What do you do if you're struggling to gain public speaking experience as a beginner?

Gaining confidence is so important as credibility can be lost before it's gained. My thoughts. 1) get professional training, speaking isn't just about confidence, it's tonality, and presence, get that right and confidence follows. 2) Get involved with networking groups, podcasts and Toastmasters - hone your craft. 3) Start with small groups and build 4) get a DOG, great for practicing your speech :-)

Finding a topic you are very familiar with and passionate about and talking to 10-15 people can be a very good way to start. If you have stage fright or feel anxious in front of a huge audience, the best is to try talking to a known group of people-say friends from school..or at a family gathering. It need not be a deep topic or a 30mnts long speech. Just something you all enjoy, something common, something that would take them down the memory lane. The more they are interested in the topic, the more they find something in common they respond beautifully. You just guide them to their own journey. You too feel comfortable and confident. Trust me on this. Make use of THEIR interest and deliver! You will never fail.

2 points: 1. Start by putting your work online. Upload your short form and long form videos for your potential target audience. It will display your clarity in thought and structure in your submissions. Your social media can be a testimony to your skill set as a public speaker. 2. Start by getting in touch with your local volunteer groups such as Rotaract in India. They usually conduct online sessions on various facets of life and career. They’re usually looking for speakers who can volunteer to conduct a session for free of charge. Make use of such opportunities.

If you're struggling as a beginner in public speaking, start by practicing regularly in front of a mirror or with friends to build confidence. Focus on structuring your content clearly and rehearsing it multiple times. Deep breathing techniques can help manage nervousness. Visualize success before stepping on stage and start small, such as speaking in informal settings. Joining groups like Toastmasters can also offer valuable feedback. Remember, improvement comes with time and practice, so be patient and persistent with yourself.

What's stopping you from stepping onto the stage and letting your voice be heard? If you're struggling to gain public speaking experience as a beginner, it's time to take actionable steps to overcome those barriers. First, start small by joining local groups like Toastmasters or community workshops where you can practice in a supportive environment. Second, volunteer to speak at local events, webinars, or even create your own opportunities by hosting meetups. Third, focus on developing three key areas: confidence, clarity, and connection. Build your confidence through regular practice and feedback, enhance your clarity by organizing your thoughts effectively, and foster connection by engaging authentically with your audience.

Seek mentorship from proven professionals and experts to learn from. Then take up small speaking roles within your comfortable space and scale up from there. Rome wasn’t built in a day! Be positive, open-minded and confident. You will certainly grow and become better and stronger!

Starting is important. it does not matter how small it is. Start speaking in small group with different people so that you get a perspective about what to speak.

To gain experience I would suggest you be moderately aggressive and look for small opportunities to be out front. Often times we look at public speaking to be a formal process in an organized manner. I would suggest that public speaking experience is any time you can get in front of one or more people and have a dialogue. The best experience for public speaking is being comfortable having a formal dialogue with small groups where you get to practice and hone your skills. It requires the person to understand what they are trying to achieve in public speaking and focus on developing those skills with small intimate groups and moving to more public groups such as work presentations, network settings, or social forums.

I moved a lot growing up and never truly had the chance to build community. Now being in South Florida for 2 years - I’ve had the chance to volunteer at countless organizations like Junior Achievment, Urban League of Broward, and United Way of Broward. These organizations allowed me to not only be boots on the ground in my community, but also gave me speaking reps. Any current/former athletes reading this; we understand how important it is to get our REPS in! You won’t be able to grow and start charging for your speaking until you can build enough transformational value within your message to truly change people. - Start local - Build connections - Provide value - Get content Then watch your impact and speaking business grow!

When you decide to volunteer you not only have the ability to practice, you are making a contribution to your local community and at the same time you are gaining confidence in yourself This is a great way to practice Remember in speech the secret sauce is : practice, practice and practice !!!

I volunteered to be Master of Ceremony, doing welcoming address, vote of thanks all my life in a spiritual organization - Chinmaya Mission. It not only improved my unique style but also my network, got more work opportunities too. Ready to volunteer? Volunteering is inner and outer growth. Volunteering is the best gift that helps us grow as a leader too. Happy Volunteering.

