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10 Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is a skill that many people want to improve. Here's some tips to help you feel confident when presenting ideas to a group of people.

Public speaking has to be one of the most important professional skills because it is used in nearly every industry. But it is also one that people commonly fear. The good news is, speaking confidently and effectively in front of a group is a skill that anybody can master.

Whether you're presenting findings to your team or explaining complex ideas to potential investors, you can improve your public speaking skills with a little practice. Here are 10 ways you can start practicing today.

10 tips to improve your public speaking

We'll present you 10 tips you can use to start improving your public speaking skills.

1. Know your audience. 

You're more likely to feel comfortable presenting to an audience if you know who they are. That way, you can craft your message in a tone that resonates with them, perhaps using humor to ease the tension.

Start by assessing your audience's level of understanding of the topic you plan to discuss. This will determine the amount of background to give and whether you should aim to be more professional or casual.

As you’re speaking, stay aware of the group's reactions. Adjust accordingly so you can connect with them throughout your presentation.

2. Practice, practice, practice. 

Even the most seasoned public speaker needs practice to be effective. Give a mock presentation of your speech in advance, so you can determine if you’ve organized the information cohesively and clearly. 

It may help to talk out loud to an imaginary audience or in front of a mirror, but it’s even more effective to practice with the help of a supportive co-worker, friend, or family member as an audience. 

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3. Use feedback to your advantage.

Whether you’re practicing or giving a presentation, ask for feedback. This constructive criticism could include specific examples that you can use to improve for future presentations.

If your friends point out that you say "umm" or "you know" too much, make sure that you're not taking the feedback personally. Integrate their comments into future presentations and thank your friend or team for giving you invaluable feedback.

4. Make it your own. 

Connecting with an audience can be easier when you add your own personality or flair. Let your personality shine through as you convey your message, whether you are a naturally funny or empathetic person. Be authentic and appropriate—use humor when it can enhance your work, rather than detract from it.

If you use a PowerPoint presentation while speaking, make sure you're not reading from it word for word but using images or videos to bring your presentation to life. You may want to add your contact information at the end of the presentation so people can follow up with you afterward.

5. Connect with a personal story.

Personal stories or anecdotes can enhance your presentation. When TED Talk Speakers take the stage, they often begin with a short anecdote about their childhood or personal experience. This structure helps them connect with the audience, share their passion for what they're about to discuss or explain their expertise. 

To add this kind of personal touch to your presentation, make sure what you share has a direct connection with the topic at hand.

Learn more about storytelling and influencing with this course from Macquarie University.

6. Make eye contact.

Making eye contact with your audience can actually help you feel more at ease because you'll get a sense of whether they understand what you're saying or need to clarify further. Practicing your speech or presentation beforehand can help you feel more comfortable making eye contact.

As they say, much of effective communication relies on body language. Moving your gaze around the room can help your audience feel more engaged, which in turn will make you feel more confident.

7. Use the stage to your advantage.

Before the presentation, know where you'll be speaking. Check that your PowerPoint presentation works with the provided equipment. Make sure you know how the room will be set up. Ask about time constraints, whether people will be eating during your talk, and what kind of microphone you’ll be using.

When you’re on stage, own the space. Walk to different areas to make eye contact with other people in the audience. Be aware of your body language. Let your arms hang loosely. Stand with excellent posture, with your back straight. Smile.

8. Calm your nerves.

It’s normal to still find yourself overcome with nerves at some point in your presentation, despite your preparation. When this happens, take a deep breath. No one’s expecting you to be perfect.

Instead of thrusting your hands in your pockets or playing with your hair, think of ways to cope with your nerves beforehand. You might make sure to exercise that morning or meditate for five minutes before speaking.

9. Record yourself speaking. 

Co-workers and friends can help provide feedback, but you can also evaluate yourself while speaking. When you speak in front of a group, set up your phone to record yourself and watch it later. You may be surprised by your nervous habits or awkward phrasing. You might find new ways to improve the readability of your PowerPoint slides.

If you're giving a presentation on Zoom, ask your audience if you can record the meeting. Use this technology to improve your skills to be even more effective next time and avoid ruminating on mistakes. Stay positive.

10. Make a lasting impression with a strong conclusion. 

Just as experts encourage speakers to grab their audience’s attention within the first 30 seconds of their presentations, it’s also wise to create a solid ending to any presentation. This closing can include things like: 

A call to action that encourages listeners to take the next step

A memorable quote that inspires or illustrates a point from your presentation

A personal story that demonstrates why this issue is so important to you

A summary of the most important takeaways 

Remember to thank the audience for their time once you conclude your presentation. If there is time, you can invite questions and answer them from the stage, or prompt them to follow up with you afterward.

The importance of developing your public speaking skills.

Public speaking skills are helpful for growth in your career but also in everyday life. Here's some ways developing strong public speaking skills can benefit you:

Strengthen team-building and collaboration 

Share your ideas and offer solutions to work-related problems

Earn esteem with employers and co-workers alike

Create connections that can lead to new professional opportunities

The benefits of these skills transfer easily to other areas of your life. You can improve your relationships along with your professional success by developing clear and effective communication . 

It can take time to improve public speaking skills. The key to confidence is a willingness to embrace the temporary feeling of discomfort that comes with developing any new skill.

Next steps for success 

Apply these public speaking tips to improve your ability to confidently execute a presentation. Further refine your skills by practicing and learning from those who can demonstrate their success in public speaking . 

Join a public speaking support group.

Toastmasters International , a nonprofit organization with chapters throughout the world, empowers people to develop their public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive group setting. Members practice giving speeches and overcoming shyness and anxiety with regular online and in-person meetings.

Attend public speaking events.

If your town or city offers events with speakers on various topics, consider these opportunities to learn. When watching others give presentations, use a critical eye to learn what works and what doesn’t. Ask yourself why you enjoyed or didn’t enjoy the lecture, based on their tone, expressions, and body language. 

Watch videos of effective public speaking.

Finally, you can enjoy the same learning experience of in-person lectures by watching videos of influential public speakers. TED Talks is an online collection of presentations on a wide range of topics, including science, entertainment, and business. Watch as many as you can and use the best speakers as mentors to improve your confidence and success in public speaking.

Take public speaking classes. 

Online public speaking courses provide opportunities to learn ways to improve communication skills from the comfort of your home or office. Take the Introduction to Public Speaking course or Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization offered by the University of Washington to gain confidence as you learn presentation and public speaking skills.

Give your team access to a catalog of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business .

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Article • 13 min read

Better Public Speaking

Becoming a confident, compelling speaker.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Whether we're talking in a team meeting or presenting in front of an audience, we all have to speak in public from time to time.

We can do this well or we can do this badly, and the outcome strongly affects the way that people think about us. This is why public speaking causes so much anxiety and concern.

The good news is that, with thorough preparation and practice, you can overcome your nervousness and perform exceptionally well. This article and video explain how.

Click here to view a transcript of this video.

The Importance of Public Speaking

Even if you don't need to make regular presentations in front of a group, there are plenty of situations where good public speaking skills can help you advance your career and create opportunities.

For example, you might have to talk about your organization at a conference, make a speech after accepting an award, or teach a class to new recruits. Speaking to an audience also includes online presentations or talks; for instance, when training a virtual team, or when speaking to a group of customers in an online meeting.

Good public speaking skills are important in other areas of your life, as well. You might be asked to make a speech at a friend's wedding, give a eulogy for a loved one, or inspire a group of volunteers at a charity event.

In short, being a good public speaker can enhance your reputation, boost your self-confidence , and open up countless opportunities.

However, while good skills can open doors, poor ones can close them. For example, your boss might decide against promoting you after sitting through a badly-delivered presentation. You might lose a valuable new contract by failing to connect with a prospect during a sales pitch. Or you could make a poor impression with your new team, because you trip over your words and don't look people in the eye.

Make sure that you learn how to speak well!

Strategies for Becoming a Better Speaker

The good news is that speaking in public is a learnable skill. As such, you can use the following strategies to become a better speaker and presenter.

Plan Appropriately

First, make sure that you plan your communication appropriately. Use tools like the Rhetorical Triangle , Monroe's Motivated Sequence , and the 7Cs of Communication to think about how you'll structure what you're going to say.

When you do this, think about how important a book's first paragraph is; if it doesn't grab you, you're likely going to put it down. The same principle goes for your speech: from the beginning, you need to intrigue your audience.

For example, you could start with an interesting statistic, headline, or fact that pertains to what you're talking about and resonates with your audience. You can also use story telling as a powerful opener; our Expert Interviews with Annette Simmons and Paul Smith offer some useful tips on doing this.

Planning also helps you to think on your feet . This is especially important for unpredictable question and answer sessions or last-minute communications.

Remember that not all occasions when you need to speak in public will be scheduled. You can make good impromptu speeches by having ideas and mini-speeches pre-prepared. It also helps to have a good, thorough understanding of what's going on in your organization and industry.

There's a good reason that we say, "Practice makes perfect!" You simply cannot be a confident, compelling speaker without practice.

To get practice, seek opportunities to speak in front of others. For example, Toastmasters is a club geared specifically towards aspiring speakers, and you can get plenty of practice at Toastmasters sessions. You could also put yourself in situations that require public speaking, such as by cross-training a group from another department, or by volunteering to speak at team meetings.

If you're going to be delivering a presentation or prepared speech, create it as early as possible. The earlier you put it together, the more time you'll have to practice.

Practice it plenty of times alone, using the resources you'll rely on at the event, and, as you practice, tweak your words until they flow smoothly and easily.

Then, if appropriate, do a dummy run in front of a small audience: this will help you calm your jitters and make you feel more comfortable with the material. Your audience can also give you useful feedback , both on your material and on your performance.

Engage With Your Audience

When you speak, try to engage your audience. This makes you feel less isolated as a speaker and keeps everyone involved with your message. If appropriate, ask leading questions targeted to individuals or groups, and encourage people to participate and ask questions.

Keep in mind that some words reduce your power as a speaker. For instance, think about how these sentences sound: "I just want to add that I think we can meet these goals" or "I just think this plan is a good one." The words "just" and "I think" limit your authority and conviction. Don't use them.

A similar word is "actually," as in, "Actually, I'd like to add that we were under budget last quarter." When you use "actually," it conveys a sense of submissiveness or even surprise. Instead, say what things are. "We were under budget last quarter" is clear and direct.

Also, pay attention to how you're speaking. If you're nervous, you might talk quickly. This increases the chances that you'll trip over your words, or say something you don't mean. Force yourself to slow down by breathing deeply. Don't be afraid to gather your thoughts; pauses are an important part of conversation, and they make you sound confident, natural, and authentic.

Finally, avoid reading word-for-word from your notes. Instead, make a list of important points on cue cards, or, as you get better at public speaking, try to memorize what you're going to say – you can still refer back to your cue cards when you need them.

Pay Attention to Body Language

If you're unaware of it, your body language will give your audience constant, subtle clues about your inner state. If you're nervous, or if you don't believe in what you're saying, the audience can soon know.

Pay attention to your body language: stand up straight, take deep breaths, look people in the eye, and smile. Don't lean on one leg or use gestures that feel unnatural.

Many people prefer to speak behind a podium when giving presentations. While podiums can be useful for holding notes, they put a barrier between you and the audience. They can also become a "crutch," giving you a hiding place from the dozens or hundreds of eyes that are on you.

