Public Speaking in Web3: Tips from MCs and KOLs
Public speaking, arguably, is both a craft and a performance. Whether hosting a high-profile event or moderating a niche industry panel, success depends on far more than simply getting through the slides, or though the day.. What does engagement look like, rather? That connection with the audience, adapting to unexpected circumstances, and creating moments that resonate and make people smile and nod. In a recent EcstaSHE live event, we explored how MCs and KOLs turn technological talks into human connections. Interesting? Yes. Read on to find out more.
Public speaking, arguably, is both a craft and a performance. Whether hosting a high-profile event or moderating a niche industry panel, success depends on far more than simply getting through the slides, or though the day.. What does engagement look like, rather? That connection with the audience, adapting to unexpected circumstances, and creating moments that resonate and make people smile and nod. and creating moments that "resonate" (overused word of 2023, but you get our point).
During an EcstaSHE live event this August on Public Speaking in Web3: Skills to Steal from MCs & KOLs, four MCs and KOLs in the space discussed their top tips on speaking in public, creating a stage presence, growing influence, annd what to do when things don’t go as planned.
The event was hosted by Thrilld Labs founder and CEO Alexandra Overgaag, and joined by the creator of The Crypto Factor, Paul Democritou, global MC and podcast host of Talk Crypto to Me, Lilly Douse, and event MC, and managing partner at Stablecoin Insider, Chiara Munaretto.
In the next paragraphs, we sum up key points from the discussion, focusing on the practical application, skills, and tips the panelists found most useful. When it comes to public speaking and growing your presence, here’s what we found out…
Preparing for a Speech: On Nerves and Focus
We know it: those early seconds on stage may feel like a massive surge of adrenaline you cannot control, yet that energy can be turned into focus and presence. The truth is, audiences rarely notice the tiny signs of nervousness that loom large in a speaker’s mind. Hence, leaning into the moment rather than fighting it often works to your advantage.
A speaker can prepare what they want to say, know the schedule and audience, and even practice in advance, yet even with these cautionary steps, nerves can be one of the factors a speaker can’t always anticipate or plan for. Even seasoned professionals admit that nerves never entirely disappear. To combat this, Chiara shared one way to meet this challenge, the key is not to wait until the moment when you feel perfectly ready, instead she told us to “say yes more often, even when you’re not ready. If you get nervous, acknowledge it. The audience will understand – and the more you do it, the easier it becomes.” What we took from this is: Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Keynote speaker, author, and executive coach Mike Robbins also wrote on public speaking that “when we take ourselves less seriously, we’re able to see the humor in situations, find the silver lining when things don’t go how we want them to, and navigate through the ups and downs a life a bit easier” (Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously). So, perhaps it can help to frame a speech or presentation not as something always with high stakes, but as a chance to learn and practice. And also to have fun.
Human Connections are More Important Than Flawless Delivery
While nerves may be something a speaker learns to control over time, there will always be unexpected external factors that like to rock the boat a little, so to speak. Say a speaker is delayed, the slides freeze, or the microphone cuts out (all cases that have indeed happened ;). Such disruptions can rattle a first-time presenter, yet they can also open the door to memorable improvisation. As Lilly explains, “It’s always a matter of thinking on your feet, engaging the audience, and making light of it. Everyone knows something can happen, so use it as a chance to let your personality shine.”
Every public speaker has their own style, pace, or gestures that they lean back to. For Lilly, it is about radiating genuine enjoyment, noting that “people have more fun if you’re having a good time. Push yourself and enjoy the moment.” Chiara’s approach centres on curiosity, asking questions that explore angles others may not have considered. Paul leans into commanding body language, noting that the way you carry yourself changes how both you and the audience experience the talk.
Perfection can create distance, which is why an audience often remembers a speaker’s quick-witted response to an unexpected moment more vividly than the most carefully rehearsed paragraph. When these moments happen, one tip we found is to embrace it with composure and even humor. If you lose your place, you might say, “Well, that’s why I brought my notes – thank goodness for those!” This approach lightens the mood, disarms your audience, and reinforces you’re confident enough to laugh at yourself (prezent.ai).
Avoiding the Traps That Lose the Room & Countering with Stage and Camera Presence
A speaker can prepare by practicing their content and knowing what can be expected – and even unexpected as we’ve previously seen – from the audience and the schedule, but just getting through a speech doesn’t mean anyone is paying attention, unfortunately.
Indeed, there are patterns that consistently weaken a presentation, or it could also be the case that the audience has already been through hours of presentations and is simply tired or in need of a break. Speakers who fail to engage the audience risk losing them entirely, no matter how solid their content. As Lilly observes, it is vital to understand who is in front of you, why they are there, and what you can give them that feels relevant. Yet relevance alone is also not enough. Without interaction, energy, and curiosity, even well-researched points may fall flat. Over-reliance on a rigid script is another common issue. Chiara notes that when a speaker focuses solely on remembering their prepared lines, they can appear detached or mechanical. The audience does not know what you intended to say; they care about your energy and presence in the moment.
