How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills: 10 Essential Tips

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “All the great speakers were bad speakers at first.” For all those professionals who feel nail-biting anxiety at the idea of public speaking, this is a reminder that even the most experienced and successful speakers have to start somewhere! The good news is that one can cultivate public speaking skills and get flawless at it with constant practice. Even better, the question of how to improve your public speaking skills has easy-t0-apply solutions.

Public speaking is indeed a critical skill for professionals across all industries; this should serve as some reassurance. You should be able to stand up confidently in any situation and deliver your message clearly in front of a captive audience. Whether you’re giving a presentation to your team, pitching an idea to a client, or speaking at a conference, having strong public speaking skills can help you effectively achieve your goals. So, if this is something you want to work on, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn how to improve your public speaking skills and engage your audience effectively.

In this blog you’ll learn:

• 10 Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills
• The Benefits of Developing Your Public Speaking Skills
  

10 Tips on How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Here are 10 essential tips on ways to improve your public speaking skills to be an effective and confident speaker:

1. Know Your Audience

One of the significant ways to improve public speaking skills is to know your audience. What are their interests? What do they already know about the topic you’re speaking on? What do you want them to learn or take away from your speech?

Once you have a good understanding of your audience, tailor your message accordingly. This will help you to connect with them and keep them engaged throughout your presentation.

2. Practice

The most important solution for how to improve your public speaking skills is to practice regularly. Before your presentation, for example, perform mock runs to ensure your information is organized cohesively and presented clearly. Practice in front of a mirror, speak to an imaginary audience, or even better, rehearse in front of a supportive friend, coworker, or family member. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become when speaking in front of an audience. 

3. Use Feedback to Your Advantage

Once you’ve practiced your speech a few times, ask a friend, family member, or colleague for honest feedback. This constructive criticism can help you identify areas where you can improve.

For example, your feedback provider might notice that you have a habit of speaking too quickly or using filler words like “umm” and “you know” too often. Remember not to take criticism to heart and use it as a way to improve your speaking skills. Integrate their suggestions into your future presentations.

4. Be Authentic

The best public speakers are the ones who are genuine and authentic. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, as your audience will be able to tell you aren’t comfortable. Instead, let your personality shine through as you deliver your presentation. Embracing your natural self, whether you’re naturally funny or empathetic, is one of the key ways to improve public speaking skills and engage your audience. If you have a sense of humor, use it to enhance your message, but don’t overdo it.

If you use a PowerPoint presentation, don’t just read from it word for word. Use engaging images and videos to make your presentation stand out. And consider including your contact information at the end so that interested people can reach out to you.

5. Build a Connection Through Personal Stories

Personal stories or anecdotes are a great way to engage your audience and connect with them. When you tell a personal story, your audience is more likely to listen and remember what you have to say. Think of how TED Talk speakers often begin with a personal experience to grab their audiences’ attention and hook them into the topic.

However, remember to choose a story that is relevant to the topic you will be speaking about. If you’re giving a presentation on overcoming adversity, for instance, narrate a story about a time when you overcame a challenge in your life. 

ALSO READ: Communication Skills for Effective Leadership

6. Maintain Eye Contact

Making eye contact with your audience is one of the most important things you can do as a public speaker. Eye contact shows that you’re confident and engaged and helps maintain the connection with your audience. Also, make sure you try to make eye contact with different people in the audience. Avoid staring at any one person for too long since this can make them feel uncomfortable.

7. Master the Stage

Before your presentation, familiarize yourself with the venue and equipment. Check the room layout, time constraints, and whether people will eat during your talk. Also, find out about the type of microphone you will be using.

When you take the stage, own it. Walk around to connect with audiences seated across the room—the center, the corners. Essentially, be sure you cover the entire crowd. Maintain good posture and smile occasionally to create a positive atmosphere. Avoid standing behind the podium for the entire speech, as this can make you appear stiff and unapproachable. 

8. Calm Your Nerves

How to improve your public speaking skills isn’t about never being anxious. In fact, it is perfectly normal to feel nervous before giving a public speech. Even the most seasoned speakers get nervous sometimes. The important thing is not to let your nerves get the best of you. Here are some tips to help calm your nerves:

• Take deep breaths
• Visualize yourself giving a successful presentation
• Direct your attention toward your audience and the message you want to convey
• Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes

9. Record Yourself Speaking

One of the best ways to improve public speaking skills is to record yourself speaking and then watch the recording. This can help you to identify areas where you can improve, such as your body language, your tone of voice, and your overall delivery.

If you are giving virtual presentations, record the meeting to facilitate self-evaluation and continuous improvement. Once you’ve identified areas for improvement, practice working on them until you feel more comfortable.

10. End on a Strong Note 

Your presentation’s ending is just as important as the beginning. A strong conclusion will reinforce your message and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

There are a few things you can do to create a strong conclusion, such as:

• Summarizing your main points
• Sharing a call to action
• Telling a story or anecdote
• Leaving your audience with a quote

Lastly, express gratitude to your audience for their time and encourage questions or follow-ups if time allows.

Now that you know how to improve your public speaking skills, let us take you through the benefits of honing and developing these skills.

ALSO READ: Why Communication Skills are Extremely Important for a Data Analyst

The Benefits of Developing Your Public Speaking Skills

Now that you know how to improve your public speaking skills, let’s look at their benefits:

• Enhances teamwork and collaboration
• You get to share your ideas and solutions to work-related problems effectively
• Gain respect from your employers and colleagues
• It helps to build relationships that may open up new professional opportunities

Becoming a confident public speaker is a journey that requires time, dedication, and continuous practice. It’s essential to embrace the initial discomfort that comes with learning this valuable skill and understand that making mistakes is a natural part of the process. 

Individuals aspiring to be effective leaders must know how to improve their public speaking skills. This is because public speaking and strong corporate communication skills are paramount. These skills not only enhance your ability to lead but also ensure clear, impactful, and influential communication within your organization. 

Emeritus offers a range of leadership courses that go beyond public speaking, delving into the core principles of leadership and equipping you with a comprehensive toolkit for success. By enrolling in these courses, you can refine your corporate communication abilities, master essential leadership concepts, and cultivate the skills needed to excel in leadership roles. This investment in your personal and professional growth is a crucial step toward becoming an exceptional and influential leader.

Write to us at content@emeritus.org