How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills for Career Success
Knowing how to engage an audience can benefit your career in numerous ways. We show you how to master public speaking and become a champion in your workplace.

If speaking in front of a crowd triggers feelings of discomfort, fear, and anxiety, know that you’re not alone. People of all ages and occupations struggle with public speaking, also known as stage fright or speech anxiety. However, public speaking skills can be essential components of your professional success. Whether you’re in sales, marketing, education, or finance, the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively with your audience is paramount.
Want to know how to get better at public speaking? We’ve got you covered. In this article you’ll learn how to improve your public speaking skills to benefit your career, plus what attributes make a successful public speaker. We also provide valuable public speaking tips to help reduce your anxiety, enhance your performance, and deliver a more confident and memorable speech.
What is Public Speaking?
Public speaking refers to delivering a speech or presentation in front of an audience. Essentially, it’s a form of both verbal and nonverbal communication that involves conveying information, ideas, or opinions to a group of people with the intent to inform, educate, persuade, inspire, or entertain. And public speaking can take many forms, such as presentations, lectures, debates, seminars, and workshops.
The origins of public speaking can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. Of course, these societies didn’t have PowerPoint presentations to help them with their speeches, but they developed effective speaking methods and techniques that are still studied and used today.
In ancient Athens, the Greeks developed the art of rhetoric, or the study of persuasive speaking, which became an essential skill for politicians, lawyers, and educators. Roman orators were also trained in the art of persuasion, and speeches were considered a critical tool for inspiring and motivating the people.
Why it’s Important to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills for Your Career
So, why is public speaking important for your professional development? Knowing how to speak in public effectively and confidently can not only help you stand out in your current field but can also open up new career opportunities. Whether you've just graduated from college or are looking for a career change, you'll benefit significantly from improving your public speaking skills. Here are some of the advantages:
Improved Communication
One of the key benefits of public speaking is that it helps you to communicate your ideas, thoughts, and opinions more effectively to others. Whether you're presenting a proposal to your team, pitching to potential clients, or giving a keynote speech at a conference, good public speaking skills enable you to clearly articulate your message and persuade others to see things from your perspective. Improved communication can also lead to better collaboration, team building, understanding, and productivity at work.
Increased Confidence
While public speaking can be nerve-wracking, it's a skill that can be learned and improved on with practice. By developing your skills, you can build your confidence in negotiating, networking, and presenting yourself in meetings.
For example, in sales, marketing, and business development, delivering persuasive presentations can help you close deals and win new clients. Remember, confidence is an attractive quality in leaders and team members and can help you achieve your goals while positively impacting your team.
Enhanced Credibility
Speaking confidently and persuasively in front of others can improve your professional reputation by demonstrating your ability to articulate ideas and communicate effectively. This can increase respect and recognition from colleagues, clients, and superiors. As a result, you could improve your chances of being considered for leadership roles, promotions, and new business opportunities.
Public speaking skills can also help you build trust and rapport with others. By communicating confidently, being transparent and authentic, and engaging in active listening, you can establish stronger relationships that lead to greater collaboration and success.
Better Leadership
Regardless of your role at work, improving your leadership skills is extremely useful. Whether you're a CEO or an administrator, using persuasive language, storytelling, and emotional appeals can inspire your team to work toward a common goal.
Improving your public speaking skills helps you craft and deliver effective presentations that resonate with your audience. You can make persuasive arguments that influence decision-making and advance your company's goals and vision by using clear and concise language, visual aids, and engaging storytelling.
What Makes a Good Public Speaker?
Being a good public speaker requires a combination of commitment, determination, and learned skills. While some people may have a natural talent for speaking in front of a group, many successful public speakers have spent years honing their skills and perfecting their craft. Remember, most great speakers are not born, they’re made.
The following essential skills will help bolster your presentations to influence, engage, inspire, and make a positive impact on your audience:
- Strong verbal communication: An effective public speaker talks clearly, using correct grammar and pronunciation, and with an appropriate pace and tone. Use persuasive language to convey your message and ideas and capture your audience's attention with vivid imagery and storytelling. You should also avoid using filler words or repetitive phrases, which will become easier for you with practice.
- Effective nonverbal communication: How you use your physicality in a speech or presentation is equally as important as your voice and what you say. Public speakers use body language, gestures, and facial expressions to reinforce their message and connect with their audience. For example, maintaining eye contact conveys confidence and trust, while using open body language helps to establish rapport with your audience.
- Active listening: A successful public speaker is not only a strong communicator but also a good listener. Be attentive to your audience's responses, questions, and concerns and respond appropriately. So, it's important to use active listening skills to assess the needs of your audience, gather feedback and adjust your message accordingly.
