speaking and presentation workshop

TED’s Official Public Speaking Course

Master a variety of communication skills with TED’s official public speaking course, now available on YouTube Courses. This course will teach you how to identify, develop and share your best ideas with the world.

YouTube Courses are currently only available in the United States, but YouTube is working on expanding into other regions in 2023.

The proceeds from this course support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission of creating and distributing free, high-quality animations.

Master the art of public speaking

• Craft them into compelling narratives.
• Present so that people want to listen.

Become a better communicator

• Establish a connection with your listeners.
• Give more persuasive presentations.
• Explain complex ideas.

© 2024 TED Conferences, LLC. All rights reserved. Please note that the TED Talks Usage policy does not apply to this content and is not subject to our creative commons license.

📞 Call Now:   800.403.6598 Contact Us - Get Started

No products in the cart.

World-Class Training

Overcome Your Fear. Stand Out. Get Noticed. Be Heard!

Effective Presentations – Presentation Skills and Public Speaking Training

Effective Presentations offers results-driven training programs proven to provide you with the skills you need to comfortably present your thoughts and ideas with confidence, competence, and clarity .

Training for Myself

Master the art of persuasive presentations and unleash your full potential as a communicator. Elevate your career by acquiring effective presentation skills that captivate any audience, convey ideas with clarity and confidence, and leave a lasting impact.

Enhance your professional image, boost your influence, and propel your success. Enroll in one of our effective workshops today and unlock the power of impactful communication. Catapult your career today.

Training for My Team

Launch your team’s success with our specialized effective presentations skills. Equip your team with the tools they need to deliver compelling and impactful presentations. Present with confidence and learn how to craft persuasive messages.

Our workshops offer practical techniques tailored to your team’s unique needs. Watch as their professional image soars, collaboration strengthens, and client interactions reach new heights. Invest in their growth and watch your organization shine.

― Upcoming Workshops

In-person training.

Live public speaking courses at a location near you, that will immediately accelerate your success!

Our Workshops

Business Presentations

Your team will confidently deliver winning presentations with competence and clarity.

Presentation Skills

Master vital verbal and non-verbal techniques you need to captivate your audience.

Experience hands-on, Effective Presentations from anywhere in the world.

Messaging & Structure

Go from simply being capable and confident enough to speak to being an expert communicator.

Keynote Speakers

Ignite your next corporate event with a motivational speech to boost your team

Learn about your own leadership style and how to magnify your natural strengths.

Executive Coaching

Elevate your communication with One-on-One coaching tailored to your specific goals.

Sales Training

Fundamental elements of professional selling are within your reach.

Job Promotions

Bold Presenters

Fears Overcome

Lives Saved

(Death By PowerPoint)

― Testimonials

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

Essential Skills for That Executive Presence

Tap into the power of effective presentation skills and cultivate an executive presence that commands attention. In today’s competitive business landscape, the ability to captivate, persuade, and inspire is non-negotiable.

Our comprehensive courses will empower you with the tools to confidently convey your message, exude charisma, and leave a lasting impact.

Elevate your leadership potential, unlock career opportunities, and gain a competitive edge. Invest in yourself and enroll in our transformative program today. Discover the leader within and watch your professional success soar to new heights.

Effective Presentation Skills For Your Business

Presentation skills are the primary tool of your business. You must master verbal and nonverbal communication to make positive first impressions with customers and colleagues.

The best salespeople know how to close a sale, but even they can benefit from presentation skills and workshops.

Learn insights into what makes a presentation effective and explores essential techniques for improving your communication skills. As an established small-group learning provider, we offer expert coaching in a safe, non-judgmental environment.

Special Offer! Get 25% off

Your exclusive code is ready! Copy it now!

Presentation Training Institute

A division of bold new directions training.

Transforming Performance via Presentation Training

Get presentation training and presentation coaching for your team.

Our changing work environment heightens the need for your team to present well in meetings, on the phone & virtually. Our experts deliver engaging training programs that help your team members improve presentation skills & business communications. Click below to request a free quote on presentation training.

Delivery Options

Topic Areas

Welcome to Presentation Training Institute where we work with you and your organization to strengthen business presentation skills through a wide range of presentation training courses and public speaking seminars. Our innovative presentation skills training courses are all experiential in nature and offer instruction, demonstration, and practice. Select from any of our virtual presentation training seminars, online courses or onsite public speaking courses to boost your impact when you speak to a crowd.

Our team is made up of expert presentation training instructors and coaches who have worked in more than 50 leading industries. In all of our presentation courses, you will learn how to improve your vocals, gestures, stance, and confidence. Schedule a virtual training course or onsite program and get the expert instruction you need to take your skills to the next level. Call us today at 1-800-501-1245 to ask which workshop or solution is best for your group.

• United Kingdom
• How to Use Handouts and Other Materials to Enhance Presentations June 4, 2024
• How to Make the Most of Multimedia in Presentations May 28, 2024
• Props and Other Aids: How to Use Them Effectively When Presenting May 21, 2024
• The Role of Technology in Presentations and How to Use it Effectively May 7, 2024
• The Use of Transitions to Enhance Your Presentation May 1, 2024

Presentation Mastery

Public Speaking and Presentation Courses

Our public speaking and presenting courses will increase your confidence, presence, authority and impact. mindful presenter holds the key to high impact public speaking and presenting skills. our unique approach is leading the way in equipping professionals with highly effective public speaking skills to inspire, influence and impact any audience. improve your public speaking skills the mindful way., feel more confident speaking in public.

Would you like to feel more confident when speaking in public and presenting your ideas at work? Our unique approach to crafting and delivering a great presentation will help you to improve your public speaking skills to motivate, inspire and lead any audience.

Highly tailored training

Our high impact public speaking and presentation classes are focused on helping you to connect authentically with your audience.  The ability to communicate effectively and with impact is one of the most valuable skills in the world today. Our in-person, face to face  and virtual training will give you the public speaking and presentation skills to mindfully remove fear, build confidence and help you to enjoy presenting. Mindful presenter can also help you develop your public speaking skills virtually via Zoom.  Online courses which are as rich and transformational as in-person training.

Giving you the communication skills to:

– Speak with confidence – Present with presence, clarity and impact – Express yourself both verbally and non-verbally – Craft content which is rich, relevant and compelling – Connect with your audience emotionally as well as intellectually – Find and value your true voice – Build a memorable presentation for any audience

Learn more | Connect now

Transform your speaking confidence

Every presentation is an opportunity to make a difference and inspire people to think differently and act swiftly. At Mindful Presenter we give you the speaking confidence to hone your presentation style to craft and deliver content rich presentations for every situation. Our public speaking and presenting courses are designed to help you to deliver persuasive presentations that lead change and make a real difference.

In-person & virtual public speaking and presentation courses

If the very thought of presenting is a scary prospect to you, our approach to public speaking skills will help you to manage and control your anxiety.

Mindful presenting helps you to communicate with confidence in a way that’s really effective by sharing many of the techniques professional speakers use to make an impact. We equip, empower and inspire you with the communication skills needed to influence others in meetings and presentations.

Influence, persuade and connect

We owe it to ourselves and others to find, value and express our true voice with confidence and pride. At Mindful Presenter our public speaking and presentation workshops are renowned for helping professionals to influence, persuade and connect with anyone both in person and online.

Our courses and coaching sessions can be delivered in-person, face to face or virtually.

“It totally transformed the way I look at presenting.”

Personalised Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Coaching

Personalised, one to one, public speaking coaching to help you to overcome anxiety and present with confidence and impact. Whether you have a fear of public speaking or are an experienced presenter, we can help you to improve your public speaking skills.