You can gain public speaking experience by joining clubs or groups in your school or organisation. Offer to moderate or be an mc, a panelist or speaker at any of your events. You can also give the vote of thanks, welcome address, opening/closing prayer. As little as it may seem it builds your confidence—and watching a recorded session of the event or reflecting, gives you insights on what to improve next time.

Within the #ProfessionalSpeakingAssociation, we always say that there is no free talk. You may not get financial remuneration but you earn: - experience - credibility - testimonials - social media footage - the opportunity to make connections - the potential to sell If you are starting out, take up every opportunity that comes your way to get up on your feet and practice and then harness all the 'earning' opportunities you can to then bring you in the next speaking gig

I was very blessed to have mentors who supported me. I would recommend volunteering for speaking engagements with students and work your way up to panels and conferences as you gain experience.

Joining Toastmasters is excellent for anyone who is looking to overcome their fear of public speaking. Also, if a person is in an educational setting, they may want to consider enrolling in a speech class. For those individuals in a professional setting, I would consider acting courses. Acting and drama related courses assist individuals in becoming more comfortable interacting with crowds, whether large or small.

It is typically a combination of 1) Language Fluency problem 2) Fear Problem 3) Lack of enough content problem For 1) A hack told to us by one of our English teachers was - Talking to customer service representatives on phone call in English (the language that someone would want to gain proficiency in) For 2) Toastmasters is just THE best!! It is affordable, provides great networking opportunities and also grooms you to be a leader For 3) Consistently read page to page of any Financial and other Marquee National Daily. It should be a tricky and challenging read that pushes your limits. Youtube and audible are also great sources

Joining groups is also a way to push yourself because of the following. 1. You will interact with like minded people. 2. You all will become a supporter of each other. 3. You can learn from each other, help each other, and cheer for each other. That's the best advantage of joining a group .

Don't Just Join Groups!! Be the conversation starter, the one everyone looks up to, and the one constantly learning. Don't be just part of a marketing test subject. Join groups that push you to learn and practice your skills. Start group calls, lead them, and help organize/ help a small get-together. Social Groups can be the game changer, as they will test and push you and gift you one of the finest friends who want to listen. One thing to remember is to give back to the group and bring the group out of the social settings to a space where all can learn and grow together. A group that resonates and thrives on learning and growing together is one of the keys to success.

Groups like Toastmasters provide a structured environment where you can practice and receive feedback. It's a supportive community for beginners to gain confidence. The meetings happen regularly, giving you consistent opportunities to practice speaking. This frequency helps build confidence over time and prevents you from losing momentum. After each speech, you receive constructive feedback from your peers. This immediate, actionable feedback helps you recognize areas of improvement, whether it's pacing, tone, or body language.

If you want to grow, find a community committed to the same goals. When my wife and I lived in Milwaukee, we helped start a Toastmasters group, and it was a game-changer. It’s more than just public speaking—it’s about stepping out of your comfort zone, learning from others, and giving feedback that lifts everyone higher. Providing feedback gives you a 360° perspective on the skills you're trying to master. As I always say, “If the why is big enough, the answer will always be yes.” Find your people who share your why. Push each other. Grow together.

To truly excel at public speaking, proper training is essential. While practice is important, working with a coach to refine techniques and speaking strategies can significantly elevate your performance. A coach helps you develop key skills such as voice modulation, body language, and audience engagement, which are critical to delivering a compelling message. This structured approach not only builds confidence but also ensures your delivery resonates more effectively with your audience. Investing in professional training will have a lasting impact, making your presentations more polished and impactful, ultimately providing greater value to those listening.

Sometimes we need an environment to flourish and grow. Look for clubs and groups near your house to be a part of. Groups that work for enhancing and developing these skills among individuals. You can also use social media for your advantage. There are plenty of groups ond Facebook and LinkedIn that offer you to be a member. These groups operate on a regular basis and conduct events and group discussions. Such groups will provide you the much needed platform to gain experience for that big show!

Create your own stage. Host an online series or produce an online summit. This helps to also build your teaching content. Remember, the repetition of your content is what strengthens your skills as a presenter. Get your reps in through online content.