Instead of standing behind a podium, walk around and use gestures to engage the audience. This movement and energy will also come through in your voice, making it more active and passionate.

Think Positively

Positive thinking can make a huge difference to the success of your communication, because it helps you feel more confident.

Fear makes it all too easy to slip into a cycle of negative self-talk, especially right before you speak, while self-sabotaging thoughts such as "I'll never be good at this!" or "I'm going to fall flat on my face!" lower your confidence and increase the chances that you won't achieve what you're truly capable of.

Use affirmations and visualization to raise your confidence. This is especially important right before your speech or presentation. Visualize giving a successful presentation, and imagine how you'll feel once it's over and when you've made a positive difference for others. Use positive affirmations such as "I'm grateful I have the opportunity to help my audience" or "I'm going to do well!"

Cope With Nerves

How often have you listened to or watched a speaker who really messed up? Chances are, the answer is "not very often."

When we have to speak in front of others, we can envision terrible things happening. We imagine forgetting every point we want to make, passing out from our nervousness, or doing so horribly that we'll lose our job. But those things almost never come to pass! We build them up in our minds and end up more nervous than we need to be.

Many people cite speaking to an audience as their biggest fear, and a fear of failure is often at the root of this. Public speaking can lead your "fight or flight" response to kick in: adrenaline courses through your bloodstream, your heart rate increases, you sweat, and your breath becomes fast and shallow.

Although these symptoms can be annoying or even debilitating, the Inverted-U Model shows that a certain amount of pressure enhances performance. By changing your mindset, you can use nervous energy to your advantage.

First, make an effort to stop thinking about yourself, your nervousness, and your fear. Instead, focus on your audience: what you're saying is "about them." Remember that you're trying to help or educate them in some way, and your message is more important than your fear. Concentrate on the audience's wants and needs, instead of your own.

If time allows, use deep breathing exercises to slow your heart rate and give your body the oxygen it needs to perform. This is especially important right before you speak. Take deep breaths from your belly, hold each one for several seconds, and let it out slowly.

Crowds are more intimidating than individuals, so think of your speech as a conversation that you're having with one person. Although your audience may be 100 people, focus on one friendly face at a time, and talk to that person as if he or she is the only one in the room.

Watch Recordings of Your Speeches

Whenever possible, record your presentations and speeches. You can improve your speaking skills dramatically by watching yourself later, and then working on improving in areas that didn't go well.

As you watch, notice any verbal stalls, such as "um" or "like." Look at your body language: are you swaying, leaning on the podium, or leaning heavily on one leg? Are you looking at the audience? Did you smile? Did you speak clearly at all times?

Pay attention to your gestures. Do they appear natural or forced? Make sure that people can see them, especially if you're standing behind a podium.

Last, look at how you handled interruptions, such as a sneeze or a question that you weren't prepared for. Does your face show surprise, hesitation, or annoyance? If so, practice managing interruptions like these smoothly, so that you're even better next time.

Chances are that you'll sometimes have to speak in public as part of your role. While this can seem intimidating, the benefits of being able to speak well outweigh any perceived fears. To become a better speaker, use the following strategies:

• Plan appropriately.
• Engage with your audience.
• Pay attention to body language.
• Think positively.
• Cope with your nerves.
• Watch recordings of your speeches.

If you speak well in public, it can help you get a job or promotion, raise awareness for your team or organization, and educate others. The more you push yourself to speak in front of others, the better you'll become, and the more confidence you'll have.

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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What are presentation skills?

The importance of presentation skills, 6 presentation skills examples, how to improve presentation skills.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety

Learn how to captivate an audience with ease

Capturing an audience’s attention takes practice. 

Over time, great presenters learn how to organize their speeches and captivate an audience from start to finish. They spark curiosity, know how to read a room , and understand what their audience needs to walk away feeling like they learned something valuable.

Regardless of your profession, you most likely use presentation skills on a monthly or even weekly basis. Maybe you lead brainstorming sessions or host client calls. 

Developing effective presentation skills makes it easier to contribute ideas with confidence and show others you’re someone to trust. Although speaking in front of a crowd sometimes brings nerves and anxiety , it also sparks new opportunities.

Presentation skills are the qualities and abilities you need to communicate ideas effectively and deliver a compelling speech. They influence how you structure a presentation and how an audience receives it. Understanding body language , creating impactful visual aids, and projecting your voice all fall under this umbrella.

A great presentation depends on more than what you say. It’s about how you say it. Storytelling , stage presence, and voice projection all shape how well you express your ideas and connect with the audience. These skills do take practice, but they’re worth developing — especially if public speaking makes you nervous. 

Engaging a crowd isn’t easy. You may feel anxious to step in front of an audience and have all eyes and ears on you.

But feeling that anxiety doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t worth sharing. Whether you’re giving an inspiring speech or delivering a monthly recap at work, your audience is there to listen to you. Harness that nervous energy and turn it into progress.

Strong presentation skills make it easier to convey your thoughts to audiences of all sizes. They can help you tell a compelling story, convince people of a pitch , or teach a group something entirely new to them. And when it comes to the workplace, the strength of your presentation skills could play a part in getting a promotion or contributing to a new initiative.

To fully understand the impact these skills have on creating a successful presentation, it’s helpful to look at each one individually. Here are six valuable skills you can develop:

1. Active listening

Active listening is an excellent communication skill for any professional to hone. When you have strong active listening skills, you can listen to others effectively and observe their nonverbal cues . This helps you assess whether or not your audience members are engaged in and understand what you’re sharing. 

Great public speakers use active listening to assess the audience’s reactions and adjust their speech if they find it lacks impact. Signs like slouching, negative facial expressions, and roaming eye contact are all signs to watch out for when giving a presentation.

2. Body language

If you’re researching presentation skills, chances are you’ve already watched a few notable speeches like TED Talks or industry seminars. And one thing you probably noticed is that speakers can capture attention with their body language. 

A mixture of eye contact, hand gestures , and purposeful pacing makes a presentation more interesting and engaging. If you stand in one spot and don’t move your body, the audience might zone out.

3. Stage presence

A great stage presence looks different for everyone. A comedian might aim for more movement and excitement, and a conference speaker might focus their energy on the content of their speech. Although neither is better than the other, both understand their strengths and their audience’s needs. 

Developing a stage presence involves finding your own unique communication style . Lean into your strengths, whether that’s adding an injection of humor or asking questions to make it interactive . To give a great presentation, you might even incorporate relevant props or presentation slides.

4. Storytelling

According to Forbes, audiences typically pay attention for about 10 minutes before tuning out . But you can lengthen their attention span by offering a presentation that interests them for longer. Include a narrative they’ll want to listen to, and tell a story as you go along. 

Shaping your content to follow a clear narrative can spark your audience’s curiosity and entice them to pay careful attention. You can use anecdotes from your personal or professional life that take your audience along through relevant moments. If you’re pitching a product, you can start with a problem and lead your audience through the stages of how your product provides a solution.

5. Voice projection

Although this skill may be obvious, you need your audience to hear what you’re saying. This can be challenging if you’re naturally soft-spoken and struggle to project your voice.

Remember to straighten your posture and take deep breaths before speaking, which will help you speak louder and fill the room. If you’re talking into a microphone or participating in a virtual meeting, you can use your regular conversational voice, but you still want to sound confident and self-assured with a strong tone.

If you’re unsure whether everyone can hear you, you can always ask the audience at the beginning of your speech and wait for confirmation. That way, they won’t have to potentially interrupt you later.

Ensuring everyone can hear you also includes your speed and annunciation. It’s easy to speak quickly when nervous, but try to slow down and pronounce every word. Mumbling can make your presentation difficult to understand and pay attention to.

6. Verbal communication 

Although verbal communication involves your projection and tone, it also covers the language and pacing you use to get your point across. This includes where you choose to place pauses in your speech or the tone you use to emphasize important ideas.

If you’re giving a presentation on collaboration in the workplace , you might start your speech by saying, “There’s something every workplace needs to succeed: teamwork.” By placing emphasis on the word “ teamwork ,” you give your audience a hint on what ideas will follow.

To further connect with your audience through diction, pay careful attention to who you’re speaking to. The way you talk to your colleagues might be different from how you speak to a group of superiors, even if you’re discussing the same subject. You might use more humor and a conversational tone for the former and more serious, formal diction for the latter.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses when it comes to presenting. Maybe you’re confident in your use of body language, but your voice projection needs work. Maybe you’re a great storyteller in small group settings, but need to work on your stage presence in front of larger crowds. 

The first step to improving presentation skills is pinpointing your gaps and determining which qualities to build upon first. Here are four tips for enhancing your presentation skills:

1. Build self-confidence

Confident people know how to speak with authority and share their ideas. Although feeling good about your presentation skills is easier said than done, building confidence is key to helping your audience believe in what you’re saying. Try practicing positive self-talk and continuously researching your topic's ins and outs.

If you don’t feel confident on the inside, fake it until you make it. Stand up straight, project your voice, and try your best to appear engaged and excited. Chances are, the audience doesn’t know you’re unsure of your skills — and they don’t need to.

Another tip is to lean into your slideshow, if you’re using one. Create something colorful and interesting so the audience’s eyes fall there instead of on you. And when you feel proud of your slideshow, you’ll be more eager to share it with others, bringing more energy to your presentation.

2. Watch other presentations

Developing the soft skills necessary for a good presentation can be challenging without seeing them in action. Watch as many as possible to become more familiar with public speaking skills and what makes a great presentation. You could attend events with keynote speakers or view past speeches on similar topics online.

Take a close look at how those presenters use verbal communication and body language to engage their audiences. Grab a notebook and jot down what you enjoyed and your main takeaways. Try to recall the techniques they used to emphasize their main points, whether they used pauses effectively, had interesting visual aids, or told a fascinating story.

3. Get in front of a crowd

You don’t need a large auditorium to practice public speaking. There are dozens of other ways to feel confident and develop good presentation skills.

If you’re a natural comedian, consider joining a small stand-up comedy club. If you’re an avid writer, participate in a public poetry reading. Even music and acting can help you feel more comfortable in front of a crowd.

If you’d rather keep it professional, you can still work on your presentation skills in the office. Challenge yourself to participate at least once in every team meeting, or plan and present a project to become more comfortable vocalizing your ideas. You could also speak to your manager about opportunities that flex your public speaking abilities.

4. Overcome fear

Many people experience feelings of fear before presenting in front of an audience, whether those feelings appear as a few butterflies or more severe anxiety. Try grounding yourself to shift your focus to the present moment. If you’re stuck dwelling on previous experiences that didn’t go well, use those mistakes as learning experiences and focus on what you can improve to do better in the future.

Tips for dealing with presentation anxiety 

It’s normal to feel nervous when sharing your ideas. In fact, according to a report from the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, public speaking anxiety is prevalent in 15–30% of the general population .

Even though having a fear of public speaking is common, it doesn’t make it easier. You might feel overwhelmed, become stiff, and forget what you were going to say. But although the moment might scare you, there are ways to overcome the fear and put mind over matter.

Use these tactics to reduce your stress when you have to make a presentation:

1. Practice breathing techniques

If you experience anxiety often, you’re probably familiar with breathing techniques for stress relief . Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can help you stop worrying and regulate anxious feelings. 

