Public Speaking: Tips, Tricks, Resources: Home

Toastmasters International - “ nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Spend some time reviewing their public speaking tips.  

Nervous? Here are some tips on managing anxiety as you prepare to speak https://www.verywellmind.com/public-speaking-tips-3024732 

If you have ever seen a TED Talk, you know these conferences feature some of the best, most engaging speeches on every topic imaginable. Make sure you take a few minutes to watch "Chris Anderson: TED’s Secrets to Great Public Speaking"  The central idea of this video is that your job is to “build an idea inside the minds of your audience.”

Limited on time? Begin watching at 4:40 for more details on the 4 guidelines below. 

1. Limit the talk to one major idea

2. Give listeners a reason to care - stir audience’s curiosity

3. Build your idea piece by piece out of concepts your audience already understands. Role of metaphor

4. Make your idea worth sharing 

Here are a few more sites with tips that are on point:

• 10 Keys to Writing a Speech 
• Tips on Writing Speeches from GlobalPublicSpeaking.com
• These short videos have targeted tips (such as eliminating “ums” and “ahs” from your speech) to level up your speech-making.

Need some inspiration? Watch this HBO Documentary about an MLK speech contest on the other side of the country. (Find the password for access here.)

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

– Maya Angelou

“You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart.”

– John Ford

“If you can’t write your message in a sentence, you can’t say it in an hour.”

– Dianna Booher 

“There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience.”

– Alexander Gregg

“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot.”

– D. H. Lawrence 

“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.”

– Mark Twain 

“It’s much easier to be convincing if you care about your topic. Figure out what’s important to you about your message and speak from the heart.”

– Nicholas Boothman

“Ask yourself, ‘If I had only sixty seconds on the stage, what would I absolutely have to say to get my message across.”

- Jeff Dewar

“If you can’t state your position in eight words, you don’t have a position.“

– Seth Godin

“Humor is a rubber sword – it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.”

– Mary Hirsch