Create Your Own Platform: If no one is giving you a chance, make your own platform. For instance, you could start a YouTube channel, host webinars, or even start a podcast. These platforms give you control, and you can build a portfolio of your work. Example: Start recording short 5-minute talks about topics you're passionate about i.e cyber security and upload them online. Over time, you'll have a collection of public speaking examples to show potential clients or event organizers.

You can start small and for free by creating your own stage through a series of LinkedIn or Instagram lives. Practice hosting a panel or even use a live to conduct a miniseries training. You don’t need anyone’s permission other than yourself to press that live button and connect in real time with your audience.

Utilize online platforms to practice public speaking. Start a blog, create videos, or host webinars on topics you enjoy. This allows you to reach a broad audience and develop your skills in a controlled setting. Online feedback can be particularly useful, offering diverse perspectives and helping you refine your speaking abilities.

With the advent of the internet and social media, the whole world can be your audience. Just start recording yourself speaking on any topic. I myself sometimes go live on Instagram with fewer people watching but at least I get practice. When you begin, just don't care if someone listens to you or not, keep posting your videos. Ultimately you will see an improvement in yourself. Always remember it's hardest to grow when no one is clapping. If you think I am just yapping, go to my profile you will see many of my posts have not even crossed 10 likes but it has not stopped me for doing what I do the best. If you apply anywhere just send them the recordings, your work will speak for you. Don't stop moving ahead 💯

Start small and grow your online presence. If you are new to public speaking, leverage the opportunities you have around you. You can start a blog or podcast and share your work on LinkedIn. Join other public speaking groups on LinkedIn and learn from other top voices in public speaking. When I started speaking, I did the exact same and also followed a great speaker on instagram. He gave tips on how to speaking without stammering and what to say when you are asked a question on the spot and you lack the right answers. Learning from other renowned speakers in the field is so helpful but don’t try to be like them. Stand out in your own way. Remember you are uniquely you. Always resort back to your why and then stay in your lane.

You can use online platforms to improve your public speaking skills by creating short video content, live streaming, or participating in webinars. Online platforms allow you to practice speaking on topics you’re passionate about. You can also join virtual communities and take online courses to build your confidence and improve your communication skills. These tools give you real-world practice without the pressure of 'face-to-face' audience.

Start creating short videos on plataforms such as Instagram, Youtube and Tik Tok. Even virtual, you can get used to speak for an audience even virtual, it is a good start. Try elaborating a short talk with a theme you have control and knowledge.

This is it. Create your own space and platform. Practice often and thought lead often. It’s a great way to rehearse while generating a portfolio of work that’s helpful to any interview and networking process.

For me, I was not being hired by people to speak so I started organise my own events and create the chance for me to public speak which now became my signature 😉👍🏻 you should create opportunities instead of waiting!

Totally agree No one would stop you from creating something of your own. What it does is that people get to see things you are good at even before they consider inviting you in as a public speaker. Creating these opportunities for yourself goes a long way in speeding up your process.

Don't wait for other people, create your own stage. Do livestreams on social media, start a podcast, do an online show on YouTube. Host virtual or in-person events, which can be paid or free, up to you. Reach out to people who have an aligned audience and create a mutually beneficial arrangement for you to provide value for their audience. People who hire people to speak want to see you speak.

If you have a little bit of a following or a network interested in your work, this can work wonders. When I was starting out, I'd create 3-4 seminars a year. At first, they were free, and I'd only have 10-12 people show up (once I only had 4). But eventually the numbers grew and I started charging a few bucks to cover the rental of a venue. After a while, my seminars would pack in 50-100 attendees every time. It takes some work, and you gotta be willing to put yourself out there and see who/how many show up, but it can be well worth it!

I relate closely to this point because I regularly hold webinars and workshops as a teacher trainer, and I’ve even created online courses that run for a month. These personal projects not only give me the opportunity to speak publicly but also allow me to position myself as an expert in my field. Through organizing these events, I’ve gained invaluable experience in handling logistics, managing audience engagement, and refining my communication skills. These projects have been key in both my professional growth and my public speaking development.

From my experience as trainer and facilitator I do agree, that people tend to be more authentic, when they are speaking about a topic that is dear to them. In some cases the contrary holds true. Some people feel more pressured to be perceived as an expert or speaking about emotional topics. I would recommend small fun exercises like power point karaoke to practice and lose fear.

