Public speaking tips can be invaluable, especially when you are first starting out. In this guide, you will find my personal Top 10 tips to overcome your fear of public speaking​ to powerful impromptu public speaking tips​. We’ll delve into the art of public speaking as a leader, executive, business owner, and individual. Without ado, let’s jump right into it. I’ll share powerful public speaking tips and tricks​ that are proven to work for anyone.

Public Speaking Tips That Transformed My Life

Hey there, friend. I’m Ryan Zofay, and I want to share something deeply personal with you. There was a time when the thought of speaking in public made my palms sweat and my heart race like I was running a marathon. Here I am today. I am a motivational speaker and the founder of We Level Up. It is a large behavioral health organization worth nine figures. I speak to audiences all over the world. The journey from fear to confidence wasn’t easy, but it was absolutely worth it.

As a business coach and entrepreneur, I have learned that public speaking is more than just giving presentations. It is about connecting with people, sharing your vision, and inspiring change. No matter if you are pitching to investors, leading team meetings, or speaking at conferences, these skills can change your business and your life. I’ve personally used public speaking tips and my secret techniques to build my company and impact thousands of lives. Let’s dive into the top 10 tips to overcome your fear of public speaking below.

Below are the public speaking tips that helped me go from avoiding speaking to seeking out opportunities. These ideas are not just theories. They are proven strategies I use every day as a leader and entrepreneur. You will gain useful tools that you can apply immediately. This is true whether you have public speaking anxiety or want to improve your skills.

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Understanding the Power of Public Speaking

Before we get into the public speaking tips you all have been waiting for, know that we’ll only cover the public speaking strategies​. But in the interim, I want you to know something important. Public speaking is a key skill for entrepreneurs. When I started We Level Up, I saw that my skills in communication and inspiring teams were key to our success. This is where my favorite public speaking tips can really help shape you as a speaker.

Every successful business leader I know has mastered this skill. It’s not just about being comfortable on stage—it’s about being able to influence, inspire, and create meaningful connections. The confidence you gain from public speaking spills over into every area of your life and business. OK, let’s dive in with the public speaking tips that can help transform your audiences.

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The Top 10 Public Speaking Tips That Changed Everything

1. Embrace Your Authentic Story

The best speeches I’ve given were not about perfect delivery or technique. They were about sharing my true story. Your experiences, struggles, and victories are unique to you, and that’s your superpower.

I learned this lesson when I stopped trying to be someone else on stage and started being myself. People don’t connect with perfection; they connect with authenticity. Share your journey, including the challenges you’ve faced. When I talk about building We Level Up, I share more than just the successes. I also share the late nights, the doubts, and the times I wanted to give up.

Action Step: Write down three pivotal moments in your life or business journey. Practice sharing these stories with emotion and vulnerability. Please share your favorite public speaking tip​ in the comments below.

2. Master Your Opening and Closing

Your opening sets the tone for everything that follows, and your closing determines what people remember. I’ve seen too many great speakers lose their audience in the first thirty seconds because they started with a weak opening.

Here are my go-to opening techniques:

• Start with a powerful question
• Share a surprising statistic
• Tell a brief, relevant story
• Make a bold statement

For closings, always include a clear call to action. What do you want your audience to do after hearing you speak? Be specific and make it easy for them to take the next step. Be sure to continue following these tips of public speaking​.

3. Transform Nervousness Into Excitement

Here’s a secret: even after years of speaking, I still get nervous. The difference is that I’ve learned to reframe those butterflies. Instead of telling myself “I’m nervous,” I say “I’m excited.” This simple shift changes everything.

Instead of Thinking	Think This
“I don’t belong here”.	“I have valuable insights to share”
“I’m going to mess up.”	“The audience wants me to succeed”
“I don’t belong here”	“I was chosen to speak for a reason.”

The physiological response to nervousness and excitement is almost identical—increased heart rate, heightened awareness, elevated energy. The only difference is how we interpret these sensations. Be sure to let me know what your personal impromptu public speaking tips​are. Which of my best public speaking tips​ resonates with you?

4. Know Your Audience Inside and Out

Before every speaking engagement, I spend time researching my audience. What are their pain points? What keeps them up at night? What solutions are they seeking? When you truly understand your audience, you can tailor your message to resonate with them on a deeper level.

For business audiences, I focus on growth, efficiency, and practical strategies they can implement immediately. For motivational talks, I emphasize personal transformation and overcoming obstacles. The core message might be similar, but the delivery and focus change based on who’s listening.

Research checklist:

• Industry and company background
• Current challenges they’re facing
• Their level of expertise on your topic
• What they hope to gain from your presentation
• Previous speakers they’ve had

5. Use the Power of Strategic Pauses

One of the most underutilized tools in public speaking is the strategic pause. When I first started speaking, I was afraid of silence, so I filled every moment with words. This actually weakened my message and overwhelmed my audience.