- Organization: It's essential to structure your message clearly and logically in a way that's easy for your audience to follow. Effective public speakers typically use an introduction to capture their audience's attention and set the stage for their presentation, main points to provide structure and clarity to their message, and a conclusion to summarize key takeaways and leave a lasting impression.
- Empathy: Using empathy as a public speaker involves putting yourself in your audience's shoes, considering their needs and perspectives, and connecting with them emotionally. Try using personal anecdotes and acknowledging the audience's concerns and interests. Also use language that's inclusive and respectful of your audience.
- Adaptability: Successful public speakers know how to roll with the punches. Even with the best preparation, you'll likely need to handle unexpected challenges and questions that may arise during your presentation so you must be able to think on your feet. Learn how to also adjust your body language to suit the mood and energy of the crowd. You may use more animated gestures and movements with a more energetic audience but more reserved gestures when speaking to a more formal audience.
Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills
Now that you have a better idea of the peripheral skills you need to become a great public speaker, it’s time to learn how to improve your speaking skills. Remember, with the right know-how, commitment, and effort, you can get in front of a crowd and give your best performance no sweat.
Here are some practical tips for public speaking that will help give you the confidence you need to deliver a great speech:
Before Your Speech
Prior to giving a speech or presentation, its essential to take some time to prepare and ensure that you’re in the right mindset. This can help take some of the anxiety out of the process. Follow our tips to set yourself up for a successful performance right from the start.
Study Accomplished Public Speakers
Watching successful speakers is a valuable way to learn how to improve your public speaking skills. By studying great speakers, you can gain inspiration and insight into what makes a successful speech and develop your own techniques and strategies for engaging and motivating your audience. Many TED Talk presenters are masters of public speaking, and you can also find examples of accomplished speakers through Toastmasters International.
Know Your Audience
A successful speech or presentation involves creating a connection with your audience, and this connection starts with understanding their needs and preferences. Knowing your audience lets you anticipate and address their questions and concerns in your presentation. It also helps guide you to use appropriate language, examples, and stories that resonate with your audience, making your speech more engaging and memorable.
For instance, if you're presenting to a group of young professionals, use more contemporary examples and a more relaxed tone than if you were presenting to a group of senior executives. On the other hand, if you’re speaking to an international audience, you should avoid cultural references or idiomatic expressions that may not be familiar to them. Instead, use examples or stories relevant to their culture or region.
Practice, Practice, Practice
There’s no clear-cut answer for at least how many times your speech should be practiced. It varies depending on the complexity of your speech. However, generally, you should practice at least several times to ensure its polished and well-delivered.
Some experts recommend practicing a speech at least three to five times. The goal of practicing a speech is to become familiar with the content, pacing, and delivery and to work out any kinks or issues that may arise.
Ultimately, the key is to practice the speech enough times to feel comfortable and confident with the material, but not so many times that it feels overly rehearsed or stale. It's essential to strike a balance between preparation and spontaneity. Remember that even the most seasoned speakers benefit from continued practice and refinement of their public speaking skills.
Record Your Speech
By watching yourself speak on video, you can identify areas for improvement in your delivery, body language and overall performance. You may notice things you might not have been aware of before, such as nervous tics, awkward phrases, or repetitive gestures. Then you can work to correct them. Recording yourself can also help you better understand the length of your speech and whether you need to speed up or slow down certain sections.
Visualize Success
This technique involves imagining yourself giving a successful speech in your mind before you actually deliver it. By picturing yourself confidently delivering your speech and receiving a positive response from your audience, you can overcome stage fright and improve your overall performance.
While visualizing your success, it can be helpful to incorporate positive affirmations and self-talk. Repeat phrases to yourself such as "I am confident and capable," "I am prepared and knowledgeable," and "I am delivering a successful speech." Repeating these affirmations can reinforce positive beliefs about your abilities and build your confidence.
During Your Speech
Your big day is finally here. You’ve written a great speech, and you’ve practiced and prepared. To help your speech go smoothly, be sure to follow our valuable tips to help you deliver a memorable and engaging speech.
Take a Pause
If you want to learn how to stop stumbling over your words, the powerful speech pause might be the most crucial tool you discover. When you pause, you give yourself time to collect your thoughts and think about what to say next. As a result, you'll avoid getting ahead of yourself or rambling off-topic.
Pausing can also help to emphasize essential points in your speech, giving your audience time to absorb the information and understand its significance. Try pausing for a few seconds after making a central point or finishing a story. You really will hear the difference.
