How can you develop your public speaking skills without a mentor?

The best way to develop your public speaking skills without a mentor is through observation, i.e. watching and learning. Watch and study great public speakers. Look at how they command the stage, how they orate, how they story-tell and how they engage with the audience. Watch speeches, interviews and keynotes of great orators and pay attention to the tones and styles they use, this will over time help to refine your technique. Attend speaking masterclasses to learn from experts while also getting some practice. To develop your public speaking skills there must be an emphasis on continuously learning.

I have found it highly beneficial to study and analyze the presentation styles of other individuals to understand what captivates me. I have incorporated those interactive elements and techniques that I found engaging, such as gamification, into my own presentations. Additionally, actively seeking out speaking opportunities has been instrumental in refining my own unique speaking style and increasing my confidence in front of a crowd. By leveraging gamification and incorporating feedback into my presentations, I have witnessed a significant improvement in my enjoyment of public speaking.

The best way to develop to your public speaking skills is by practice. You cannot become a better public speaker without practicing. Whether it’s standing in front of a mirror, attending group discussions or even voice recordings on your phone.

Enhancing public speaking skills is greatly facilitated by observing and learning from other speakers. Online platforms offer a wealth of TED talks, presentations, and interviews, providing diverse styles and techniques. Focus on elements such as voice modulation, body language, gestures, eye contact, and humor. Identify engaging aspects and potential distractions, aiming to emulate effective techniques while avoiding less impactful ones. This observational learning approach allows you to refine and enrich your own speaking style through insights gained from experienced communicators.

Exactly PRACTICE is the word! I remember how I started learning public speaking from the age of 8. I was to partake in a debate, representing my class, in front of the whole school. I started by saying my points while I face a mirror, next thing I gathered all my teddies and dolls, and presented to them (LOL). Finally, in front of my parents and siblings while the television was on (to help me master not getting distracted). I lost the debate, but I had learnt how to speak in public without being shy. So yes, one can master the art of public speaking without a mentor, as long as you are willing to practice well.

A great tool that I suggest to my speaker friends is Yoodli. It's an AI Speech Coach where you can record or upload a speech and get excellent feedback on what you are doing well and opportunities for improvement. I learned a long time ago that there are 3 ways to review a recording of a speech. 1. Audio only 2. Video only with no sound 3. Normal viewing.

Watch yourself on mute. I do a lot on tv for NBC & speaking at large corp conferences. Watching myself on mute has helped me to really understand my non-verbal communication. What are my arms doing, where are my hands, am I making any facial gestures that amplify the message or pull away from it. - Try it out. It should really help you refine your public speaking abilities.

1. Watch or listen back to your recordings: Analyze your strengths and weaknesses objectively. 2. Focus on specific aspects: Pay attention to your pacing, pauses, filler words, and eye contact. 3. Celebrate progress: Acknowledge and appreciate your improvements, no matter how small. 4. Set achievable goals: Identify areas for targeted practice in your next session.

Recording yourself and watching it in playback is the ultimate immersion therapy. Most of us will talk at a faster rate due to nerves and adrenaline. Watching a replay will help you course correct and find the right tempo and speed. You can also look at your posture, body language and eye contact and make adjustments. The dual benefit of watching yourself in playback is that 1) you will you become a better speaker, and 2) you’ll become more comfortable speaking on camera.

Die beste Vorbereitung auf Reden ist das Reden selbst! 🎤 Warum? Lernen ist nicht gleich Lernen. 🧠Wir unterscheiden explizites Lernen, also das Wissen und Verstehen der Vortrags-Inhalte und der Struktur, 🧠und das wichtigere implizite Lernen – das Können, das nur durch Praxis – also Übung - entsteht. Persönlicher Tipp: Ich übe meine Vorträge am liebsten während eines Spaziergangs.🚶♀️

Even without a mentor there are a myriad of ways to get feedback & advice. When evaluating topics, I often will drop them in casual conversations with colleagues or friends and pay particular attention to how they react. Especially if they bring it back up the next time you meet, you know you have a banger of a subject matter. As for soliciting feedback on style, don’t be afraid to ask a colleague, friend or family member to let you give it to them & have them tell you what they think. It’s super awkward at first, but if you push through you’ll be better for it. Further, when they give feedback, clarify if needed but then accept it, don’t debate or argue. If you don’t want to implement it fine, but make them feel heard in the moment.

Every now and then I would have 1 on 1 time with a colleague. I always made sure to thank them for working with me and compliment their skill set. Many of my coworkers were better than me at public speaking so I often would ask how they were do great. Did they have certain practices or rituals? They were great at giving feedback.

An innovative and cost-free method to gather feedback is by starting your own YouTube channel or podcast. This platform not only allows you to reach a broader audience but also invites comments, emails, and direct feedback about how your content resonates with viewers and listeners. Observing the reactions and responses of a real audience can provide you with authentic insights into your speaking style and effectiveness. Plus, it's a great way to continuously engage with your audience and refine your skills based on real-world interactions.

I jumped into the arena. At first, I did not feel "ready," but I did receive valuable feedback which I used to revise and practice. I saw progress and gained confidence:)

In a Toastmaster meeting, you have an assigned Evaluator who will give you an oral evaluation after you give a prepared speech. Also the rest of the members will give short written notes on what they liked about your speech as well as what can be don to improve. Feedback is essential for improvement.