Consider creating personal projects that involve public speaking, like workshops or seminars on topics you're passionate about. This not only gives you a platform to practice but also positions you as an expert in your field. Organizing these events helps you develop key skills in logistics and audience engagement, which are essential for successful public speaking. It’s a powerful way to grow both your confidence and your personal brand.

As a new speaker, I recommend building your own content, following, and platform. This gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself as a speaker and build your brand simultaneously. You will be able to showcase your area of expertise and speaking style to potential clients. You will show your ability to organize events, manage logistics, and audience engagement. All of these things will prove crucial to your growth as a new speaker.

Very early on the personal projects that I took on to improve my public speaking was watching others. I would try to go to as many in person events that I could on topics that I was interested in and watched other presenters. I learned a lot about engaging the audience And how to garner participation. I learned the right mix of humor along with delivering a call to action. I did this early on in my career as a police officer. I would go to court to listen to other officers testify so I wouldn’t be nervous and I knew what to expect. If you want to be good at something you’re going to have to sacrifice time, in order to gain knowledge that will be beneficial and valuable to yourself

A key psychological element to be aware of when preparing for a public speaking engagement is to think about who your audience is, and what knowledge are you sharing that will better your audience. You are being asked to speak because of the unique knowledge, experience, and stories YOU have. If you go into it with a mindset that you are bringing value to others, you'll experience reduced fear and nervousness.

If you're struggling to gain public speaking experience as a beginner, here's a straightforward tip: try joining a local toastmasters club. They provide a supportive environment for practicing and improving your public speaking skills. It's a great way to gain experience and confidence!

Overnight Obamas are rare; so get real. Keep your false ego and vanity aside. It is hard work; practice, practice and practice. Get trusted friends to critique you. Be prepared for mistakes,and the odd embarrassing moment. Now,you are ready

Even the best speakers can improve. Be open to feedback, ask for it, watch yourself on video and take courses. As you get recognized as a great speaker, more opportunities will open up.

The best speakers are always improving! 🎤✨ After each speaking engagement, take a moment to reflect. What did you nail? What could be better? Self-reflection is a game-changer for growth. Ask your audience for feedback or record your speeches to spot patterns and fine-tune your approach. How do you reflect on your speaking performances? Let’s share tips! 📝 #PublicSpeaking #ContinuousImprovement #LeadershipSkills #SelfReflection #ProfessionalGrowth #FeedbackForSuccess #AlwaysImproving

As a beginner, learn the power of communication, i.e. what works and what doesn’t work, by joining hospital radio or a community station to broadcast in your spare time. You may not see the eyes of your audience but you know they are there, and that’s a challenge. How do I speak to them? What message am I trying to convey in each link? Do I understand my audience. It’s a wonderful, judgement feee, way to learn respect for your audience, the short cuts to meaningfully landing messages, and the power of your voice. The body language, eye contact, power point, Q&A, and other stuff can come later.

When it comes to public speaking, there is always room for improvement. Stay open to receiving feedback from those around you and continue practicing the skill. In my past, I couldn't imagine standing up in front of an audience but thanks to my leaders always challenging me to reflect and improve, I have come a long way.

Make sure you were practicing the right way. Get trained in a solid foundation of technique so that you know exactly what you are doing. And then, you can actually apply the same skills – from body language to connection to confidence – to everyday interactions in your life as well as in meetings and on Zoom. Finally, practice by creating videos. It’s different than speaking in real life, but will help you share your expertise and get known so that you can then get more speaking engagements.

As a Public Speaking and Effective Communication Expert, I guide my clients to become confident, impactful speakers. Having a mentor is crucial for new public speakers, offering several benefits: 1-Personalized Guidance: Tailored advice based on strengths and areas for improvement. 2-Confidence Building: Overcoming fears like stage fright and fear of judgment. 3-Structure: Organizing content for clarity and impact. 4-Accountability: Keeping speakers on track with regular practice. 5-Industry Insights: Navigating the speaking world with professional advice. 6-Enhanced Delivery: Improving body language, voice, and presence. 7-Constructive Feedback: Turning weaknesses into strengths. 8-Networking: Connecting to opportunities for growth.