Public Speaking Basics

Before you write a word, answer three questions:

1. Who's listening? What do they already know? What do they care about? A talk on the same topic sounds very different to kids, coworkers or a city council.
2. What's your goal? To inform, persuade, teach, or celebrate? What should people think, feel or do afterward?
3. What's your one main message? If the audience remembers only one sentence, what should it be?

Can't say it in one sentence? Then you're not ready to write the talk yet. Everything else in the talk should support that sentence. If a fact or story doesn't, cut it, no matter how interesting it is.

Almost every good talk follows the same simple shape:

• Three points is a sweet spot. Listeners can hold three ideas easily; seven blur together.
• Each point needs support: a story, an example, a number, a picture. Stories are what people remember.
• Use signposts: “First... Second... The last thing...” and “So far we've seen X; now let's look at Y.” Listeners can't scroll back like readers can, so tell them where they are.
• Use notes, not a script. Bullet points of key words keep you sounding natural. Reading word for word usually sounds flat.

People decide in the first minute whether to pay attention. Skip “Um, so, I'm going to talk about...” and start with a hook:

Don't open with an apology. “Sorry, I'm not very good at this” tells the audience to expect a bad talk. They usually wouldn't have noticed anything was wrong.

The close

• Signal it: “To wrap up...” People perk up when they hear the end is near.
• Repeat your main message in one sentence.
• Give a clear call to action: one specific thing to do next.
• End on purpose. Say your last line, pause, smile, and say “Thank you.” Don't trail off with “...so, yeah, that's it.”

Taking questions? Do Q&A before your final closing line, then finish with your close. That way the talk ends on your message, not on a random last question.

Practice the smart way

1. Say it out loud. Reading it silently in your head doesn't count. Your mouth needs the practice.
2. Time it. Most people speak somewhere around 120 to 160 words per minute when presenting, and nerves usually make you faster. Use the timer below.
3. Record yourself on your phone. Watch once for words, once for body language. It's awkward, and it works.
4. Practice in front of someone. Ask them: what was my main message? If they can't say it, make it clearer.
5. Know your first and last lines cold. A smooth start calms you down; a clean finish leaves a good impression.

Calm your nerves

Almost everyone gets nervous before speaking. The goal isn't zero nerves; it's to keep them from running the show. Mayo Clinic suggests:

• Know your topic and prepare for likely questions.
• Practice repeatedly, ideally in front of people you trust.
• Breathe slowly. A few slow, deep breaths before you start and during the talk help.
• Focus on your message, not yourself. Audiences pay attention to the information and rarely notice nerves as much as you think.
• Don't fear silence. If you lose your place, pause. It feels long to you but lasts only seconds to them.
• Picture it going well, and afterward, be kind to yourself. Note what worked and one thing to improve.

Want regular practice? Groups like Toastmasters meet in many towns and online, so you can practice in a friendly room. If fear of speaking is severe and limits your life, talk with a doctor or therapist; it's common and treatable.

Slides that help instead of distract

• One idea per slide. A short headline that states the point.
• Few words, big text. If people are reading, they're not listening. A common target is no more than a few short lines.
• Pictures and simple charts beat bullet lists. Make text large enough for the back row, with strong contrast.
• Don't read your slides aloud. The slide shows; you explain.
• Have a backup: a copy on a USB drive or in your email, and be ready to give the talk without slides if the tech fails.

Online talks: put the camera at eye level, look into the lens when making key points, use light in front of you (not behind), and test your mic and screen share before the meeting starts.

1. Prepare. List the 5 questions you'd least like to get, and plan short answers.
2. Listen to the whole question. Don't start answering halfway.
3. Repeat or rephrase it so everyone hears it (and you get a moment to think): “The question is how much this will cost.”
4. Answer briefly, to the whole room, then check: “Does that answer it?”
5. It's OK not to know. “Good question. I don't know, but I'll find out and email you by Friday.” Then do it.
6. Stay calm with hostile questions. Acknowledge the concern, answer the fair part, and offer to talk more afterward.
7. End with your close. “One more question, then I'll wrap up.”

No questions? Have one ready: “A question I often get is...” It breaks the ice, and others usually follow.