When I was very new to public speaking, I tried a couple of things to help me build that skill but along the way, I found out one very important tool that will help anyone overcome the fear of public speaking and that is KNOWLEDGE. It’s an antidote to fear. Understanding the subject matter to you are about to speak on will allay fears to a reasonable extent. However, knowledge alone doesn’t solve the problem, has to be combined with Practice, and other public speaking techniques

I've found that reading and studying how Jesus interacted with people in the Bible has immensely enhanced my public speaking skills, especially in storytelling. The way Jesus communicated complex and profound concepts through parables and direct engagements is incredibly inspiring. By analyzing these stories, I've learned to create more compelling narratives that deeply resonate with my audience, making intricate ideas more relatable and memorable.

Reading and researching are critical, but don’t try to implement everything all at once. Introduce a few items that you learned at a time and pay close attention to both how you feel and how your audience reacts. If you aren’t comfortable with whatever bit or style, the audience will pick up on it and your point won’t land. As for researching your audience… rule no. 1 is “Know Thy Audience”. ALWAYS know who you are speaking to and tweak your talk such that they leave inspired or informed. If the audience gets the feeling it’s not about them and only about you speaking, they will actively ignore your message and your opportunities to speak in the future will be limited.

Know your stuff. The more confident in your knowledge the easier it will be for you to educate and explain to your audience in the simplest term. Research your topic not only the stuff you already know are there other facts or figures that you can enhance your knowledge with? Is there an easier way to explain your topic?

Broaden your public speaking skills by delving into research and reading. Explore books, articles, blogs, and podcasts that provide insights into effective communication. Thoroughly research your topic, gathering ample facts, examples, stories, and data to bolster your points. Tailor your speech to the specific audience by understanding their needs, interests, and expectations. This dual focus on both mastering the art of public speaking and becoming an expert on your subject ensures a well-informed, engaging, and audience-centric presentation.

Look for opportunities to speak publicly, even in small settings like team meetings or workshops. The more you practice, the more comfortable you'll become. Also, volunteering for presentations or leading discussions at work or in community groups can be beneficial.

Do not shy down from opportunities. When I ran for public office, I was young adult who had just graduated high school. I had to attend a Q&A with other candidates who were more established than I was in politics. I honestly felt like not going. But I did, it was great for me as I developed a stronger character and am way more conformable presenting to large groups. In school, it had mostly been people my age I was presenting too. At the Q&A, the average age was in their late 50s to early 60s. When I moved onto a Fortune 500 company, this experience allowed me to conformable give presentation to an audience of over 100 Engineers.

The two best tools in absence of a mentor are observation and experimentation. Don't just observe, note things down for your mind to grasp them better. Secondly, experiment by going to different clubs, conducting a free webinar or at your work place trying to recreate what you have observed, read and noted. Once done, review and ask for feedback. With time the journey itself will be so rewarding, it will keep motivating you to reach newer milestones.

Independently honing your public speaking skills involves self-challenges and rewards. Establish realistic, specific goals, monitoring your progress and celebrating achievements. Step out of your comfort zone by exploring new topics, formats, or audiences. As you overcome challenges, reward yourself—whether it's indulging in something enjoyable, celebrating with friends, or sharing your success. This self-driven approach not only fosters continuous improvement but also instills motivation and a sense of accomplishment in your public speaking journey.

Challenge yourself. Give yourself a chance. If you really want to learn how to speak confidently, you can watch videos and attempt to share your ideas in engaging way. Start by speaking to people you know as if you are in front of a big audience. They go to small groups then bigger ones. Before you know it, you will be doing it!

I highly recommend joining your local Toastmasters. I did so as a mid level professional, and I have found those lessons have served me well. It was a supportive environment that helped me get over my feat and improve my skills.

Join a Toastmasters club. Google it, search a club nearby and attend atleast one meeting as a guest. You will automatically become a member after attending 1 meeting. Toastmasters are very encouraging.

3 TIPS NOBODY TELLS, HELPING YOU TO BECOME A GREAT KEYNOTE SPEAKER I transformed into a leading keynote speaker on design thinking innovation and I like to share three tips, nobody tells you, not even AI: 1. BE THE FIRST IN THE VENUE. Exploring the venue, going all the way to the back, walking to every corner, makes you feel THE VENUE IS YOURS. After this, I dress in my stage-outfit, and I know the venue is mine. 2. NEVER INTRODUCE YOURSELF. You are the hero, and heroes either do not need an introduction or get introduced. 3. NEVER ALLOW QUESTIONS. Questions break the rythm of your performance, and can get you into trouble too; Q&A in private. I wish you lots of success! #keynote #keynotespeaker #speaker #motivationalspeaker

The best tip I ever got was 1. put your notes on cardboard not paper (it shakes less if you are nervous) -[although probably not as relevant in the days of Powerpoint] and 2. push down hardest on the leg that is shaking the most, it'll stop it wobbling. It gets easier the more you do it, so don't give up if the first few times are a disaster.

To gain more credibility and gain more experience, be part of an expert panel of speakers. Typically, a panel will be asked questions by the audience. Here is an opportunity to not only gain experience answering questions on the fly but also to be consider an a valued expert on a panel.