I don’t have a photographic memory. But I remember almost every detail of my first public speech.

I was a sophomore at the University of Missouri-Columbia and I had enrolled in my first public speaking course. The professor had asked us to present a brief introductory speech on a topic of our choice.

I was petrified.

My mind was fraught with anxiety and self-doubt. I imagined my colleagues piercing me with their soul-crushing eye contact, judging me, being critical, and unsupportive. I had lost all confidence in my ability to deliver an effective speech, before even delivering it.

When the day of my speech arrived, I was a nervous wreck. I hadn’t slept and I had eaten very little due to the anticipation. I felt isolated, uneasy, and alone.

On a snowy Monday morning, I set forth to my class, pacing slowly across the sprawling icy campus, feeling an extreme amount of trepidation.

But when I got to class, I was relieved to discover that many of my classmates shared my fears about public speaking upon conversing with them.

Up until that point, I had beaten myself up for being as nervous and fearful of public speaking as I was. But it turned out, I was not an anomaly and many of my colleagues felt the same way I did. This was a tremendous relief.

When it was finally time to present, the experience wasn’t nearly as bad as I had envisioned. There was no soul-crushing eye contact. There were no jeers. No boos. Just an audience ready to receive a message.

I didn’t get an “A” on the assignment, but if there is any such thing as a moral victory, that certainly was one.

So, if you’re fearful of public speaking, just know that it gets better. Keep practicing. Keep putting yourself in situations where you are forced to present material. Hone your skills and trust me, you will get to a point of comfortability and assurance.

My Qualifications

I’m currently an adjunct professor of communication at the Peralta Community College District in the San Francisco Bay Area. I teach public speaking and interpersonal communication.

In the past, I taught at the University of Houston, where I was a graduate teaching assistant. I’ve also taught public speaking, oral communication, and interpersonal communication at National University.

I’ve spent the last 10 years working as a lead technical writer and lead software trainer for some of the biggest tech companies in the world, including Workday, Vagaro, and PG&E.

The Importance of Public Speaking

Speaking in public is a crucial skill, as it enables individuals to effectively convey their thoughts and ideas to others.

Whether it’s delivering a convincing presentation to team members, sharing insights with peers, or communicating with colleagues, the ability to articulate thoughts clearly and confidently is a vital component of any professional situation.

Public speaking not only enhances one’s ability to influence and inspire others, but it also cultivates strong leadership qualities, fosters effective communication, and builds self-confidence.

With that said, let’s jump into some tips for overcoming nerves to deliver an impactful message to an audience.

Preparation is Key

The more you prepare for your speech, the more comfortable and confident you will be when presenting it. Come up with an outline or an idea of how you want to structure your speech.

Don’t focus on memorizing your speech word for word. Get to a point where you are so knowledgeable about the content that you can talk freely or extemporaneously, while still remaining structured and organized. 

Breathe in and Breathe Out

Focused-breathing exercises are a great way to relax before a big speech.

Focus on the sensation of your breath as you breathe in and then breathe out.

Do this for 1-5 minutes before a speech if you can and be sure to take breaths during natural pauses throughout the speech for good pacing.

Practice. Practice. Practice

Practice your speech until you become supremely confident and comfortable with the material.

Remember, you want to come off as credible in the content you are presenting.

Practice your speech in front of a mirror and then practice in front of a group of friends to get a sense of how you would present your material to the audience.

Also use this time to gauge the effectiveness of any personal aids, personal examples, or any other tools you plan to use to engage the audience. Comfortability with the material can go a long way as far as reducing your nervousness.

Start the Speech with a Bang!

The introduction is a great way to set the tone for the rest of the speech.

This is your time to effectively relate your content to the audience and get them invested in the message you’re trying to get across.

Follow these tips to craft a solid intro! 

Hook the Audience with a Powerful Example

Use a vivid personal example, a hypothetical example, or a strong statistic to captivate and pull in your audience.

Deliver it with conviction and passion and be sure to make great eye contact as you do so. This will help the audience quickly get on board with your topic.

State Your Topic Clearly

Clearly and concisely state what you plan to talk about and follow this with a brief summary of the points you plan to discuss in your speech.

This gives you more credibility and adds structure to your speech, making it easier for the audience to follow along and providing a more seamless and positive experience. 

Demonstrate your Credibility

The audience can’t just take your word for it. Clearly show the audience why you’re an expert on the subject matter you’re presenting if possible. For example, if you’re an expert in running social media campaigns, provide a brief summary of your experience as well as your successes.

Effectively Transition to the Body of the Speech

Use a transitional phrase to show your audience that you are transitioning from the introduction to the body of the speech. This again adds more structure and credibility to your presentation. 

Don’t Focus on your Nerves. Focus on the Message

It’s completely normal to have nerves before a big speaking occasion. Even the greatest speakers in the world do and trust me, this is a good thing. It means you care about your topic.

