Live streaming is a unique public speaking format with ephemeral qualities. When it’s done, it’s done. If people miss it, they can access it where it lives. For a speaker, a live stream offers a much different stagecraft and far more informality than an IRL event. Through the years, I have come to watch myself with a critical eye, especially on video recordings. Whether on stage, seated in a conference room, or at home in front of the webcam, I am present in the moment and deliver when it is my turn to speak. As I would for any speaking engagement, I respect my audience and prepare well for live streams. In the green room, I make sure I am in frame, keep a good posture, and remind myself to smile with the appropriate frequency.

Live streaming can be likened to an artist's morning pages—it's about getting into the flow. The more you engage in live streaming, the more you immerse yourself in the process, allowing your skills to naturally evolve and improve. This consistent practice builds comfort and confidence, making public speaking feel more effortless and intuitive over time. It's a process of putting yourself out there and growing through regular, active engagement.