The best tips and advice for public speaking
Public speaking can feel daunting, but with the right preparation and mindset, it’s an opportunity to inspire, connect, and share your expertise. Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of speaking at five amazing events, including the brilliant Squarespace Circle Day 2024 in New York City. Along the way, I’ve gathered invaluable tips and advice for public speaking that have helped me prepare, stay calm, and deliver with confidence.
Here’s the best advice I’ve received - from staying authentic to handling unexpected challenges - to help you shine on stage.
1. Start strong, stay confident
A strong start is one of the most important tips for public speaking. My dad’s advice always sticks with me:
Think and share as if you’re talking to yourself in the mirror.
Start with confidence.
Fully prepare.
It’s so simple yet so effective. This combination of preparation and confidence sets the tone for everything that follows.
2. Prepare for the unexpected
One of the most practical pieces of advice for public speaking comes from Sue Keogh, a communications consultant in Cambridge:
“Make sure you’re not too reliant on tech. If there’s a power cut or dodgy cable, you need to carry on!”
This highlights the importance of practising a lot - out loud. Rehearsing ensures you can stay on track even if something unexpected happens. As Sue said, “No pressure on exact lines; just hit your key beats.”
Kelly Molson, The Lifestyle Agency Advisory. adds,
“I’ve had no slides and no notes before. Rehearsing is key! Memorise your opening and closing stories to anchor your talk.”
3. Slow down and breathe
Nerves are normal when speaking in public, but one of the simplest tips for public speaking is to control your pace. Karen Arnott shared this gem:
“Slow down, pause, and breathe. Pauses are good for you and the audience.”
Pausing not only helps you collect your thoughts but also gives your audience a moment to absorb what you’ve said.
4. Be unapologetically you
A key piece of advice for public speaking is to stay authentic. Ryan O’Keeffe, founder of Jago, a personal brand agency shared:
“Be unapologetically yourself—this is enough, it will always be enough.”
Similarly, Dan Archer, Managing Partner - Marketing at Cactus said:
“Present like you’d talk. Don’t be tempted to adopt a fake persona—it’ll put you off and you’ll look totally unauthentic anyway.”
Audiences connect best with speakers who are genuine and relatable. Authenticity always wins.
5. Focus on connection, not perfection
Connection is one of the most powerful tips for public speaking. Ruby Kakati shared:
“Connect with each part of the audience in turn, like you’re having a conversation.”
And Tina Keeble, Founder of Valiant, reminds us that presenting is an opportunity to help others:
“Shift your mindset from ‘eek, presenting!’ to ‘wow, I can help!’”
This change in perspective can make all the difference when stepping onto the stage.
6. Tell a story
Storytelling is a tried-and-true method for engaging audiences and making your message stick. One of the best pieces of advice for public speaking from Ryan O’Keeffe is:
“Use stories to make your points land and be remembered.”
Another agency owner and speaker added:
“Give yourself room to go off-script based on audience engagement. Smile and throw in some humour to lighten the mood.”
7. Embrace the experience
The final tip for public speaking comes from Rupa Bharadva, who beautifully sums up the mindset for success:
“Pause. Breathe. Smile. Enjoy the moment. It will be over quickly, so soak it all in!”
Final thoughts
Public speaking is never easy, even for seasoned pros. But with the right tips and advice for public speaking - like preparation, storytelling, and focusing on connection - it becomes a little less daunting and a lot more rewarding.
To anyone preparing for their next big talk: You’ve got this.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about public speaking?
Share it in the comments - I’d love to hear!