Before a big presentation, take a moment alone to practice breathing techniques, ground yourself, and reduce tension. It’s also a good idea to take breaths throughout the presentation to speak slower and calm yourself down .

2. Get organized

The more organized you are, the more prepared you’ll feel. Carefully outline all of the critical information you want to use in your presentation, including your main talking points and visual aids, so you don’t forget anything. Use bullet points and visuals on each slide to remind you of what you want to talk about, and create handheld notes to help you stay on track.

3. Embrace moments of silence

It’s okay to lose your train of thought. It happens to even the most experienced public speakers once in a while. If your mind goes blank, don’t panic. Take a moment to breathe, gather your thoughts, and refer to your notes to see where you left off. You can drink some water or make a quick joke to ease the silence or regain your footing. And it’s okay to say, “Give me a moment while I find my notes.” Chances are, people understand the position you’re in.

4. Practice makes progress

Before presenting, rehearse in front of friends and family members you trust. This gives you the chance to work out any weak spots in your speech and become comfortable communicating out loud. If you want to go the extra mile, ask your makeshift audience to ask a surprise question. This tests your on-the-spot thinking and will prove that you can keep cool when things come up.

Whether you’re new to public speaking or are a seasoned presenter, you’re bound to make a few slip-ups. It happens to everyone. The most important thing is that you try your best, brush things off, and work on improving your skills to do better in your next presentation.

Although your job may require a different level of public speaking than your favorite TED Talk , developing presentation skills is handy in any profession. You can use presentation skills in a wide range of tasks in the workplace, whether you’re sharing your ideas with colleagues, expressing concerns to higher-ups, or pitching strategies to potential clients.

Remember to use active listening to read the room and engage your audience with an interesting narrative. Don’t forget to step outside your comfort zone once in a while and put your skills to practice in front of a crowd. After facing your fears, you’ll feel confident enough to put presentation skills on your resume.

If you’re trying to build your skills and become a better employee overall, try a communications coach with BetterUp. 

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

The 11 tips that will improve your public speaking skills

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Mastering Public Speaking Skills: Tips, Techniques, and Strategies

Audiences are a peculiar breed. They can bring out the best and worst in speakers, so it’s important to stay on top of your game when it comes to public speaking. No matter what your current level of experience when it comes to delivering a presentation, there is always room for improvement. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting out, the following 10 tips are sure to help you level up your public speaking artistry. Here are our top 10 tips for mastering public speaking.

Tips for Overcoming Your Nerves

Overcoming nerves is one of the most difficult aspects of mastering public speaking. For some, nerves are a normal part of the experience – after all, it’s natural to be anxious in front of a large group of people. But if your nerves start to interfere with your performance, they must be addressed before moving forward. Here are some tips that can help you overcome your public speaking jitters: Prior preparation: The key to mollifying your fear is to prepare ahead. Have the material ready and know it well enough that you can just focus on delivering it. Also know how the event will happen and what technology or materials you’ll need for your presentation or speech. Nerves Are Normal: It’s important to remember that nerves are perfectly normal and even expected when presenting publicly. Many successful professionals still get nervous prior to their presentations; the difference is that they learn ways to channel these feelings productively instead of letting them overwhelm them. Engage with Your Audience: When possible, create opportunities for interaction with the audience at the beginning or end of the presentation. This could be something simple such as taking questions to avoid having audiences become inattentive or bored during long readings. Interaction will also give you an opportunity to build a connection with them and make them feel welcome and appreciated in the moment, enhancing your presentation skills further. Focus On Your Message: Public speaking is more than just getting through a presentation or monologue – it’s inspiring and engaging people with a message they care about! As you work on overcoming your nerves, try focusing on what you hope to accomplish rather than constantly thinking about any negative outcomes that may come from being in front of a big crowd. By taking these important steps and refocusing on why you’re presenting, you can confidently move forward when addressing an audience and fully master public speaking despite heightened anxiety or jitters. However, for those who continue experiencing challenges due to being nervous in public, there is one more tactic which can be very useful in calming down prior to speaking – visualizing success beforehand. To learn more about this method as well as other tips for improving public speaking skills, the next section will look into “Visualizing A Successful Presentation” in detail.

Visualizing a Successful Presentation

Visualizing a successful presentation is essential for successful public speaking. During the preparation process, take time to visualize yourself giving an effective and engaging speech. Think through how to you will structure your content and delivery, as well as practice key points in order to feel confident when you take the stage. By having a positive vision of your performance, you can increase your mental preparedness and help reduce nervousness. On the other hand, some speakers may find that visualizing their entire performance can create too much stress or overthinking before the event. It may be more beneficial to envision specific parts of your speech, such as highlighting key points or transitioning between sections of content. Focus on the most important pieces of your talk and practice those mentally first. Additionally, it helps to visualize moments of success after delivering a point or having an audience response positively. This can also lay a foundation of confidence in preparation for your talk . Overall, visualization is a powerful tool that supports the success of public speaking when used effectively and appropriately. Preparation including visualizing elements of performance should be balanced with rehearsing aloud so that both physical and mental prep is encompassed. With this approach, speakers can feel ready and confident as they take on public speaking tasks with ease. To further hone public speaking skills, the next step is to focus on how to engage your audience when presenting.

How to Engage Your Audience

Engaging your audience is key to keeping their attention throughout your presentation and making sure your message gets across in the most effective way. This can be done through a few simple tactics, such as opening with an interesting story, asking questions to generate audience response, and being creative with visuals. Starting with a story is an excellent way to draw your audience into the presentation and start building a connection. You can even interpret this story to tie in with the larger themes or ideas of your presentation. As you move through content, ask your audience questions that require more than a yes or no answer. This will encourage them to think more deeply about the material and give you feedback on how well they are understanding it. Another important way to engage your audience is through visuals . They don’t have to be overly complicated; using pictures, diagrams, and videos can help break up the monotony of long text-heavy slides and provide eye-catching visual interest for those more inclined to learn visually. In addition, having interactive activities for participants during any presentation provides further engagement and shows everyone that their input is valued within the discussion setting. Engaging an audience is part of a successful presentation, but there are other important elements that should be included as well. For example, incorporating ideas and stories in a way that helps explain complex concepts is necessary for helping people understand all aspects of what you are trying to convey. In the following section we will discuss how to incorporate ideas and stories effectively in order to make a powerful impact on your listeners.

Incorporate Ideas and Stories

Incorporating ideas and stories while public speaking is essential in engaging your audience and making your presentation more memorable . Doing so can help to illustrate key points, draw parallels between ideas, evoke an emotional response and make complex topics easier to understand. Ideas and stories should be presented in a way that relates to the audience, as this will ensure that listeners are more likely to retain the information. To ensure effective incorporation of ideas and stories, it is important for speakers to be aware of their own expertise in the subject matter, thoroughly research the topic being discussed and include only relevant and authentic examples. Not every idea or story requires heavy background research either; improvisation and personal anecdotes can sometimes lead to meaningful connections between concepts. While incorporating stories into presentations can be effective, speakers should take care not to overload their speeches with too many opportunities for listeners’ minds to wander away from the subject at hand. All stories must remain concise and on point while also relating back to the larger theme of the presentation. By carefully curating relevant ideas and stories that serve to capture an audience’s attention, speakers will have taken a key step towards delivering a powerful presentation .

Delivering a Powerful Presentation

One of the most essential aspects of public speaking is delivering an impactful presentation; this involves having command of your voice, body language and content. In order to deliver an effective presentation, it’s important to stay in control of your physical presence and be mindful of how the audience may perceive your movements . Paying attention to your facial expressions, posture and gestures will help you build trust with the audience, embodying confidence and clarity while speaking. Additionally, you should practice at home or in front of a mirror so that you become comfortable with controlling your nerves. When speaking, use volume modulation as well as pauses and emphasis so that your speech appears natural and enlivened. This can also make a strong impression on the people listening; using rhetorical devices such as repetition, metaphors or rhetorical questions will gauge interest from the listener. It is also important that each point you make has a significant purpose; staying on topic will prevent rambling and help keep everyone engaged throughout the conversation. Leading into the next section, it’s also essential to understand how to use your voice and body language for a successful presentation.

Use Your Voice and Body Language

In order to master public speaking, you must use your voice and body language effectively. The way we speak and present ourselves when speaking can make a huge difference in how well the audience responds. A key factor is to control your vocal pitch; by varying it slightly , you will be able to capture and retain audience attention for a longer period of time. Additionally, slower speech usually carries more impact than faster speech, so practice pacing yourself to increase engagement. When it comes to body language, the primary action is often eye contact . It engages the audience and helps establish trust that can be used in your favor. However, not all audience members are comfortable being directly looked at. In this case, try scanning the room while still making time to focus on individual members of the audience when appropriate. Smiling also plays an important role in public speaking. It projects confidence in addition to sending a positive message that helps create an inviting environment. On the other hand, smiling too much can be tiresome or distracting if done repeatedly throughout your presentation. Take care to use it only when necessary or when emphasizing a particular point. These voice and body language techniques together help give you better control over how your message is presented and received by the audience. Preparing for each speech will go a long way towards honing these skills and ensuring success. In the next section, we will discuss how proper preparation and practice are essential for mastering public speaking.

Prepare and Practice

Preparing and practicing are the cornerstones of effective public speaking. Taking time to create helpful material and practice beforehand will ensure you have a speech you feel confident about. It helps to create an outline which can guide you through your presentation. An outline allows for flexibility and improvisation during the actual talk but still keeps you focused on the main points you wish to convey. When it comes to practice, the absolute best way is to speak out loud in front of another person, preferably several times. This can be done alone or with a group of people. Doing so will help familiarize yourself with your material, as well as give you an idea of how well it flows. Practicing in front of somebody also helps build confidence by creating familiarity with an audience before actually delivering the presentation itself. That being said, some people may find it more beneficial to rehearse their speeches without an audience present. By imagining an audience in front of them, they are able to become comfortable with the material without any anxiety impeding their progress. Ultimately this comes down to personal preference — there is no rule book for what works best for each individual speaker. The amount of preparation necessary is ultimately up to the speaker, however it’s important to give yourself enough time prior to a presentation so that you can adequately prepare and practice. With enough time set aside for this important step, your public speaking skills will be sure to improve substantially. The next step in mastering public speaking is to identify and understand your comfort zone, which we’ll cover in the upcoming section.

Key Points to Remember

Preparing and practicing are important aspects of effective public speaking. To ensure success, create a helpful outline that allows for flexibility while still keeping the main points in focus. Practicing aloud with an audience is beneficial for building familiarity and confidence. However, rehearsing without an audience through imagining one present is another option dependent on individual preference. Ultimately, it’s essential to allocate enough time for adequate preparation and practice prior to every presentation so public speaking skills improve substantially.

