Summary

  • Pick one audience and one intent (educate | inspire | act | believe).
  • Design with Cicero for logic and Story Spine for memory.
  • Use objective triad (Do/Why/How) and timebox prep.
  • Keep slides minimal; use mask/spotlight on UI.
  • Rehearse voice with fono; record; collect feedback; promote.

Method (step-by-step — ordered)

  1. Scope (2 min)

    • Who exactly? If it’s for everyone, it’s for no one.
    • Choose one intent: Educate | Inspire | Act | Believe.
    • Draft a one-line message: “After this talk, [audience] will [do/think/feel] because [proof].”

  2. Choose topic with the Venn filter (3 min)

    • Intersection of Your Knowledge × Your Passion × Your Perspective.
    • Unique angle in one line.

  3. Objective triad (5 min total; ~1–2 min each)

    • Do: The single action you want from the audience.
    • Why: Higher purpose to them.
    • How (message): Short line that compels action.

  4. Cicero’s 6 stages (10–15 min first draft)
    5) Exordium — why listen to you.
    6) Narratio — what they must know.
    7) Divisio — what you want them to think (3 claims).
    8) Confirmatio — why believe you (metrics/demos/stories).
    9) Refutatio — likely objections + answers.
    10) Peroratio — what to feel and do now (CTA).

  5. Story Spine (5–10 min narrative pass)

  • Once upon a time… / Every day… / But one day… / Because of that…×3 / Until finally… / And ever since then…
  • Wrap your proof in a mini-story to lock recall.

  1. Slides and visuals

    • One idea per slide. Only essentials.
    • For UI/screens: use mask/spotlight to highlight the exact area.
    • Build in Canva if faster.
    • Add QR code to a micro-form (poll or commitment).

  2. Delivery: voice and presence

    • Train pitch, tone, pace, pause. Work with your fono on this talk.
    • If you freeze, use the mirror trick: repeat last audience words to regain flow.

  3. Room / tech check (in-person)

    • Walk space; seating; slide control path.
    • Mic at speaking volume; set max levels; test how voice travels.

  4. Remote / recording check

    • Stand up; clean background; ring light; lapel mic for steady volume.
    • Record rehearsal and final.

  5. After delivery

    • Promote, cut reels, connect, request feedback.
    • Track progress, go to events, keep practice (online OK).

Templates

Objective triad (fill first)


Do:  
Why:  
How (message):

Cicero outline (prompt)


Exordium: opener + why me  
Narratio: 3 bullets of context  
Divisio: 3 claims they must think  
Confirmatio: proof per claim (metric/demo/story)  
Refutatio: top 2 objections → answers  
Peroratio: CTA + feeling to leave

Story Spine (drop your plot)


Once upon a time...  
Every day...  
But one day...  
Because of that...  
Because of that...  
Because of that...  
Until finally...  
And ever since then...

Objection table

Objection Evidence-based reply Safety rail / pilot

QR mini-form ideas

  • “What will you try this week?”
  • “What blocks you now?”
  • Confidence 1–5 before/after.

Timebox plan (≈30–40 min prep)

  • 5 min: Objective triad.
  • 10–15 min: Cicero skeleton.
  • 5–10 min: Story Spine pass.
  • 5 min: Slide skeleton + mask on any UI.
  • 5 min: One rehearsal; tweak pauses.

Delivery checklist

In-person

  • Imagine audience positions.
  • Plan slide changes.
  • Set maximum levels; verify audibility at the back.

Remote

  • Stand; space behind you; ring light.
  • Lapel mic; stable volume.
  • Hit Record.

After-action loop

  • Publish deck/recording.
  • Reel it; post highlights.
  • DM connections; ask 2 questions for feedback.
  • Log wins and misses; schedule next talk.

One-sentence message examples

  • “Public speaking doesn’t have to be scary; take your time and build it up slowly.”
  • “Adopt the LATTE script in incident reviews this sprint.”