Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in public speaking or are simply trying to prepare for a presentation to your team, your ability to deliver a message that others can connect with is an invaluable skill that is useful in any industry.
I have been public speaking for over 40 years, and I’ve learned a lot of helpful tips along the way about the art of public speaking. Brian Tracy is an award-winning speaker who has traveled globally for talks.
Read on to discover 19 public speaking tips that will allow you to become a strong speaker who can captivate any audience.
1. Pick A Topic You’re Passionate About
You always want to speak on a topic that you’re well educated on, have a strong interest in, and have personal experience with. Your passion will naturally shine through and will help your audience stay engaged.
2. Know Your Audience and What They Want to Achieve
While you want to pick a topic you are passionate about, you also want to make sure you’re tailoring your speech to resonate with your audience. The better you know your audience demographic, the better you’ll be able to deliver a speech that resonates with them.
Remember, there’s a reason they’re there — so make sure you speak directly to them, being as relatable as possible.
3. Plan and Structure Your Speech
Planning and structuring your speech is essential for delivering a clear and concise message. A well-organized speech helps you stay focused, ensures your message is conveyed effectively, and keeps your audience engaged. Here are some tips to help you plan and structure your speech:
- Define Your Purpose: Before you start planning, define the purpose of your speech. What do you want to achieve? What message do you want to convey to your audience? Having a clear goal will guide your preparation and delivery.Know Your Audience: Understand who your audience is, what they care about, and what they want to take away from your speech. Tailor your message and language to your specific audience to make a direct connection.Create an Outline: Develop an outline to organize your thoughts and structure your speech. Divide your speech into three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. This will help you stay on track and ensure your speech flows logically.Use a Clear and Concise Structure: Keep your structure simple and easy to follow. Avoid using complex language or jargon that may confuse your audience. Clarity is key to effective communication.Focus on Key Points: Identify the key points you want to convey and focus on those. Avoid including too much information that may overwhelm your audience. Stick to the essentials to keep your message impactful.Use Storytelling Techniques: Incorporate storytelling techniques to make your speech more engaging and memorable. Share personal anecdotes, examples, or metaphors to illustrate your points. Stories help the audience relate to your message and remember it better.Practice Your Speech: Practice your speech several times to ensure you stay within the time frame and deliver your message effectively. Rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or present to a family member or friend for feedback.
By following these tips, you can plan and structure your speech effectively, engage your audience, and convey your message with confidence and clarity.
Additional Tips:
- Use bullet points to break down complex information into smaller, more manageable chunks.Use transitions to connect your ideas and make your speech flow smoothly.Use rhetorical devices, such as repetition, metaphors, and allusions, to add depth and emotion to your speech.Practice your speech in front of a live audience, such as a friend or family member, to get feedback and improve your delivery.
Public Speaking Advice:
- Take public speaking classes to improve your communication skills and build confidence.Join a public speaking group, such as Toastmasters, to practice speaking in front of an audience and get feedback.Watch videos of award-winning speakers to learn from their techniques and strategies.Read books on public speaking to learn new tips and techniques.
By following these tips and advice, you can become a more effective and confident public speaker, and deliver speeches that engage and inspire your audience.
3. Practice Your Speech Regularly
The key to effective public speaking is surprisingly simple: practice, practice, practice. Rehearse in front of a mirror or recite your speech to a friend. Planning ahead will also help make your delivery much smoother and improve your overall presentation. If you really want to advance your presentation skills, attend public speaking courses to improve your techniques and strategies.
Additional Tips:
- Use captivating openers to grab the audience’s attention.Incorporate visual aids to maintain the audience’s attention positively.Use pauses to reinforce key points and allow the audience to absorb the information more effectively.
4. Clear Your Mind
Even the most seasoned public speaker can get a little nervous before speaking, even if it is a virtual presentation.
While there are lots of ways to overcome your fear of public speaking, the best thing you can do right before your speech to clear those jitters is to take a minute to clear your mind via meditation or visualization. Picture your speech going well to allow your subconscious mind to clear out any distractions and focus on successful delivery.
