Public Speaking Confidence

Public speaking is the 2nd most common fear in the world... Only behind death. Think about that. People would rather face snakes, sharks, and even their own mortality before getting on stage in front of a crowd. And yet… public speaking is one of THE most valuable skills you can develop for your career, your confidence, and your ability to inspire others. Here are 4 tips I use to simplify public speaking: 1️⃣ Prep with bullets, not a script - Start by outlining 3-5 main points you must cover. Think of them as road signs guiding you through the talk. - Under each point, jot down 2–3 supporting bullets (a story, a stat, or an example). - Rehearse flowing between the bullets... not word for word, but concept to concept. - Practice enough times so you can explain each point naturally, even if phrased differently every time. 👉 The goal isn’t perfect recall... it’s confidence in your structure so you can speak with flexibility, not rigidity. 2️⃣ Record → Review → Refine - Open Zoom, start a solo meeting, and hit record. - Deliver a 3-5 minute version of your talk. - Watch it back with a pen in hand. Circle filler words like "um" and "like." Note your pacing... are you rushing? Are you monotone? 👉 Treat it like watching game film... you’re not critiquing you, you’re refining your performance. 3️⃣ Progressive exposure (small room → bigger room) Step 1: Share your talk with one trusted friend. Step 2: Deliver the same talk to 3–5 colleagues. Step 3: Volunteer to lead a short update in a team meeting. Step 4: Say yes to a small group presentation. Each step deliberately stretches your comfort zone, but in a controlled way. By the time you’re on a stage, your brain has learned: “I’ve done this before.” 4️⃣ Pull your audience in Public speaking isn’t just giving a speech. It’s building a conversation. A few ways to do it: - Ask simple questions: “How many of you have felt ___ before?” A show of hands immediately creates engagement. - Use audience examples: Call out a relevant situation they know well... “For the marketers in the room, you’ll recognize this pattern…” - Tell a story, then pause: Give them space to reflect. Silence is powerful... it lets the audience lean in. - Acknowledge their reactions: Smile when they laugh, nod when they respond. It reminds them you’re there with them, not just speaking at them. 👉 Connection turns a one-way presentation into an experience people remember. 💡 Bonus Tip: Join Toastmasters International. It’s a nationally renowned public speaking program with local chapters in every city. I was a member for 4 years, and it completely changed me... from someone terrified of a crowd… to one who is confident on that stage. Public speaking isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. And the crazy part? The very thing you fear could become the skill that unlocks your biggest opportunities. 🔥 Your turn... what’s the single tactic that’s helped you most in overcoming the fear of public speaking?

"Speak with Confidence: My Journey to Taming the Beast of Stage Fright" Public speaking anxiety, or stage fright, was a hurdle I had to overcome, but through experience and learning, I've discovered strategies that have helped me manage it—and even turn it into a strength. Here are some of the key takeaways that helped me find success in my presentations: CONTENT I learned the importance of keeping my content clear, relevant, and concise. Ensuring that what I share resonates with my audience and stays within the right length has been crucial in holding their attention. VOICE One of the most valuable lessons was realizing that if there’s tension in my breath, the audience feels it too. I've learned to control the energy of the room by first mastering my own breathing and voice. It's incredible how much power there is in simply speaking with a relaxed, confident tone. POSTURE Aligning my body with my message was a game-changer. I now make sure to maintain eye contact and stand as close to the audience as possible. This connection makes the message feel more genuine and helps build rapport. NERVOUSNESS To manage nervousness, I found that moving around the podium and taking deep, full abdominal breaths really helps. It not only calms me down but also keeps the energy flowing, making the whole experience more dynamic. NOTES Carrying a summary of my presentation is something I’ve learned to appreciate. It shows that I've done my homework and prepared diligently. Plus, having a reference keeps me on track without feeling like I need to memorize everything. Public speaking anxiety is something many of us face, but through practice, persistence, and these strategies, I’ve been able to conquer my fears and grow into a more confident, effective speaker. #publicspeaker #publicspeaking #publicspeakingtips

