You want to command the room, but when it’s time to speak up, your voice trembles, and picturing everyone naked doesn’t seem to be working. What steps can you take to become a better public speaker while feeling – and appearing – more confident in the spotlight?

Public speaking is part of the storytelling art form that’s been practiced generation after generation. But strong communicators aren’t born. Communicating well is a technical skill that can be learned and mastered. Whether in the boardroom or on a high-stakes public panel, it’s important to be intentional about the way you present yourself. Delivery is everything, especially when you’re competing with digital devices and waning attention spans. But your message should also be worthy of attention. Ultimately, no matter who your audience is, you’re telling a story, and it’s your job to make sure everyone’s listening.

Learn to communicate like a pro with practical insights from an award-winning South African journalist and public speaker, Bruce Whitfield, in the exclusive Speaking in Public: Storytelling, Influence, and Presence online micro course from GetSmarter.

Over two weeks, you’ll discover how to use one of the world’s most underutilized tools for professional advancement: the ability to communicate ideas compellingly. You’ll also gain media-engagement strategies and more broadly applicable communication skills to use in a personal, professional, and public setting.

Led by expert public speaker Bruce Whitfield and featuring well-known South African business leaders and public speakers, this course teaches students to think on their feet and leverage the art of storytelling to engage audiences. The course content is beneficial to business leaders who are expected to speak publicly about complex, sometimes controversial topics, and founders ready to build a powerful brand through storytelling. Managers who need to represent their companies will learn to communicate clearly and confidently to a wide range of stakeholders. Professionals, specialists, and panelists with big and bold ideas will learn how to effectively express these to a broad audience while working towards improving themselves in a personal and career-enhancing capacity. In addition, existing public speakers will learn new presentation techniques and tools so that they can get and stay ahead in their industry.