Prepare for a specific speaking event by focusing confidentially on your body language, verbal expression and personal presentation style. Our 2 hour, one to one personal coaching sessions will prepare you for any speaking engagement.

Personal and professional development

Choosing a public speaking coach is a significant step in your personal and professional development. The journey begins with a strong rapport. The right coach will help you to understand yourself as a speaker, your personal challenges, objectives and aspirations.

We will help you to identify and harness your personal communication strengths and address any specific issues challenging your effectiveness as a speaker.

“I found the coaching incredibly useful thank you very much.”

Our clients love us!

Yesterday was hands down one of the best presentation skills courses that I have ever, ever been on. I’ve been to a few in my years … Firstly yesterday was amazing and I genuinely came away with a renewed sense of confidence and actual, helpful changes I can make to how I do things. 

Read all our client testimonials

I wanted to email you once I had got back to work today to thank you so much for the most useful course I think I have ever been on! I can’t tell you how much it has helped my confidence – the information learned has stayed with me and today I delivered probably my most successful presentation to date. Louise Walker - Education & Awareness Executive

Hand on heart, the training was the best I have experienced to date. I came away with lots of new ideas and believe they can be applied to many areas of my life. Carole Bridge - Technical Information Officer

Enjoyable, interactive, challenging and positive. Mark Heaven - CEO

I really enjoyed the day as did the rest of the group. Took away lots of points and it was beneficial doing our presentations at the end and listening and participating in the critiquing of them and how quickly you were able to change around words and phrases and enhance the individual presentations. Richard Nicholson - Senior Development Chef

Thanks for a great day. The workshop went far beyond my expectations. For a session only lasting a day, I could not have asked for more! Brendan Bennett - Quality Engineer

I found the coaching incredibly useful thank you very much. Melanie Spencer - Global Head of Marketing

Transformational Public Speaking and Presentation Courses

Our open, 1-day  public speaking and presenting courses will give you the public speaking skills you need to present and connect with your audience with confidence, presence and impact.

Inspire in-person and virtual audiences to action. When you’re an inspiring speaker, it’s easier to connect with your audience and lead a call to action.

Develop your public speaking skills and personal communication style to connect authentically with your audience. Increase your confidence and presence in meetings, project updates, sales pitches and communicating with colleagues and clients in any setting.

High Impact Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Coaching

Personal, one to one, coaching tailored to meet your specific needs. We create a personalised experience to help you speak confidently. Our coaching focuses on your specific challenges.

We create a safe and confidential learning environment.

When you connect with your audience emotionally as well as intellectually it’s easer to influence and lead change.

One-to-one professional coaching in public speaking will help you to develop your personal public speaking and presenting style harnessing your strengths and identifying areas for improvement to infuence any audience.

Public Speaking and Presentation Courses that deliver results

Highly tailored presentation skills for your team. Our passion is giving your team the skills to connect effectively with any audience. Helping them to lead change and inspire action.

When we interact with our audience it makes them feel as though they are participating and contributing rather than simply listening.

Our bespoke training will transform your team’s communication skills. Inspiring them to express themselves with confidence and impact, interacting with any audience in any setting. We believe that, ‘Connecting is everything’. Let us help your team to make that connection.

We proudly work with:

Virtual Public Speaking and Presentation Training

The ‘new normal’ suggests working and training online is likely to be a major part of our future.

‘Virtual is real’

Public speaking masterclass

Our next public speaking master class in London on the 27th June 24 is ...

10 Reasons to Join Our Next Public Speaking Masterclass

  Mindful Presenter is hosting a one day, high impact, public speaking masterclass and ...

4 types of presentation energy: Survival, Safety, Shallow & Smart

There is growing awareness of the impact our energy can have on our results ...

12 Public Speaking & Presentation Tips For Q&A Success

You’ve crafted your presentation mindfully, internalised your message and practiced delivering it, all that’s ...

10 Novel public speaking ideas from unexpected sources

Sometimes the most novel public speaking ideas can be found in the most unexpected ...

7 Steps to Tap In To Your Presentation Genius

Here at Mindful Presenter we believe that everyone has a secret presentation genius inside ...

The Mindful Presenter Masterclass

If you’d like to learn more about our approach, enter a few details and receive the downloadable Masterclass PDF. All of our training courses are personalised and tailored to meet your specific challenges and objectives.

Captivating hearts and minds

Mindful Presenter is leading the way in high impact public speaking and presentation courses because we passionately believe that communicating effectively is the most important skill in the world. Whether you would like to overcome your fear of public speaking or simply improve your public speaking skills, we have the perfect solution for you.

• Who are you?
• Learning Centre
• Presentation Skills Review
• Style Review
• Our Approach
• Our Clients
• Testimonials
• Public Speaking Courses
• Presentation Skills Training
• Public Speaking Coaching London
• Public Speaking Anxiety Course
• The Benefits
• Phone: +44 (0)20 7666 3453
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Mindful Presenter Ltd 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE

Sign up for our newsletter and download your free guide to authentic public speaking.

• Skip to main content

Workshops to Build Public Speaking Skills and Confidence

Good communication is the life blood of business….

…and whether your people are pitching, presenting, or “just” talking to each other, Speak Up for Success™ Workshops will help them:

• Tell  your organization’s story;
• Concisely explain  their goals, opportunities, challenges, and solutions; and
• Communicate effectively with peers, prospects, customers, and senior leaders.

Most important of all, Speak Up for Success™ Public Speaking Workshops will grow their speaking skills, their confidence, and their ability to get the point across !

Thank you again for the wonderful training.  Our team is still talking about it. —Tracee Sanders, Managing Director, Human Resources, Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry

Speak Up for Success ™ Workshops Come In All Sizes, Shapes — and Topics

From two hours to 10 hours… from a half-day to a day-and-a-half… from breakouts to interactive talks to group practice sessions, there’s a format that’s right for your needs and for the number of people you’d like to train.

We also customize Speak Up for Success™ Workshops around the content that matters to your organization. A short list of recent workshop topics includes:

• Public Speaking Essentials
• Executive Presence
• TED Talks and Storytelling for Business
• Don’t Pitch! Have a Conversation
• Confident Communications for Women
• Tech Talk: Speaking to Non-Technical Audiences
• Last Minute Presentations: When You Don’t Have Enough Time to Prepare, and much more

Thank you for the amazing session with our District Leaders. The growth in their delivery was astounding. It was thrilling to witness the transformation. —Anne MacDonald, Director of Organization Development, Eileen Fisher Inc.

What Else Comes with Speak Up for Success™ Workshops? My Book on Public Speaking!

In addition to great content…  hands-on practice…  and follow-up resources, every workshop participant receives a copy of my highly acclaimed book, Speak Like Yourself…No, Really! Follow Your Strengths and Skills to Great Public Speaking.   The book is a common sense, practical guide that takes public speakers from page to stage and addresses topics such as how to organize a speech, how to integrate (good) PowerPoint, and what to do to stay calm and collected when you’re about to step into the spotlight.

We are all floored at how much you have changed people — and in such a short time! —Rachel Tall, Senior Vice President/ Director of Marketing, R4 Capital LLC

Ready to Discuss a  Speak Up for Success ™ Public Speaking Workshop for Your Team, Department, or Organization?

• How can I help you? *
• How did you find me?

