8 Resources to Help Improve Your Public Speaking Skill

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8 Resources to Help Improve Your Public Speaking Skill

Public speaking can be frightening for some people, especially if they have never before spoken in front of a large audience. However, public speaking is an essential skill that everyone should develop, even if they're not in a career that specifically requires it. 

Today, learning public speaking has never been easier. With so many online platforms available at your fingertips, you have a great deal of choice when choosing where and how to learn. 

For example, eLearning platforms enable you to take online courses and certifications from the comfort of your home. Nowadays, students don't need to attend offline classes to improve their knowledge and skill. They can watch online, how-to training videos about public speaking at any time, anywhere. 

In this article, you'll find great resources to hone your public speaking skills. Read on. 

1. Toastmasters

Toastmasters is an international organization formed to help people improve their public speaking skills. They have an online presence as well as local chapters throughout the world. They offer a variety of programs for members to participate in, including speech contests and impromptu speech events.

Additionally, they have plenty of resources on their website, including tips on how to give the best presentation possible and examples of speeches from other Toastmasters members who have competed in contests or given presentations within their chapter. The organization has been around since 1924, so they know what they're doing when it comes to helping people develop their public speaking skills!

2. TED Talks

TED Talks are amazing videos that bring together experts from various fields to deliver presentations on topics ranging from business to politics to technology. Many speakers become known for their TED Talk presentations so it's worth checking out what's available online at TED Talks and watching some videos if you haven't already!

When watching these videos, pay close attention to how well-spoken the speakers are, how easily they engage with the audience (especially if there aren't any slides or visuals), and how well they can convey information through words alone. These skills will be important for you to master if you want to become a great public speaker!

3. Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History

This is a book by William Safire that features speeches from throughout history. It's a great way to learn how different speakers have delivered their speeches over the years so you can incorporate some of their techniques into your own speech-giving.

You can purchase this public speaking book as an e-book or as a physical book. Whichever you choose, be sure to take notes as you read through the speeches because there are many great tips for public speaking included in this book!

4. TED Blog

The TED Talks archive or TED Blog is an amazing resource for anyone looking to improve their public speaking skills, especially if you want to become a TED Talk speaker yourself! They have thousands of lists available on topics ranging from politics and business to technology and education, so there's something for everyone to learn about how to give a better speech.

You can also search TED public speaking videos by topic, making it easier to find the perfect content for your needs! If you're looking for inspiration, visit this archive regularly and check out what other people are saying.

5. The Public Speaking Project

The Public Speaking Project is a website that provides a place where people can find resources and information on improving their public speaking skills. They have a ton of articles on everything from what you should wear when you're giving a speech to how to write an elevator pitch. 

They have a YouTube channel as well. This channel is designed specifically for educators and students. If you're looking for a place where you can dive into the art of giving a better speech, this is the YouTube channel for you!

6. MindTools

MindTools is one of the best public speaking online spaces where people can ask questions about improving their public speaking skills, because it has thousands of people who are willing and able to answer all types of questions related to this subject matter. 

There are thousands of members who participate in this group, so if you want access to some amazing resources on becoming a public speaker, you can visit MindTools and use the resources according to your need. 

7. Dale Carnegie's The Art of Public Speaking

Dale Carnegie's The Art of Public Speaking is one of the best places to go if you want to learn about public speaking. That's because it offers a number of resources for those who want to improve on this skill. 

There are over ten sections in this book that offer tips and tricks on how to improve your public speaking skills, so if you're serious about becoming a better speaker, this is one of the best books to tailor your public speaking skills.

8. University of Washington's Intro to Public Speaking on Coursera

University of Washington's Intro to Public Speaking is designed specifically for students who want to learn more about public speaking.

These videos have been designed specifically for teenagers and young adults, so if you are in this age group and interested in learning more about public speaking, these lessons will be perfect for your needs. 

You can enroll in this program by visiting Coursera and choosing the University of Washington's Intro to Public Speaking. Make sure to commit to this course, as you'll later be rewarded with a certification of completion that acknowledges your study participation.

Takeaways

Public speaking can be a scary matter, especially if you have never spoken in front of a large audience before.

Public speaking is, after all, a skill that needs to be trained regularly. It's not something everyone is born with. You need to tailor your skill in order to succeed in delivering messages to many people.

Online courses have made it easier for people like you to learn public speaking at home. This article should help you find the right resources to improve your public speaking skills. Make sure to commit to each course if you want to see results. 
 

About the author:

Andre Oentoro is the founder of Breadnbeyond, an award-winning explainer video production company. He helps businesses increase conversion rates, close more sales, and get positive ROI from explainer videos (in that order). 

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