Public speaking is a powerful tool for building your brand and establishing credibility in your industry. However, it's rarely an innate talent—it requires preparation, practice, and strategy. Ahmad Ashkar, a Palestinian American entrepreneur and founder of several award-winning global brands, shares his top tips for delivering impactful content and motivating audiences effectively.

  • Speak on What You Know: Confidence starts with familiarity. Choose topics you're well-versed in. This allows for a natural delivery, deeper insights, and better engagement with your audience.
  • Start Small: Ease into public speaking by participating in smaller forums—join panel discussions, be a guest on a webinar, or speak at niche events. These opportunities allow you to practice and grow without overwhelming pressure.
  • Practice Before You Present: Audiences want to be informed—but also inspired. Rehearse your presentation in front of a camera, at least three times. Watch the playback to refine your tone, body language, and timing.
  • Keep It Simple and Focused: Aim for clarity, not complexity. Limit your slide deck to 5–10 visuals and use stories or examples to make your message stick. Make your content easy to absorb and remember.
  • Slow Down: Nerves can cause you to speak too fast. Aim to cut your natural talking speed in half and add strategic pauses. Regularly remind yourself to slow down during your talk.
  • Tell a Story: Stories are powerful connectors. Whether it’s a personal experience or a client anecdote, storytelling adds authenticity and keeps your audience engaged.
  • Encourage Interaction: Boost engagement with Q&As, mid-presentation polls, or ice-breakers. Use fun trivia or offer small rewards to create a more dynamic and memorable experience.
  • Use Slides Effectively: Visuals should enhance, not distract. Use impactful images, keep text minimal, and incorporate color to keep the presentation visually engaging.
  • Focus on the Emotion: Avoid overwhelming your audience with facts. Instead, center your message around the emotion you want them to leave with. For example, if you're speaking to homeowners about preparing a house for sale, aim for them to feel confident and motivated to take action after your talk.

Ahmad Ashkar’s insights reflect years of success across multiple industries—including food and beverage, education, hospitality, technology, and real estate. His guidance underscores one key message: great content and delivery are not just about sharing information, but about moving people to think, feel, and act.