Tour guiding taught me how to walk backward without falling while telling colorful tales about the denizens of the historic Art Deco District of Miami Beach, Florida. I developed this talent while working as a volunteer tour guide for the Miami Design Preservation League for more than a decade and discovered that good tour guiding combines many facets of effective public speaking and impromptu conversations.
I learned that the way to highlight the distinctive architectural aspects of the vintage hotels lining the beach was to tell the stories of the people who built them, owned them, occupied them, and misbehaved in them. Case in point, every location somehow related to the notorious Prohibition era gangster Al Capone was fascinating to the tour members.
It’s not easy to keep a group of foreign visitors engaged while walking through the streets and interiors of buildings steeped in a century of history. I found that setting expectations at the outset and having a road map of the points of interest made it easier for visitors to relax, pay attention and comprehend what I was saying. The structure for a well-executed tour resembles what we have come to expect from an effective presentation that delivers on its promise.
Here’s how guiding tours can help you become a more confident, and competent speaker.
1. Tell unforgettable stories
Tour guides at their core are storytellers who know how to weave together narratives. Because stories are about people, they humanize information and make it more relatable and memorable. Stories create an emotional bridge to the audience and turn abstract facts into vivid experiences. This constant practice of storytelling helps tour guides develop a sense of narrative flow and timing, both crucial elements in public speaking. Guides learn to hold attention from the beginning, build interest throughout the tour and deliver a memorable summary at the end.
2. Delight diverse audiences
Every tour group is different. Tour guides regularly interact with diverse groups of people from various countries, backgrounds, age groups, and interests. This experience teaches guides how to read their audience, adjust their delivery style, and make their content engaging for everyone. Most of my tour groups were foreign visitors who spoke little English. I would find relevant cultural references so they would understand and supplement my storytelling with photos and illustrations as needed.
3. Build confidence
Regularly speaking in front of groups, no matter how large or small, helps build confidence. Tour guides learn to manage their nerves, maintain composure, and project confidence even under blistering sun, rain, wind, or construction noise. Besides learning to walk backwards with a smile, I strengthened the projection of my voice and kept my tour group attentive under less-than-optimal conditions.
4. Improve non-verbal communication
Professional tour guides rely heavily on non-verbal communication. They become adept at using body language, facial expressions, and eye contact to ensure that everyone is following along, particularly foreign visitors who may not understand English well. These skills are directly transferable to any public speaking scenario.
5. Find your unique style
Excellent tour guides leave an indelible impression and can make the difference between a mediocre visit or an unforgettable one. The best tour guides are not only knowledgeable but develop their unique style, blending humor, facts, and personal anecdotes to enrich the visitor’s experience. The same process of finding and refining one’s voice is essential in public speaking, where authenticity and personal style can significantly enhance the impact of a presentation.
6. Handle questions with grace
Good tour guides have a dialogue with tour members and invite questions. Their questions may be routine, unexpected, or challenging. Yet, the guides need to think on their feet and respond confidently and accurately. For instance, a visit to a culturally sensitive destination can be marred by an obstinate tour guide who fails to manage questions properly. The improvisational skills gained through thoughtful answers to questions are invaluable in public speaking, where the ability to finesse the unexpected gracefully is crucial.
The journey of becoming a tour guide offers invaluable lessons and experiences that can significantly enhance your public speaking skills. From mastering the art of storytelling to building confidence, handling questions, and developing a unique style, the skills acquired are directly transferable to any public speaking scenario.
If tour guiding doesn’t interest you, observe and learn from good guides in action instead. Choose a live in-person tour over a recorded one in an app. Museum docents and curators offer lessons in storytelling, too. Consider how a curated museum tour brings artworks that may otherwise seem obscure to life.
My own experience taught me that stepping into the shoes of a tour guide can be a transformative experience, providing both the practical skills and the confidence needed to excel in front of any audience. Happy touring.