Monitor Your Body Language
Body language is essential to public speaking as it helps you connect with your audience and emphasize your message. Here are some tips on how to use your body language effectively during a speech:
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your head held high. This conveys confidence and authority.
- Look at your audience when you speak. Making eye contact with people helps you connect and shows that you’re engaged with them.
- Hand gestures help emphasize key points in your speech. Use open gestures like holding your palms up to show openness and honesty. And remember not to cross your arms, as it shows people you're closed off and disengaged.
- Moving around the stage can help keep your audience connected and energized. However, avoid pacing back and forth, as it can be distracting.
- Use your facial expressions to convey emotions and help emphasize your message. Smile when appropriate and use facial expressions to convey emotions such as enthusiasm or concern.
- Ensure your tone and body language are congruent with your message. If you're discussing a serious topic, your body language should reflect that.
Engage Your Audience
The goal of your speech is to connect with your audience and make your message memorable. Your opening is crucial in achieving this as it sets the tone for your entire speech. Begin with a quote, story, or a question that will hook your audience and interest them in what you have to say.
Because people love hearing stories, it's one of the most effective ways to grab their attention. For example, when TED speakers take the stage, they typically start with a short, personal tale that helps to share their passion or explain their expertise.
Humor is also a great way to break the ice and put your audience at ease. A well-placed joke can make your audience feel more comfortable and receptive to your message. If you can, use visual aids such as PowerPoint slides, videos, or images to help keep your audience interested. They also help to break up your speech and make it more visually engaging.
Be Authentic
Regardless of the subject of your speech, you should always be yourself when speaking. Let your personality shine through, even if you’re talking solely about numbers, statistics, and data. Consider adding appropriate humor or personal anecdotes if your topic is not that exciting.
If you’re passionate about your topic, don’t be afraid to show it. Your audience will be more engaged if they sense your enthusiasm. Ultimately, the most important thing you can do is to be authentic and sincere – it will go a long way.
After Your Speech
Improving your public speaking skills doesn’t end once your speech is over. Remember, public speaking is a skill that can be learned and perfected with practice and determination. Here are some tips for developing your skills after your speech.
Get Feedback on Your Performance
Even if you think your speech went well, there are always areas for improvement. That’s why getting objective feedback from a trusted co-worker, industry peer, or public speaking coach is essential.
Listen to their constructive criticism and note areas you may have to work on, such as pacing, delivery, or pronunciation. Remember, investing in yourself can only improve your public speaking skills in the long run.
Join a Public Speaking Group
A support group like Toastmasters International can be a great way to continue honing your public speaking skills. Groups such as this offer supportive environments where you can continue learning how to improve your speaking voice, tone, and delivery as well as receive feedback from other professionals. You’ll get to practice giving speeches and it can help you overcome your fear and anxiety. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to network with like-minded people.
Continue Refining Your Public Speaking Skills
So many resources are available to help you hone your skills. Check out any speaking events on topics you’re interested in in your town or city. Watching others speak is a great way to learn what works and what doesn’t. Ask yourself why you enjoyed the speaker or why you didn’t to try to figure out what resonates with you.
You can also find other valuable resources, such as books and articles, or attend seminars and workshops. And don’t forget the power of networking. Consider joining groups, forums, and communities to meet others determined to become better public speakers like you.
How to Highlight Your Speaking Skills When Applying for a Job
Although public speaking is a valuable skill on its own, it also encompasses a collection of skills that can increase your chances of landing the job you want. Here are some ways to effectively showcase your relevant skills in a job application:
- Tailor your resume: Ensure that your resume reflects your public speaking skills by including relevant experiences and achievements such as presentations, speeches, and public appearances. Highlight the impact of these experiences to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and engage an audience.
- Use keywords: Use keywords relevant to public speaking skills in your resume and cover letter. For example, highlight skills such as strong communication, active listening, and adaptability. And be sure to tailor these keywords to how they fit with the job description.
- Highlight relevant coursework: If you have taken courses or workshops in public speaking, highlight them in your resume or cover letter as well. This shows that you have taken steps to improve your skills and are committed to developing yourself professionally.
- Prepare to demonstrate your skills in an interview: The hiring manager will likely ask you to provide examples of when you've used your public speaking skills to engage an audience or articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely. And if you've given public speeches or internal company presentations, share the details with the interviewer.
Use Your Public Speaking Skills to Advance Your Career
Invest time in improving your public speaking skills to develop professionally. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Want some additional insights on how to move up the rungs of the career ladder? Start by setting up a free profile on Monster and take the next step towards advancing your career. We’ll send you expert career advice, workplace trends and job postings right to your inbox.