Speaking With Impact™ Public Virtual Training

$ 2,150.00

Speaking with Impact Virtual Presentation Skills Workshop is for individuals looking to enhance their communication skills and propel their career or business forward. For any presentation with lasting impact, you need to have a deep engagement with your audience and stay relaxed and natural. Presentation with Impact is an art we all need to master and it will surely pay off in the long run. Looking for different dates or enrolling over 10 participants? Reach out, and we’ll happily accommodate your preferences and discuss custom class options. Speaking with Impact-Virtual™ Presentation Skills Workshop is an experience-based learning process, where participants are actively engaged with online coaching from leading public speaking experts in developing and honing high impact speaking skills. Conducted in three interactive sessions, participants learn by doing and receive vital feedback from our professional coaches as well as other participants. This training will be done in 3 sessions, 3 days, 3 hours each – held via Zoom

• Session 1 – Delivery Skills Review & Discussion: How to use the communication delivery skills on the virtual platform.
• Session 2 – Building Content & Supporting Visuals: each participant will use the Speaking With Impact™ -Speakers Target System™  to build a 5 minute presentation to deliver in session 3
• Session 3 – Combining Delivery Skills and Content: this session is all about practice, delivery and feedback of what was learned in sessions 1 & 2. Day 3 you deliver your 5 minute presentation and receive professional feedback from our trainers.

Billionaire Warren Buffet once said, “Invest in yourself. The one easy way to become worth 50 percent more than you are now at least is to hone your communication skills—both written and verbal.” “ Professional yet personal.  Great mix.  I felt called to a higher level of presentation but also felt I was seen as an individual with my own style and that was appreciated.  Great training…border-line life changing. ” – Speaking With Impact Virtual Graduate

More Training

Leadership Webinar: Effective Change & Communication

Leaders dealing with organizational change - we can help! Join Denise Harrington and Nia Harrington, alongside communication strategist Lora Stenard, to explore the core elements of transformational leadership communication. They share their expert perspectives on the...

Women Express Sips & Tips Webinar

June 7th from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM EST

Speaking with Impact™ Corporate In-Person Training

Experience the Power of Effective Presentations! Are you ready to elevate your presentation skills to new heights? Join us for our intensive 2-day training program designed to equip you with the tools, techniques, and confidence needed to excel in various presentation...

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

• Adaptability & Change-Friendliness
• Burnout & Stress Management
• Collaborating in Hybrid & Remote Environments
• Confident & Concise Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Customer Service
• Delivering Feedback
• Emotional Intelligence
• Empathy In Practice
• Growth Mindsets & Managing Imposter Syndrome
• Intergenerational Communication & Understanding
• Interviewing
• Non-Verbal Communication
• Personal Branding
• Persuasive & Influential Communication
• Productivity & Time Management
• Professionalism in the Workplace
• Psychological Safety in the Workplace
• Public Speaking & Presentation Skills
• Resourcefulness & Problem Solving
• Self-Awareness
• Strategic Storytelling
• Stress Management & Mindfulness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Unconscious Bias
• Working Remotely & From Home

The biggest misconception about public speaking and presentations are that they only happen on a stage. Whether you’re speaking up in team meetings, pitching a new project idea or talking with clients, we are always presenting and the tactics are quite similar at that. By learning the optimal presentation format, strategies for effective delivery, and practicing in a safe environment, this session will help you meet the intended goals of your presentation every time.

Learning outcomes, identify the personal and professional benefits of public speaking demonstrate the biggest fails public speaking & presentations implement up to 10 strategies for improving your speaking use a 7-step format for creating impactful presentations identify a good content structure and mix in a good presentation identify specific tools, resources, and websites you can use to improve your presentations, build thought leadership within yourself and your team more effectively communicate your ideas to others grow profile and awareness of your personal brand and your company’s brand overcome the fear of public speaking improve oral communication skills improve confidence and self-esteem, working with us is easy.

DISCOVERY CHAT

We start with a discovery meeting to define the problem you’re trying to solve..

CHOOSE SKILLS

We choose skills that best solve the problem or combine them into a custom session..

CHOOSE DELIVERY

We choose the delivery method that best works for your context..

"After watch Hamza Khan present at CACUSS I knew that his wisdom and expertise would be a great fit for a training retreat CLC was coordinating for 32 professional residence life staff. With only a few weeks turnaround time Hamza was able to create and facilitate a half day workshop that not only educated but also engaged the entire team to the degree that they are still talking about his workshop to this day. From providing tips and tricks on how to be more productive in our professional and personal lives to providing data and insight on how students are learning, Hamza was a fantastic, informative, engaging facilitator providing my team with the energy, insight and inspiration to begin another academic year. Without a doubt Hamza’s workshop was one of the highlights of our training!"

"Had the opportunity to experience a presentation from SkillsCamp and Bailey Parnell herself. Though done remotely, her energy came through and distance didn't detract from the validity of her points. Lots of good takeaways and insights to help myself and my company improve. Specifically, Bailey had very relatable examples and a jocular delivery. Virtual communication skills isn't a dry topic, but she brought it to life in an exceptional way. She recognized the challenge of keeping everyone engaged and had interactive elements to do so. Looking forward to future sessions with SkillsCamp."

"The leadership webinar was a very resourceful  session. I certainly benefited from this session. As a leader and people manager myself, I can use [the learnings] as tools and guides for the development of my direct reports as well as my personal development. We should have this kind of programs on leadership more often."

"I attended the Networking workshop because I wanted to enhance my networking skills in order to make stronger professional connections. The workshop instructor presented the material in an accessible way with concrete strategies about how to network more effectively. After attending the workshop, I used some of the networking strategies and was able to make stronger connections with people in my field. I wish I had learned about this workshop earlier in my career because I could have avoided a lot of trial and error which would have saved time and prevented lost connections. I would highly recommend the Networking workshop to anyone who wants to improve their soft skills."

Bailey Parnell, from SkillsCamp, facilitated a personal branding workshop for over 30 university students at the Starting Point 2017 conference at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bailey’s laid back yet confident facilitation style pulled the students in to her message on the importance of presenting a consistent and professional brand on social media and beyond. Her use of personal anecdotes, theory, real-world statistics, and immediately implementable tips resonated with students looking to create their own professional brands. Don’t hesitate to book Bailey and SkillsCamp for anything related to social media or personal branding.

Copyright © SkillsCamp 2020.

• Knowledge Center
• Corporate Social Justice

• Back to All Programs /

Communication Strategies: Presenting with Impact

Gain skills and techniques to engage, inform and inspire others, improving your ability to communicate as a leader.

All Start Dates

8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ET

2 consecutive days

$2,990 Programs fill quickly — free cancellation up to 14 days prior

Registration Deadline

June 30, 2024

November 24, 2024

Communication Strategies Program Overview

Communication strategies: presenting with impact, a public speaking course.

Public speaking—whether delivering a presentation, making a pitch, or leading a group discussion—can cause even the most confident leader to break a sweat. Yet communicating your message with poise, confidence, and conviction is an essential leadership skill. Mastering your public speaking and presentation skills will enable you to inspire your audience as well as build trust and credibility.

Through oral presentations and small group activities, you will put proven public speaking techniques and tools into practice, test out new approaches, and learn to communicate clearly and confidently. Discover the powerful impact of storytelling and practical persuasion skills to authentically illustrate your message. Learn how to effectively organize materials to blend analytical and emotional content into a compelling story, and incorporate dynamic introductions and memorable endings into your presentations.

Who Should Register for this Public Speaking Course

This communication program is appropriate for business professionals at all levels of experience who would like to enhance their communication skills to succeed in delivering impactful presentations. It is ideal for anyone in a role that requires ceremonial speaking, persuasive speaking, or any other type of public speaking, regardless of industry or years of experience.

