Conviction: How to deliver a speech with conviction

For Speaker Mentor Deborah Meaden the ability to spot somebody who can deliver with conviction is crucial, both in her day job as an entrepreneur and her TV role in Dragons' Den.

"Find the thing that you are passionate about," Deborah told us: "Automatically you'll deliver it with conviction. You believe, they'll believe it".

Even the best speakers shortchange their audience if they're not delivering with conviction.

Deborah's seen great speakers disappointingly speaking by numbers: "They were speaking very well... but I didn't come away thinking- 'I'm going to do something now'".

Perhaps that's the hallmark of a truly believable speech?

Trevor Nelson, DJ

DJ Trevor Nelson thinks an audience's belief in a speaker is all about the speaker's credibility.

"It was easier for me when I came on TV" Trevor told us, thanks to his cult success on pirate radio: "People said, I know him, he's a DJ, he knows a lot about music".

"But a lot of people appear out of nowhere and instantly try and get some sort of stake in the game of credibility. It's not easy, you've really got to earn it".

Trevor went on to advise would-be speakers to know their subject matter inside out; "I don't like ever talking if I don't know what I'm talking about".

"There's nothing worse than a blagger... you will get caught out," Trevor went on to say, "And trust me, you will start to sweat".

Religious Speaker Joanna delivers a sermon

Practise What You Preach

Everyday Speaker Joanna Jepson is a Church of England Priest, based in Fulham. Speaking with conviction is a key part of Joanna's life, both inside and outside of the church.

For Joanna, framing the key message is vital for speakers: "It is good to give people a focus at the very beginning of the service, just so they've got a hook".

But conviction doesn't begin and end with the words a speaker is saying.

According to Joanna, believability is also about how a speaker carries themselves and delivers: "I can't imagine anyone really speaking passionately and NOT moving physically."

"When I get into something, I move around, I want to use my hands, it's all just part of expressing what's going on inside and trying to communicate that".

For Joanna, carrying her message outside of the church is just as important as her delivery within it: "People are intrigued by how I live and what I do. They see the collar and expect me to be a trustworthy person".

Maintaining a consistent level of credibility is crucial to Joanna's role: "It's a big responsibility but it's good for me, it's important".

Watch Deborah and Trevor's top tips on conviction, and see Joanna in action using the video player above.

• Speak about what you believe in

• Credibility must be earned

• Convince your audience with your body language

• Stay within the comfort zone of your knowledge base

• Practise what you preach