Here’s the truth: public speaking skills aren’t built on confidence — they’re built on tactics. Confidence might show up later, but what your audience notices first are the techniques you use: pacing, body language, and the clarity of your message.

If you want to stop sounding shaky and start sounding sharp, here’s what actually matters.

Why Confidence Is Overrated in Public Speaking

You’ve probably been told to “just be confident” before giving a talk. Sounds great, right? Except… it doesn’t work.

Research shows that about 77% of people experience anxiety about public speaking (Statista, 2023). (I’m included in that percentage by the way). That means you’re in the majority if your palms sweat or your voice shakes. Confidence doesn’t magically erase that.

The reality: public speaking is a skill, not a personality trait. You don’t need to be born charismatic or fearless — you need tools you can actually practice. When you focus on what you can control (pacing, tone, structure), the nerves fade into the background and your message takes the lead.

The Research Says: A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology (2021) found that focusing on tactical preparation reduced reported anxiety by 27%, while those told to “be confident” reported no measurable decrease in nerves.

Rule #1: Stop Chasing Confidence — Start Building Tactics

Confidence is a feeling. Tactics are skills.

Instead of hyping yourself up, focus on public speaking techniques like:

• Pausing after key points so your audience can process.
• Controlling your pace so you don’t rush through.
• Using vocal variety to highlight your key ideas.
• Moving your body with your words to enhance your voice and message.
• Being mindful of the psychology behind how an audience takes in information.

I worked with a senior leader preparing for a keynote who had incredible insights to share. The problem wasn’t the content — it was the volume. She tried to pack in so much information that the audience would have struggled to keep up. We pared it down to three core themes and built clear transitions between them. When she delivered the keynote, the message landed cleanly, and people left not just hearing her ideas but understanding and remembering them.

Rule #2: Your Body Speaks Before You Do

Most people decide whether to trust you in the first seven seconds. That’s before you’ve even finished your opening line.

Here’s how to make those seconds count:

• Eye Contact: Look at one person at a time for 3–5 seconds instead of scanning like a sprinkler.
• Posture: Stand tall with shoulders back — slouching signals uncertainty.
• Gestures: Use your hands purposefully, not to fidget or flap.

Your words matter. But your body decides if people trust your words.

Rule #3: Make Your Message Easy to Follow

The best speakers aren’t the most charismatic. They’re the most clear.

Here’s the formula I teach clients:

1. Skip thanking the audience for coming, and start strong with a short, sharp opening (a story, a stat, or a question).
2. Deliver 2–3 main ideas — no more.
3. Close with a clear takeaway your audience can repeat later.

Common Public Speaking Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

The Problem: Reading Slides Word-for-Word
The Fix: Use slides as a backdrop, not a script.

The Problem: Rushing Without Pausing
The Fix: Practice intentional pauses after your key points.

The Problem: Drowning People in Jargon
The Fix: Assume infinite intelligence in your audience but zero background information.

The Problem: Ignoring Audience Cues
The Fix: Watch for signs of confusion. Slow down, recap, or ask a quick question.

Quick Public Speaking Exercises You Can Do Anywhere

‍The 1-Minute Pitch Drill
Record yourself explaining a topic in 60 seconds.

Pause Control with a Stopwatch
Practice delivering a short paragraph with pauses.

Eye Contact with the Camera Dot
Practice looking at the camera light for 30 seconds.

The 5 Breathing Technique
Before speaking, inhale for 5 seconds, hold for 5 seconds, exhale for 5.

These exercises might look simple, but that’s the point — they build muscle memory. Practicing in short bursts trains your body and voice to respond under pressure so you’re not scrambling to “feel confident” in the moment. By the time you’re on stage or in the meeting, these tactics will feel automatic, freeing you up to focus on connecting with your audience instead of battling your nerves.

The Bottom Line

Public speaking isn’t about confidence. It’s about tactics that make your message stick.

• Swap hype for techniques you can control.
• Use body language to establish presence early.
• Keep your message clear, simple, and structured.

Confidence comes later. What matters most is that your audience walks away knowing exactly what you meant — and believing you meant it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Public Speaking

What’s the most important skill for public speaking?

Clarity. If your message is easy to follow, your audience will stay engaged.

‍How do I sound more confident when I speak?

‍Focus on tactics like pacing, pausing, and eye contact. Sounding confident comes after.

‍What should I do with my hands while speaking?

‍Keep them visible, use small purposeful gestures.

‍How long should a presentation be?

That depends on the audience and venue, but I try not to make any talks longer than 60-minutes unless I'm teaching an actual class.

‍Is it better to memorize or use notes?

‍I always like bullet points best — they keep you on track without sounding robotic and gives you the freedom to adjust your message on the fly. If you want to hold your notes in your hand, just be aware that if you’re nervous, that card is going to shake like a leaf in a wind storm.

‍How do I calm down right before speaking?

‍Use breath control (inhale 5, pause for 5, exhale 5) and rehearse your opening the most.

‍How can I practice public speaking at home?

‍Record yourself daily. First, listen to the audio only so you can evaluate your tone, pacing, and use of filler words. Then, watch the video with the sound off to notice your gestures, posture, and facial expressions — the nonverbal cues that can either strengthen your connection with the audience or distract from your message.