Why Consonantly Speaking exists
Consonantly Speaking started with a simple belief: great talks are built, not born. Charisma is nice, but clarity is kinder. We create tools, templates, and training that help people communicate ideas with respect for attention and time. The mission is to make practical public speaking accessible to anyone—no theater experience required.
Who we serve
We serve people who teach, lead, sell, and advocate. That includes engineers explaining trade‑offs, managers running kickoffs, founders pitching, and neighbors organizing communities. The common thread is an intent to help the room make sense of something and do the next right thing. If that’s you, you’re in the right place.
Our methodology
We combine three disciplines: instructional design (for clarity and sequencing), behavioral science (for habit formation and anxiety management), and presentation design (for visual communication). Each article or template is tested against real constraints: tight timelines, complex content, mixed audiences, and imperfect rooms.
At the center is MAP—Message, Audience, Path. Message is your outcome sentence, Audience is a short snapshot of values and blockers, and Path is your named three‑part route. Once these are set, everything else gets easier: slides, stories, proof, transitions, Q&A, and time management.
What we believe
Clarity beats cleverness. A talk succeeds when your audience knows what to do next, not when you’ve used the fanciest words. We choose simple language, concrete examples, and measurable outcomes.
Practice beats talent. Short, frequent reps change outcomes faster than waiting for “inspiration.” We promote rehearsal loops you can actually run between meetings.
Design is communication. Slides that remove ambiguity are kinder than slides that impress. We prefer generous whitespace, large headlines, and visual proof over effects.
Accessibility is non‑negotiable. Contrast, pacing, and structure help everyone—not just people with specific needs. We write and design for inclusion.
Editorial approach
We publish practical guides, checklists, and templates with one aim: help you create the next version of your talk. Articles are scoped to be applied the same day. We avoid vague advice and platitudes. If a recommendation can’t be observed or rehearsed, it doesn’t ship.
Each piece goes through a clarity pass (remove ambiguity), a constraints pass (work in tight time boxes), and an outcomes pass (define what success looks like). When we use research, we translate it into plain language and cite it where useful; when we use experience, we state the limits.
How to use this site
Start with your next talk in mind. Read one article, apply one practice, and repeat. If your timeline is short, use the 45‑minute prep template: audience snapshot, MAP outline, transitions rehearsal, timed run‑through. If you have more time, add stories and proof, then polish slides.
What success looks like
Success isn’t applause—it’s understanding and action. After a clear talk, your audience can summarize the point, remember the path, and take the next step without extra explanation. You feel calmer because you’re rehearsing moves you trust rather than memorizing paragraphs.
Accessibility commitments
We aim for strong color contrast, readable type, and information hierarchy that can be skimmed with headings. We keep sentences short and avoid jargon unless it’s community vocabulary. Where possible, we provide transcripts, alt text guidance, and slide templates that pass basic accessibility checks.
Community guidelines
We welcome questions, corrections, and examples from readers. Keep feedback specific, kind, and useful to others with similar challenges. We moderate comments to maintain a constructive environment for learning.
Roadmap
Upcoming resources include a printable MAP worksheet, a slide headline pack, and a rehearsal timer that walks you through transitions and a timed run. We’re also drafting a set of one‑page guides for common talk types: demos, kickoffs, briefings, and community updates.
Thanks and acknowledgements
Consonantly Speaking builds on decades of insights from educators, speech coaches, designers, and behavioral scientists. We’re grateful for the teachers who taught us to put the audience first, the designers who showed us that whitespace is kindness, and the communities who proved that structure reduces stress for everyone in the room.
Practical note for events
If you’re speaking soon, make space—literally and mentally—for the work. Reduce clutter, set out your materials, and normalize a short daily rehearsal. If you’re in Greenville, SC and need a quick cleanup before hosting a group, check the Business of the Month linked in the footer for fast, reliable help. Calmer space, calmer delivery.