Some people seem to glow when they’re given a microphone and are asked to give a toast or a speech, while others of us would much rather sprint as fast as possible in the opposite direction.
The important lesson here is nervousness is actually perfectly normal, Marjorie L. North, a speech pathologist and lecturer at Harvard University, tells NBC News BETTER. (And that person who looks totally at ease is likely going through — or has at some point previously — felt the same exact way.)
“When your heart starts pounding, you’re sweating, your hands are shaking, your knees are shaking, and you feel like you’re going to pass out — that’s the way everybody feels,” says North, who has been teaching public speaking courses for more than 35 years.
Speaking in front of a large crowd is not a natural activity for anyone; to get better at it, you need to learn how to do it, prepare and practice, she explains. “It’s a skill, not a talent.”
Your personality of course has something to do with how you approach speaking in front of people — whether that’s a crowd of thousands or a boardroom full of your bosses and colleagues. People who are more introverted tend to keep a lot of ideas in their heads and on top of mind to keep their brain from getting bored, rather than relying on other people or activities to keep their minds occupied, Jadzia Jagiellowicz, PhD (Psch), a cognitive psychologist, told NBC — “they have an exciting ‘inner life.’” And that’s why too much stimulation and excitement (for example a full room of people whose eyes and attention are all focused on you) can be overwhelming for people who are more introverted, she says.
The brains of people who are more extroverted work the opposite way. Excitement and stimulation — like engaging in a spirited conversation or giving a presentation — energizes people who are extroverted, rather than being overwhelming, Jagiellowicz says.
It may be more likely that extroverts will feel comfortable in front of a crowd, but it still takes skill and practice to speak effectively in a way that engages your audience, North says. Even in smaller, less formal situations you can train yourself to be a better communicator, she adds.
There’s no one checklist that will turn you into a great public speaker overnight. It takes practice, preparation and it helps to get feedback, North says. But remembering these key principles is a good place to start in terms of becoming a better communicator in any situation.
Public speaking is a valuable yet challenging skill. Many people experience anxiety or nervousness at the thought of speaking in front of an audience. However, with preparation and practice, you can become a polished, engaging speaker who connects with any crowd.
In this article, we share actionable tips to help you master public speaking and present with confidence.
Know Your Audience
The first step is understanding who you will be speaking to Consider details like
- Demographic background
- Subject matter expertise
- Interests and priorities
- Preferred communication style
- Reason for attending your talk
This allows you to tailor the content tone and delivery for maximum impact.
For example, an audience of financial experts would differ from high school students. Research beforehand so you can tune your language, depth of information, presentation style, visual aids, and examples to resonate best.
Define Your Purpose
Be clear on the purpose of your presentation. Are you meant to:
- Inform or educate?
- Inspire or motivate?
- Persuade or convince?
- Entertain?
This determines key elements like the flow, tone, length of speech, balance of facts vs. emotion, use of humor, etc.
Knowing your purpose guides your entire approach and helps the audience understand what to expect.
Plan and Structure Your Content
Organize your ideas in a logical flow with smooth transitions:
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Introduction – Hook the audience’s attention and state your central theme or message upfront.
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Body – Elaborate on key points using stories, examples, data, etc. Break complex topics into digestible chunks.
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Conclusion – Summarize key takeaways related to your main purpose and end on a memorable note.
Use signaling language like “First…Second…Finally” so the audience can follow along easily.
Practice Extensively
Practice your speech repeatedly before the big day.
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Become familiar with the content flow and smooth out any awkward transitions.
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Refine phrases that feel unnatural or long-winded.
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Time yourself to ensure you stay within the allotted duration.
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If needed, cut out unnecessary details to avoid going overtime.
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Practice with slides/visuals to get the timing and transitions right.
The more you rehearse, the more polished, spontaneous and conversational you will sound.
Engage Your Audience
A speech feels alive when the speaker actively engages their audience. Ways to do this include:
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Making eye contact to forge an individual connection. Scan the room instead of staring at your notes.
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Using the audience’s name and invoking shared experiences relevant to them.
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Asking rhetorical questions and pausing to let them mentally reflect.
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welcoming participation by asking for a show of hands.
This interaction makes your audience feel acknowledged, involved and invested in your message.
Use Visual Aids Effectively
Visuals like slides, photos, infographics and videos can make your speech vivid and memorable. However, use them strategically.
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Choose simple, clear designs that complement your content rather than distract.
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Display only key points instead of cramming slides with too much text.
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Use large, readable fonts and vibrant colors for impact.
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Cite your sources for any data, quotes or images used.
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Practice transitions to ensure your verbal and visual content remain in sync.
Mind Your Body Language
Body language significantly impacts your delivery and audience connection.
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Maintain an open posture with your shoulders back and head held high. Avoid crossed arms which can seem closed off.
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Limit fidgeting and aim for purposeful gesturing. Movement should emphasize your message.
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Make eye contact, smile and nod to convey warmth and build rapport.
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Convey confidence through your demeanor even if you feel anxious internally.
Your body language can reinforce or undermine your message. Use it intentionally to engage your listeners.
Embrace the Nerves
It’s normal to feel nervous before public speaking. See it as excitement and use that energy in a positive way.
