Cathy Stucker - The Idea Lady

Attract Customers and Make Yourself Famous

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Work with Cathy
  • Resources
  • About
You are here: Home / Public Speaking / Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

May 13, 2012 by Cathy Stucker 7 Comments

Speaking in public is scary to most people, but it is a very effective way to grow your business and build your expert reputation. Good speaking skills are an asset, and everyone can be a better speaker than they are currently.

The single best way to improve your speaking skills is to practice speaking at every opportunity. Look for opportunities to speak in front of groups whenever you can. You might want to start with small groups and work up to larger ones, but practice, practice, practice!

Here are some ideas about how you can get more practice speaking and become a better public speaker.

Take an active role in your professional or community organization. When you accept a leadership position with a group you will be called upon to make short presentations regularly. You may be asked to give an update about your committee’s activities, introduce a speaker or chair a meeting. Each of these gives you the chance to practice speaking in front of a group of people.

Take an improv class. One of the reasons many people fear speaking is that they are afraid they will forget what they were going to say or that something will happen to distract them during their talk and take them off course. Learning improvisation skills will make you confident that you can handle anything that happens with skill and grace.

Join Toastmasters. There are Toastmasters groups everywhere, and joining a chapter near you will give you frequent opportunities to speak. The best part is that you will be in a supportive environment where the other members of the group will encourage you as you improve.

Record every presentation you give. Get a pocket-sized digital recorder and record every talk. We tend to be hypercritical when we hear ourselves, so listen to the recording not only to see how you can improve but to acknowledge what you do well.

Video tape yourself practicing your speech. Set up your video recorder at home or in your office and practice speaking. Watch yourself carefully to pick up good and bad mannerisms. Are your hands jingling keys in your pocket? Do you keep touching your tie? Are you blinking or otherwise looking nervous? Also watch for what you do right. Are your hand gestures natural? Do you have a great smile, and use it often?

Get honest feedback from others. Many years ago I was in a training program for speakers where we evaluated each other. After a presentation, each person in the class would tell the speaker one thing they had done well and one thing they could do better next time. Ask someone you trust and respect to do that for you. Constructive criticism (“Here is something you could do better next time…”) makes you better if you accept it and use it to improve.

After you have been speaking for a while, go back and listen to a recording (or watch a video) of one of your early presentations. You will be amazed at how much your speaking skills have improved!

print

Related Posts :

Conquer the Fear of Public Speaking
Tips for Getting Free Publicity
Make Yourself Famous

Filed Under: Public Speaking Tagged With: expert reputation, speaking

Comments

  1. David Blum, Public Speaking Trainer says

    October 10, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    Finally deciding to videotape my speeches at Toastmasters was a pivotal moment for me and my career. These videos were difficult to watch (even though I was much better than I expected) but they gave me great insight into how I was coming across to my audience. I very quickly and dramatically improved my delivery just by seeing myself.

    Reply
    • Cathy Stucker says

      October 10, 2014 at 5:53 pm

      David, most people are uncomfortable watching themselves on camera. As you note, though, you can make big improvements quickly when you are aware of how you come across to the audience.

      Reply
  2. Julie says

    May 28, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    All great ideas. Best way to learn something like speaking is simply to get out and do it. I agree, you should speak anywhere and everywhere you can at first. Toastmasters was great for getting honest feedback in the beginning.

    Reply
    • Cathy Stucker says

      May 28, 2016 at 6:25 pm

      I agree. Toastmasters is a great way to practice in a supportive environment.

      Reply
      • Julie says

        May 28, 2016 at 6:31 pm

        My first Toastmasters speech I was holding on to the podium with both hands. 🙂

        Reply
        • Cathy Stucker says

          June 13, 2016 at 11:55 am

          Whatever it takes! The first one is always the hardest.

          Reply
  3. Beth Cramer says

    May 28, 2017 at 12:19 am

    Really appreciate all the ideas here, Cathy! Can’t wait to get started!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Join Me! (Get Free Stuff!)

Get useful tips and techniques to build your business, plus member-only exclusives such as free webinars, as an IdeaLady Insider. It's free!

I respect your privacy & will NEVER sell, rent or share your email address. More than a policy, it's my Privacy Pledge.

Connect with Cathy

 Facebook Google+ Twitter YouTube Pinterest LinkedIn Flickr StumbleUpon RSS Amazon Author Central

Recent Articles

  • 3 Strategies for Quick & Easy Content Creation
  • What to Ask When Hiring a Ghostwriter
  • Take a Real Break – Fully Disengage
  • You Get an Extra Day
  • Need Customers? Borrow Some!

Categories

Be an Expert Blogging Business Cards Business Start Ups Cash Content Copywriting Creating Information Products Creative Ideas Creative Marketing Strategies Creativity Customer Service Customer Testimonials Dealing with Clients Email Getting Things Done Growing Your Business Guest Posts Image Internet Marketing Life Lessons Making Changes Making Good Decisions Marketing Market Research Monday Morning Messages Money and Finances Motivation and Inspiration Mystery Shopping Networking Online Business Passive Income Persuasion Positive Thinking Pricing Productivity and Time Management Publicity Public Speaking Running Your Business Sales Search Engine Optimization Social Media Success Technology Working Smarter Writing and Publishing

Learn About

Mystery Shopping
Book Publishing
Marketing
Becoming an Expert
Free Publicity

Return to top of page

Copyright © 1998 - 2021 Cathy Stucker - All Rights Reserved