What do you do if your public speaking portfolio lacks experience but you're just starting out?

If your public speaking portfolio is thin, own it! Everyone starts somewhere. Be REAL with your audience—they'll appreciate your authenticity more than a flawless speech. If you mess up, admit it and keep going. People love vulnerability and confidence in the face of imperfection. Show up as YOU—that’s what will make them love you!

I was a newer officer and went through our General Instructor class for our department that helped me gain experience in instructing recruits. I started in Ethics and went into Courtroom Demeanor, and finished in Death Investigation and Crime Scene. After instructing there I went out and started working with different Associations and honed my skill at public speaking.

If your public speaking portfolio is light due to being just starting out, focus on building credibility and experience quickly. Volunteer to speak at local community events, schools, or non-profits to gain initial practice and exposure. Record these sessions to include in your portfolio. Join public speaking groups such as Toastmasters to refine your skills and network with other speakers. Offer free webinars or virtual workshops to showcase your expertise on topics you're passionate about. Collect testimonials and feedback from attendees to boost your credibility

I had started speaking at community neighborhood and business meetings in my beat area, and became quite comfortable with it. My department had a Speaker’s Bureau, which offered a class, and then prepared topic information on a large variety of subjects; different types of investigation, public safety, traffic enforcement, etc. Then you’d be assigned to speak at any events where an officer had been requested. It could be a group planning a community event or a neighborhood of folks experiencing certain public safety issues. After having done the speaking gigs I was very comfortable with initially, these helped to increase my confidence, as well as increased my knowledge on a wide range of topics. Pretty soon, they’re requesting you.

Start small: Take every opportunity to speak, no matter the size of the audience. Start with local events, webinars, or even internal company meetings. Every speaking gig is a step towards building your portfolio. Practice relentlessly: Focus on perfecting your speech delivery through rehearsals. Record yourself, get feedback, and constantly refine your style. Mastery comes from repetition. Create your own platform: Host your own events, webinars, or workshops. This not only builds experience but also establishes your authority in your niche. Showcase your potential: Record videos, even if they are for small audiences or online content. A solid online presence can showcase your speaking style, energy, and insights.

If you're starting out in public speaking and your portfolio feels a bit empty, volunteering is a great way to build your experience. Look for local events, schools, or non-profits that need speakers and offer to present for free. This gives you a chance to practice and connect with different audiences. Plus, recording your talks and collecting testimonials can really help beef up your portfolio. Volunteering not only helps you refine your skills but also expands your network. The more you show up and deliver, the more people will notice you and your passion for speaking. It’s a solid way to build a reputation and open up new opportunities down the road.

What helped me early on was going to community meetings on my beat area, representing the police department to the citizens. It could be a business association, neighborhood watch, a community association venture planning group, whatever. I could speak to something I was very familiar with, being policing and crime issues in the area. I could also act as a liaison to other offices in the department, if I didn’t have information; eg, traffic division if specifics about ingress/egress to a holiday parade was needed. Knowing well the subject matter, and getting to know my audience were factors that made my introduction to public speaking much easier. Proper preparation and anticipation of what would be asked were keys to confidence.

When you speak, invite trusted friends and advisors. Make sure they understand you want constructive feedback aka criticism. Swallow your pride and accept it, then reflect. Feedback is vital for true growth.

When you speak, asking for evaluation summary for your session is valuable but also seek testimonials. Create a half page sheet you hand out at the end of your session and request attendees fill it out. Ask for their name, title, organization, what they liked best and least about your presentation - and permission to use what they right. For those that have positive comments and allow permission to use their comments and name, title, etc. is creating testimonials you can use in other advertising, i.e., your web site, promotion in seeking other speaking jobs, etc.

I usually had at least one person in the audience that I knew, even in passing. I had no issue asking them afterwards if I had been able to get across the message of my speaking. I always was very critical of myself, the message and how I delivered it, and how I represented my department. It mattered, because if you can’t get the message out that you’re there to make, why are you there?

On my first opportunity to speak, I was invited to present a segment in partnership with a client. I got lucky because no one else replied to their inquiries. Just being your best self on a day to day interaction can bring unexpected opportunities. On my second opportunity, I was at a professional networking event. I was meeting new folks at my table. We were all introducing ourselves and talking about what we did for a living. Later on I was pulled aside from someone who I just met at that table, and they invited me to speak at an upcoming event, since they saw my energy and how passionate I was for my work. What an honor! Once again I had no motive for public speaking, but just being my best self led to opportunities.