Would You Survive This Speaking Scenario?
- Kevin Snyder
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
Imagine this: you show up to speak and the venue setup is far from ideal.
The screen you were promised isn’t set up, meaning you can’t use your presentation slides.
The lapel mic becomes a handheld with muffled audio.
The audience? Split awkwardly on both sides of you while you stand in the middle of a gym floor.
Now add 500+ high school students … and you're speaking for a full hour!
Could you still deliver your talk like a pro? Could you keep the audience engaged, adapt on the spot, and make such an impact that the crowd literally rushes to you afterward?
That’s exactly what I watched youth keynote speaker Sam Demma do just up the street from me earlier this week.
Sam's speech and delivery was a MASTERCLASS in action --- and that's why I'm sharing it with you.
Why Sam’s Story Matters
I met Sam through the National Speakers Association. He’s only in his mid-20s, yet he’s delivered 700+ keynotes and recently became the youngest Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in NSA history.
When I heard he was speaking nearby, I had to go. But when I arrived at the school, I thought, “Uh oh … this setup is not ideal.” Sam had no stage, no slides, no AV crew—just a mic in the middle of a gym.
And honestly, I don’t know what Sam knew in advance. Maybe he expected this setup, maybe he didn’t. What I do know is that what he was dealing with would have challenged me considerably! Sitting there, I placed myself in his situation and wondered, “How would I handle this?”
Because in my own 25+ years of speaking, I’ve had to deal with every sort of challenge you can imagine—venue mistakes, organizer miscommunication, or my own oversights. If it can happen, it will!
Which is why preparation is the key.
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The Lesson for Professional Speakers
A true professional speaker knows how to:
Adapt when the environment isn’t ideal.
Engage the audience with presence and story, not slides.
Deliver with clarity even when AV fails.
Sam reminded me—and now you—that what separates an amateur from a professional isn’t the setup. It’s the ability to shine despite the setup.
So, if you catch yourself thinking you need slides or the “perfect” room arrangement to succeed, ask yourself: Why?
Respectfully, what you really need is preparation, practice, and the confidence to feel, “I got this regardless.”
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A Few Insights to Help you Set Yourself UP for Onsite Success
Develop and share your AV checklist with the event planner.
Have a pre-event checklist and ensure a 'touchpoint call' the week prior to the event.
Show up to the event venue as early as possible.
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Want to Learn More from Sam?
Sam recently shared his blueprint for building a thriving speaking business on the Speakernomics podcast. If you’re serious about growing your career, this is gold:
You’ll discover:
How he grew from local school talks to 750+ paid engagements across North America.
His exact outreach and sales strategies (including video emails).
How to overcome budget objections and land higher-fee gigs.
Final Thought
Watching Sam speak wasn’t just inspiring—it was a masterclass in professionalism under pressure.
Repetition is the mother of skill. The only way to make speaking look easy is to practice until you can thrive even when things go wrong.
Sam did exactly that. The question is: can you?
Your future speaking will thank you.
Practice and polish your speech at an upcoming SPEAKING PROFESSIONALLY TOASTMASTERS meeting!
Earn greatness today! Onward and upward!
Want to speak professionally, part-time or full-time?
Not getting PAID speaking engagements?
I've been honored to present for over 1,000,000 people through 1,150+ audiences in all 50 states and several countries. Whether I'm on a stage or in a training room with professionals or students, I absolutely LOVE motivating and inspiring people for higher performance. And in addition to my own speaking business, I have a passion for helping and coaching speakers learn how to catapult their speaking whether part-time or full-time. My book, PAID to SPEAK, outlines a proven model for speakers and is now an online course as well! Click here for online course info!
If you are serious about becoming a professional speaker, explore my coaching and mentorship options. I don't want you to flounder like I did and be frustrated.
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