Public Speaking for Political Candidates: How to Run for Office & Manage the Nerves
7 min
When people decide to run for office, they picture themselves drawing up campaign plans, meeting filing deadlines, and knocking on doors. But one of the first and most personal challenges that crops up for NDTC learners is fear of public speaking.
We get it. Whether you’re delivering a stump speech or chatting with a voter in the frozen food aisle, speaking to strangers as a political candidate can be intimidating. Even seasoned politicians sometimes struggle with public speaking. And let’s be real – saying the wrong thing is only a delight for reporters.
While there’s no magic solution, we have practical tips and tracks to help first-time candidates build your confidence and find your voice.
The good news? Public speaking is not a born talent. It’s a very teachable skill.
Start Small & Build Confidence
Confidence with public speaking, like any skill, grows with practice. Begin with small, supportive audiences. Think of friends, family, or even your own reflection in the mirror. As you get comfortable, gradually expand your comfort zone.
If you’re up for it, try recording yourself. You’ll be surprised. We often don’t sound as nervous as we think. Sharing these recordings with confidants can help you identify areas for improvement. Small tweaks in our posture or gaze when speaking can lead to big gains.
Most of all, remember that tackling your fears is hard, so celebrate the small wins.
Use Talking Points as a Safety Net
We’ve all been there: Someone asks you what your favorite book or movie is and suddenly you’ve never read or watched a thing. Similarly, you might worry about forgetting a key issue or message on the spot. Remember Texas Governor Rick Perry’s famous slip when asked which three federal departments he would eliminate in a nationally televised debate? Oof.
You probably won’t launch your first campaign to a national audience, but even if you do, talking points serve as your safety net. They’re not full scripts of speeches. Instead, they’re tools: structured summaries of your positions that will help you stay on message. With practice, your talking points will help you navigate almost any conversation.
Four Steps to Craft Great Talking Points
Keep it concise: Aim for 3-4 sentences maximum on each point.
Use a clear structure: Follow a logical flow from providing context, to defining the problem, to outlining your solution.
Support your points with facts: Have 4-5 relevant facts ready to back up your claims.
Practice aloud: Practice your talking points with friends and family until they flow naturally.
Practice is everything.
We can’t reiterate this enough: by practicing your talking points with trusted friends and family, you’ll be able to tailor your message to any setting and audience. It will become second nature, letting you focus less on checking every box and more on making real connections.
Public Speaking is About Listening, Too
Public speaking is about listening more than talking. You can’t effectively represent your community without first hearing what they have to say. The strongest candidates are eager to listen to what people have to share more than they speak.
Let’s say you have a half-hour allotted to a campaign event. A typical politician could spend 20 minutes speaking and 10 minutes shaking hands. A more effective approach would be spending five minutes speaking and the rest of the time taking questions and actively listening. That’s a much shorter set of talking points to memorize and far fewer chances to stumble over your own words, too.
Active listening gives you a chance to communicate the most important message of all: that you value the other person enough to listen.
Before You Speak, Remember to:
Leave room for others. Don’t interrupt, judge, or make the conversation all about you.
Be present. Voters can tell when you’re distracted. They don’t want to feel like you’d rather be somewhere else.
Build a genuine connection. Aim for real, human conversation between your talking points.
3 Tips to Find Your Comfort Zone
Even seasoned public speakers like pastors, CEOs, and celebrities use simple mental strategies to calm their nerves and connect with their audience.
1. Speak for Someone You Love
Before you walk on stage, picture someone you love. Think about how they inspire your work and service. NDTC’s CEO Kelly Deitrich likes to say, “I am a proud girl Dad. It’s her world and I get to live in it.” Who is that person for you? Envisioning them before you begin will align your work with your higher purpose. How much you care for the people you love, and how important they are, can be a strong antidote to your nerves.
2. Find Friendly Faces in the Crowd
Don’t try to engage the entire room at once. Instead, choose three people to anchor your attention. One to your right, one to your left, and one in the center. In a small room, focus on the first few rows. In a large room, look toward the middle. When you speak, alternate between meeting their eyes, so you’ll feel like you’re speaking to each of them directly.
3. Remember: They’re People Too
Everyone in the audience is a person, just like you, giving you a slice of their day. Worst case, they disagree with you and move on afterward. Best case, they vote for you and you’ll change your community together. Speak from a place of connection rather than perfection.
We’re Here to Support You
Public speaking might feel intimidating, but with practice, the right tools, and a little support, you’ll grow into it. Ready to sharpen your skills? Explore our free online courses and take the next step towards becoming a powerful, persuasive candidate:
TAGS: public speaking, messaging, stump speech, personal stories,
