Public speakers may have various reasons for speaking, but here are three common motivations to speak in public: inform, persuade, and inspire.

These common motivations are explored below:

To Inform

Many speakers aim to educate their audience about a particular topic or issue.

We are all learning beings. You have probably heard the term “life-long learner.” We all learn through life, whether we realize it or not.

This is why speakers are always sought. People love to learn.

In their book First Things First, by Stephen Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill tell us human beings have the following four needs: to live, to love, to learn, and to leave a legacy.

Speakers inform their audiences to satisfy the “to learn” need. All presentations have an information element. If they didn’t, people would not attend their presentations.

Whether sharing insights, presenting data, or explaining concepts, the goal is to enhance your audience’s understanding and knowledge.

Audiences come to hear you speak to learn something and, hopefully, apply what they learn in their personal and professional lives.

So, informing your audience is one of the reasons you speak in public.

Another reason for you to speak in public is to persuade your audience to your way of thinking.

To Persuade

Another key reason for public speaking is to persuade or influence your audience.

Humans have been attempting to persuade others since the dawn of time.

At the very least, when you deliver a presentation, you are trying to convince your audience of your message. To do this, you must have a justification for your message.

Studies, polls, and articles from reputable journals or newspapers endorsing your message are some ways to persuade your audience.

Speakers may seek to change opinions, attitudes, or behaviors by presenting compelling arguments, emotional appeals, or logical reasoning.

So, informing your audience and persuading your audience are two reasons you speak in public.

A third reason you speak in public is to inspire your audience.

To Inspire

Inspirational speaking aims to motivate and uplift the audience.

We all have lives that place burdens on our thinking and attitude. An uplifting, motivating, and inspirational presentation is always welcome to any audience.

Weaving in stories like the young boy who lost his legs in an auto accident who, with the help of prosthetic legs, grows up to be a championship track star.

Or the story of the blind person who scaled Mount Everest. We think to ourselves that if this blind person could do that, then I could overcome my challenges.

Or the story of the single mother who started her own business and is now fabulously wealthy.

You can use stories like these to inspire your audience.

You can share your personal stories, anecdotes, or words of encouragement to ignite enthusiasm, instill hope, or spark action among audience members.

After their daily dose of bad news from the news channels, your audience needs to know how much good is done in the world.

As a speaker, you can put the bad things your audience hears into perspective with the many good things happening in the world.

Who knows? You may have saved someone contemplating suicide or shown a single mom the light at the end of her tunnel or a disadvantaged student hope for a better life.

As a speaker, you have an extraordinary power to uplift people.

These are just a few of the reasons why public speakers speak.

These reasons can overlap, and a single one of your presentations may encompass elements of informing, persuading, and inspiring the audience. Ultimately, the goal is to engage with your audience and leave a lasting impact.

You, as a public speaker, have tremendous power.

Use this tremendous power for the good of your audience!

Call to Action

• Be informative to your audience. You want them to have learned something from you they can implement to better their personal and professional lives.

• Persuade your audience of your message for the good of the audience.

• Use your “bully pulpit” to uplift, motivate, and inspire your audience.

Frank DiBartolomeo is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and award-winning speaker, presentation and interview skills coach, and Professional Member of the National Speakers Association. He was awarded Toastmasters International’s highest individual award, Distinguished Toastmaster because of his outstanding work in public speaking and leadership.

Frank formed DiBartolomeo Consulting International (DCI), LLC (www.speakleadandsucceed.com) in 2007. The mission of DCI is to help technical professionals to inspire, motivate, and influence their colleagues and other technical professionals by improving their presentation skills, communication, and personal presence. Reach Frank at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com and (703) 509-4424.

Don’t miss Frank DiBartolomeo’s latest book!

“Speak Well and Prosper: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Better Presentations”

Available now at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com