1478: From Awful to Awesome: Give Clear, Memorable Talks and Reduce Anxiety with Public Speaker Coach Don Franceschi

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Don Franceschi, award-winning public speaking coach and author of From Awful to Awesome, shares how anyone can overcome fear and deliver powerful presentations. With experience as a TEDx coach, Toastmaster, and state trainer, Don explains why speaker anxiety is normal, how to manage it, and what preparation really means. He lays out his core principles for speaking with confidence and reminds us that it’s never about the speaker—it’s about the audience.
In this episode of Marketer of the Day, you’ll learn how to manage stage fright, prepare effectively, and make every talk memorable. Don breaks down the difference between a regular business presentation and a high-stakes safety presentation where lives can depend on how well the message lands. His advice on preparation, clarity, and emotional connection helps anyone become an engaging and effective communicator.

Quotes:

“It’s okay to be nervous. Even the best speakers in the world feel it. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety; it’s to manage it.”

“It’s not about you. It’s about the audience. You’re giving them a gift—your knowledge, your experience, your perspective.”

“Uncertainty creates anxiety. The more prepared you are, the less anxious you’ll be.”

“Take the process seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously. Have fun, but do the homework.”

Resources:

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