How can I teach myself public speaking?

You can teach yourself public speaking by seeking out situations where it’s required. People who fear public speaking may do anything to avoid it, so exposing yourself to public speaking opportunities forces you to practice, adjust your methods, and try various strategies.

How can I speak better publicly?

You can speak better publicly by watching effective speeches, repeatedly rehearsing, and asking for feedback from others. These public speaking strategies allow you to discover proven methods and adjust your speech as necessary.

How to present as an introvert?

Giving a presentation as an introvert requires being well-prepared and authentic. Don’t try to be an extrovert if you’re not — just practice being confident.

How to remove nervousness while speaking?

There are many steps you can take to manage nervousness when speaking publicly. These public speaking anxiety tips may include: Take deep breaths from your lower abdomen Stretch before presenting Visualize a successful presentation Make eye contact with the audience Focus on your information

Public speaking tips

By: Shelby Campbell, Edited by: Rebecca Munday

Published: January 31, 2025

A fear of public speaking is so common that it has become cliché in television and movies. But this fear isn't just a cliché for some professionals — it's often their reality. Thankfully, exposure and practice can help you overcome this fear and become a better public speaker.

Explore this guide to public speaking to learn how to captivate your audience and deliver a memorable speech.

Prepare

Delivering an effective speech starts with thorough preparation. Many speakers prepare by creating an outline that organizes their main points before writing a full script.

As you write your speech, consider the following questions:

Who are you speaking to?

Knowing your audience can help you set the tone and content.

What is the venue for your speech?

The size and setting of the room can impact how you deliver your message.

What do you want to achieve?

Your goals for the speech can also influence your delivery.

How long do you have?

Any time constraints will help you narrow down the most important information to include.

Practice

Practicing public speaking is the best way to gain confidence. Rehearsing allows you to revise your language, add nonverbal cues, and practice different tones.

Different methods of practicing may include:

On video or before a mirror: Watching yourself on video or in front of a mirror can allow you to focus on your pacing, tone, and nonverbal communication.
With a friend or colleague: Presenting your speech in front of another person offers an outside perspective on your messaging, volume, and enunciation.
At the venue: Practicing your speech in the official setting can help you identify and adjust for any unique challenges it may pose.

Study

While you can't predict exactly how your audience will react to your speech, studying strong orators can help you determine what makes a presentation effective. Try to emulate your favorite speakers — without copying them outright — to develop your style using proven techniques.

Engage

Creating visual aids for your audience can help keep them engaged throughout your presentation. These visual aids should support your speech, so avoid reading directly from a slideshow — unless you're interpreting data. Instead, demonstrate your message using the following visual aids:

Charts
Photographs
Summaries
Quotes
Main points
Jokes/memes

Be flexible

Audiences can better understand and engage with your content when you speak casually. Therefore, it's important to be familiar enough with your presentation and subject that you can speak confidently without reciting from a script.

Try a conversational tone that invites the listener to engage with you. Accomplished public speakers generally use notes that outline their main topics and flow rather than a script that dictates their every word.

Pay attention to body language

Body language and nonverbal communication also affect how the audience responds. Along with your posture, how you use your hands and move around the room also contributes to your messaging. Always face the audience, make eye contact, and use the space to your advantage.

Be succinct

Long sentences filled with jargon can confuse audiences. Aside from industry terminology, use straightforward language and short sentences to capture their attention and keep them engaged.

You may also adapt your language and sentence structure for the information. For example, you may use shorter sentences in the introduction to grab the audience's attention, while you may use longer sentences for body paragraphs focusing on supporting information and data. Think about each section's intent and structure your speech accordingly.

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