But if you feel like the nervousness is affecting your ability to deliver an effective presentation, try your best to focus on the message you’re delivering and how you plan to impact the audience, instead of the anxiety you may feel.

This takes practice, so be patient with yourself, even if you’re not getting the results you’re hoping for right away.

Keep the Audience Engaged

About 80 percent of your speech is in the body, so this is the crux of your speech!

Be sure to add proper structure and organization, be engaging, and keep finding ways to keep the audience invested in your message.

Here are some helpful tips!

Deliver with Passion and Enthusiasm

There’s nothing worse than a monotone speaker who looks as if they’d rather be anywhere else than speaking to you!

Speak with passion and conviction and captivate your audience with inflection and vocal variety. Have fun and don’t be afraid to express yourself!

Be Aware of Your Audience

Feed off the positive verbal and nonverbal feedback you’re getting from audience members. Make eye contact with two or three members who are giving you great feedback. Also, clarify concepts that you feel the audience did not understand and ask them questions to keep them engaged. 

Use Physical Action

Use positive hand gestures to effectively demonstrate your ideas. Generally stay away from distracting gestures such as flailing your arms wildly or swaying back and forth due to nervousness, or unless you are trying to demonstrate an example or perform an action for comedic effect. 

Use Transitional Phrases

Transitional phrases are a great way to signal to the audience that you are going from one idea to another. This lets them know exactly where you are in your speech and demonstrates your expertise. 

Use Internal Summaries

Provide brief summaries during certain junctures of the speech to highlight key points that you have already talked about. This adds structure and flow to the presentation. 

Use Personal Examples

Personal examples are a great way to relate your speech to the experiences of the audience and to keep them engaged. Hypothetical examples and engaging statistics are also effective.  

Strategically Use Visual Aids

Effective use of handouts, PowerPoint visuals, and any other visual aids can serve as a great tool for positively impacting your audience. But be strategic in your use of these resources.

Don’t use visual aids that distract the audience and detract from the main message of the speech.  

Effectively transition into the Conclusion

Use some type of transitional phrasing to show the audience that you are transitioning from the body of the speech to the conclusion so that they know where you are in your speech, so they are not left guessing or wondering. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZK3jSXYBNak%3Fsi%3DHmtx3yxR-_9kAJOj

Leave a Lasting Impression

The ending of a speech is important because it allows you to leave a powerful and lasting mark on the audience, causing them to think critically about your topic and prompting them to action.

Here are some tips!

Summarize What You Covered

Provide a brief summary of the key points you covered and what you want your audience to remember. 

End with a Quote, Anecdote, or Powerful Example

Leave a lasting impression on your audience with a powerful quote, anecdote, or great example that ties back to your topic. 

Provide a Call-to-Action

It’s not enough to get the audience thinking critically about your topic. Energize them and prompt them to action. 

Ask If the Audience has a Question

Ask the audience if they need any further clarification or if they have additional questions about the content you covered.

This shows them that you care about their experience and adds credibility to your presentation.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=aGb8ZfZl_IE%3Fsi%3D1uOUDEI2BqpCaHO8

Final Thoughts

Speaking in public can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and techniques, anyone can become a confident and effective speaker.

Building confidence as a speaker is a gradual process that involves honing both your speaking skills and mindset. It’s important to start with great preparation, which includes understanding your audience, organizing your content effectively, and practicing your delivery.

Additionally, incorporating visual aids and interactive elements can help engage your audience and make your speech more memorable.

In addition to preparation, mastering your delivery is vital for a successful speech. Techniques such as maintaining great eye contact, using effective and positive body language, and using a variety of speaking tones can help captivate your audience.

Furthermore, practicing deep-breathing exercises can help alleviate any nerves and boost your confidence before speaking in front of an audience.

It’s also valuable to seek feedback and learn from each speaking engagement. Whether it’s from recording your speeches for self-assessment or seeking constructive criticism from people you trust. Getting feedback is essential as it provides valuable insights that can contribute to your growth as a presenter.

Although I can’t promise that you will become a great speaker as a result of these tips, they can at least help you become a more confident and effective presenter.

Remember, public speaking is not a performance. You’re merely communicating a message to the audience. Have fun, express yourself, and embrace the challenge! 

So what are your thoughts on this topic? Can you think of any other tips I did not include? Let me know in the comments below!

And if this story resonates with you, please consider donating below to support the creation of our services on this site.

Public Speaking Resources

• Toastmasters International
• Amherst College: Resources for Public Speaking
• Duke University: Public Speaking Resources

About the Author

I’m a communication coach, award-winning technical content communicator, music producer, songwriter, blogger, professor, and sports aficionado.

For communication advice, uplifting musical content, and thought-provoking interviews, and blog content, join me at: https://anietiecommunity.com/why-i-started-this-community/.