Know Your Comfort Zone

Knowing your comfort zone is essential to improving your skills as a public speaker. Being aware of the areas in which you feel more comfortable can be valuable for noticing any difficulties in speaking and adapting accordingly. Comfort, however, isn’t always best; it is important to understand when it is necessary to push yourself beyond that boundary. Accompanying every comfort zone are certain anxieties, anxieties stemming from the fear of discomfort and uncertainty. Allowing ourselves to stay within that space may limit our growth as presenters. Maintaining a healthy balance of security and challenge will enable us to become more confident speakers. Taking risks by attempting things out of our normal scope will aid in developing better coping strategies for next time. To ensure we’re not becoming too complacent with being secure in our own bubble, asking questions such as “What would happen if I pushed myself today?” are wise considerations before every presentation. Although stepping into the unknown might bring worry and hesitation, this attitude may open up the doors to unexpected results. For the truly courageous among us, taking the road less traveled can result in memorable experiences that open the potential for future success in public speaking. Now that you know your comfort zone boundaries and how they can be adjusted according to different situations, you need to learn how to use them with your audience. The following section dives into Listen to Audience which emphasizes on building rapport by showing true engagement with them during your speech.

Listen to the Audience

Listening to your audience is essential for mastering public speaking skills. As a speaker, it’s critical to read the emotions of the people in the room and respond accordingly. When engaging with an audience, it’s also important to be flexible and receptive to their questions and feedback. Doing so can help you to better understand their level of knowledge, as well as any potential issue or concern they may have. On the one hand, listening can help the speaker become more informed and speak from a place of knowledge and understanding. Listening involves being open-minded and examination of both sides of an argument. By approaching public speaking with openness, you’re more likely to effectively communicate your message in a way that resonates with the listener. On the other hand, some speakers may find it difficult to adjust their message according to the reception of the audience. This can put the speaker at risk of straying away from the main purpose of the talk and lead it into an endless loop with no resolution in sight. Moreover, if not done well, listening can lead to talking points which aren’t well-informed or relevant to the conversation at hand. In conclusion, listening is paramount for successful public speaking; however it must be done properly so that it does not detract from the primary goal of initializing productive communication between speaker and listener alike. With that said, let’s move on to our next section outlining how to effectively conclude your speech and summarize all learned public speaking skills.

Conclusion and Summary of Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is a skill that will benefit anyone for the rest of their lives. It is a way to express yourself to a larger audience, network and establish relationships, influence decision makers, and grow as an individual. With the tips presented in this article, you can begin learning to master public speaking today. These tips include finding and joining a local Toastmasters club, transforming fear into excitement, practicing in front of a mirror or friends and family, being able to concisely explain your message, telling stories, staying calm under pressure, dressing confidently, taking time to get familiar with the venue and equipment, eating right before your presentation, and focusing on making valuable connections through the art of public speaking . All of these elements will help you become a more confident speaker in time. Ultimately, mastering public speaking depends largely on experience. Everyone has different levels of comfort when it comes to public speaking – what works for one person may not work for another. This means that trial-and-error will be necessary for each individual as they work on building their public speaking skills. The more practice you give to public speaking opportunities as they come throughout your life, the sharper your skills will become over time. Debate: The overall consensus agrees that building public speaking skills takes practice and experience; however some may argue that some are born with a skill for public speaking – while others may need to make more effort in order adjust accordingly. On one hand those who speak well innately do have certain advantages in terms of being able to stand up in front of an audience relatively easy while other individuals with less natural ability still have the opportunity to acquire such skill through patience and effort applied towards honing their craft.

Responses to Frequently Asked Questions with Detailed Explanations

How can i become more comfortable speaking in front of a large audience.

Becoming more comfortable speaking in front of a large audience comes down to practice, preparation and positive thinking. Practicing your speech or presentation in front of family and friends or in front of a mirror can help you build up confidence and become more comfortable expressing yourself in public. Additionally, it’s important to prepare thoroughly by doing your research on the subject matter and knowing your material inside out. This will give you the knowledge needed to answer questions confidently. Finally, having a positive attitude is key when it comes to public speaking; challenge any negative thoughts and understand that nerves are normal. Remember that everyone in the audience wants you to succeed.

What techniques can I use to build my public speaking confidence?

First and foremost, it is important to know your audience . If you know who they are and what kind of topics they may be interested in, this can help you feel more confident and prepared to give an engaging speech. Second, practice is essential for success in public speaking. Make sure to go through the key points of your speech aloud a few times before you have to present it. This ensures that you can speak confidently and clearly when the time comes. Third, establish eye contact with the people in the audience by scanning the room as you speak. This will help keep them engaged and focused on what you’re saying. Fourth, try to think positively before you start your presentation and focus on what you are doing right rather than everything that could go wrong. Having a positive attitude can really help boost your confidence levels during public speaking. Lastly, take deep breaths before you start speaking and remind yourself that everyone in the room is likely just as nervous as you feel. Knowing that the people listening are feeling similarly can make it easier to stay calm and collected while delivering your speech.

What resources are available to help me hone my public speaking skills?

There are a variety of resources available to help hone your public speaking skills. Here are just a few: 1. Books and Publications – There are hundreds of books and publications dedicated to improving public speaking. Many of these books provide helpful tips , techniques for overcoming anxiety, and strategies for delivering powerful speeches. 2. Online Courses – In addition to reading books, there are a number of online courses available to improve public speaking . These courses often feature lectures, instructional videos, and practice sessions that can help you prepare for your next presentation or speech. 3. Mentors – Connecting with mentors can be incredibly valuable in honing your public speaking skills. Look for professionals in your industry who have had success with their own presentations and learn from them what strategies they used to become an effective public speaker . 4. Practice Sessions – One of the best ways to hone your public speaking skills is through consistent practice sessions. Whether it’s in front of the mirror or in front of a live audience, practice makes perfect!

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How to Improve Public Speaking Skills

Last Updated: April 6, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Deb DiSandro . Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 315,869 times.

Public speaking skills can be a hassle if you are insecure or an introvert. However, a little bit of practice and a confident outlook can help you to be a fantastic public speaker. Whether you're giving a presentation or in a social setting, you can use a few simple tools to improve your public speaking talents.

Getting Comfortable with Speaking in Public

• Before engaging in any form of public speaking, learn about your audience. If you are giving a presentation you should be able to do this easily. Think about why you are speaking and where you are speaking. Then go through a checklist.
• Try to be able to answer as to the size of the audience, age, gender, education (experience and socioeconomic level), religion, friendliness, and if the audience knows about you. You can remember this as an acronym, SAGE RFK. [1] X Research source
• Being able to fill in those blanks will help you form a speech that you will feel comfortable giving. The type of audience will affect how you speak.
• If you have the chance, interview 3-7 people from the audience. Find out their challenges so you can create teaching points. Ask about their successes so you can highlight them. Doing so will help you build support and trust from the audience during your speech.

• Visualize yourself speaking confidently and the audience responding positively to your speech. Imagine audience members benefiting from your speech, and tell yourself that you are in the right place at the right time.
• If you feel nervous or scared you probably also have nervous thoughts about what might go wrong. Having such thoughts will alter your voice and your body language negatively.
• Instead of harboring bad feelings and letting negative thoughts fester, remember to think positively. Positive thoughts will make you excited, allow you to relax, and give you confidence. Instead of thinking about how you wish you didn’t have to speak, reframe your thoughts and give yourself a pep talk. You might say to yourself, “Wow! I get to share my knowledge on a subject I’m passionate about with all these wonderful people who want to hear what I have to say!”
• View the chance to speak as a compliment. And know, that in most cases, the people who are listening to you are there for you. These people want to hear what you have to say.

• Make speaking a choice. It’s not something you have to do because you’re standing in front of a bunch of people. It’s something you choose to do when you’re ready.
• Learning to feel ok with silence will help you take your time when speaking publicly. You don’t want to rush your speech. Silences will always feel longer to you than to those not speaking. Just smile and gather yourself but never take too long. If what you speak is good enough, the audience will not mind some silence.
• Use silence to notice your breathing and stay calm. You can also use silence to let a particular point sink in. If you are speaking and want something you just said to really sink into your audience, silence is a great way to allow that to happen before you move on. Silence is your friend, not your enemy.

• Pay attention to all the filler words you say in any given conversation. These words are the noises and words you say when you are processing your thoughts and don’t know what to say next. Words and sounds like “Ah,” “Um,” “Like,” “Er.” Getting more comfortable with silence can help you reduce filler words.
• We also have default speech settings which have become automatic to us over the course of our lives. For example, if someone sneezes, you might say “Bless you.” These behaviors exist in public speaking as well. Identify what behaviors you have, both verbal and nonverbal. Which ones make you look nervous or not authoritative?
• Once you identify what your behaviors are you can begin to correct these habits.
• Perhaps you adjust your glasses when you’re nervous. Or pick your fingernails. Maybe you use more filler words.
• To help you change these habits, learn to be aware of what you’re doing in all settings. Even if you’re talking to a friend on the phone, be cognizant of what you are doing. When you realize you are doing something, make an effort to stop.

Preparing Yourself and Your Speech

• Visualize giving your speech, from driving to the location, getting on stage, delivering the speech, and returning home. This can help alleviate your anxiety and alert you of anything you still need to prepare.
• View your public speaking like a play. If you don’t learn your lines you won’t be able to act and engage your audience. When an actor doesn’t know her lines, the audience is always aware.
• The more you prepare the less you have to worry about when speaking publicly. If it helps you prepare, create a character. You don't have to be just you. Take on a stage persona. If you're introverted, create a character who is extroverted and play that character when speaking. [4] X Research source
• Plan everything that you can so that when it’s time to speak all you have to do is focus on your speech. Not only should you know your speech inside and out, you should plan everything from what you’ll eat to what you’ll wear.
• Plan your outfit a day ahead. When it’s time to get ready, you don’t have to worry. Plan what and when you’ll eat. If you know you get nervous and not hungry before speaking, then plan to eat a few hours earlier.

• While your speech should be pretty much memorized, having an outline will let you reference something to make sure that you’re hitting all the points you need to.
• An outline will help you develop a natural flow to your speech. You won’t have to panic if you forget what your next point was because you can look at your outline.
• You should also include the thesis, or main point, of your speech. Like in an essay paper, having a clear thesis that you will back up is a great help. Your thesis will inform you and your audience of what you will talk about. It will also show the audience that you are prepared and knowledgeable.
• You may get sidetracked during a speech depending on the forum you’re in. Having an outline and really knowing your material will allow you to easily transition and get back on track.

• Just like for any athlete or artist, practice is a key component to success. When practicing your speech, go a little slow to really digest what you are saying and how you are coming across. When you give your actual speech in public you’ll probably have the tendency to speak faster than normal. But practice can help you keep a good tempo. [5] X Research source
• Practicing will also help you memorize and feel prepared. When it’s time to speak publicly, you’ll know that you could do your speech in your sleep. Practice while you’re doing other things, such as the dishes, mowing the lawn, or getting ready.
• Be sure to practice the middle of your speech multiple times, as this is the part that is most often forgotten. Don’t just practice your speech from the beginning; start from the middle and rehearse it through the end a few times to help you lock each part in your memory.

• When you allow yourself to take a moment to breathe you can slow your heart rate and process what you are doing and saying. When we get nervous we often take shorter more shallow breaths. This kind of breathing doesn’t allow us to get as much oxygen and can cloud our thoughts.
• Long, steady breaths will help you keep a clear head and a calm body. Additionally, smile. Smiling triggers endorphins in our brains which make us happy. Make sure to stay hydrated as well. When you’re dehydrated you can’t think as clearly and can become tired much more easily.