When I started sharing my speaking journey publicly, everything changed. The traditional business advice says "fake it till you make it." But after working with hundreds of entrepreneurs, I've learned something counterintuitive: your biggest breakthrough comes from being transparently vulnerable about your struggles. I was on a call with a successful founder last week. When I asked if he'd spoken at conferences, he froze. "I can't even handle team meetings without sweating." When I shared my own speaking disaster story, forgetting my entire opening at a 500-person conference, something beautiful happened. He realized everyone wanted him to succeed, not fail. Here's what I learned about building in public through transparent speaking: 1. Vulnerability Broadcasting  Share your panic attacks, forgotten openings, and sweaty moments openly. Building your confidence journey in public permits others to be human. Your struggles become someone else's breakthrough story. Speaking fears are universal, your transparency breaks the shame cycle. Others see that success isn't about perfection, it's about persistence. 2. Story Stack Development  Document your 5 go-to stories for any situation and share them. Building your narrative library in public creates accountability for authenticity. Your stories become templates for other entrepreneurs to adapt. Transparency about your frameworks helps others structure their own experiences. 3. Confidence Protocol Sharing  Show your exact pre-speech routine and why it works. Building your confidence systems in public creates replicable frameworks. Your meditation, breathing, and preparation become roadmaps for others. 4. Authority Multiplier Transparency Document how one speech creates 50+ opportunities. Building your authority systems in public shows the compound effect. Your podcast invitations and connection requests become proof of concept. Transparency about speaking ROI motivates others to overcome their fears. 5. Failure Reframe Strategy Share how disasters become your best teaching moments. Building your resilience story in public transforms setbacks into comebacks. Your 15 seconds of silence become someone else's courage catalyst. Transparency about recovery shows that perfection isn't the goal. Others learn that audiences want value, not flawless delivery. This isn't just about becoming a better speaker, it's about creating beautiful, systemized, and impactful ways to share your expertise with the world. When you build your speaking journey in public, you're not just overcoming fears. You're showing other entrepreneurs that their voice matters and their message deserves to be heard. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Curious how this could look inside your business? DM me ‘System’ and I’ll walk you through how we help clients make it happen. This is for high-commitment founders only.

Does the thought of public speaking make you sick to your stomach? The sweaty palms. The shaky voice. The full-body urge to run. Getting from “I might throw up” to “I’ve got this” doesn’t require a miracle—just practice and a few tried-and-true tricks. After a decade of speaking (including pitching on Shark Tank!), here are 3 things that changed the game for me—and that you can start doing today: 🎯 Swap panic for presence: Ground yourself with a simple 4-4-4 breath before stepping on stage or hitting “record.” It calms your nervous system and clears your head. 🧠 Practice smarter—not longer: Rehearse your open and close 3x more than your middle. Why? Nailing the start and finish builds confidence—and makes the audience remember you. 🎤 Make it a conversation: Whether it’s a Zoom call or a conference stage, speak to someone, not at everyone. Eye contact + a story = instant engagement. Public speaking is a skill, not a personality trait. And the good news? Skills can be learned. 📅 Join live to ask questions, get coaching and build your confidence on the mic. 🎧 Prefer audio? Subscribe to Coffee With Kim wherever you get your podcasts What’s one thing that makes you most nervous about public speaking? Drop it in the comments—we’ll tackle it live!