All participants will earn a Certificate of Participation from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education

Participants must be fluent in English to participate fully in fast-moving discussions and exercises.

Benefits of Communication Strategies: Presenting With Impact

This communication strategies program is designed to offer new techniques to improve your public speaking skills. Key takeaways from the program will help you improve your ability to persuade and influence your audience in large- and small-group settings.

During this public speaking training course, you will:

• Learn guiding principles of making effective presentations
• Build confidence in your presentation abilities
• Cultivate your personal leadership and communication style
• Learn strategies on handling hostile audiences

“Jill [Slye] shared invaluable tips that have helped me to reduce my anxiety and negative self-talk around my presentations while conveying a message that encourages others to affect change through empowering presentations.” — Lizbeth Sanches-Acre

The curriculum for this communication strategies program is designed to be interactive and hands-on. You will practice the skills and techniques you are learning in real-time through small group activities and oral presentations during the program.

The curriculum will cover topics such as:

• Effective delivery skills involving presence, vocal variety, body language, narratives and humor, and handling nerves
• Crafting clear and concise messages
• Understanding and connecting with your audience
• Techniques for effective handling of Q&A sessions
• Ways to gain buy-in and influence your audience
• Strategies for online communications, webinars, podcasts, Zoom platforms, etc.

This public speaking course is offered as a two-day on-campus program in our state-of-the-art classroom space in the heart of historic Harvard University. Program tuition is $2,990 plus the cost of travel.

Considering this program?

Send yourself the details.

Related Programs

• Effective Organizational Communication
• Influence and Persuasion in Leadership
• Becoming a Leader: Developing Your Style and Making Sound Decisions

July Schedule

• Communication Overview
• Honing Your Personal Communication Style
• Developing Audience Centered Content
• Presentations
• Strategies for Online Communications
• Leadership Communication Model

December Schedule

Jill abruzese slye, certificates of leadership excellence.

The Certificates of Leadership Excellence (CLE) are designed for leaders with the desire to enhance their business acumen, challenge current thinking, and expand their leadership skills.

This program is one of several CLE qualifying programs. Register today and get started earning your certificate.

How will this program help me improve my public speaking skills?

This program will help you improve your public speaking skills through hands-on practice of communication techniques and new approaches. As part of the program, you will engage in group exercises and oral presentations where you will receive feedback from the instructor and your peers to help you improve your skills in real time.

How will improving public speaking help me advance my career?

Public speaking is an important skill for any business professional, regardless of industry or role. To advance your career, you must possess the ability to convey your message with clarity and lead group discussions with confidence, regardless of the specific situation. Developing the techniques and strategies to communicate effectively will help build trust in your leadership skills more broadly.

What skills or experience is needed before enrolling in this program?

Participants do not need any specific experience or skills to enroll in this program. It is open to any business professional interested in improving their public speaking skills and their ability to communicate effectively and persuasively.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

Public Speaking Training: Create Compelling Speeches & Presentations

• Duration: 3 days
• Sandbox: Yes
• Language: English
• 17 NASBA CPE Credits (live, in-class training only)
• 17 PMI PDUs
• 8 DevOps Institute Continuing Education Units
• Level: Intermediate

In this Public Speaking & Presentation Skills training course, you learn how to strengthen your public speaking and presentation skills, build your confidence, and establish rapport with the audience — all while practicing and delivering presentations in a safe environment with personalized feedback.

Public Speaking Training Delivery Methods

Public speaking training benefits.

Speak publicly in a convincing, confident, and concise style

Deliver dynamic and effective presentations

Create reference materials that support a compelling speech

Continue learning and face new challenges with after-course one-on-one instructor coaching

Public Speaking Training Outline

Module 1: creating compelling speeches.

In this module, you will learn how to:

• Determine your baseline public speaking skills
• Tame fears and increase confidence through practice and preparation
• Integrate audience feedback to fine-tune your delivery

You will also learn how to use the five-step method for speech delivery

• Hooking the audience
• Identifying the critical need
• Presenting the key ideas concisely
• Explaining the payoff
• Calling for action

Module 2: Building an Effective Presentation

• Create a storyboard for your presentation
• Assess and address the needs of your audience
• Convert your ideas into clear, structured content
• Apply learning theory for optimal information transfer when shaping your presentation
• Employ the 7 +/- 2 short-term memory principle to maintain your audience’s attention
• Design effective presentation slides by simplifying complex data with visuals and graphics

Module 3: Engaging Your Audience

• Direct the audience's natural eye movement
• Move dynamically within the presentation space
• Engage the entire audience with effective eye contact
• Synchronize your gestures to the verbal message
• Animate your speech with vocal variety, pitch modulation, pauses, and silence
• Deliver memorable openings and closings

Module 4: Adding Interactivity to Your Presentations

• Engage your audience by stimulating participation with preplanned, topical, rhetorical, group, and targeted questions
• Handle questions from the audience with the reward, restate, and respond approach
• Keep your answers short and simple
• Get back on track after an unplanned interruption
• Manage the post-presentation Q&A session

Module 5: Rehearsing and Delivering Your Speech

• Build confidence with practice
• Incorporate audience feedback to improve your presentation
• Stay within your time limit
• Open your presentation dynamically to create a winning first impression
• 3-day instructor-led training course

After-course coaching available

• Jul 24 - 26 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EDT Herndon, VA or Virtual
• Sep 25 - 27 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EDT Herndon, VA or Virtual
• Nov 20 - 22 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST New York or Virtual
• Jan 22 - 24 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST Herndon, VA or Virtual
• Mar 19 - 21 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EDT New York or Virtual
• May 21 - 23 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM EDT Herndon, VA or Virtual
• Bring this or any training to your organization
• Full - scale program development
• Delivered when, where, and how you want it
• Blended learning models
• Tailored content
• Expert team coaching

We will get in touch with you shortly.

Continue on Your Learning Journey

On Public Schedule, Certification Paths

Custom Course Content, Team Coaching At Your Site

Upskilling, Reskilling, Skills Analysis

Fill out the form below or call 888-843-8733

Need Help Finding The Right Training Solution?

Our training advisors are here for you.

Course FAQs

How will i practice and deliver my presentation.

You will give your presentation at the end of the course. Prior to you should practice effective rehearsal techniques, staying within your time limit, and opening dynamically to create a winning first impression.

How will I receive feedback on my presentation?

There is an incorporating audience feedback to improve a presentation.

Can I learn to improve my public speaking and presentation skills online?

Yes! We know your busy work schedule may prevent you from getting to one of our classrooms which is why we offer convenient online training to meet your needs wherever you want, including online training.

Can I earn Professional Development Units for the Public Speaking: Compelling Speeches & Presentations course?

Yes, you can receive PDUs from the Public Speaking: Compelling Speeches & Presentations course.

To find out how many PDUs you can receive, check out the PMI Q&A List ›

What is the recommended experience for Public Speaking Training?

• Basic familiarity with PowerPoint
• Prior public speaking experience

Is this course eligible for DevOps Institute Continuing Education Units (CEUs)?

Yes, this course is eligible for 8 DevOps Institute Continuing Education Units. Learning Tree offers a variety of DOI CEU-eligible training to help you maintain your certification. View the list of DOI CEU-eligible training courses .

Related Courses

In this Business Relationship Management course, you learn BRM best practices to facilitate actionable IT solutions that provide value to your business.

