Confident public speaking

Once you’ve overcome the fear of public speaking, the next step is learning how to do it well. You don’t need to be slick or charismatic – some of the most powerful speakers simply come across as grounded, authentic and clear.

Whether you’re delivering a team briefing, a presentation to clients or a speech at an event, these practical techniques will help you speak with structure, confidence and presence.

Start with a clear structure

A strong structure helps your audience follow along, and helps you stay calm and on track.

Try the simple three-part approach:

• Beginning: Hook your audience and introduce your message. You might open with a short story, a question, or a striking fact.

• Middle: Focus on delivering your key points. Support each one with an example, data or insight.

• End: Summarise the message and leave your audience with something clear to take away – reiterating your ‘big idea’.

Avoid overloading your talk and focus instead on your core message. Less is often more.

Use storytelling to bring your message to life

Facts are important, but people remember, and connect with, stories. A well-chosen story or case study helps humanise your message and pull in your audience emotionally.

This doesn’t mean you have to bare your soul or tell a dramatic tale. Just look for relatable, real-life moments that illustrate your point.

Don’t overdo the slides

If you’re using slides, keep them simple and visual. They should support your talk, not compete with it.

• Avoid overcrowding your slides with text

• Stick to one idea per slide

• Use diagrams or images where helpful

• If people are meant to read something in detail, consider sharing it afterwards instead

The more your audience is reading, the less they’re listening. Let you be the main event.

Use your voice with confidence

Your voice is one of your most effective tools, and you don’t need to be a natural performer to use it well.

• Slow down: Most people speak too fast when they’re nervous

• Pause: A short pause before or after a key point can make it land more powerfully

• Vary your tone: Emphasise what matters by changing pitch or pace

• Project: Breathe from your diaphragm and speak clearly

If you’re not sure how you sound, try recording yourself. It may feel awkward at first, but it’s a helpful way to hone and improve your delivery style.

Let your body support your words

Your body language should reinforce your message. The goal isn’t to perform, but to be relaxed, open and credible.

• Stand tall, with a grounded posture

• Keep your movements natural – avoid pacing or fidgeting.  Using your hands to emphasise what you’re saying is effective and engaging

• Make eye contact across the room – aim to look at individuals as you speak

• Allow your facial expression to reflect your message

Focus on connection, not performance

The best public speaking isn’t about performance, it’s about connection.

Think about your audience: What do they care about? What do they need from this interaction? Why does this matter to them?

If you focus on serving rather than impressing, you’ll come across as more confident, grounded and real.

Still struggling with fear?

If anxiety is still holding you back, you’re not alone, fear of public speaking is one of the most common anxieties.  And it’s not always just about practice and technique.

Sometimes the fear of speaking in public has deeper roots. It may come from earlier life experiences – perhaps moments where you felt judged, silenced or exposed. When these subconscious beliefs get triggered, no amount of rehearsal seems to help.

That’s where hypnotherapy for fear of public speaking can be valuable. I work one-to-one with people to gently shift these deeper blocks and build real confidence from the inside.

If that sounds useful, get in touch to arrange a free consultation – I’d love to help.