Displaying items by tag: public speaking tips

Public speaking can feel daunting, especially if you’ve never stepped onto a stage or addressed a crowd before. 

The good news? You don’t need prior experience to become a confident and compelling speaker. With dedication, practice, and a few clever strategies, anyone can master the art of holding an audience’s attention. 

Below, The Presenter Studio team shares some tips to help you on your journey to becoming a great public speaker, even if you’re starting from scratch.

Start off small 

If the idea of speaking in front of a large group makes your palms sweat, don’t worry, you don’t have to dive straight into a keynote address. Begin with small, low-pressure settings. 

Chat with a few friends or family members and ask for their feedback. Join a local club or group, like a book club or community meet-up, where you can share your thoughts in a relaxed environment. These baby steps will help you get comfortable with expressing yourself out loud, laying the groundwork for bigger audiences later.

Develop a structure 

Good public speaking isn’t about winging it, but about structure. 

Even without experience, you can craft a solid talk by following a simple formula: an engaging opening, a clear middle with key points, and a memorable close. 

Start with a story, question, or surprising fact to hook your listeners. Then, organise your main ideas into three digestible points. People tend to remember things in threes. 

Wrap up with a call to action or a thought-provoking takeaway. Practice this framework with everyday topics, like explaining a recipe or sharing a film review, to build your skills.

Learn from the pros 

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. 

Watch TED Talks, stand-up comedy, or even local speakers at events to see what works. Pay attention to how they use pauses, vary their tone, and connect with the audience. 

You’re not copying their style, think of it as gathering inspiration. 

Note what grabs your attention and try mimicking those techniques in your own practice sessions. Over time, you’ll find your own voice while borrowing from the best.

Practice 

There’s no shortcut here: practice is your golden ticket. 

Record yourself speaking on your phone and play it back. It might feel awkward at first, but you’ll spot areas to improve, like cutting out “ums” or slowing your pace. 

Try rehearsing in front of a mirror to work on your posture and gestures. 

If you’re feeling brave, ask a trusted friend to listen and give honest feedback. The more you practice, the more natural it’ll feel when the real moment arrives.

Consider a course 

If you’re serious about accelerating your progress, Public Speaking Courses can be a game-changer. These structured programmes offer expert guidance, practical exercises, and sometimes even a supportive group to practice with.

Look for local workshops or online options that suit your schedule and budget. While not essential, they’re a brilliant way to gain confidence and polish your skills with professional input.

Deal with nerves 

Everyone gets nervous, it’s human. 

The trick is to channel that energy into enthusiasm.

Before you speak, take slow, deep breaths to steady yourself. Visualise success: picture the audience smiling and clapping. Focus on your message, not your fear.

A handy tip? Find a friendly face in the crowd and imagine you’re just talking to them. With time, those butterflies will feel more like excitement than dread.

Connect with your audience 

A great speaker doesn’t just talk at people, they talk to them. 

Make eye contact, smile, and use simple, relatable language. Ask questions or share a quick anecdote to draw listeners in. Even with no experience, you can build rapport by being genuine. People don’t expect perfection; they want to feel your passion and authenticity.

Wrapping up 

Becoming a good public speaker with no experience is entirely possible. It’s less about natural talent and more about persistence and preparation. 

Start small, learn from others, practice relentlessly, and embrace every opportunity to grow. Before you know it, you’ll be the one captivating the room, no experience required. 

Don’t forget that The Presenter Studio offers a range of presentation skills training courses designed to help you develop your voice and unique presentation style. Get in touch to learn more.

Rethink Your Approach to Public Speaking

When it comes to delivering impactful presentations, many people rely heavily on slides. While they can be a helpful tool, slides often do more harm than good, especially when overused or poorly designed. At The Presenter Studio, we emphasize the power of your personal presence and delivery in our public speaking courses, showing you how to connect with your audience without hiding behind a screen.

The Problem with Slides

Slides can easily become a crutch, taking the focus away from the speaker and diluting the power of your message. Instead of engaging with you, the audience’s attention is split between trying to read the slides and listening to what you’re saying. This disconnect makes it harder to create a memorable impact.

In many cases, slides end up being overloaded with text or complex visuals. These distractions can overwhelm your audience, making your presentation harder to follow. Remember, a presentation isn’t about reading bullet points off a screen; it’s about telling a compelling story and connecting with your audience.