Business Relationship Management, BRM, IT, communication, barriers, innovative best practices, business problems, trusted IT adviser, align, needs, IT services, work experience, Busines Relationship Managment, BM, Comunication, IT services

Enhance your assertiveness skills and communicate with authority and impact. Gain confidence, influence, and effective communication techniques.

Assertive communication training, assertiveness training, communication skills training, effective communication training, workplace communication training, interpersonal communication training, communication workshop, assertiveness course, assertiveness classes, communication coaching, self-awareness training, behavior pattern training, relationship building, workplace productivity training, conflict resolution training, workplace etiquette training, communication improvement, assertive tone training, communication impact training, communication authority training assertive communication traning, assertivness training, comunication skill training, effectiv communication training, assertvness course, communicaton coaching, self awarness training, behaviour pattern training, work place communication training, assertive training, communcation impact training, assertiveness traning, assesrtive communication skills training.

Learn influence strategies for corporate success. Gain commitment, foster collaboration, and achieve results without direct authority.

Influencing, Skills, Training, corporate, environment, gain, commitment, foster, collaboration, achieve, desired, results, direct authority, influence strategies, Influcing, Skillz, Traninng, corperate, envirnment, committment, colaboration, acheive, desiered, resolts

Cookie Settings

Log in to My Learning Tree

BloomTech’s Downfall: A Long Time Coming

Your source for the latest news and trends in online education.

600 Free Google Certifications

Most common

Popular subjects.

Digital Marketing

Web Development

Microsoft Excel

Popular courses

Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance

Food as Medicine

Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People

Class Central

• classcentral.com
• Browse Courses
• Write a Review
• About Class Central
• Best Courses
• Free Certificates
• Best Free Online Courses of All Time
• Most Popular Online Courses of All Time
• Featured Articles
• Online Learning Guides
• Student Voices

Disclosure:  Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

11 Best Public Speaking Courses for 2024: Conquer Your Fear

Whether you want to lead or not, taking these public speaking courses will help you find your voice and mesmerize your audience.

Quick Access:

• Free or Free-to-audit: Comprehensive , Also Great , Mini Course , Persuasive Speaking
• Beginner Courses : Overcome Your Fear , With Spanish Subtitles , Communication and Speaking , Openings and Closures , Career Growth , Non-native English Speakers
• For Advanced Speakers : Speaking Mastery

Public speaking comes naturally to some, while for others, it can be a daunting task. But don’t worry, whether it’s for presentations, speeches, or personal growth, taking a public speaking course can be a great way to boost your confidence and improve your communication abilities.

In this guide, I’ve selected the 11 best free and paid Public Speaking online courses for you from the 500+ Public Speaking courses in our catalog by following a well-defined methodology that you can find below.

Click on the shortcuts for more details:

What is Public Speaking?

Courses overview, why you should trust us, how we made our picks and tested them, here are our top picks.

Click to skip to course details:

Related Guides

• Negotiation

Recommended Guides

• Copywriting
• Emotional Intelligence
• Resume Writing

Trending Guides

• Graphic Design
• American Sign Language (ASL)

Public speaking is the act of delivering a speech or presentation to a live audience. It involves conveying ideas, opinions, or information in a clear and organized manner that engages and informs the listeners.

Public speaking can take many forms, from giving a speech at a conference to delivering a presentation in a classroom setting or pitching an idea to a group of investors. The ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in public is a valuable skill that can be used in many areas of life, including business, politics, education, and social advocacy.

Why are Public Speaking Skills Important?

Public speaking skills are important for several reasons, including:

• Boosts confidence and self-esteem
• Helps in networking and building relationships
• Enables effective presentation of ideas and arguments
• Provides opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Enables effective communication with diverse audiences.

And public speaking skills are valuable in many careers including:

• Business leaders and executives
• Sales professionals
• Public relations and marketing professionals
• Broadcast journalists and TV hosts
• Social activists and community leaders.
• Combined, these courses have accrued over 1.2M enrollments
• 4 courses are free or free-to-audit and 7 courses are paid
• The Public Speaking subject , with over 500 courses, is followed by 24.5K learners on Class Central.

Best Comprehensive Free to Audit Specialization for Beginners (University of Washington)

The four courses in the free-to-audit specialization, Dynamic Public Speaking , will teach you how to develop and deliver effective presentations. You’ll learn proven concepts from communication, rhetoric, linguistics, and argumentation, and gain ample practice in speech delivery. The courses cater to speakers of all levels and can help those who are nervous about public speaking. If you are working towards a certificate, these courses require you to make recordings and assess those made by your peers.

Matt McGarrity is a Principal Lecturer in the Communication Department at the University of Washington who founded and continues to direct the University of Washington Speaking Center. He has won multiple top paper awards for public speaking research at academic conferences.

What you’ll learn:

• Introduction to Public Speaking : this course teaches a reliable model for effective presentations, helping you organize talks clearly, write them memorably, and deliver them confidently. It is suitable for beginners and seasoned speakers, and can be applied to various types of speeches
• Speaking to inform: Discussing complex ideas with clear explanations and dynamic slides : you’ll learn to explain complex ideas vividly, design compelling slides, convey passion for a topic while maintaining credibility, and speak dynamically from notes
• Speaking to Inspire: Ceremonial and Motivational Speeches : prepare and deliver eloquent and compelling speeches that engage and entertain the audience. Learn to speak fluidly from memory or notes
• Speaking to persuade: Motivating audiences with solid arguments and moving language : design persuasive speeches that motivate and address problems with solutions. You’ll learn to use rhetorical style strategically and deliver passionate speeches.

Also Great Free to Audit Public Speaking Course for Beginners (University of Colorado Boulder)

Successful Presentation is a free-to-audit course that will teach you practical tips and exercises for effective public speaking and presentations. It covers four themes: overcoming fear, developing a creative formula, using language and body gestures, and anticipating the setting. The course is also part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree.

This course also covers:

• Practicing effectively
• Engaging with the audience
• Storytelling, creativity and personal style
• Feel confident and agile when giving a speech, no matter the situation.

Short Course to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking (Udemy)

Are you petrified by the thought of speaking in front of a group of people? Fear of Public Speaking: Never Fear Public Speaking Again aims to help you overcome that fear and develop skills to deliver confident and competent speeches or presentations. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to eliminate your fear of public speaking, reduce nervousness, minimize anxiety and become a more confident speaker.

TJ Walker has trained Presidents and Prime Ministers, Nobel Peace Prize winners, Super Bowl winners, US Senators, Miss Universes and Members of Parliament! His book, Secret to Foolproof Presentations , was a USA Today # 1 Bestseller.

What learners will gain from this course:

• Strategies to eliminate fear and anxiety associated with public speaking
• Techniques to reduce nervousness before and during presentations
• Skills to become a confident and competent public speaker.

Best Free Mini Public Speaking Course (Openclassrooms)

If you’re looking to improve your public speaking skills, Public Speaking is an ideal starting point. In less than an hour, this course covers all the basics to help you become a more confident and effective speaker. With a focus on practical applications including speaking at conferences, presenting lessons, delivering presentations to the camera, and succeeding in job interviews, it’s perfect for beginners and those looking to brush up on their skills. The presenter is engaging and informative, making it easy to digest and apply the lessons learned.

What you’ll learn:

• How to reveal and harness your inner orator for public speaking
• Techniques for defining the objectives of your speech and structuring your content effectively
• The art of storytelling in public speaking
• Strategies for mastering body language and eliminating verbal tics
• Practical applications: speaking at conferences, presenting lessons, delivering to-camera presentations, making in-house presentations, and succeeding in job interviews.