• Do whatever you need to do that relaxes you and allows you to get a good night’s sleep. Exercise, watch a movie, read. Try to get eight hours of sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed.
• Plan your outfit beforehand so all you have to do is put it on. You should wear something that gives you confidence and makes you feel amazing. Whether it’s that great suit that makes you feel like you can take on the world or that classy dress that fits your body perfectly and gives you confidence. Dress well and appropriately, but wear something that you feel great in. When you feel great about how you look, your confidence will soar.

Speaking in Public or Giving a Presentation

• Do some stretches to get your body loose so you don’t feel and look stiff when speaking.
• Warm up your vocal chords with some singing drills like moving through your vocal range. Start as low as you can go and then move up through your register to your highest note. Then go back down and repeat.
• Try a few diction exercises and tongue twisters to warm up your mouth and loosen your jaw. [6] X Research source

• Your introduction can be as simple as stating your name and who you are. Explain why you’re speaking today.
• You can also be more casual if the environment allows. Start with a quick anecdote about something that happened to you and relate it to your topic if you can. A story or a joke is a great icebreaker.
• An introduction is a great way to get the crowd on your side and engaged before you start speaking. It will also help you stay relaxed. You want your audience to feel comfortable around you.

• Having a thesis to provide the audience will inform everyone on your topic. It will also show the audience that you are prepared.
• You can then move onto a brief outline of the speech with a transition phrase like, “Today I want to share with you…” This shows that you aren’t taking the crowd for granted and informs everyone that there will be an end. Audiences like to know that at some point you’ll stop talking. This will keep the audience more engaged, rather than zoning out early.
• Stating your outline also helps you to go over it one more time before you dive into speech.

• Look your audience members in the eye. Focus on someone and make eye contact for a sentence or two. Doing this shows your audience that you are speaking to the audience, not at the audience. Making eye contact can also help you stay calm. Focusing on one person at a time and treating it like a conversation instead of speaking to a large group might feel more comfortable to you.
• Your body language is just as important and your words. If you stand still and are stiff, you’ll come off as boring and nervous. If you wave your arms too much or move around a lot, you can also look frantic and nervous. Stand straight and remember your nervous habits. Feel free to move around when you transition to a new thought. Walk at a steady pace and mirror your pace with your talking speed.

• Make sure that you speak slowly and loudly enough so everyone can hear. Don’t overdo it, but you should finish each word completely before speaking the next one.
• Remembering to breathe and allow silences to happen will help you with this.
• Pay attention to the cadence of your voice. You don’t want to be a monotone robot. Feel free to be a little excited or speak a little softer to help convey a certain mood.

• Your speech and body language should inform the audience of the kind of energy you need for your speech. You’re passionate about your topic and know it so well that you get to speak about it. Use that energy to lead the audience.
• Remember to think positively and smile. This kind of good energetic energy will affect your audience, and as a result, will return to you.

• With all your practicing and engaging the audience, you shouldn’t need to look down and read from your outline. But you might want to check it from time to time to make sure you’ve hit all the important points.
• If you’re speaking at a podium, you can leave your outline there. When speaking, feel free to step away from the podium. You can also use your outline as an anchor spot. This anchor is a safe place you can always go back to. Take a breath, let what you said sink in, and check to make sure you’re on track.

• When you conclude your speech, you might want to summarize your main points and reiterate your thesis. Then, deliver an impactful, thought-provoking, and action-oriented closing statement.
• Make sure to thank your audience for listening to you and being a great audience. Then ask if anyone has any questions.
• Before you go into your speech, you may want to write down some questions you’ve had about your topic, ones you’ve heard before, or any you think might get asked. Be able to answer these. Answering questions shouldn’t be hard since you know your topic so well.
• If no one asks a question right away, show that you’re an experienced speaker by saying that people usually ask a certain question. Then use one of the questions you wrote down.

Community Q&A

• Create an alternate persona of yourself who is a great public speaker, then play this character. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0
• Practice your speech so that you don't need to rely on your notes and can engage with the audience. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 0
• Remember to breathe and relax. Your audience wants to hear what you have to say. Give everyone a chance to. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2014/01/06/six-ways-to-be-an-amazing-public-speaker/#43b36d5dd1a5
• ↑ http://career-advice.monster.com/career-development/education-training/8-ways-to-improve-public-speaking/article.aspx
• ↑ https://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/PublicSpeaking.htm
• ↑ http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/exclusively-for-introverts-10-powerful-tips-improve-your-public-speaking-skills.html
• ↑ http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-easy-ways-to-improve-your-public-speaking/
• ↑ http://www.write-out-loud.com/dictionexercises.html

About This Article

If you have a speech coming up, write an outline of the speech that includes your thesis and main points. Record yourself practicing the speech and adjust your speaking speed, volume, or tone as necessary. On the day of the speech, stay hydrated and warm up your voice with diction exercises or tongue twisters. When it’s time, smile, introduce yourself, and begin your speech. Make eye contact with the audience and focus on articulating your words clearly. For more information on how to overcome a public-speaking fear from our expert co-author, keep reading below! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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• 15 Free Resources to Improve...

15 Free Resources to Improve Presentation and Public Speaking Skills

6 min read · Updated on October 12, 2022

It's common for all of us to have to present or speak in front of others at some point in our careers.

It might be for small events like a team meeting, or larger events like company employee meetings, or even larger events like a conference for which your company requested you to present. For me, it didn't matter if I was presenting in front of five people or 500, I still got those butterflies in the pit of my stomach. Plus, my nerves presented in a physical way—my face and chest turned beet red! When your face turns red, it's kind of hard to hide the fact that you're nervous, and eventually, I just had to get used to it.

With time and practice on my public speaking skills, however, I've gotten better at presenting and speaking in front of crowds, and so can you, with the help of professional development resources. Even if you don't speak or present in front of others regularly, honing your presentation and speaking skills can help you advance in your career when the moment arises to give an acceptance speech, during an interview, or when teaching a class.

Yes, I understand that public speaking and presenting is one of the most nerve-racking things for people to do, and several studies support this. In fact, per the Psychology Today article, " The Thing We Fear More than Death ," studies show we fear public speaking more than death (as the title implies).

However, if you focus on your end goal of improving your public speaking skills and the fact that you're among co-workers that generally want you to succeed at work, then it makes presenting easier. Plus, there are several very cool and free (or low-cost) professional development resources available to help you hone in on your presentation and speaking skills, many of which I've shared below.  

1. Toastmasters International

Toastmasters has been helping people become better presenters and speakers for years. It's worth it to see if there's a local Toastmasters class in your area. They also offer a lot of other professional development resources like free tips—from accepting awards to creating sales pitches—on their Public Speaking Tips page.

2. Garr Reynolds

Garr Reynolds is a speaker and best-selling author of the award-winning  Presentation Zen book , The Naked Presenter , and Presentation Zen Design . His website offers a lot of free presentation tips and information. His site, Presentation Zen , has a blog with great tips and resources for public speaking and presenting, as well.

3. Networking events

At many networking events, you're asked to give a quick elevator pitch of what you do. This can be a great, inexpensive way to overcome nerves and fear due to speaking in front of people. The more you practice on your public speaking skills, the better you'll be. Not to mention, you'll have an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, as well.

4. WordStream

WordStream is an online advertising and search marketing firm. Their blog, 20 Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills , offers some valuable tips, from how much information to present to ways to actively engage your audience.  

5. TED Talks

You're likely familiar with TED's slogan, "Ideas worth spreading."  TED has grown in popularity in recent years, and many cities now have a local TED event. To study and hone your presentation and public speaking skills, I suggest watching TEDTalk videos and attending a TED event if you can.

6. MindTools

MindTools' career development organization's blog, " Better Public Speaking ," offers some good insights into the importance of presenting and how to become better at it. Their communication skills page also offers a lot of free information on how to be a better communicator, which ties into presenting and public speaking.

7. Self-evaluation

A great, low-cost way to improve your speaking and presentation skills is to have a friend record you on camera in front of a practice audience, or even solo will work. This will help you to see what your body language says about you , how your voice sounds, the types of expressions you make, and more. Practice makes for improvement.

8. American Rhetoric

American Rhetoric has a lot of free speeches and information. Their online speech bank has more than 5,000 speeches you can listen to for free, including speeches from John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr.! Listening to great public speakers can help you improve your own public speaking skills.

9. Coursera's University of Washington intro to public speaking course

I love Coursera with all of their free courses and professional development resources, some of which offer certificates upon completion. In the Intro to Public Speaking Course, you'll learn everything from speech preparation to mastering impromptu speeches. The six-week course can be taken at any time and is taught by University of Washington Department of Communications Instructor, Dr. Matt McGarrity.

10. Portent

Portent is a Digital Marketing Firm. Their blog, 3 Surprising Ways to Instantly Improve Your Public Speaking Skills , has some good insights as to what you're doing wrong and how to fix it when speaking in front of an audience (such as voice speed, and so on).

11. Ginger Public Speaking

Ginger is a firm that supports individuals in becoming better public speakers, as they boast "we turn communicators from nervous wrecks into public speaking leaders." In addition to their low-cost programs and courses, Ginger Public Speaking also offers free webinars you can attend to improve your skills.   

AllTop is an online magazine that allows you to filter topics to create your own AllTop magazine. The AllTop Speaking page has a large collection of Public Speaking and Presentation resources to peruse.

13. The Public Speaking Project

The Public Speaking Project offers a range of tools to support users in improving their public speaking skills. The information is offered by "a variety of speech professionals who are dedicated to providing free and low-cost instructional materials..." You'll find a free virtual classroom, e-book, and more on their site.

14. The Accidental Communicator

Dr. Jim Anderson shares his wealth of knowledge on The Accidential Communicator blog to help individuals communicate and speak more effectively. You can also sign up for The Accessidental Communicator free newsletter .

With a mission of "everyone speaks," Ignite helps people build public speaking skills while having fun by giving them five minutes to present 20 slides. Events occur throughout the country and around the world.  

Presenting and public speaking are highly sought after skills, yet unpleasant to many. If you're one of those people who would rather die than speak or present in front of a crowd, hopefully, these professional development resources will help. For some additional free resources to support your speaking and presentation skills, I highly recommend reading the Inc. article, " Nine Places to Learn Public Speaking for Free ," by Larry Kim.

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13 Sure-Fire Tips on How to Develop Public Speaking Skills

• POSTED ON January 21, 2024
• by Barbara Isla

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Public speaking can be pretty nerve-wracking, and it took me a good few years to nail it myself. But once I did, speaking to a huge crowd felt like a breeze.

Think of public speaking not as a scary monster, but more like a super useful tool in your business toolkit . Experiencing some nervousness before speaking on stage is a common and natural sensation. In fact, Cross River Therapy indicates that more than 75% of the population has a fear of public speaking. But if you’re running a business, embracing this skill can help put your brand on the map.

Public speaking isn’t just about standing in front of a crowd; it’s an art of effectively communicating your ideas. 

To help you, I’ve reached out to public speaking experts, and we have here 13 top-notch tips to boost your public speaking game. The tried-and-tested tricks will help you nail your presentations and connect you with your audience.

Expert Roundup: Top 13 Strategies to Improve Public Speaking Skills

1. embrace genuineness.

In public speaking, embracing genuineness is a game-changer. It all comes down to being yourself and allowing your own personality to shine through in your presentations. 

When you’re authentic, you’re not just delivering a speech; you’re sharing a piece of who you are with the audience. This genuine approach makes your message more relatable and engaging.