Even the most powerful and experienced speakers get stage fright. Because each new stage, topic, or audience can create uncertainty and anxiety. The key difference is that they’ve learned to lead through it by managing their thoughts and emotions. After years in live radio, TV, and standing on stages with eyes watching and cameras rolling, I’ve learned this: Nerves don’t go away. But you manage your emotions instead of letting them manage you. I use this 3-step mental prep before I face an audience in the boardroom or a ballroom. 🌟 Breathe with intention. The simplest practice I share with clients is box breathing. Use a 4-count loop: Inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, pause 4. Do this 5 times. This calms your nervous system: I’m safe. I’ve got this. 🌟 Shift the spotlight. Remind yourself: “This is about the value they need.” This flips the fear from self-consciousness to service. 🌟 Picture your power. Visualize nailing the first 30 seconds. Hear your tone and feel your pace. When it’s the real thing, your body feels the familiarity and that creates confidence fast. Stage fright doesn’t mean you’re not good. It means you care. So instead of avoiding it, anchor it. Because your message is bigger than your fear. ♻️ Repost if you know someone who can benefit from this. Follow @ Georgina Chang for more strategies on public speaking confidence and projecting presence.

Even as a seasoned presenter and corporate spokesperson,  I walked off stage wondering if I was good enough. I couldn’t feel the success because I was too busy scanning for flaws. For years, I prepared relentlessly. I mastered my content. I practiced my delivery. But every time I stood up to speak, there was another voice in my head: “You always mess up that part.” “This isn’t landing.” “Everyone sees you struggling.” Even when clients were thrilled, I couldn’t believe them. Not because I didn’t trust their words, But because I didn’t trust myself. And that inner dialogue was so loud, it started to interfere with the work I loved. So I started small. Not by changing how I presented,  but by shifting how I supported myself in the moment. Here’s what helped me: 👇🏼 1️⃣ I stopped making perfection the goal and made presence the priority. 2️⃣ I observed the self-talk, without blindly believing it.  3️⃣ I stopped replaying mistakes and started naming what went well. 4️⃣ I made room for nervousness, instead of treating it like a flaw to fix. Over time, I didn’t just feel more confident. I actually began enjoying the work again. And now, as a coach, this is the same shift I help leaders make every day: From constant self-monitoring to clarity, self-trust, and presence. 💛 Because you can be brilliant at what you do. But if you’re fighting yourself the whole time, you’ll never get to feel it. So, take it from me: You don’t need to perform confidence. You just need to stop abandoning yourself in the process. ✨ P.S. I write weekly about executive presence, clarity, self-doubt, and leading with more you. Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/gf-xeaJt — ♻️ Repost if this spoke to you.  🔔 Follow Frances Powell for more practical tips on building your executive presence. #storyteller #confidence #communication #publicspeaking

From being a stammerer filled with stage fright to delivering 100+ speeches in 4 years! Here are 10 things I did to train myself to be the best at it: 🎤 Practice Small Chunks: Break your speech into smaller sections and practice each part separately before combining them. This makes it easier to remember and reduces anxiety. 🎤 Record and Review: Record your practice sessions using your phone or a camera. Reviewing these recordings helps identify areas for improvement and track progress over time. 🎤 Gradual Exposure: Start by speaking in front of a mirror, then progress to speaking in front of a small group of friends or family, and gradually increase the audience size. This helps build confidence step-by-step. 🎤 Use Flashcards: Write key points or parts of your speech on flashcards. This helps you stay on track during your speech and reduces the fear of forgetting your lines. 🎤 Join Speaking Clubs: Participate in public speaking clubs like Toastmasters. Regular practice in a supportive environment helps you gain confidence and receive constructive feedback. 🎤 Practice with Distractions: Train yourself to stay focused by practicing your speech in environments with potential distractions, such as a noisy room or with background music playing. 🎤 Mirror Neurons: Watch videos of great speakers and try to mimic their body language and speaking style. This activates your mirror neurons, helping you learn by imitation. 🎤 Mindful Breathing: Before speaking, take deep breaths in for a count of four, hold for four, and exhale for four. This helps calm your nerves and centre your mind. 🎤 Positive Visualization: Spend a few minutes each day visualizing yourself giving a successful speech. Picture the audience applauding and yourself speaking confidently. This mental rehearsal can boost your confidence. 🎤 Use Technology: Utilize speech practice apps that provide real-time feedback on your speaking speed, volume, and clarity. This helps you adjust and improve your delivery. When I learned these lessons, I realized that public speaking wasn't something to fear but something to celebrate. To be able to reach more people and create a long-lasting impact! So, if you're struggling like I was, start training your brain. It's not easy, but it's worth it. ❤️ #publicspeaking #growth #communication #softskills

