Attorneys are quickly beginning to recognize that the best way to grow their practice and expand their reach is to speak, publish and share their knowledge whenever possible. No one understands the importance of this more than attorney and Lawline faculty member Bart Basi, Ph.D.

An expert in closely-held and family businesses, Bart is no stranger to teaching others. He has written five books, 14 workbooks and hundreds of articles on this subject. A Lawline faculty member since 2008, Bart has taught more than two dozen courses—many of which have become the most viewed courses in the Lawline catalog.

Bart regularly receives calls and comments from Lawline customers praising not only his substance but also his dynamic speaking ability. What makes Bart such a great speaker, and how can other attorneys learn from him? He shares his secrets to successful public speaking:

• Be Prepared. The most important part of public speaking is preparation. Bart states that it is important to thoroughly understand your topic and what you plan to present. Prepare with the audience in mind. What are you trying to communicate, and what is the desired outcome? Once you have a clear objective, be sure your points succinctly support your objective. Don’t cloud the presentation with too much information. Finally, anticipate questions and prepare answers.
  
  While presenting, Bart firmly believes that one should never read from materials (i.e., a script) but instead use cards, notes and/or slides as a reference only. His first speaking opportunity was at a convention in San Francisco, where he spent every night for a week mastering the content. He has sustained this dedication throughout his career, allowing him to keep his focus on his audience.

• Get Audience Buy-In. Bart connects with the audience by getting them invested in what he is teaching. Bart says, “If you want an idea accepted, you need to make them think it is theirs.” One way he does this is by including specific examples of situations attorneys might find themselves in. Not only does this keep people more engaged, but, according to the book “Unconscious Branding,” it allows the audience to visualize and personalize the concept. By sharing his stories and experiences, Bart makes it easier for attorneys to learn and enjoy the program.  

• Keep Your Audience Engaged. Bart’s programs keep viewers engaged through his dynamic presentation style. According to Roger Love, one of the world’s leading authorities on voice coaching, tonality controls up to 40 percent of whether a person will believe what you are saying. He goes on to say that when someone is speaking in a monotone voice, the audience begins guessing what the speaker is going to say next and then they stop listening. Bart summarizes it best: “It is not enough to show the audience you know your subject—you must be excited by it!” It is this passion and energy that keeps viewers engaged in his Lawline lectures.

  But what about when you’re speaking to a camera instead of a room full of people? Bart admits it is more challenging in a studio setting—but by no means impossible. When possible, Bart has people sit in a studio when filming so he can interact with them. When that is not an option, he simply pretends the camera is a person. An article in Mashable takes it a step further and says to look at the camera as if it’s your favorite dog. If your eyes are darting around, it gives the impression you are nervous and searching for the exit. By humanizing the camera, the presenter can relax, making the program more engaging for the online audience.  

• Learn from Others. Lastly, Bart recommends learning from others, including organizations like Toastmasters International, whose members work to improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending and giving speeches at its local clubs. And, of course, you can always learn from watching other speakers like Bart. A good starting point is to watch Bart teach his Lawline courses and emulate his techniques.

While all these concepts are easily understood, one thing is clear: It takes a lot of work, but the impact by putting these facets into practice will be invaluable to both you and your audience.