Nausea! Sweating! Panic! For many people, public speaking ranks right up there with getting a root canal or sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Route 5 in 100 degrees without air conditioning.
Yeah, we get it. We all started out that way too.
There’s good news, though. Because great speakers aren’t born—they’re made, and they get better through lots of practice.
So if you’re completely new to speaking in front of groups, or you’re just not comfortable with the idea, these 12 simple tips can help you become more comfortable, confident, and effective…whether you’re in front of 2 people, or two thousand.
- Know Your Topic
Nothing builds confidence faster than knowing what you’re talking about. Before you speak, spend time learning your subject and organizing your thoughts. - Practice Out Loud
Reading your speech silently is not enough. Speak the words aloud several times. This helps you identify awkward phrases and become familiar with the flow of your presentation. It will also help you avoid the “Um”s, “Like”s, and “er”s that listeners find so distracting. - Start Small
You don’t need to begin by addressing hundreds of people. Practice speaking in front of family members, friends, coworkers, or small groups. Confidence grows with experience. - Focus on Your Audience
Many beginners worry about how they look or sound. Instead, concentrate on helping your audience learn something useful. When you focus on serving others, your nervousness often decreases. - Use Simple Language
You don’t need fancy words to sound intelligent. Clear, straightforward language is easier for audiences to understand and remember. Probably the best thing you can do is to speak the way you normally do, instead of trying to appear fancier than you normally are. - Make Eye Contact
Look at different people throughout the room rather than staring at your notes or a screen. Eye contact helps create a connection and makes you appear more confident. One trick we’ve learned is to stare at the bridge of someone’s nose so you don’t feel like you’re getting hypnotized. And look around the room – someone in the top row left, then shift to the middle row right, and so on. Oh yes – remember that when you’re looking at one person, the eight people around that individual think you’re looking at them, too. - Slow Down
New speakers often talk too quickly because they’re nervous. Take a breath and slow your pace. Speaking a little slower makes you easier to understand and gives you time to think. - Use Notes Sparingly
It’s fine to have notes, but don’t read every word. Use bullet points or key phrases to keep yourself on track while maintaining a natural conversation with the audience. And keep the words on the slides short, knowing that audiences will read them, then shift their attention back to you…where you want it. - Pay Attention to Body Language
Stand up straight, smile when appropriate, and avoid nervous habits such as pacing, fidgeting, or jingling keys in your pocket. Your body communicates as much as your words. Keep your hands out of your pockets, and don’t keep them clasped behind your back. It looks bad. - Expect Some Nervousness
Even experienced speakers get butterflies before presentations. Feeling nervous is normal. The goal isn’t to eliminate nervousness, but to manage it effectively. - Learn from Every Presentation
After each speaking opportunity, ask yourself what went well and what could improve. Every speech becomes a learning experience that helps you grow. And if you have any friends in the audience, ask them for honest feedback as well. This isn’t the time for sugar-coating criticism. If you stunk up the place, you need to know about it. - Remember That Audiences Want You to Succeed
Most people in the audience are rooting for you, and aren’t looking for you to fail. They simply want to hear useful information and enjoy the experience.
Final Thoughts
Public speaking is a skill, just like driving a car, cooking a meal, or learning a new language. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become. Don’t wait until you’re fearless to start speaking. Start speaking, and confidence will follow.
And remember that every accomplished speaker began as a novice. With preparation, practice, and patience, you can become a speaker who informs, inspires, and connects with an audience of any size.