Why People Rely on Slides

Slides are often used as a security blanket to guide the presenter or to avoid the challenge of fully engaging with an audience. However, this reliance can result in a presentation that feels impersonal and disconnected. The audience comes to hear you, not read slides.

The Power of a Slide-Free Presentation

Removing slides allows you to focus on what truly matters: your delivery, storytelling, and audience engagement. Without slides, you’re free to move, make eye contact, and interact with your audience in a way that feels natural and authentic.

By ditching slides, you’re also forced to refine your message. This means you can focus on what’s most important, delivering a clear and impactful presentation without the clutter. When done well, this approach is far more memorable than a slideshow.

What We Teach at The Presenter Studio

Our public speaking courses focus on helping you deliver presentations with confidence and personality. We teach you how to craft a compelling message, use your voice effectively, and engage with your audience. You’ll learn that the most powerful visual aid in any presentation is you.

By reducing your reliance on slides, you’ll become a more dynamic and authentic speaker, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

Read more about our public speaking courses here:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

At The Presenter Studio we love our public speaking courses.  All the training we do here is bespoke to you, your needs and the type of presentation you are doing.  

We resesarch your business (and you!) in great detail before working with you so we can write a tailormade bespoke training course for you.

Why?

This enables us to find out the real you.  As finding your authentic voice is crucial to your success.

So many public speaking courses follow a 'one rule fits all' formulae.  And they can actually do you more harm than good.

With us each client get bespoke coaching where we give you feedback in a constructive, warm and supportive environment.

So if you are looking for expert public speaker training that brings out the best in you check out our courses here:  https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training

The Psychology Behind Great Presentation Skills

Introduction

Behind every great presentation is a solid understanding of psychology. Whether it’s capturing attention, building trust, or inspiring action, psychological principles play a crucial role in effective presentations. In this article, we’ll dive into key psychological techniques...

1. Understand Your Audience’s Needs

Great presentations begin with empathy. Take time to analyze your audience’s interests, concerns, and goals. When your content resonates with their needs, you build trust and establish relevance. This psychological alignment encourages active listening and engagement.

2. Leverage the Power of Storytelling

Stories are deeply rooted in human psychology—they evoke emotion, foster connection, and make information more memorable. Incorporate personal anecdotes or relatable narratives into your presentation to captivate your audience and reinforce your message.

3. Use Visual Cues to Aid Memory

The human brain processes visuals much faster than text. Infographics, charts, and images help simplify complex concepts and enhance recall. Use visuals strategically to emphasize key points and maintain attention.

4. Build Confidence Through Preparation

Confidence is contagious, and a confident speaker instills confidence in their audience. Preparation is the key to exuding confidence. Rehearse thoroughly, anticipate questions, and use positive visualization techniques to feel more self-assured.

5. Apply the Principle of Reciprocity

Reciprocity is a psychological concept where people feel compelled to return a favor. In presentations, offering valuable insights, free tools, or actionable advice creates goodwill and encourages audience engagement and cooperation.

6. Create Emotional Impact

Emotion drives action. Whether it’s excitement, curiosity, or urgency, evoke emotions that align with your message. Use powerful language, compelling visuals, or poignant anecdotes to connect with your audience on a deeper level.

7. Establish Authority and Credibility

Audiences are more likely to trust and listen to speakers who demonstrate authority. Share your expertise, reference credible sources, and communicate confidently. Your perceived authority will bolster your audience’s faith in your message.

8. Use the Principle of Social Proof

Humans are influenced by the actions and opinions of others. Highlight testimonials, case studies, or statistics that show how others have benefited from your ideas. This builds trust and reinforces your message.

9. Manage Cognitive Load

Overloading your audience with too much information can lead to disengagement. Break down complex ideas into digestible segments, focus on one key message at a time, and provide pauses for your audience to absorb the content.

10. End with a Call to Action

The psychology of persuasion emphasizes the importance of a clear call to action. End your presentation by summarizing your main points and providing your audience with a specific action they can take, whether it’s adopting your ideas, signing up for a service, or exploring further resources.

Conclusion

The psychology behind great presentation skills goes beyond what you say—it’s about how you connect with your audience on a cognitive and emotional level. By understanding and applying these psychological techniques, you can elevate your presentations, inspire your audience, and leave a lasting impression.