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Take deep breaths to calm your mind and regulate breathing patterns.
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Channel nervous energy into your voice projection, movement and enthusiasm.
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Focus on your knowledge of the content rather than self-doubt.
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Remember the audience wants you to succeed. They are there to learn from you.
With experience, speaking in front of others will feel less intimidating. Preparation is key to harnessing nerves effectively.
Record and Review Your Speeches
Recording yourself is an excellent learning technique. You may be surprised at elements you hadn’t noticed before like:
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Verbal fillers such as “um”, “uh”, “like”, etc. These detract from your message.
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Odd body language and poor posture habits.
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Sounding unsure versus authoritative.
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Speaking too fast or not projecting sufficiently.
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Slides with errors, cluttered designs or tiny text.
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Going significantly overtime or too short.
Watch your playback with a critical yet constructive eye. Refine anything that diminishes your effectiveness. Each speech will make you stronger.
Mastering public speaking requires forethought, practice and experience. Know your audience, structure your content, rehearse your delivery and refine your presence for impactful communications that inspire and persuade. With commitment to continuous improvement, you can become a speaker who informs, motivates and resonates with any crowd.
The key is ample preparation, being mindfully present while speaking, and reviewing recordings afterwards to correct issues. Embrace public speaking as an invaluable life skill. Follow these tips to share your message and make a difference.
Be OK with being nervous.
Even the biggest extroverts among us get the jitters from time to time, North explains. Feeling shy and nervous are feelings, not personality traits. And we all face such feelings when we find ourselves in situations that make us uncomfortable, North says. (Some research suggests that it’s actually our past experiences — particularly those from our childhoods — that play a much more significant role in whether or not we feel shy in different situations more so than whether we are introverted or extroverted.)
Feeling shy and nervous are feelings, not personality traits.
The trick is recognizing that nerves are normal and not letting them stop you from speaking confidently, North says. “It’s a natural part of the public speaking process.”
Outline (don’t script).
If possible, outline what you plan to say rather than write out your speech word-for-word, North adds. “It allows the language you use to be more natural, it allows your voice to be much more natural and eye contact is better.”
Plus, not reading your speech from a script makes you look more competent and confident because it shows that you really know your stuff, North adds. “You’re speaking to them about it. I could get up there and read a script from a paper without knowing anything about it,” she says.
Winging it doesn’t work for even the best public speaker out there. That’s when the nerves crop up, explains Jim Kohli, an international director of Toastmasters and a principal architect at GE Healthcare. Practice your speech or presentation out loud ahead of time so you feel comfortable with the words you’re saying and the way they sound coming out of your mouth. And if you can get feedback from a friend, family member or colleague, an outside perspective can be really helpful, says Kohli — who, before joining Toastmasters 15 years ago, says he would have described himself as a “wallflower” in situations where he had to speak to a group larger than five to 10 close friends. “It will take patience and time,” he says.
And don’t forget that communicating — to both large and small groups, formally and informally — is like exercising a muscle. The more speeches you give and the more conversations you have, the more confident you’ll feel the next time you’re in that situation, Kohli says. (That’s the principle Toastmasters is based on.) Speaking to smaller audiences and getting feedback is what makes you feel more comfortable speaking to a larger audience, he says. “There’s no quick fix.”
Whether you’re talking one-on-one or to an audience of a thousand people, communicating is a two-way activity — both parties need to be engaged. When you’re trying to engage listeners in less formal conversations, a good communicator listens to what others are saying before speaking up, North explains. Establish a connection to what they’re saying so you answer questions appropriately and add your own thoughts after that. If you’re trying to make small talk, find a topic you both share an interest in, whether it’s family, hobbies, work, travel or books.
Whether you’re talking one-on-one or to an audience of a thousand people, communicating is a two-way activity — both parties need to be engaged.
And when you’re in front of a larger group of people giving a more formal talk or speech, watch for visual cues from the audience. Are people yawning or rolling their eyes? Does your audience look bored? Maybe that means you might want to skip unnecessary details rather than just plunging ahead, North explains.
4 Tips To IMPROVE Your Public Speaking – How to CAPTIVATE an Audience
What makes a good public speaker?
“Good listeners are head tilters,” Phillips says. The same empathy signals work — even when you’re the one doing the talking. One of the most important things that a public speaker can do is deliver a Duchenne smile — the kind of genuine grin that fills your face and reaches your eyes. People respond more warmly to a Duchenne smile.
How can I become a better speaker?
There are two national organizations with local chapters that can help you to become a better speaker. Toastmasters International helps you with the delivery of a speech, and the National Speaker’s Association helps with the business aspects of a speaking business. Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback.
What makes a good speech?
Words alone only go so far in communication. The best speeches are emotionally hard-hitting, and it’s intensified when the same feelings are being mirrored by the speaker. Whether rehearsed or not, matching facial expressions will lend your speech with a great air of authenticity.
How do I improve my effectiveness as a public speaker?
Fortunately, improving your effectiveness as a public speaker is very simple! To be an effective public speaker, prepare a well-developed speech that fits your audience. Then, practice your delivery prior to giving the speech. Finally, connect with the audience, articulate your words, and use gestures as you give your speech. Know your audience.