5. Intrigue Your Audience Right From the Start
The introduction of your speech sets the tone for the rest of your talk, so it needs to be enthralling. Make a strong statement, ask a question, or refer to current events to get the attention of your audience right away.
Consider starting with an interesting anecdote to draw the audience in.
6. Be Clear and Concise
Remember that less is more. Don’t over-inform your audience with unnecessary points. You want to ensure your speech is well-organized, easy to follow, and provides the listeners with exactly what they came there for.
7. Be Confident
Focus on your stage presence as you prepare for your speech so you can be as impactful as possible to your audience. Don’t overthink and get into your head — think positively to allow you to have confidence in yourself and your abilities.
8. Relate With Personal Stories
Incorporate personal stories and life experiences into your speech wherever possible. Doing so will help the audience relate to what you say and feel connected. Your stories remind them that you’re human, too. A toast at a friend’s wedding, for example, often includes personal anecdotes and a lighter tone, which is quite different from the formal presentation style required in a professional setting.
9. Add Your Personality
Don’t be afraid to show the audience who you are. Make them laugh, share some quotes from other leaders who have inspired you, or use emotion to help hit your points home.
10. Speak Slowly
Speak slower than you think you need to. Frequent pauses during your talk will help draw your listeners in and ensure you can carefully articulate everything you’re saying. Talking slowly will also help you enunciate your words so they don’t miss a beat.
11. Take Deep Breaths
Take deep breaths before and during your speech. Inhale to the count of three; then exhale for the count of three. This will help with any nerves you have, plus it will enable you to incorporate pauses.
12. Make Eye Contact
As you deliver your talk, look at individuals in your audience and make brief eye contact. This will allow your audience to feel as if you’re speaking directly to them. Just be sure not to take too long of eye contact with one or more persons — steadily look from the back to front.
13. Move Around
Be aware of your body language. Don’t just stand in one place — if you have room, walk around as you speak, but don’t pace. Using hand gestures can emphasize important points in your speech and help you take control of the room.
14. Alter Your Tone Throughout
The best presenters have mastered their public speaking voice, which is the practice of utilizing different inflection points in certain areas of your speech.
You don’t want to sound monotone the entire time. Project your voice and build vocal power throughout so you can lead to a powerful final point.
15. Avoid Distractions As Best You Can
As much as you may try to prepare, distractions while on stage can interfere with your presentation. Do your best to stay focused during your speech so nothing interrupts your train of thought.
That said, sometimes the distraction is too noticeable to ignore. If this happens to you, direct the attention of the audience to it in a humorous way if possible and then continue speaking.
16. Incorporate Visuals in Your Presentation
Visual aids, such as pictures, charts, graphs, and infographics, help engage your audience as well as reinforce your points.
65% of the population are visual learners. By including visual content, you’re increasing the percentage of people who will walk away from your speech and remember it well. Read this article I wrote for more ideas on PowerPoint presentations.
17. Be Timely With Delivery
Don’t go over your allotted time. It may be seen as disrespectful if you exceed the time you’ve been given. Timing your speech beforehand can help you keep things short.
You can also set up clear milestones in your speech. If you know how long each section of your speech is, you’ll be able to keep track of time in your head while presenting your speech.
18. End With A Bang And Say ‘Thank You
As you end your speech, provide some inspiration for your audience to take away. Deliver a strong call to action that enables your audience to crave more from you. And, as always, thank your audience for joining and listening.
19. Have A Post-Show Meet And Greet
If you have the opportunity to meet with the crowd after your speech, this is a valuable way to get some feedback. See what their response was and look at possible areas where they want to hear more or less from you.
This is also a great networking opportunity. You might be able to make connections that will land you a future speaking event, or consulting opportunities if you provide a service.
Improve Your Public Speaking Skills Before Your Next Speech
Public speaking presents as a daunting skill to many, but with these tips, you’ll be able to improve your public speaking skills, conquer your next speech, and captivate your audience.
One of the key tips for public speaking is to use pauses strategically to improve pacing and help the audience absorb key points, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of a speech.
Check out my 5-Minute Speech Formula Checklist to start your next speech.