"There are only two types of speakers in the world: the nervous and liars." – Mark Twain No matter how many times you've spoken on stage, that familiar flutter of nerves never truly disappears. And that’s perfectly fine! In a recent training session, someone asked me, "How do you handle your nerves when speaking in front of large audiences?" My answer? I still feel them – but I choose to channel that energy into connecting with my audience. Here’s how you can transform nervousness into confidence: ✨ Acknowledge Your Nervousness – Instead of fighting it, embrace it. Even the best speakers feel it! It’s a sign that you care. ✨ Prepare, Prepare, Prepare – As the saying goes, "Sweat more in practice, bleed less in battle." Rehearse thoroughly to build confidence. ✨ Focus on Your Audience, Not Yourself – Shift your mindset from "How am I doing?" to "How can I add value?" When you serve your audience, your fears fade. ✨ Breathe Deeply & Stay Present – A few deep breaths can calm your nerves and ground you in the moment. ✨ Visualize Success – Athletes do it, performers do it—see yourself speaking with confidence, and your mind will follow. ✨ Embrace Imperfections – "Done is better than perfect." Your audience connects with authenticity, not flawless delivery. ✨ Keep Showing Up – Every speaking opportunity is a step toward mastery. The more you do it, the better you get. So the next time nervousness creeps in, welcome it. Use it. And most importantly—keep going. What’s your go-to strategy for overcoming stage fright? #PublicSpeaking #Confidence #CommunicationSkills #Leadership #GrowthMindset #OwnTheStage #ProfessionalDevelopment

🫣 The fear of public speaking is real - here are ten things I do to feel more confident before stepping out onto the stage: 1. I don't just practice until I get it right, I practice until I can't get it wrong 2. I rehearse standing up and speaking out loud also practicing my gestures and movement 3. I make sure to stand on the stage at least once ahead of my presentation so I feel as comfortable as possible 4. I arrive early to make sure all my tech is working 5. I learn my presentation as a story -> not as a script 6. Take a deep breath before going on stage and remind myself of my motivation for doing the presentation 7. I research the audience to anticipate potential questions I might receive 8. I have 3 key points for each slide that I can talk about - even if the tech fails 9. I ensure my content and session abstract are aligned so I am meeting audience expectations 10. I smile, it tells your brain your are doing something exciting instead of scary and helps the audience warm to you as a speaker Do you get nervous about public speaking? What would you say works for you to combat this? Let me know in the comments below! ⬇️ 🤖 p.s. I had some fun testing out different AI tools to create this image - I used OpenArt AI, ChatGPT and Canva AI ----- 👋🏼 Hi I’m Rebecca. My passion is helping people build their confidence through the power of public speaking. ➡️ Follow me to become a more confident speaker

I used to be terrified of public speaking. It was more like a phobia. My MBA journey at IMT threw me into countless presentations and debates.  Initially, it was uncomfortable, but it helped me find my voice.  My first few attempts were horrible! But stepping out of my comfort zone paid off. I remember the thrill (and terror) of doing 50+ such presentations in front of esteemed professors, students, researchers, industry experts, and guests. I realized I was no longer enduring these talks but enjoying them. And my dear friends, that was the turning point. These skills have become invaluable in both my personal and professional life. Here’s what I learned: 1. Preparation is crucial: Thorough research and practice are essential. 2. Connection trumps perfection: Engaging the audience matters more than being flawless. 3. Positive body language is impactful: It can significantly enhance your delivery. 4. Early arrival helps: Being early calms nerves and sharpens focus. 5. Mental readiness: A quick pep talk can make all the difference. Public speaking isn't just a skill I've learned - it's become a strength. I gained confidence and a stronger sense of self. What challenges did you face with public speaking? #publicspeaking #stage #talk #stagefright