Also Great Free to Audit Persuasive Speaking Course for Beginners (Harvard University)

The free-to-audit Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking is based on Harvard Professor James Engell’s on-campus course “Elements of Rhetoric”. This course will help you analyze and apply persuasive communication techniques, recognize when someone is trying to persuade you, and inspire you to share your viewpoint. Get inspired to share your viewpoint and learn the most effective ways to convince others to support your cause.

In this course:

• Use different rhetorical devices in writing and speaking
• Distinguish between argument and rhetorical technique
• Write persuasive opinion editorials and short speeches
• Evaluate the strength of an argument
• Recognize logical fallacies in arguments.

Best Short Beginner Public Speaking Course for Creatives (Domestika)

Dasha Dollar-Smirnova is a public speaking coach who discovered acting as a very shy child. She combines her acting skills with her experience in boardrooms to help other people find their voice.

Public Speaking: Find Your Unique Voice teaches you practical exercises and advice on how to become a confident public speaker. Learn to engage your listeners and master the skill of public speaking to deliver a persuasive talk tailored to your audience. The videos are recorded in English with Spanish subtitles.

• Understand how the voice works, breathing techniques, warming up exercises, body language
• Effective communication, mapping out your presentation’s objective and tailoring content to the audience
• Structuring content, storytelling techniques, storyboarding
• Rehearsal and techniques for memorizing the content
• Final tips and techniques for managing nerves and finding your unique voice
• Includes a final project and downloadable resources.

Advanced-Level Course to Become a Master Presenter (Udemy)

In Public Speaking and Presentations Pro: No Beginners Allowed! , learn 117 advanced public speaking and presentation skills that will transform you into a pro speaker and help you give amazing presentations to spread your ideas. These techniques are used by thought leaders and will take you from a good speaker to a master presenter.

Jason Teteak is a bestselling author, YouTuber, TEDx speaker, international public speaker, financial and executive coach, trainer of trainers and founder of Rule the Room. He has developed more than fifty personal development, public speaking, presentation, financial training, train-the-trainer and communication training programs. His book, Rule the Room: A Unique, Practical and Comprehensive Guide to Making a Successful Presentation , was published in 2013.

This course will provide:

• Tips on identifying audience goals, introducing oneself, building confidence, overcoming fear
• identify presentation styles and create a memorable experience
• How to produce an effective PowerPoint show
• Advice on how to use body language effectively
• Connect with the audience, incorporate humor, build relationships, and answer questions confidently
• Finish the presentation on time
• Includes quizzes and downloadable resources.

Best Communication and Speaking Course From GMA Presenter Robin Roberts (MasterClass)

Robin Roberts, Emmy-winning co-anchor of Good Morning America, shares her insights on effective communication and human connection in Robin Roberts Teaches Effective And Authentic Communication . Through the course, you will learn how to communicate effectively in various settings and embrace vulnerability, build resilience, and approach life with optimism

• Meet the instructor
• Embrace vulnerability
• Public speaking
• Job interviews, communicating value at work, communicating for television
• Living with optimism and resilience
• A behind-the-scenes look at Good Morning America.

Beginner-Friendly Short Course with Emphasis on Openings & Closures (Skillshare)

PUBLIC SPEAKING: How to Open & Close Presentations Like a Boss focuses on enhancing your public speaking skills by teaching you how to open and close your presentations effectively. It is designed for individuals with basic experience in public speaking and offers techniques and tips to help you master the art of captivating your audience from the beginning to the end of your talk.

Alex Lyon makes courses to help emerging leaders build their communication skills and can also be found on YouTube . He has been a full-time college professor, consultant and speaker for almost 20 years and published his first book in 2016.

• How to effectively open and close a speech or presentation
• The primacy and recency effect, and qualities of strong openings and closings
• How to open and close with stories, quotations, questions, statistics, illustrations, and humor
• Tips on stacking and fine-tuning your opening and closing techniques
• Concludes with next steps for putting it all into action.

Short Beginner Course to learn Public Speaking for Career Growth (Domestika)

In Communicate with Confidence: Learn to Give Powerful Speeches , learn how to use communication as a tool for career growth by connecting with your audience both emotionally and intellectually. The course is designed to help you find the speaker inside you and communicate your ideas with confidence.

Kyoko Takeyama is a speaker, trainer, and communication coach based in Barcelona. She completed her master’s degree in communication and started sharing her work actively on social media in 2019. She has worked for clients including IESE, University of Barcelona, Digital Design Days, and Norwegian Communication Association.

• How to be confident when presenting ideas by discovering and changing your narrative, understanding your audience, and identifying your purpose
• It helps to think outside the box and define the problem-solution-benefit
• The course also covers creating a memorable opening and closing, engaging eyes, ears, and feet, and organizing, practicing, and learning.
• Downloadable resources are also provided.

Beginner-Friendly Short Public Speaking Course for Non-Native English Speakers (LinkedIn Learning)

Public Speaking for Non-Native English Speakers on LinkedIn Learning is tailored to non-native English speakers who want to improve their communication skills in English. You’ll learn how to reduce accent bias, increase understandability and generate confidence through step-by-step guides on scoring a script for delivery. This course is designed to strengthen your delivery and build your confidence through easily integrated approaches to public speaking.

Peter Novak is a professor, stage director, and classically trained actor. His journey towards justice, equity, diversity and inclusion began when he co-founded the nation’s only performing Arts and Social Justice program at the University of San Francisco. His emphasis on clear speech for non-native English speakers is guided by an inclusive model of pronunciation informed by science and linguistics.

• Accent, identity, and listener-friendly speech that aims to help non-native English speakers defeat accent bias and deliver listener-friendly speeches
• Step-by-step guide for confident speaking: how to score a script, focus on pitch, inflection, pace, and power to sound spontaneous while reading
• Resources and strategies such as speech-to-text, tools to clarify content, BoldVoice, the ICAO alphabet, and the 4-7-8 breathing exercise to reduce speaking anxiety for non-native speakers.

Class Central , a Tripadvisor for online education, has helped 60 million learners find their next course. We’ve been combing through online education for more than a decade to aggregate a catalog of 200,000 online courses and 200,000 reviews written by our users. And we’re online learners ourselves: combined, the Class Central team has completed over 400 online courses, including online degrees.

I (Archisha) am a Guided Project Instructor and a Beta Tester at Coursera, having tested many courses before they’re officially launched. I have taken over 50 online courses in various subjects. I used my experience as an online learner and teacher to evaluate each course in this list.

Trying to find “the best” can be daunting, even for those of us who live and breathe online courses. Here’s how I approached this task.

First, I combed through Class Central’s Catalog and the internet to find a variety of free and paid open courses, some with certificates.

When choosing courses, I considered the following factors:

• Instructor experience : I sought instructors with extensive experience in public speaking and engaging presentation styles
• Popularity : I checked numbers of enrollments and views to find popular courses
• Course content : I examined a range of courses including the basics and more advanced topics. I watched some course videos to sample courses I hadn’t already taken
• Learner reviews : I read learner reviews (when available) to get a sense of the quality of each course, leveraging the Class Central database with its thousands of course ratings and reviews written by our users as well as available course provider reviews.

Then, I defined the scope for these recommendations and chose top courses from a range of sub-fields.

Ultimately, I used a combination of data and my own judgment to make these picks. I’m confident these recommendations will be a reliable way to learn about public speaking.

Pat revised the research and the latest version of this article.

Archisha Bhar

Paola 7/14/2023 at 7:26am

Thanks for the compilation. I found it super useful.

