Welcome to The Quiet Rich, your weekly email for a quiet mind and a rich life. Today we’re talking about 7 lesser-known secrets to be a captivating speaker.
“All speaking is public speaking, whether it’s to one person or a thousand.” —Roger Love
CONTEXT
Last week, I spoke on stage at a 6,500-person conference in New York City. (I’ll share some clips on LinkedIn this week!)
And right before I walked out, I remembered this joke from Jerry Seinfeld.
He said, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than delivering the eulogy.”
It’s funny because it’s true. This Washington Post survey ranked public speaking as people’s greatest fear. But it doesn’t have to be yours. Speaking is a skill anyone can learn, and it pays off everywhere: in meetings, at weddings, in job interviews, on first dates.
Here are my 7 cheat codes to become a magnetic speaker:
METHOD
1. Record yourself speaking
The best athletes study their game film. They carefully review plays and look for missteps in order to improve. Do the same. Record your run-through on your phone, then watch it twice:
- Once on mute. Where are you looking? What are your hands doing?
- Once with your eyes closed. How fast are you talking? How many “ums” and “likes” can you count?
I know it sounds painful. But it’s easily the fastest way to get better.
2. Let the silence do the work
There is nothing more powerful than a well-timed pause…
Make a strong point. And then give your audience the space to fully absorb it. Count to 5 in your head. It might feel like an eternity to you, but it’s such a refreshing moment for your listener.
3. Focus your gaze on specific people
The most masterful speakers make meaningful eye contact.
Look at an audience member and deliver a short point. Then move your gaze to the next audience member and deliver another.
One person. One point. That’s the rule. It turns a room of 6,500 into a series of one-on-one conversations.
4. Don’t memorize it like a script
There’s nothing worse than someone reading a script.
Instead, memorize just two lines word-for-word:
- Your opening line, to carry you through the first-30-second jitters
- Your closing line, so you land with a big impact
For everything in between, jot down three bullet points per paragraph, and the transitions that connect them. You’ll fill in the rest much more naturally.
5. Structure your talk as a story
The best public speakers don’t deliver a speech. They tell a story.
Kindra Hall wrote the great book, Stories that Stick, and described the perfect structure to captivate an audience:
- Normal (baseline)
- Explosion (big change)
- New Normal (adjustment/learning)
Conflict is key for a story to stick.
6. Inject a bit of humor
Nothing snaps an audience back into focus like a well-told joke.
Humor creates a bond. A sense of closeness. Poke a little fun at yourself. Choose something that humanizes you (and others might relate to).
7. Chat with strangers every day
- Ask your barista a good question.
- Spend a few extra minutes with the doorman.
- Strike up a conversation with someone at the gym.
The more comfortable you are speaking to strangers, the more natural you’ll feel leading a meeting, toasting a wedding, or presenting on stage.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Remember the quote we started with? All speaking is public speaking.
Which means you’re already practicing. Every day.
When you share an idea in a meeting. When you ask for the raise. When you finally say the thing you’ve been holding back to someone you love. Your voice is how the world finds out what’s inside your head.
So here’s my challenge to you this week: pick just one cheat code and try it. A 3-second pause in your next meeting. A 2-minute voice memo you actually play back. One extra question for your barista.
The nerves won’t disappear, and they don’t need to. Every great speaker you admire still feels them. They just stopped letting the nerves make the decisions.
Much love,
Jade
P.S. I love how many keynote speakers have already gotten their spot in Archimedes. I can’t believe we’re only two weeks away from our welcome call!
If you’ve ever wanted to get paid to speak, appear on podcasts, start a coaching business, write a book, or land your dream job, the November 16th cohort is for you. We’re going DEEP on how to attract those opportunities directly to your inbox. Learn more and apply (it takes 3 mins) at JoinArchimedes.com
What I’m reading
My friend, Tiago Forte, just published an incredible book called Life in Perspective. You all know how much I love a good end-of-year reflection. And Tiago’s is the only one you (actually) need. His Annual Life Review helps you:
- Appreciate the Past: Preserve your best memories and experiences from 2026
- Reflect on the Present: Reveal your current blind spots
- Create the Future: Design the life you want, and make an actionable plan for 2027.
I think you’ll really enjoy it. And he has some fantastic bonuses for you if you buy before November 8th.
New here? Catch up on all my recent newsletters at TheQuietRich.co
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