Standing in front of a crowd, microphone in hand, all eyes on you… you will likely either find it exhilarating or downright terrifying. Public speaking has a knack for stirring up every nerve you’ve got. But the truth is, you don’t need to be a seasoned motivational speaker or a natural extrovert to make an impact.
Whether it’s a toast at your best friend’s wedding, a keynote presentation, or voicing your big ideas at a community event, it all starts with preparation. Before you give your first public speech, keep a few game-changing tips in mind, and you might even enjoy yourself.
Finding Your Purpose
Every speech starts with a purpose. Knowing why you’re speaking sets the tone for everything else.
What Are You Trying To Say?
Think about your main point. What do you want your audience to walk away with? Are you persuading, informing, entertaining, or inspiring them? For instance, your speech at a business event might center on pitching a groundbreaking idea. Meanwhile, writing a eulogy for your late mother may look very different, needing different edits and using different language, as the context of the speech is entirely separate.
Zeroing in on your purpose will stop you from rambling into a 10-minute tangent about your middle school trophies (unless you’re speaking at a nostalgia-themed event—then, by all means).
Knowing Your Audience
Your message should resonate with the people listening. Look at things from their perspective. Are they there to learn something new? Hear a heartfelt story? Laugh a little? Match your tone to their expectations. A group of executives might need crisp, professional messaging, whereas a room full of wedding guests will welcome witty anecdotes.
Preparing Your Speech
Great speeches rarely happen by winging it. The prep work creates the magic.
Structure Is Key
An effective speech should have a beginning, middle, and end. Start strong with an opening that hooks your audience, like a startling fact, a light-hearted reference, or a catchy story. Follow this with a clear and organized middle section that builds on the point you want to make, and wrap everything up with a memorable conclusion.
If things feel unnatural, try to write like you’re talking directly to someone. The goal is to sound human, not like a robot trained on corporate jargon.
Practice… and Then Practice Some More
Practicing your delivery may seem obvious, but it’s seriously underrated. Run through your speech multiple times, especially in front of a mirror or while recording yourself. This helps you catch awkward phrasing or bad pacing. Notice where you stumble, then polish things up.
Try practicing in front of a trusted friend. They can call you out if you start gesturing like you’re swatting imaginary flies.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Things can go wrong. Tech glitches, misplaced note cards, or an audience that looks like they’d rather be anywhere else can throw off even the most prepared speaker. Preparing a mental Plan B can calm your nerves. If the projector breaks, don’t panic. Shift to engaging storytelling or humor to keep the energy high.
Nailing the Delivery
Once you’ve crafted the perfect speech, it’s time to get it out there without sounding like a nervous wreck.
Controlling Nerves
Standing in front of people can feel like every molecule in your body is screaming, “Run!” But nerves are normal—even the most experienced speakers feel it. Channel that energy into excitement instead. Focus on your breathing. Slow, deep breaths can work wonders for calming racing thoughts.
Stand tall, but keep your demeanor relaxed. Even if your hands are shaking, reminding yourself that you look confident can help you become confident.
Eye Contact and Body Language
Look your audience in the eye. Don’t stare awkwardly at the floor, your notes, or the exit sign. Eye contact builds trust and makes people feel like you’re speaking to them directly. Pair this with natural movements. Use your hands, but don’t flail them around like a windmill during a storm. Gestures should complement your words, not distract from them.
Staying Authentic
The best speakers are authentic. You don’t need to deliver every line flawlessly or feign perfection. Trip over a word? Keep going. Being relatable often wins over an audience more than a perfectly polished delivery.
Handling Different Kinds of Speeches
Not every speaking occasion is the same, and not every speech follows the same formula.
Emotional Speeches
Of course, not all speeches are a sales pitch. For many, their first real encounter with public speaking will be something much more emotional. These meaningful speeches could be heartfelt thanks to coworkers, public testimonials for change, or grief-filled eulogies.
When delivering a speech like this, lean into the emotion instead of shying away from it. Show your audience what the topic means to you. Vulnerability builds connection. Authentic emotion is hard to fake and entirely unnecessary to suppress.
Professional Speeches
Professional settings demand clarity and focus. Whether you’re delivering results to shareholders or pitching a big concept, your audience will expect well-structured ideas and polished delivery. Slide decks with clean visuals (read that again, clean visuals) are your best ally here. Avoid text-heavy slides unless your goal is to bore people into their weekend nap schedule.
Toasts or Celebratory Talks
Weddings, retirements, and other celebrations call for humor, heart, and personality. The last thing these speeches need is a drawn-out rant or monotone delivery. Keep it brief, share a warm story, make people smile, and raise your glass with enthusiasm.
Making Your First Speech Count
The thought of public speaking might still make your palms sweat and your knees shake, but anyone can nail it with the right preparation and mindset. The truth is, you’re not aiming for perfection. You’re aiming to communicate, connect, and leave an impression.
Even if your slides glitch or a key joke lands with a thud, audiences rarely remember the little hiccups. What sticks with them is the heart of your message. The courage to share something meaningful is what matters most.
Take the Leap
Before you give your first public speech, give yourself grace. You’ll stumble. You’ll get better. And, one day, you might even enjoy standing up there under the spotlight. Until then, take these tips, practice like it’s your job, and trust that it gets easier.