The Speaking Without Freaking® Blog
Complete archive of practical strategies, stagecraft guides, and vocal drills by 2x TEDx Speaker Dave James.
Prop it up.
A few years ago I watched a friend of mine speak on stage. He brought a chair onto the stage, sat on it and told a personal story. The room quietened instantly.
Prop it up.
A few years ago I watched a friend of mine speak on stage. He brought a chair onto the stage, sat on it and told a personal story. The room quietened instantly.
I need to write a speech. Where do I start?
Starting with a blank screen or a slide deck is the worst place to begin. Here is the step-by-step framework to map out a talk people remember.
The Value of Values
When your core values align with your spoken word, presentation anxiety dissolves and genuine charisma takes over.
How to get your audience involved without it being weird (most of the time)
Forced audience participation makes everyone cringe. Here is how to create natural, engaging audience interaction that feels conversational.
Why this? Why now?
Every great talk answers two unspoken questions in the first two minutes: Why does this message matter, and why must we hear it today?
You're An Expert. So What?
Having deep expertise doesn't guarantee a great presentation. Here is how to translate technical knowledge into human impact.
How to be more inclusive as a speaker.
Creating an inclusive stage presence means considering neurodiversity, seating, language choices, and sensory dynamics in the room.
Five Minutes Is Harder Than Fifty.
Why short pitch presentations and 5-minute lightning talks require far more discipline and editing than an hour-long keynote.
How to make stage movement meaningful.
Pacing back and forth like a caged lion distracts your audience. Learn how to anchor your physical presence on stage.
How To Start A Speech People Actually Want To Hear
Ditch 'Thank you for having me today' and start with a powerful story, intriguing question, or surprising statistic.
Borrow Less. Believe More.
Stop trying to mimic Steve Jobs or Vinh Giang. The most captivating speaker you can be is an unedited version of yourself.
Never Neglect The AV Nerds.
Your tech team can make or break your keynote presentation. How to partner with sound engineers and stage managers for flawless delivery.
Write For The Ear, Not The Eye
Spoken English uses shorter sentences, active verbs, and natural rhythms. Stop reading written essays to a live audience.
The Costa Cup Principle
How a humble coffee cup can teach us everything about staging, grounding, and managing nervous hand fidgets on stage.
How to Stop Settling For Safe Stories
Generic corporate anecdotes bore audiences. Why vulnerable, real-life stories create unforgettable emotional resonance.