Now I use pauses intentionally:

• After making an important point (let it sink in)
• Before revealing something significant (build anticipation)
• When transitioning between topics (give the audience time to process)
• During Q&A sessions (show you’re thinking about their question)

A well-placed pause can be more powerful than a dozen words. While these top 10 tips to overcome your fear of public speaking​ are helpful, practice makes perfect.

6. Make It Interactive and Engaging

Gone are the days when audiences wanted to sit passively and listen to a monologue. People want to be engaged, involved, and part of the conversation. I’ve learned to make my presentations interactive through:

Engagement techniques:

• Ask rhetorical questions throughout your talk
• Use polls or a show of hands
• Invite audience members to share brief experiences
• Include small group discussions
• Use props or visual demonstrations

Here are my clients’ favorite tips for public speaking. When I talk about entrepreneurship, I often ask the audience to consider their biggest business challenge. Then, I ask them to share it with the person next to them. This immediately gets them invested in the content.

7. Master Your Body Language and Vocal Variety

Your message isn’t just in your words—it’s in how you deliver them. I have worked hard to create confident body language and vocal variety. These help support my message instead of distracting from it.

Body language essentials:

• Stand tall with your shoulders back
• Make eye contact with different sections of the audience
• Use purposeful gestures that emphasize your points
• Move with intention, not nervous pacing
• Smile genuinely when appropriate

Vocal variety includes:

• Changing your pace (slow down for emphasis, speed up for excitement)
• Varying your volume (whisper for intimacy, project for energy)
• Using different tones to convey emotion
• Emphasizing key words and phrases

8. Prepare for the Unexpected with Confidence

Murphy’s Law applies to public speaking: if something can go wrong, it probably will at some point. I’ve had microphones fail, presentation slides crash, and even had a fire alarm go off mid-speech. The key is being prepared and staying calm.

Preparation strategies:

• Always have backup plans for technology
• Practice your speech without slides
• Prepare answers for potentially difficult questions
• Have a few go-to stories or examples you can use
• Learn basic troubleshooting for common tech issues

Remember, the audience is usually more forgiving than you think. They want you to succeed, and how you handle unexpected situations often becomes a memorable part of your presentation.

9. Use Stories and Examples That Stick

Facts tell, but stories sell. Throughout my speaking career, I’ve learned that people remember stories long after they forget statistics. When I discuss overcoming challenges in business, I don’t just give advice. I share real stories about times when everything felt impossible.

Elements of a compelling story:

• A relatable character (often yourself)
• A clear challenge or conflict
• The journey toward resolution
• A specific lesson or takeaway
• An emotional connection point

I have a collection of stories that show different ideas. I always add new ones from my recent experiences. Your stories should be authentic, relevant, and purposeful.

10. Practice Like Your Success Depends on It (Because It Does)

There’s no substitute for practice, but there’s smart practice and ineffective practice. Early in my career, I would practice by reading my notes over and over. That didn’t work. Now I practice the way I’ll actually deliver the speech.

Effective practice methods:

• Practice out loud, standing up
• Record yourself and review the playback
• Practice in front of friends or family
• Rehearse your opening and closing until they’re automatic
• Time your entire presentation
• Practice handling Q&A sessions

I typically go through my entire presentation at least 10 times before delivering it. This doesn’t mean you have to memorize every word. It means you should know the content well enough to connect with your audience.

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How to Become a Good Public Speaker: A Step-by-Step Guide

Along with learning the best public speaking tips,​ are you wondering how to develop your public speaking skills? Let me walk you through the exact process I use to prepare for any speaking engagement:

Step 1: Define Your Core Message

Start with one clear message you want your audience to remember. If they forget everything else but remember this one thing, what should it be? Write it down in one sentence.

Step 2: Identify Three Supporting Points

Choose three main points that support your core message. Why three? It’s the magic number for retention. People can easily remember three things, but struggle with more.

Step 3: Gather Supporting Materials

For each of your three points, collect:

• A relevant story or example
• Supporting data or research
• A practical tip or action step

Step 4: Create Your Outline

Structure your presentation with:

• Opening hook (2-3 minutes)
• Point 1 with supporting materials (5-7 minutes)
• Point 2 with supporting materials (5-7 minutes)
• Point 3 with supporting materials (5-7 minutes)
• Closing with call to action (2-3 minutes)

Step 5: Practice and Refine

Go through multiple practice sessions, timing each section and refining based on what feels natural and flows well.