Leave a reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Browse our catalog

Discover thousands of free online courses from top universities around the world like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.

Computer Science 13,166 courses

• Artificial Intelligence
• Algorithms and Data Structures
• Internet of Things
• Information Technology
• Computer Networking
• Machine Learning
• Deep Learning
• Cryptography
• Quantum Computing
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Distributed Systems
• Blockchain Development
• Operating Systems
• Computer Graphics
• Automata Theory
• Digital Image Processing
• CSS Animation
• Morph Transition

Business 21,417 courses

• Management & Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Strategic Management
• Industry Specific
• Business Intelligence
• Human Resources
• Project Management
• Design Thinking
• Business Software
• Customer Service
• Nonprofit Management
• Operations Management
• Corporate Governance
• Business Plan
• Business Proposal
• Management Consulting
• Business Math

Humanities 8,300 courses

• Language Learning
• Grammar & Writing
• Linguistics
• Library Science
• Crisis Management
• Emergency Management
• Language Arts

Data Science 4,789 courses

• Bioinformatics
• Data Mining
• Data Analysis
• Data Visualization
• Jupyter Notebooks
• Process Mining
• Text Mining
• Topological Data Analysis

Personal Development 5,702 courses

• Communication Skills
• Career Development
• Self Improvement
• Presentation Skills
• Self-Acceptance
• Mental Toughness
• Self-Doubt Management
• Personal Empowerment
• Habit Tracking

Art & Design 20,638 courses

• Digital Media
• Visual Arts
• Design & Creativity
• Art Therapy
• Art Composition

31 Best Public Speaking Workshops ( & Why They Work)

Public speaking is an essential skill for every professional. Your ability to speak and present before a crowd puts you in a leadership position. You get to inform, entertain, persuade, and inspire people. You can sell ideas, products, and services. You can even launch a movement or lead a revolution. 

I have been training leaders in public speaking and presentation skills . There are many public workshops around the world, and some of them are free. But not all of these public speaking workshops are equal. 

For example, many online courses won’t really help you become a confident public speaker. They provide information, many of which are not essential to successful speaking. I offer the six programs on this list. You can learn about me here.

Public Speaking Workshops

Finding the best 31 workshops isn’t difficult for me since I have been a student of public speaking for more than 30 years.

But I know that many people don’t know where to start. So, this list is based on what I believe to be most useful to professionals worldwide.

8. Public Speaking Masterclass

“Public Speaking Masterclass” is the crème de la crème of public speaking training, designed to elevate participants from competent to master speakers. This comprehensive workshop brings together various facets of public speaking, offering a holistic approach to mastering the podium.

For individuals, this masterclass is transformational. Attendees will delve into the depths of vocal variety, storytelling, audience engagement, and much more. 

By its conclusion, they’ll not only understand the mechanics of a great speech but also the artistry behind memorable orations.

For organizations, the implications of having master speakers are profound. Internally, it can lead to more motivating team meetings, clearer communication, and enhanced leadership. Externally, every public address, from product launches to keynote addresses, will echo the organization’s excellence and vision, leaving a lasting impact on listeners.

This masterclass journeys through the entire spectrum of public speaking. Beginning with foundational concepts, participants will refresh on speech structure and audience psychology. 

As they progress, they’ll dive into advanced techniques like rhetorical devices, the power of pauses, and using anecdotes for maximum impact. Interactive sessions will challenge attendees to practice various styles of speaking, from persuasive to informative, in diverse settings. 

Personalized feedback is a cornerstone of this workshop, ensuring tailored guidance for every participant. There’s also a segment dedicated to managing difficult situations or challenging questions from the audience, empowering speakers to handle any situation with grace. 

By the workshop’s end, participants will be well-versed in the nuances and subtleties that differentiate a good speech from a masterful one.

10 Public Speaking Tips from 20 Years of Speaking

Hook ‘Em and Hold ‘Em: How to Keep Your Audience Engaged from Start to Finish

Powerful Public Speaking: A Simple Guide To Help You Speak with Confidence

10 Ways to Generate Impromptu Speech Ideas

7 Powerful Presentation Strategies of Master Presenters

10 Presentation Secrets for Creating Memorable Messages

• Improve your motivation skills. Subscribe to 21 Breakthrough Motivation Secrets.

About The Author

Jef Menguin

Elevate your public speaking game..

Transform your public speaking skills with our immersive learning experience. Dive deep into interactive sessions, receive personalized feedback, and practice in a supportive environment. Elevate your confidence, clarity, and impact as a high-impact public speaker.

Start typing and press enter to search

                                      LIVE 1-HOUR CLASSES AVAILABLE 

Shine When You Present

1-Day Public Speaking Trainings and 1-on-1 Coaching in the Bay Area and Virtual

Is public speaking holding you back?

Here's what you can do:.

Try a Live 1-Hr Class (Virtual or In-Person)

Choose an Immersive Full-Day "Bootcamp" (Virtual or In-Person)

Not sure where to start? Talk to a Specialist.

This Week's Topic:

Communicate the value of your team.

For detailed information on our weekly classes, click here .

Virtual Classes

Please note: This is a live class that meets via Zoom. All times in Pacific Standard Time (PST). 

Get Tangible Results Now

"What I learned today at the Magnetic Delivery Training is how to anchor much more effectively and how to control and modulate your voice."

Surya Hotha Senior Director, Product Marketing at AMD

"I just took the Blueprint training. My biggest takeaway was how to build a strong presentation. A strong opening, body, and a strong closing."

Pam Nicolaï Learning and Development Manager at GoPro

"I just finished the Delivery training. What I took away specifically was how to engage with the audience and ask questions. I really enjoyed it!"

Jackie Nguyen Strategic Account Manager, Postmates

"I just took the Blueprint workshop and the biggest takeaway I have is including emotions in your storytelling."

Tristan Tao Senior Director, Solutions

Gain visibility.

and acknowledgement for the work you do

Be promoted

to your next role

and influence in meetings with other smart professionals

Get polished

before a big presentation

Hear from a recent client:

Target your specific speaking gaps.

Choose from four different 1-Day Public Speaking Training options geared towards your specific speaking gaps.

1-Day Bootcamp

Strong Presence, Gestures, Vocal Variety, Engaging Audience. Learn More

Flow, Concise, Clear, Interesting, Executive-Level. Learn More

Storytelling

Relatable, Memorable, Charismatic, Relevant, Compelling. Learn More

Quick, Adaptable, Smart, Poised, Handle Pressure. Learn More

Is This Right For You?

Smart professionals like project managers, developers, product managers, engineers, data scientists, etc. take our trainings. They're smart and competent -- all they need is polishing their presentation skills and comfort level. You'll be surprised by how fast you improve.

We offer training options for:

Not sure where to start? Talk to a training specialist to find the right training for you or your company.

“I've gained so much in the last 6 months because of Magnetic Speaking - comfort in presenting in front of crowds (including leadership), landing a big project at work , overall communication at work. I can't thank you guys enough for making such a difference in my life and making communication science available to all.”

Ankush G. Product Manager at Gap Inc.

Try a 1-Hr Class For Immediate Results

Join us for a 1-hour class to improve your public speaking skills and gain confidence. Workshops are available weekly. Or you can contact us to discuss a custom training plans.

we've worked with

Group Workshops

“You helped us communicate with a broad audience through our public speaking and webcasts. You invested a lot of time understanding our organization. Your coaching was practical, insightful and a tremendous value. Absolutely wonderful!” – Mark Price, Vice Chairman, Principal & Owner, Deloitte Consulting

Simply Speaking® group programs are designed for all skill levels, can take on many different formats and durations, and are conducted at your location worldwide or online. Our work starts with a thorough understanding of your needs — we’ll meet with the stakeholders, review a sample slide deck and available recordings, and ask participants to tell us about their strengths and challenges via our online self-assessment.

