Public speaking is often cited as one of the most important and most dreaded skills in professional and personal life. But what is public speaking? Simply put, public speaking is the art of delivering information, insights, and ideas to an audience, whether it's a small group in a meeting or a packed auditorium. Mastering the craft of a good speech, learning how to overcome fear of public speaking, and building effective presentation skills can transform not just your communication, but your confidence and your career.
In a recent episode of "The Pod Files", host Bogdan Bratis sat down with Kyle Murtagh, a European champion of public speaking and author of "The Five Pillars of Effective Public Speaking," to unpack the mysteries and share practical tips for anyone looking to become a better public speaker.
Whether you're a nervous beginner eager to improve English speaking skills or a seasoned professional aiming for that next promotion, the art of public speaking is accessible, yes, even to shy introverts!
This comprehensive article draws insight from Murtagh’s journey, actionable public speaking tips, and proven public speaking training tactics to help you develop, practice, and thrive as a speaker.
Why is Public Speaking Important?
Before diving into how to improve speaking skills, it’s essential to understand why public speaking matters. As Murtagh reflects on his own transformation from shy teenager to celebrated orator, he notes:
“No matter what path you take in life, whether you decide to be an employee, run your own business, or anything in between, at some point, public speaking is going to find you.”
Good public speakers are able to lead teams, inspire change, pitch products, influence opinions, and, perhaps most importantly, share their unique voice with the world. The impact of a speech often extends far beyond the podium or stage. A compelling oratory skill can shift careers, build networks, and open doors that would otherwise stay locked.
What Makes a Great Public Speaker? The Five Pillars
Kyle Murtagh's framework for effective public speaking is built on five pillars—Body Language, Voice, Structure, Clarity, and Impact. These aren’t just abstract ideas; they’re actionable categories you can start working on today.
1. Body Language
Nonverbal communication tells your audience as much, if not more, than your words. Your eyes, expression, hands, and even your feet all contribute to your message’s effectiveness. Murtagh shares:
“Your nonverbals really do communicate a message. They can say to the audience, ‘this speaker's confident, he's in a flow, he's enjoying himself ’… and as a result, the audience begins to enjoy themselves more, too.”
Tips for Effective Body Language:
Eye Contact: Maintain for 2-3 seconds with each person if possible, or scan the room to forge connections.
Facial Expression: Match your feelings and words; a congruent face keeps your message clear.
Gestures: Use your hands to reinforce points. Studies show audience comprehension and engagement skyrocket when you gesture naturally.
Posture and Feet: Ground your stance, shoulder-width apart, and move purposefully if changing topics.
2. Voice
Your voice is your primary instrument when speaking in public. Variety, tone, pacing, volume, and emotion bring your speech to life. Murtagh illustrates this with a musical analogy:
“What you're describing are almost like the keys on a piano. If we take an emotion, like confidence, that's the music we're playing.”
Vocal Variety Checklist:
Pitch: Vary high and low for emphasis.
Volume: Speak up when confident; lower your voice for intimacy or seriousness.
Pace: Speed up to convey excitement, slow down for key points.
Tone: Match the emotion for the message you want to deliver.
Pauses: Use silence to let key ideas sink in.
3. Structure
A good speech is more than words strung together—it’s a journey with intention and flow. Murtagh suggests starting with the end in mind:
“Get clear on what you're trying to say to the audience. Write it down in 10 words or less… that becomes like your North Star.”
Elements of Effective Structure:
Clear Objective: Know your takeaway message.
Strong Opening/Hook: Engage instantly, perhaps with a question, intriguing story, or startling fact.
Organized Main Points: Limit to 3-4 main ideas, transition smoothly.
Memorable Conclusion: End where you began, reinforcing the message.
4. Clarity
Great speakers make complex ideas easy to grasp. Clarity hinges on preparation, simplicity, and feedback.
“How can I make this complex information easy to understand? ...using things like stories or analogies helps bridge the gap from the known to the unknown.”
How to Enhance Clarity:
Simplify Language: Avoid jargon, use concise statements.
Analogies and Stories: Relate new ideas to familiar ones.
Check-in Moments: Ask, “Does this make sense?” “Any questions so far?”
Visual Aids: Props or slides should enhance, not distract.
5. Impact
A powerful speech doesn’t just inform—it inspires action.
“Impact is making a lasting impression which causes people to take action. That’s how a presentation can be truly judged.”
Creating Impact:
Call to Action: What should listeners do now?
Emotional Connection: Evoke nostalgia, inspiration, urgency, or another fitting emotion.
Stories of Consequence: Highlight what happens if advice is ignored.
Public Speaking Anxiety and How to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking
Perhaps the greatest barrier to speaking in public is nerves. Whether it’s the classic racing heart, shaking hands, or blank mind, even experienced presenters struggle. How to not be nervous for a presentation? How to get over fear of public speaking? Murtagh offers both empathy and actionable strategies.
