The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

182: Public Speaking Tips No One Ever Tells You


Listen Later

There is no quicker way to make an impact on your reputation than standing on stage in front of a room of people staring at you, listening to your every word. 

Here are the lesser known tips on public speaking to help set you up for success. Tune in to hear a series of practical tips from an experienced speaker who isn’t afraid to dish out the inside scoop. Learn how to get the best out of your relationship with the tech team, how to cover your bases with a rehearsal run-through, and what to put on the monitor at your feet. We talk about wardrobe faux pas, and how to choose an outfit that will make you feel comfortable while you look the part.

Key Points: 

•    A snippet from Molly’s introduction at a recent conference she spoke at. 

•    How she felt while the host was setting the stage for her to speak. 

•    What we will discuss during today’s conversation: public speaking tips nobody tells you about. 

•    Tip number one: listen to the tech people’s advice, but don’t let them run your presentation. 

•    Why she recommends having a backup deck with you in case of last minute changes. 

•    Tip number two: have a rehearsal run-through. 

•    Tip number three: don’t have bullets or anything you have to read on the monitor. 

•    Why it’s a great idea to have a buffer slide. 

•    Tip number four: don’t make your wardrobe a part of your talk. 

•    Tip number five: dress for the temperature. 

•    This week’s indestructible tip: have a person in the crowd who is going to manage your reputation. 

 

Tweetables: 

“You should have a backup deck with you. Sometimes in the transfer they could lose fonts, perhaps video, didn't make its way onto the deck, and you're going to have to make those last minute adjustments.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:06:10] 

“Wear a wardrobe or pick a wardrobe that has flexibility to it, that you feel comfortable in it and you won't have any malfunctions.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:19:50] 

“For every talk, it helps to have a person. What I mean by that is a person who's going to help manage your reputation.” — @MollyMcPherson[0:20:42] 

“What we want when you are speaking is someone who feels indestructible.” — @MollyMcPherson [0:22:20] 

 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: 

Want More Behind the Breakdown?
Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, exclusive member chats, weekly lives, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It's the insider’s hub for communicators who want strategy with spine—and a little side-eye where it counts.

Follow Molly → @MollyMcPherson
Subscribe to PR Breakdown on Substack → prbreakdown.media

Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting.


Follow & Connect with Molly:

  • https://www.youtube.com/mollymcpherson
  • https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcpherson
  • https://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/
  • https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollymcpherson/

© 2025 The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The PR Breakdown with Molly McPhersonBy www.mollymcpherson.com

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

168 ratings


More shows like The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson

View all
Next Question with Katie Couric by iHeartPodcasts

Next Question with Katie Couric

4,758 Listeners

Pod Save America by Crooked Media

Pod Save America

86,402 Listeners

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard by Armchair Umbrella

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

68,692 Listeners

Work in Progress with Sophia Bush by iHeartPodcasts

Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

3,139 Listeners

SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

SmartLess

57,603 Listeners

what i will say by Bop Culture

what i will say

328 Listeners

Celebrity Memoir Book Club by celebritymemoirbookclub@gmail.com

Celebrity Memoir Book Club

6,209 Listeners

Dear Chelsea by iHeartPodcasts

Dear Chelsea

3,755 Listeners

Beyond The Blinds by Cloud10

Beyond The Blinds

3,037 Listeners

FluentlyForward by CAKE MEDIA

FluentlyForward

2,169 Listeners

It’s Become a Whole Thing by The Sonar Network

It’s Become a Whole Thing

362 Listeners

Hello Hayes by Alexandra Hayes Robinson

Hello Hayes

214 Listeners

All The Fails with Jenny Mollen by Jenny mollen

All The Fails with Jenny Mollen

120 Listeners

What's Your Issue? by Dara Laine Sussman and Troy McEady

What's Your Issue?

216 Listeners

Diabolical Lies by Katie Gatti Tassin & Caro Claire Burke

Diabolical Lies

342 Listeners