What can one do? For these moments, Paul offered a structural tool for keeping that energy on track: the “Five Ps of Persuasion” – Promise, Project, Picture, Proof, Pitch. Hence, the talk begins with the promise and what the audience stands to gain, moves into why they should keep listening, paints a clear vision, backs it up with evidence, and ends with a direct call-to-action. Having a logical structure that always goes back to the audience is going to be much easier for a crowd to follow to the end.
While structure and preparation are essential, the speaker can also utilize nonverbal cues, expressions and phrases to keep the audience tuned in. Body language and presentation plays a crucial role in how the speaker creates a presence on stage and in front of the camera.
After all, stagecraft is about more than words. Movement, posture, and gesture all shape perception. This brings to mind Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Communication Model, concluding that only 7% of feelings and attitudes take place through the words we use in spoken communications, while 38% takes place through tone and voice and the remaining 55% take place through body language (Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Communication Model). Owning the space and amplifying gestures ensures your message reaches the back of the room, while posture – open chest, grounded stance – both projects confidence and allows for stronger vocal delivery.
When the audience is behind a lens rather than in front of you, adaptation is essential. Speaking to the camera as though it were a person, varying your gaze naturally, and using facial expressions to convey tone can help bridge the gap. Online, short attention spans make the first seconds (an average of 8 seconds!) matter most; thus, speakers should come up with a compelling hook and double check that audio-visual quality is clear.
Adapting Across Cultures Without Losing Yourself
Every event exists within its own cultural context, shaped by local norms, industry maturity, and audience expectations. What engages a tech-savvy crowd in Amsterdam might differ from what resonates in Dubai or Singapore. Hence, sensitivity to where you are – and to whom you are speaking – is as important as the content itself.
Yet adaptation should not mean abandoning your personality. The most compelling speakers adjust their references, attire, humour, and pacing to suit the room while retaining the core of who they are. This balance of respect and authenticity allows the message to land while keeping the delivery unmistakably yours.
Securing More Speaking Opportunities
Breaking into high-profile speaking slots is rarely a matter of waiting for someone to notice you. It requires making a compelling case for why your voice belongs on that stage. This can mean directly approaching organisers with a pitch tailored to their audience, following up on rejections to learn what you can improve, and beginning with smaller roles such as panel participation before progressing to keynotes.
Visibility plays a role here too. Sharing short, engaging videos that demonstrate your presence and expertise not only helps organisers see what you can offer but also reinforces your credibility in the wider community. As a personal brand expert herself, Chiara emphasises that building a personal brand around your subject matter signals both authority and consistency, thus making you a natural choice when relevant events arise.
Connection Above All
At its heart, public speaking is not about flawless delivery but about bridging the gap between you and your audience. Preparation builds confidence, yet flexibility creates connection. If you bring structure, authenticity, and cultural awareness to your role, then even the inevitable mishaps can become the most memorable moments of all.
About the Panellists
Chiara is a managing partner at Stablecoin Insider, covering market trends, policy updates, use cases, and institutional adoption in real time. She is also an Independent Advisor in Personal Branding & GTM strategy, Head of Public Relations at Dutch Blockchain Week, and the Head of Ecosystem Relationships at BCNL Foundation. Chiara runs her Personal Branding business through LinkedIn, helping teams in Web3 and AI build trust and visibility online. She also helps to host and speak at Web3 events.
Lilly is a Web3 educator and advocate based in Dubai working at major events as a master of ceremonies and moderator, as well as hosting launch events and awards in the blockchain industry. She is the podcast host of Talk Crypto To Me, where she has also set up her own business as a global blockchain presenter working as an MC at high profile events as well as helping launch projects around the world.
Paul is a seasoned author, speaker, and blockchain marketing consultant with over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and consumer psychology. He has trained and advised teams across industries, helping crypto and blockchain projects craft powerful messaging, build sustainable growth strategies, and connect authentically with their audiences. He is the Creator of The Crypto Factor, with 54K+ YouTube subscribers and 6M+ views.
Alexandra is the founder and CEO of Thrilld Labs, which builds Web3 networking and event solutions. She is also an advisor to BlockStart Scotland and Funding Chain, has been published (for instance, for the Cointelegraph), and is a mentor to various educational blockchain initiatives hosted by the Frankfurt School Blockchain Center. Her background is in law, political science, and the hospitality sector.
Join EcstaSHE
EcstaSHE is a female community, connecting action-oriented, professional female decision-makers in and around Web3 to enable networking and business collaborations. The EcstaSHE series is an initiative that organizes panel discussions or fire chats for community members or any interested participant to learn more about the Web3 ecosystem.
EcstaSHE members get prioritized access to conference tickets where Thrilld Labs provides giveaways. We also actively build speaking gigs, interviews, and business opportunities (at times) provided by our partners, whilst we also publish articles about business topics. We welcome women from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise levels
To learn more about EcstaSHE and how to get involved, read more here or apply here.