7 Tips to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking
Acknowledge It’s Learnable: Public speaking skills are not innate gifts for the chosen few. As Murtagh, a former introvert, attests: “It’s just skills that are learned through repetition and feedback. That is it.”
Practice in Safe Spaces: Familiarize yourself by rehearsing in front of a mirror, recording yourself, or gathering feedback from friends or colleagues.
Visualize Success: Picture yourself acing your speech. Positive visualization is a favorite of top performers.
Master Your Start: “The start is always the hardest bit. If you can start well, you'll continue well.”
Visit the Venue: If possible, check out the space beforehand to reduce day-of anxiety.
Arrive Early: This allows you to troubleshoot tech, warm-up, and connect with early arrivals.
Embrace Mistakes: Nobody is perfect. If things go off script, “just keep going… Often after a few seconds, the thoughts come back and you continue on like nothing happened. But you got to stay in the game.”
How to Start a Speech: The Power of the Hook
Among the most challenging aspects of public speaking is how to start a speech in English (or any language). Murtagh’s advice is simple: Never start with your name and topic. Instead, craft an engaging hook.
“In the first 10 seconds, create curiosity. A question is a great way, or a story, a fact something other than, ‘Hi, my name is Kyle.’ ”
Examples of Strong Openings:
Question: “Have you ever wondered what elephants fear most?”
Story: “Let me take you to the day I faced my biggest speaking fear…”
Fact: “Did you know the average person ranks public speaking above death as their greatest fear?”
Analogy: “Think of your voice as a piano - today, we’ll learn to play a new tune.”
Speech Practice: Building Speaking Skills & Confidence
How can I improve my public speaking skills? How can I improve my speaking skills in English? Whether for a speech class or the boardroom, practice is crucial.
Methods to Improve Your Speaking Skills
Join a Speaking Group: Regular meetings with organizations like Toastmasters provide feedback, real practice, and a supportive environment.
Record Yourself: Listen for filler words, unclear phrasing, and areas for improvement.
Mimic Great Speakers: Analyze TED Talks or your favorite oratorical speech for techniques you can emulate.
Use a Script for Practice: Write a public speaking script, then modify as you grow comfortable.
Self-Critique with Kindness: Assess both what went well and what can be better.
How to Give a Good Speech: Practical Presentation Tips
Know Your Topic: You don’t need to be the world’s expert but know more than your audience.
Storytelling Works: People remember stories, not just facts.
Engage the Audience: Ask questions, invite comments, or use interactive elements.
Keep it Simple: Clarity trumps showing off vocabulary.
End with a Bang: Call to action, a memorable story, or a pointed question.
Overcoming Challenges: Virtual Presentations and New Speaking Environments
Remote work has transformed public communication:
“When you’re in a room, you feel the temperature, the vibe. Remotely, everything is digital… there is this issue that disconnects us."
How to Present Effectively Online:
Look Into the Camera: Create the illusion of eye contact.
Get Comfortable with Tech: Know your platform, test mics and slides.
Use Names and Questions: Involve participants to keep engagement up.
Adjust for Timing: Be aware of different time zones and energy levels.
How to Improve English Speaking Skills for Public Speaking
For non-native speakers, public speaking in English brings extra hurdles. The secret? Practice, patience, and preparation.
English Speaking Tips:
Watch and Listen: Consume English presentations to internalize rhythms and responses.
Start Small: Give short speeches or comments in a safe setting, then gradually expand.
Record and Review: Notice pronunciation, fluency, and confidence.
Get Feedback: From teachers, peers, or coaches.
Reflect, Don’t Compare: Your progress is your own; every great speech starts as a shaky one.
Types of Public Speaking & How to Develop Oratory Skills
There are several types of public speaking:
Informative: Sharing information (lectures, reports)
Gather Feedback and Refine: Every speech is a lesson.
Network: Attend events, meet organizers, connect with other speakers.
Create Public Speaking Content: Blogs, videos, podcasts amplify your message.
Final Thoughts: The Success Speech No One Talks About
True success in public speaking isn’t just about applause or standing ovations. It’s about growth. As Kyle Murtagh shared in "The Pod Files," your biggest win might be a personal breakthrough:
“When clients make a breakthrough, when they do the thing they've been putting off or they've been afraid to do, that's when the world begins to open up for them.”
Every great oratory journey begins with a single step: a willingness to speak and improve. Make a speech, stumble if you must, but keep going—your voice, your impact, matters.
Ready to speak, improve, and inspire? Start today. Practice your presentation skills, join a speech class, or reach out for public speaking training. As Bogdan Bratis put it: “Start, do that first podcast. Do that first presentation. Do that first video. It’s not going to be the best, but it’s going to be your starting place to progress.”
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