Here’s what Indi Basi, the Owner and Director of Wade Building Supplies has to say.

“Embracing authenticity has been paramount. Rather than attempting to adopt a persona, I learned to convey my message with sincerity, allowing my genuine passion and belief in the subject matter to shine through. This not only made my delivery more compelling but also fostered a deeper connection with my audience.” Indie Basi, Owner and Director of Wade Building Supplies

Here are a few practical tips on how you can stay genuine when speaking in public: 

• Share personal stories: Incorporate your own experiences and anecdotes into your speeches. 
• Speak with passion about what you believe in: When you discuss things you truly value, your speech becomes more genuine and captivating because you’re clearly excited.
• Be yourself: Avoid trying to imitate other speakers or styles. Embrace your unique speaking style, whether it’s conversational, formal, humorous, or earnest.

2. Work With a Small Audience First

Thinking and speaking fast and clearly is important in public speaking, especially when unexpected things happen during a presentation. 

You may improve this ability in a lot of original ways, which will make your speech sound more confident and fluent.

J. Tucker Merrigan, Managing Partner at Sweeney Merrigan , offers a unique and effective technique.

“The best way to get better at public speaking is by practicing with a small audience. This might sound straightforward, but it’s often one of the hardest skills to learn when you’re trying to get started. Asking someone to sit and listen to your presentation sounds embarrassing. That embarrassment means that most people won’t get valuable repetition when they practice speaking in front of a peer.” J. Tucker Merrigan, Managing Partner at Sweeney Merrigan

You can follow these tips when presenting to a smaller crowd: 

• Engage in interactive dialogue: Use the small audience setting as an opportunity for interactive dialogue. Ask questions, encourage feedback, and engage in discussions. 
• Practice eye contact and personal connection: This will enhance your confidence in building rapport.
• Gather constructive feedback: Smaller groups make it easier to understand their feedback because they can be more comprehensive.

3. Practice Storytelling

Storytelling is a potent technique in public speaking, capable of transforming an ordinary presentation into an engaging and memorable experience. This skill allows the speaker to connect with the audience and makes the message relatable and impactful.

Indi Basi has added the effectiveness of this technique.

“I also emphasize on the power of effective storytelling. Incorporating personal anecdotes and relatable narratives into my speeches has proven to be a powerful tool in capturing the audience's attention and making the content more memorable. This approach not only adds a human touch to the presentation but also helps convey complex information in a more relatable and engaging manner.” Indie Basi, Owner and Director of Wade Building Supplies

Experiencing difficulty in storytelling? Here are some strategies you might consider:

• Structure your story: Every good story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Begin with an exciting introduction that grabs your audience’s attention. Then, fill the middle with interesting content, and finish with a strong conclusion that links back to your main point.
• Incorporate emotions and sensory details: Make your story come alive by including emotions and sensory details. This helps create a vivid picture in the audience’s mind and makes your story more relatable and memorable.
• Relate the story to your key message: Ensure that your story is relevant to the main point of your presentation. 

4. Master the Art of Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication impacts a presentation. This is a concept highlighted by researcher Albert Mehrabian’s study on face-to-face conversations. He found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and only 7% the actual words used. 

Volha Hurskaya, an English Teacher offers this great advice.  

“Your body language speaks volumes. Maintain open and confident gestures, use purposeful movements, and convey positivity through facial expressions. Non-verbal cues complement your spoken words, reinforcing the impact of your message.” Volha Hurskaya, English Teacher

Here are a few tips on how you can improve your non-verbal communication skills. 

• Use purposeful gestures : Incorporate gestures that complement and emphasize your verbal message. Avoid random or nervous movements. Purposeful gestures, like open palms to show honesty or pointing for emphasis, can make your speech more engaging and convincing.
• Maintain appropriate eye contact: Eye contact is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. Strive for a balance – enough to engage individuals in your audience, but not so much that it becomes uncomfortable. 
• Control your facial expressions: Your facial expressions should align with the tone of your message. Smiling can convey friendliness and openness, while a serious expression can underscore a critical point. Being aware of your expressions helps ensure they match what you’re communicating verbally.

5. Practice Play-By-Play Commentary

Learning to speak and think quickly is essential for public speaking. It improves the flow and adaptability of your presentation, especially when unexpected situations arise.

J. Tucker Merrigan added a unique and valuable method to perfect this craft. 

“You want to make sure you’re comfortable with speaking and improvising on the fly. One unique way to teach yourself to think and speak on your feet is to practice sports play-by-play. When you watch a sporting event on TV, try to say what you’re seeing with the action. Play-by-play commentary helps build agility in your mouth, since you’ll need to say words quickly and clearly so you don’t mumble. It’ll also help you build comfort with talking aloud and confidence improvising, so you can keep moving forward in your presentation if there’s a problem with your note cards, slide presentation, or you lose your place.” J. Tucker Merrigan, Managing Partner at Sweeney Merrigan

Below are a few tactics to consider.

• Practice narrating real-life events in various scenarios: Describe everyday situations like a busy street or cooking. This variation helps develop the ability to quickly formulate and articulate thoughts across different contexts, enhancing your adaptability in public speaking.
• Focus on clarity and speed: Prioritize clear speech and quick delivery when narrating.
• Record and review: Record your play-by-play sessions and listen to them later. This will help you identify areas where you need improvement.

6. Participate More In Meetings

Starting small can lead to huge gains. This is about gradually building your comfort level and confidence. Remember, there are plenty of everyday opportunities to practice and refine your ability to communicate effectively.

Dustin Sitar, CEO of The Groom Club , shares a practical approach.

“Some of the most effective ways to develop public speaking skills are by starting out small, sparking up a conversation with the cashier at a grocery store, or by participating more than usual in those boring work meetings. Once you get used to all eyes being on you, it becomes a lot easier to speak in front of large groups.” Dustin Sitar, CEO, The Groom Club

Consider the following when practicing the skill. 

• Offer to speak in meetings: Look for chances to talk, like presenting a report, leading discussions, or taking on public roles.
• Prepare and share your thoughts: Before meetings, get ready with points or questions about the agenda. This helps your contributions make sense and boosts your confidence and how competent others see you.
• Listen actively and respond: Improve your participation in meetings by actively listening to others and giving thoughtful replies. It helps you listen better and get ready to speak confidently in the moment, which is important for public speaking.

7. Write Your Thoughts By Hand

Writing by hand can help organize your thoughts and improve memory retention, and is a great way to refine the content of your speech .

A marketing professional, Rowena Figueroa of Hinge Marketing offers this practical advice. 

“Write out your thoughts–whether in outline form or word for word. It’s important to write out what you plan to say for two reasons. One, by writing out your thoughts, you can effectively spot any issues with their logic and flow and check if they help fulfill the purpose of the presentation or speech. Two, writing, especially by hand, makes it easier to remember the key points and key turns of phrase that convey those points in concrete and memorable ways. These two benefits, in turn, will give you more confidence when speaking in front of others, no matter the audience’s size.” Rowena Figueroa of Hinge Marketing

Follow these tips as you write your outline for your speech. 

• Outline your speech with key points: Start by handwriting an outline of your speech. Focus on key points and sub-points. This method helps organize your thoughts and provides a clear roadmap for your presentation.
• Rewrite to reinforce memory: To remember better, write key parts of your speech several times by hand. This repetition helps you remember and makes you less dependent on notes when speaking.
• Annotate with personal cues: While writing, add personal cues or symbols to remind you of gestures, tones, or pauses for your speech. These notes help you remember during your presentation.

8. Build a Bullet Point List

Create bullet points for your main ideas. This helps in maintaining the flow of your speech and ensures you cover all key points without reading from a script.

J. Tucker Merrigan recommends enhancing public speaking skills by creating a bullet point list. Regularly practice it to increase familiarity with the material.

Take note of these when creating bullet points. 

• Prioritize key points: In your list, prioritize the most important points you want to convey. This helps you stay focused on the core message of your presentation.
• Incorporate examples or statistics: For each bullet point, consider adding a relevant example or statistic. This not only enriches your presentation but also makes it easier for you to remember and explain complex concepts.
• Practice transitions: Work on smooth transitions between your bullet points. This helps in maintaining a natural flow during your speech, making it easier for the audience to follow your train of thought.

9. Record Yourself

Record your speeches and review them. This will help you observe your speaking style and body language, allowing you to make necessary improvements.

Robert Kaskel of C heckr offers this technique.

“The best workaround is to record the audio of your presentation practice and transcribe it through a free or inexpensive service. You’re more likely to review a transcript because there are fewer emotional barriers, and you’ll have a print record for easier review, evaluation, and note-taking. Over time, you’ll notice the ‘bad’ patterns that pop up so you can practice yourself out of them.” Robert Kaskel, Chief People Officer of Checkr

Once you finish recording yourself, do the following:

• Assess your speaking style: Use recordings to critically evaluate your speaking style. Look for patterns in your speech and work on refining your delivery to be more concise and impactful.
• Check for audience engagement techniques: Analyze how effectively you engage with your (imaginary) audience in the recording. This self-review can help you enhance audience interaction skills.
• Practice and compare: Regularly record your practice sessions and compare them over time. This comparison shows your progress in speech, what areas need work, and gives direction for ongoing improvement.

10. Understand Your Audience

Tailor your speech to your audience. Understanding their interests, knowledge level, and expectations can make your speech more relevant and engaging.

Here are a few methods I use to understand my audience.

• Research your audience: Before your presentation, research the demographics, interests, and background of your audience. Try to understand their profession, age group, cultural background, or any challenges they may have. This will make your speech more relevant to them.
• Incorporate audience-relevant examples: Use examples, anecdotes, or references that resonate with your audience’s experiences. This helps in making your content more relatable and engaging for them.
• Adjust your language for your audience: Use simpler terms for general audiences and dive deeper into details for experts. Make sure your speech is interesting and understandable to everyone.

11. Direct Your Eyes to the Back Wall

Keeping eye contact during a presentation can be hard, but it’s important to connect with your audience.

Here’s a solution by Hardy Desai, the founder of Supple .

“If even direct eye contact throws you off, direct your eyes to the back wall just above eye level and scan back and forth. Your presentation will feel more inclusive of the entire room, not just the front rows, and you won’t have to make direct eye contact with anyone.” Hardy Desai, Founder of Supple

Here are additional tips for you. 

• Triangle method: Divide the audience into three sections (left, middle, right). Gaze at each section to create the impression of making eye contact with everyone.
• Focus on engaged listeners: Find people in the audience who seem interested, and glance at them now and then. It makes you feel more confident and connected.
• Practice in the mirror: Before your presentation, practice looking at yourself in the mirror while speaking. 

12. Engage Your Audience

To engage your audience, make your presentation interactive. 

Volha Hurskaya has another tip for aspiring public speakers.  

“Actively involve your audience to create a dynamic interaction. Encourage questions, prompt discussions, and tailor your message to their interests. Engaged listeners are likelier to retain and appreciate the information you share.” Volha Hurskaya, English Teacher

Here are a few methods I particularly favor.

• Pose thought-provoking questions: Ask questions that provoke thought or discussion among the audience. Even rhetorical questions can be powerful in engaging listeners, encouraging them to think actively about the topic.
• Use humor or relevant anecdotes: Light humor or short, relevant stories is effective in capturing the audience’s attention. They add a human touch to your presentation, making it more relatable and enjoyable
• Move Around and Involve Different Sections of the Audience: Moving around the stage or among the audience. Speak to different sections can make the audience feel more engaged and connected.

