10 Tips to Make Public Speaking Easier and More Impactful

Why Did I Decide to Write Yet Another List of Public Speaking Tips?

Because most public speaking tips feel like they were written by someone who’s never actually panicked mid-sentence or stared blankly at a silent crowd. This list? It’s for real people—introverts, overthinkers, and anyone who’s ever wished they could disappear before stepping on stage.

You can do this.

Even if you’re 99% introvert and 101% convinced you can’t do it.

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that during a training, I’d be sipping smoothies on my own island. And every time, I say the same thing: It’s hell for me too.

Public speaking tips are everywhere—but most miss the real point: speaking is a skill, not a talent. One you can absolutely learn.

I’m a 99% introvert. My hands still shake and my heart races before I step on stage. But here’s the truth—public speaking is a skill. Not a superpower. And once you crack it, you’ll find it oddly addictive.

From Disaster to Doing OK

My first big presentation? Total train wreck. It was at a marketing convention in Russia. I was junior, nervous, and wildly unprepared. I stumbled through my slides with trembling hands. But somehow… I survived. And weirdly, I wanted to try again.

Twenty years, hundreds of presentations, and countless trainings later, I’ve seen what works—and what absolutely doesn’t. These are the 10 tips I keep coming back to. They’re for anyone who wants to stop overthinking and start connecting.

1. Tell a Story

Everyone says it, but no one tells you how. Here’s the trick:
Don’t start with “Once upon a time.” Start with a moment. Something relatable. You missed your train. You spilled coffee on your shirt before a big meeting. You panicked mid-sentence on stage. Now tie that moment to a bigger message. Why does it matter? What did you learn?

Stories create emotional memory. And when done right, they make your message stick. Want examples that always work? Here are 5 story arcs that never fail.

2. Start with a Grabber

Imagine this: someone says, “Hi, my name is…” and the audience’s brain goes on autopilot. You’ve already lost them.

Now imagine this:
“What if I told you that 77% of professionals would rather get a root canal than speak in public?”
Or:
“I once froze for a full 30 seconds on stage. It felt like 30 years.”

That’s a grabber. It creates curiosity, tension, or laughter—and earns you another 15 seconds of attention. Here are 5 grabbers to try.

3. Be Yourself (Yes, Really) a.k.a. The Most Unexpected Public Speaking Tip

You don’t need a polished speaker persona. You need your voice—plus 10%.
One of the most powerful things you can do on stage is be hooman. Show people who you are. Talk about your fear. Your awkward first time on stage. The joke that completely bombed. (Been there.)

Authenticity builds connection—and connection builds trust. This post goes deeper on why being yourself works.

4. Use Your Body, Not Just Your Words

Communication is more than words. Your body language, tone, and expressions do just as much heavy lifting—sometimes more.

Don’t stand stiff as a board. Move with purpose. Use your hands to emphasize points. Shift your tone to create contrast. Let your face react. (Yes, even if you think you have a weird face—we all do.)

You’ll not only feel more confident, but your audience will actually feel what you’re saying.

5. Make Eye Contact

This public speaking tip is easy to say and hard to do—especially when your brain is in fight-or-flight mode (and even more so for an introvert like me).

In small rooms, lock eyes with individuals. In bigger ones, scan sections of the audience. Don’t stare down one poor soul in the front row like they owe you money. Or do—if they’re glued to their phone instead of your talk and you want to make them sweat a little.

A good rule: 3 seconds of eye contact per person or section. Long enough to feel intentional, not creepy.

6. Don’t Just Open PowerPoint and Start Typing

Slides are the last thing you should work on. But—let’s be honest—they’re usually the first thing we start doing.

Instead, figure out your core message first. What does your audience need to hear? Why should they care?

Outline your structure: introduction, main points, takeaway. Once you’ve nailed that—then, and only then—start building slides.

Think story first. Design second. And then think practice. A lot of practice.

7. Talk Like a Hooman

If you wouldn’t say it in a real conversation, don’t say it in your presentation.

No one wants to hear: “Our core competency leverages synergies to optimize key deliverables.” Say: “Here’s how we make things work better together.”

Short sentences. Simple words. Speak like you’re explaining it to your best friend—or your grandma.

For some reason, this is the one public speaking tip that I find myself repeating way too often.

8. Slides Are Not Your Script

Nothing puts people to sleep faster than a wall of text.

Use the 6×6 rule: no more than six bullets per slide, six words per bullet. Even better—ditch bullets altogether. Use one image or phrase that supports what you’re saying.

You’re the presentation. The slides are just your backup dancers.

9. Mistakes Are Not a Big Deal

You’ll stumble. You’ll lose your place. You’ll forget that clever transition you practiced 12 times. It’s fine.

Audiences don’t care about perfection—they care about presence. If something goes wrong, smile. Pause. Regroup. And keep going.

It makes you more likable. More human… sorry, hooman. More you.

10. All Great Speakers Were Bad Speakers First

Yes, even that TEDx speaker you admire. Even your boss. Even me.

Speaking is a skill. Like writing. Or running. Or cooking risotto. You don’t have to love it right away—but the more you do it, the better you get. And the better you get, the more fun it becomes.

Start small. Practice often. Then keep going.

Want to Go Further?

These tips are a great place to start. But if you’re ready to stop dreading presentations and start delivering them with clarity and confidence, check out our Speak with Confidence training.

Still hungry for more? This Forbes article breaks down 19 ways to jeopardize a speech—it’s a smart, no-fluff guide to what not to do.

It’s practical. It’s hands-on. And yes—it’s designed for real hoomans, not polished robots.