Step 6: Prepare for Q&A

Anticipate 10-15 questions your audience might ask and prepare thoughtful answers. This preparation gives you confidence and helps you stay in control during the Q&A session.

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Bonus Section: Advanced Strategies from My Experience

After years of speaking and coaching others, here are some public speaking tips and tricks​. Plus, you’ll find advanced public speaking anxiety tips​ and strategies to take you to the next level of performance results:

The Power of Vulnerability

Some of my most impactful presentations have included moments of vulnerability. Sharing my struggles with business failures, personal challenges, and moments of doubt creates a deep connection with audiences. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s a strength that allows others to relate to your humanity.

Using Technology Strategically

Technology should enhance your message, not replace it. I use slides sparingly, focusing on powerful images rather than text-heavy presentations. When I use technology, it has a clear purpose. It might show an interesting statistic or a related video clip.

Building Your Speaker’s Toolkit

Over the years, I’ve developed a toolkit of resources that support my speaking:

• A collection of go-to stories for different situations
• A database of relevant statistics and research
• A set of interactive exercises for different audience sizes
• Backup plans for common technical failures
• A list of powerful quotes that align with my message

The Follow-Up Factor

Your presentation doesn’t end when you leave the stage. The follow-up is where real relationships are built and business opportunities are created. I always have a plan for staying connected with audience members who want to continue the conversation.

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Resources to Take Your Speaking Further

If you want to improve your public speaking skills, here are some helpful tips and resources I recommend:

Books that changed my perspective:

• “Talk Like TED” by Carmine Gallo
• “The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs” by Carmine Gallo
• “Speak With Impact” by Allison Shapira

Organizations to consider:

• Toastmasters International (great for beginners)
• National Speakers Association (for professional development)
• Local business groups and networking organizations

Online resources:

• TED Talks for inspiration and technique analysis
• YouTube channels focused on presentation skills
• Podcast interviews with successful speakers

For more specific guidance and resources, visit additional content with tips on public speaking​. Join me as I share additional powerful tips for public speaking​. Find guides about public speaking, business growth, and personal development.

• Guide to Public Speaking Workshops Near Me
• Ryan Zofay’s Public Speaking & Leadership
• 101 Best Persuasive Speaking Topics
• Master Public Speaking Courses
• Seeking Public Speaking Classes Near Me?
• Master Speaking & Influence To Close Deals

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I overcome severe public speaking anxiety?

I understand this fear because I lived it. Start small with easy chances. Speak up in meetings, offer to give a toast at family events, or join a Toastmasters club. Gradually expose yourself to larger audiences as your confidence builds. Remember, the fear never completely goes away—you just get better at managing it and reframing it as excitement.

What should I do if I forget what I’m going to say mid-presentation?

This has happened to me, and here’s what works: pause, take a breath, and remember your outline. If you’ve practiced your three main points, you can always navigate back to your structure. It’s good to have transition phrases ready. You can say, “Let me share another example of this…” or “This reminds me of…” These phrases give you time to gather your thoughts.

How long should I spend preparing for a presentation?

My rule is to prepare for one hour for every minute of presentation time. This is important, especially for beginners. For a 20-minute presentation, that’s 20 hours of preparation, including research, outline creation, practice sessions, and Q&A prep. As you become more experienced, this ratio can decrease, but thorough preparation is always worth the investment.

Should I use slides in my presentation?

Slides can be helpful, but they shouldn’t be a crutch. If you use them, follow the rule of minimal text and maximum impact. One powerful image or one key statistic per slide works better than paragraphs of text. Always be prepared to give your presentation without slides in case of technical difficulties.

How do I handle hostile or difficult audience members?

Stay calm and professional. Acknowledge their concern without getting defensive: “I understand your perspective, and that’s a valid point to consider.” If someone is disrupting the presentation, you can address it directly but kindly. You might say, “I appreciate your interest, and I’d be happy to talk more after the presentation.” Remember, the majority of your audience wants you to succeed and will support you in maintaining order.

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Your Speaking Journey Starts Now

Friend, I want you to know that every expert was once a beginner. Every confident speaker was once terrified of being on stage. The difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is not talent. It is the willingness to push through discomfort and keep getting better.

Your voice matters. Your message matters. The world needs to hear your voice. Share your business insights, personal experiences, or new ideas. Don’t let fear rob you or your audience of that connection.

Start with one small step today. You might volunteer to give a presentation at work. You could join a local speaking club. Or, you can speak up more confidently in meetings. Whatever that first step is for you, take it. Your future self will thank you.

Remember, public speaking is not just about the words you say. It is about the lives you touch, the minds you change, and the impact you make. As entrepreneurs and leaders, we must share our knowledge. We should inspire others to improve their lives and businesses.

The stage is waiting for you. Are you ready to step onto it?

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