13. Finish Strong and Conclude Your Speech

The way you conclude your presentation is just as important as the introduction or the body of your speech. A strong conclusion can leave a lasting impression on your audience, reinforcing the key points you’ve shared.

An effective strategy for crafting a memorable conclusion is shared by James DeLapa, Director of Digital Marketing at Wrike .

“By holding off on the conclusion until the interactive portion is over, you take control of your ability to finish off strong. Even if you run into some unknowns or feel like you bombed the Q&A, you can recover the presentation and leave it on a high note with a powerful conclusion of your points. Fortunately, most Q&As aren’t nearly as bad as we anticipate, but using this structure can give you peace of mind and reduce some of those nerves leading up to the big event.” James DeLapa, Director at Digital Marketing at Wrike

To further strengthen the conclusion of your presentation, here are three additional tips:

• Summarize key points: Start your conclusion by briefly summarizing the main points of your presentation. This reinforces the core messages for your audience and helps in retaining the information.
• End with a call to action: Encourage your audience to take specific action or consider a thought-provoking question. A clear call to action can make your conclusion more impactful and memorable.
• Close with a memorable statement or quote: Wrap up your presentation with a strong statement or a fitting quote that captures the main idea. This leaves a lasting impression and makes your message stick with the audience even after the presentation ends.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do i start public speaking with no experience.

To begin public speaking without experience, start small. Speak in front of friends or family and join clubs like Toastmasters for support and feedback.

Taking a public speaking course is also helpful. Look for speaking chances in your community or at work. Practice in daily situations and welcome feedback to get better.

What are the best practices for virtual presentations?

For successful virtual presentations, check your tech (microphone, camera, internet) beforehand. Use visuals to engage your audience and maintain ‘eye contact’ by looking into the camera for a personal feel. 

Present in a quiet, well-lit place to minimize distractions. Use interactive elements like polls or Q&A to keep your audience engaged. Get to know the platform’s features to make your presentation go smoothly.

How do I handle nervousness before a speech?

To manage pre-speech nervousness, thoroughly prepare and know your material well for confidence. 

Try deep breathing, imagine a successful speech to stay positive, and do physical activity to relax.

Focus on your message rather than audience perception, and arrive early to familiarize yourself with the setting for ease.

What are the best tips for memorizing speeches?

For memorizing speeches , break content into smaller parts and use mnemonic devices for key points. Practice aloud, associate points with visual images, and avoid cramming by rehearsing regularly over time. Recording and repeatedly listening to your speech can also reinforce memory.

How to engage an unresponsive audience?

To get an unresponsive audience involved, try these methods:

• Ask direct questions to encourage participation.
• Change your tone, speed, and volume to keep things interesting.
• Include stories or humor.
• Move around the stage.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Add interactive elements like polls or quizzes.

Tailor content to the audience’s interests, use engaging visuals, and break monotony with surprising facts or rhetorical questions. Encourage audience interaction by inviting their thoughts or questions.

Key Takeaways

Public speaking improves with practice and the right strategies. These 13 tips from experts offer a roadmap to better your speaking abilities. 

Focus on being genuine, start with small groups, and use storytelling for a stronger audience connection. Pay attention to your body language and improve your quick-thinking skills. Each tip helps you become a more confident and effective speaker.

Try these methods in your next presentations and notice the difference in your speaking skills. Every speech is an opportunity to grow, and each audience, a chance to leave a lasting impression. For those eager to enhance their skills, the Skill Success All Access Pass is an excellent resource. It offers unlimited access to a diverse array of courses, including public speaking and a wide range of personal and career development topics.

Ready to fully dive into your learning? Join All Access Pass and unlock our entire course library for only $15/month.

Click here to learn more

Barbara Isla

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Communication Strategies: Presenting with Impact

All Start Dates

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ET

2 consecutive days

Registration Deadline

April 21, 2024

June 30, 2024

November 24, 2024

Gain skills and techniques to engage, inform and inspire others, improving your ability to communicate as a leader.

Communication strategies program overview, communication strategies: presenting with impact, a public speaking course.

Public speaking—whether delivering a presentation, making a pitch, or leading a group discussion—can cause even the most confident leader to break a sweat. Yet communicating your message with poise, confidence, and conviction is an essential leadership skill. Mastering your public speaking and presentation skills will enable you to inspire your audience as well as build trust and credibility.

Through oral presentations and small group activities, you will put proven public speaking techniques and tools into practice, test out new approaches, and learn to communicate clearly and confidently. Discover the powerful impact of storytelling and practical persuasion skills to authentically illustrate your message. Learn how to effectively organize materials to blend analytical and emotional content into a compelling story, and incorporate dynamic introductions and memorable endings into your presentations.

Who Should Register for this Public Speaking Course

This communication program is appropriate for business professionals at all levels of experience who would like to enhance their communication skills to succeed in delivering impactful presentations. It is ideal for anyone in a role that requires ceremonial speaking, persuasive speaking, or any other type of public speaking, regardless of industry or years of experience.

All participants will earn a Certificate of Participation from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education

Participants must be fluent in English to participate fully in fast-moving discussions and exercises.

Benefits of Communication Strategies: Presenting With Impact

This communication strategies program is designed to offer new techniques to improve your public speaking skills. Key takeaways from the program will help you improve your ability to persuade and influence your audience in large- and small-group settings.

During this public speaking training course, you will:

• Learn guiding principles of making effective presentations
• Build confidence in your presentation abilities
• Cultivate your personal leadership and communication style
• Learn strategies on handling hostile audiences

“Jill [Slye] shared invaluable tips that have helped me to reduce my anxiety and negative self-talk around my presentations while conveying a message that encourages others to affect change through empowering presentations.” — Lizbeth Sanches-Acre

The curriculum for this communication strategies program is designed to be interactive and hands-on. You will practice the skills and techniques you are learning in real-time through small group activities and oral presentations during the program.

The curriculum will cover topics such as:

• Effective delivery skills involving presence, vocal variety, body language, narratives and humor, and handling nerves
• Crafting clear and concise messages
• Understanding and connecting with your audience
• Techniques for effective handling of Q&A sessions
• Ways to gain buy-in and influence your audience
• Strategies for online communications, webinars, podcasts, Zoom platforms, etc.

This public speaking course is offered as a two-day on-campus program in our state-of-the-art classroom space in the heart of historic Harvard University. Program tuition is $2,990 plus the cost of travel.

Considering this program?

Send yourself the details.

Related Programs

• Effective Organizational Communication
• Influence and Persuasion in Leadership
• Becoming a Leader: Developing Your Style and Making Sound Decisions

April Schedule

• Communication Overview
• Honing Your Personal Communication Style
• Developing Audience Centered Content
• Presentations
• Strategies for Online Communications
• Leadership Communication Model

July Schedule

December schedule, jill abruzese slye, certificates of leadership excellence.

The Certificates of Leadership Excellence (CLE) are designed for leaders with the desire to enhance their business acumen, challenge current thinking, and expand their leadership skills.

This program is one of several CLE qualifying programs. Register today and get started earning your certificate.

How will this program help me improve my public speaking skills?

This program will help you improve your public speaking skills through hands-on practice of communication techniques and new approaches. As part of the program, you will engage in group exercises and oral presentations where you will receive feedback from the instructor and your peers to help you improve your skills in real time.

How will improving public speaking help me advance my career?

Public speaking is an important skill for any business professional, regardless of industry or role. To advance your career, you must possess the ability to convey your message with clarity and lead group discussions with confidence, regardless of the specific situation. Developing the techniques and strategies to communicate effectively will help build trust in your leadership skills more broadly.

What skills or experience is needed before enrolling in this program?

Participants do not need any specific experience or skills to enroll in this program. It is open to any business professional interested in improving their public speaking skills and their ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

11 SMART Goals Examples for Your Public Speaking Skills

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Public speaking is one of the most common fears. It is not easy to get on stage with people looking straight at you, and give a speech.

But by working on your public speaking skills, you can get better at it, and start to appear more comfortable when on stage.

One strategy that can help is to set SMART goals that provide milestones you can use to overcome the specific challenges you have related to public speaking. 

So, in this article, we will briefly discuss what smart goals are, why they are important for public speaking, and finally we’ll look at 11 SMART goals that you can apply to improve your public speaking .

Let’s get to it.

Table of Contents

What Are SMART Goals?

If we don’t have a compass or a compass that is constantly spinning around, we will probably end up getting nowhere. SMART goals help us set a target and draw a roadmap to get there. The clearer our vision of the target, the easier it is for us to achieve them.

We hear about SMART Goals nearly every day; everyone talks about them. Setting goals is one of the most crucial steps to achieving what is important for you in life; they help us acknowledge and define our objectives, give us a sense of direction, and help us align our compass.

Not All Goals Are as SMART as They Seem

Have you ever made a list of vague goals that ended up in your drawer, never to see the light of day again? How about a list of goals about getting organized that you found in your huge pile of papers lying on the floor beside your desk?

According to  Jack Canfield , an American author, “Vague goals lead to vague results.”

Take one common goal that many people set, chase them for a few days, and eventually give up on; “I want to be a better public speaker.” Before we get on stage and speak our hearts out, we need to have a specific objective. Being a better public speaker is a term that is too vague to be a SMART goal.  

Without a precise and clearly defined objective, all our plans are likely to fail. SMART goals help us define our objective and allow us to focus on it. The acronym SMART expands into:

• S pecific: Must be narrowed down, focused, and clearly defined
• M easurable: Must have some quantitative factors that help track progress
• A ttainable: Must be achievable
• R elevant: Must be important and have a significant value in our life
• T ime-Bound: Must have a timeline and a deadline

If you are looking for a more detailed overview of SMART goals and how to set them with a few easy steps, then be sure to check out our step-by-step build for setting and achieving SMART goals.

Why SMART Goals Are Important for Public Speaking

Public speaking is a vast field. Setting a goal like “ I want to be a better public speaker ” is too vague to address and work on.

Every public speaker has some room for improvement. So if you want to get better at speaking in front of crowds, then you could set SMART goals that help you focus on:

• Confidently delivering the message
• Maintaining eye contact
• Stop using filler words such as um, ah, like, actually, etc.
• Improving  body language
• Improving vocality
• Making your presentations more engaging

Each one of these goals will make you a better public speaker. Working on these more specific tasks will be much easier than working on a vague goal of becoming a better public speaker.

Public speaking  is a skill that will take time and practice to improve. If your goals aren’t in the right order, you will not make much progress, exhaust yourself, and eventually give up. It is important to be specific with what you want to achieve.

So let’s dive into 11 examples of SMART goals you could set.

11 SMART Goals Examples for Public Speaking

1. improve stage confidence.

I want to improve my stage confidence and learn how to deliver my message more confidently. I will record my speeches and make it a habit to go over my presentations the next day and list all confidence flaws I find. I will try to eliminate them in my next presentation and aim to have less than five flaws in all my speeches by six months.

Specific:  Improve stage confidence, and reduce confidence flaws to less than five

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by counting the confidence flaws, and when the flaws drop below five, I will know that I have achieved the goal

Attainable:  Using the recordings from the speeches, I can determine if the goal is attainable or not. Also, there is good room for error, and adequate time has been provided to practice and improve.

Relevant:  I want to deliver the message more confidently because it will persuade more people. I will also feel better after presenting confidently.

Time-Bound:  Since I have set a deadline for this goal, I know that I have to reduce the flaws to less than five in six months.

2. Overcome Stage Fright

I have a big presentation coming up in three months. I want to learn how to manage my nerves. I will practice speaking to small family audiences to overcome my nerves and increase my speech time from 3 minutes to 15 minutes by the end of two months.

Specific:  Overcome stage fright and increase speech time to 15 minutes

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by measuring the time I stayed on the stage

Attainable:  With the help of the family audience, I will be able to speak more easily, and

Relevant:  I have a big presentation coming up and want to do well in it

Time-Bound:  I have set a timeline that I want to get comfortable by the end of two months and also increase my speech duration to 15 minutes by then.

3. Control Filler Words

I want to eliminate the use of filler words like uhh, umm, so, etc. I want to sound more confident on stage. I hope to minimize the usage of filler words by rehearsing my speech at least five times before delivering it. I plan to have a maximum of two filler words for every ten minutes of presentation by the end of four months .

Specific:  Sound more confident by eliminating filler words

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by counting the filler words in the speeches. When they are down to two for every ten minutes of speaking, the goal will be achieved

Attainable:  With ample time, and room for error, the goal is made attainable

Relevant:  I want to sound confident and not waste my efforts in preparing and delivering the speech

Time-Bound:  The timeline is clearly defined at four months

4. Build Rapport with Audience

I want to refer less to my notes during my presentation because I would like to build a rapport with the audience. I will rehearse my speech six times before it is due in two weeks.  

Specific:  Build rapport with the audience, minimize the usage of notes, and rehearse the speech at least six times.

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by counting the times I referred to the notes.

Attainable:  With proper rehearsals and practice, it is attainable

Relevant:  I would like to build a rapport with the audience and make a good impression.

Time-Bound:  The timeline is clearly defined at two weeks.

5. Improve Posture

I want to improve my posture and look more confident when on stage. I have to stop myself from slouching when standing up during my presentation. I will consciously correct my posture every time I slouch over the next 30 days .

Specific:  Stop slouching and maintain a good posture.

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by checking the number of times I slouched during the speech. And also, by the number of times I had to correct my posture consciously.

Attainable:  Since the slouching habit can be eliminated within a few days, this goal is attainable

Relevant:  I want to look confident and leave a positive impression on the audience

Time-Bound:  The timeline is defined as 30 days

6. Control Purposeless Movement

I want to control purposeless movement on stage as it distracts the audience. I will work with my friend and ask them to count the times they think I unintentionally fidgeted on stage. I want to control and eliminate purposeless movement with practice over the next ten presentations .

Specific:  Control purposeless movement.

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by checking the number of times I fidgeted or moved unintentionally on stage.

Attainable:  With practice, purposeless movement can be eliminated, as many novice public speakers have done.

Relevant:  I want to look confident and not speak to a distracted audience

Time-Bound:  The timeline is ten presentations. This means that I hope to have significantly minimized purposeless movement by the time I start my eleventh.

7. Improve Audience Engagement

I want to improve the audience engagement by adding humor to my speech. After every ten minutes of my forty-minute presentation, I will add a joke to keep the audience alert and engaged. 

Specific:  Improve audience engagement

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by checking the reaction of the audience and the number of times a joke was told during the presentation.

Attainable:  Several speakers add humor to their presentations to keep the audience engaged  

Relevant:  I want to keep the audience engaged and not feel like a television or a radio.

Time-Bound:  The timeline is defined as a joke every ten minutes during a forty-minute presentation

8. Improve Eye Contact

I want to improve my eye contact with the audience and improve my credibility. I will practice making eye contact with every audience member for five seconds. I will start by practicing with small audiences of 8-10 people and hope to be comfortable with larger audiences by six months. 

Specific:  Improve eye contact

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by checking the number of times I stared blankly at the floor, ceiling, or wall. It can also be measured by the audience size that I am comfortable with

Attainable:  Several speakers can make eye contact with their audience members. If they can, so can I.  

Relevant:  I want to improve my credibility with the audience

Time-Bound:  The timeline is defined as six months’ worth of practice

9. Design Eye-catching Slides

I want to be able to design eye-catching and intriguing presentation slides. I plan to attend an online course on presentation design for two weeks and hope to make professional-looking slides by the end of the course.

Specific:  Learn how to design eye-catching slides

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by the number of days the course has been attended and also by comparing previous slides to ones after the course

Attainable:  The goal is easy to attain

Relevant:  I want to impress the audience and keep them intrigued with my presentations

Time-Bound:  The timeline is defined with the course of two weeks

10. Improve Voice Modulation

I want to work on adding voice modulation to my speeches. My monotonous voice often causes the audience members to doze off. I will work with a public speaking coach for two months to learn and apply modulation. I will also keep an eye on the members dozing off to know how effective the coaching is.

Specific:  Improve voice modulation and keep the audience alert.

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by checking the number of audience members who doze off during the presentation and comparing it with previous presentations.

Attainable:  The goal is easy to attain with a public speaking coach

Relevant:  I want the audience to listen to what I am saying

Time-Bound:  The timeline is two months to minimize the number of dozed-off audience members.

11.  Improve Hand Gestures

I want to add emphasis to my speeches by adding proper hand gestures. I will take an online public speaking course to learn the skill. I will then record myself during rehearsals and on stage to determine how much I am improving during the course. I hope to be fluent with the gestures within four months .

Specific:  Improve hand gestures

Measurable:  The progress can be measured by checking the number of times hand gestures were used

Attainable:  The goal is easy to attain with practice

Relevant:  I want the audience to understand the importance of what I am saying

Time-Bound:  The timeline is defined as four months.

Final Thoughts on SMART Goals for Public Speaking

Public speaking is a broad topic. So it’s essential to narrow down the areas you want to improve related to the current challenges you’re facing.  Hopefully these 11 examples will provide that spark of inspiration for setting goals that will help you become a more effective public speaker.

Just remember that the key to accomplishing SMART goals is to have them written down and revisit them every day. To get started, you can use one of the SMART goal worksheets and templates that are provided on this page .

And if you want more SMART goal ideas and examples, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 5 SMART Goal Examples for Your Musician Career
• 6 SMART Goals Examples for Event Coordinators
• 7 SMART Goals Examples for Churches or a Ministry

Finally, if you want to take your goal-setting efforts to the next level, check out this FREE printable worksheet and a step-by-step process that will help you set effective SMART goals .

Improve your professional and public speaking skills with these tips

S peaking in professional environments can be daunting, especially for beginners in the workforce. At the same time, you can be further into your career but uncomfortable starting at a new company. 

Though a workforce veteran, you may find it intimidating to introduce yourself in large groups, give speeches or be vocal about necessary changes as the newcomer.

Whether you're offering a company-wide speech, introducing yourself one-on-one or participating in a team building activity, having strong professional speaking skills will get you ahead and get points across.

Here are some tips to achieve A+ professional speaking skills.

TALKING TED-STYLE: 5 STEPS TO A WINNING PRESENTATION 

• Practice on your own
• Prepare, prepare, prepare
• Watch public speakers you admire
• Maintain eye contact
• Record and learn from yourself
• Practice good voice control
• Radiate confidence

If you're truly nervous about public speaking, one of the best ways to get comfortable with it is to practice on your own. While it may feel like child's play to talk to yourself aloud, the method works. 

READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APP

Practicing a speech before it happens will allow you to understand and alter your body language, make necessary changes to your speech and prepare your mind for what you'll look like in front of others. Often, the most intimidating part of public speaking is standing on a stage alone. Get used to the idea by envisioning yourself on stage while in an empty room.

Ahead of meeting with a boss, employee or major stakeholder, prepare points you'd like to discuss and discuss them aloud to yourself. This will help you choose whether the structure of the conversation flows well and develops a point.

Additionally, include your spouse, family member, roommate, neighbor or anyone who is willing to listen once you feel comfortable by yourself. This will allow you to become comfortable in front of another person and receive feedback on your topics.

For any type of professional discussion, you'll want to prepare. Whether it's a 30-minute meeting with your manager or an eight-hour event you'll be speaking at, you'll need to prepare. Anytime people are taking time out of their schedule to meet with you professionally should begin with preparation. Your time is valuable, as is theirs, and you won't want to waste either parties time. 

However, the level in which you prepare will vary depending upon the type of conversation or meeting you're to have. For example, if you're meeting with a coworker, piece together a simple agenda ahead of the call. In doing so, you'll have a plan in place for the flow of discussion. If you're both professionals when it comes to planning ahead, you'll each have an outline and the meeting will be full of constructive insights.

For something more grand like an event you're giving a speech at, you'll want to prepare something much more extensive. Create an outline and provide yourself a flow for topics. For example, if you're attending a financial planning seminar and speaking on 401k plans, begin with defining a 401k, employee contributions, company contributions, penalties, etc.

How detailed you dive into each section will depend on factors like the timeframe set aside for your speech, questions from the audience, etc.

UM, LIKE, WHATEVER: COLLEGE GRADS LACK VERBAL SKILLS

Watching and listening to other professionals is a great way to learn from them. Often, other professionals will discuss successes and failures from the past. Ideally, you'll learn from these instances without having to experience the same failures.

Put together a list of your favorite professionals in or out of your chosen industry. Success and failure stories happen to everyone, not just those on the same career path as you. So, you could benefit from hearing from others outside your industry. 

Find podcasts, videos, seminars, etc. they've produced and listen in. Take note of their body language like hand gestures, tone of voice, eye contact, how they involve or interact with a crowd and how they introduce themselves. Then, take note of your gestures in the same way and try to mirror the ones you prefer.

When talking to someone one-on-one or in a group, make sure you are making eye contact while you are speaking. This is both respectful and professional. It also shows confidence in what you are saying.

During an event where you are speaking to a crowd of people, be sure to take a look around the room as a whole and try to make eye contact here and there with audience members. Acknowledging the entire room vs just a section of it will be important to keep your audience engaged.

Learning from others is great, but be aware of the lessons you can learn from yourself, too. 

Record yourself speaking and take a look at the video once you've finished your speech. Pay attention to your eye moment and your focus on the entirety of the room, your hand gestures and your tone of voice.

Is your voice shaking or confident? Are you fidgeting with your fingers? Are you nervously combing through your hair or playing with an object?

You'll be able to relay quite a bit to yourself by recording your preparation.

Though speaking in a professional environment can be nerve-racking, you'll want to appear confident with the tone of your voice. If you are giving a speech, asking your boss for a raise or pitching an idea to a superior, a quiet voice, constant use of filler words and a nervous tone won't deliver confidence.

You can develop good voice control by practicing speaking skills yourself or with other people. The more you practice, the better you will become. Take deep breaths before speaking, speak slow and gather thoughts before vocalizing them and prepare your mind ahead of time.

Be confident! Know your worth, pull from your strengths and be confident in the message you want to deliver. 

If you aren't confident in yourself, you'll find challenges in getting superiors or coworkers on board with your message. As you continue your career or force yourself to professionally speak more often, you'll become more confident with time. Make sure to make yourself uncomfortable.