We offer comprehensive small group on-camera programs ranging from one to two days as well as “crash courses,” which are often ideal for large meetings where you may be short of time. Please page down to learn more about our programs or contact us and let’s have a conversation about how we can help you.

SIMPLY SPEAKING SMALL GROUP ON-CAMERA WORKSHOPS — IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

Through demonstrations, experimentation, multiple on-camera impromptu and prepared presentations, candid real-time, real-world tested feedback and award-winning coaching, your group learns to listen to their audiences’ needs and deliver clear, concise, and utterly compelling presentations.

There are no dull lectures in this hands-on workshop, and we share Disney’s philosophy that laughter and learning are great friends. We also believe that the goal for most presentations should be connection, not perfection. This creates an environment where your group feels safe experimenting with new approaches. The results are obvious, measurable, and speak for themselves.

We typically start with proven methods to conquer presentation jitters, a must for just about everyone regardless of skill level. We then explore the ingredients for high-impact presentations, both in-person and online. Participants are quickly “on their feet” and on camera, delivering impromptu presentations, followed by professional feedback and coaching. These presentations serve as a fun icebreaker and establish a baseline upon which we build immediately applicable skills.

Incorporating strategies learned from delivering the first presentations, participants then deliver business presentations prepared prior to arrival, followed by self-critique, peer feedback, professional feedback and coaching, and video review.

Throughout the workshop, we model best practices for all types of presentations participants may face and provide tons of tips, tricks, tools, and techniques learned from decades of professional speaking. Each person presents multiple times per day, and with each presentation, incorporates new skills and strategies, receives more in-depth feedback and coaching, and experiences greater success. We build upon each person’s strengths and personality so they excel quickly and comfortably.

The bottom line: By the end of the program, your group knows, first-hand, how to deliver high-impact presentations.

Some of the areas often covered include how to:

• Present like a pro — in-person or online, prepared or impromptu
• Appear confident, competent, and credible in front of any group
• Capture and maintain the attention and interest of your listeners
• Craft and convey messages that are clear, concise, and compelling – for prepared formal events and casual impromptu meetings
• Organize material for best flow and maximum impact
• Read your audience, speak to their needs, and adjust if necessary
• Spice-up potentially dull topics and get rid of “boring”
• Provide the right content, not a data dump
• Share stories that pull-in listeners, connect, and captivate
• Integrate appropriate humor to drive home serious points
• Think quickly on your feet and look calm under pressure
• Master Q&A sessions and win-over tough audiences
• Incorporate effective visual aids and avoid Death by PowerPoint
• Eliminate “ums,” “ahs,” “you knows” and other distracting habits
• Speak with a voice of authority and exude commanding executive presence
• Engage, inspire, inform, and influence with resounding success
• Increase sales – Forget your title, we’re all in sales™

To reinforce and continue learning, participants receive personal action plans for continued success, access to us after the workshop, videos of their presentations, feedback, and coaching, Simply Speaking® high-impact presentation templates, wallet reference cards, David’s best-selling books, Simply Speaking!® The No-Sweat Way to Prepare and Deliver Presentations, How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint!™ , and How to Conduct Incredibly Productive Meetings , as well as a subscription to the Simply Speaking!® High-Impact Presentation Strategies newsletter.

Follow-up is essential and we conduct a one-hour online group session about 30 days after the workshop, where participants share successes and challenges, ask questions, and continue raising the bar. Optionally, intensive private coaching is available, both in-person and online.

Small group on-camera workshops typically range from one to two days in-person or up to three half-days online.

Contact us and let’s have a conversation about your needs and how we can help you.

“Your programs for our salespeople were the highest rated programs ever at HP!” – Craig Pampeyan, Sr. Director, Presales Strategy, Planning and Operations, HP

SIMPLY SPEAKING “CRASH COURSES” — In-person and online

When your time is limited or your group is large, a Simply Speaking® “Crash Course” may be the perfect solution. During this fast-paced, fun, and completely hands-on program, we guide your group every step of the way as they learn to prepare and deliver world-class presentations that connect with today’s often distracted listener.

There are no dull lectures, and we share Disney’s philosophy that laughter and learning are great friends. This creates an environment where your group feels safe experimenting with new approaches. Depending on the time allotted, here’s how the program may flow:

We typically start with proven methods to conquer presentation jitters, a must for just about everyone regardless of skill level.

Next, a few “lucky” pre-selected participants are on their feet delivering relevant brief presentations, prepared prior to arrival. They receive immediate peer feedback as well as professional feedback and coaching in a manner so that everyone learns from the experience. They then incorporate the feedback and redo small portions of their presentations. The difference is often remarkable.

We believe that high-impact presentations require high-impact preparation, not throwing a bunch of bullets on an endless stream of slides. So, next we guide participants step-by-step as they work in small teams to complete our proprietary Simply Speaking® Template/Planner and craft presentations that inform and move audiences.

We move about the teams, providing on-the-spot coaching to ensure the presentations are top-notch and ready for “show time.” All of the teams deliver their presentations to the entire group, experience the thrill of a great presentation, and receive peer feedback as well as professional feedback and coaching. Our clients tell us that this time is not only invaluable for honing their group’s presentation skills, but also serves as a great team builder.

By the end of the program, your group knows exactly what it takes to deliver high-impact presentations, and each participant creates a personal action plan for continued growth.

To reinforce learning, if desired, you’ll receive a video of the team presentations, feedback and coaching. In addition, each participant receives our Simply Speaking® high-impact presentation template, wallet reminder cards, a subscription to the Simply Speaking® High-Impact Presentations newsletter and, optionally, David’s best-selling books, Simply Speaking! The No-Sweat Way to Prepare and Deliver Presentations and How to Avoid Death by PowerPoint!

“Crash Courses” typically range from one and a half to four hours and are available both in-person and online. Optionally, intensive private coaching is available, both in-person and online.

our  workshops

Communications and public speaking workshops.

Our public speaking workshops are designed to give you personal instruction to reach your own communication goals while having fun in the process.  You will find a safe, supportive, and highly effective setting with speaking and presentation workshops from MillsWyck Communications.

Each workshop is carefully designed to give you — and/or your team members — actionable tools and techniques to increase your impact.   Whether you are creating a speech, delivering a speech, running a meeting in-person or online, writing a critical email, conducting virtual training, or having a one-on-one conversation with a boss, client, or colleague, we can equip you with the tools you need to reach your communication goals. These highly interactive workshops help you learn to face a public audience, so you can deliver content in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.

Training includes instruction, peer feedback, video evaluation, instructor coaching, group exercises and multiple practice sessions. Our virtual training relies on our traditional training techniques plus additional methods such as breakout rooms, ongoing homework, video review, and self reflection to get participants to change their behavior. 

Remember: excellent training plus consistent practice changes lives.

You can speak with Confidence, Power, and Ease. 

Here’s a sneak peek, two-minute video at what an in-person public speaking skills class is really like with MillsWyck Communications. Sign up today for training that will change your life!

What you will gain from our Communications Workshops. . .

• Positive reinforcement on skills that work
• Techniques to handle your fear of public speaking
• Techniques to engage your audience
• Make presentations with ease
• Learn how to design a presentation with key messages
• Develop PowerPoint slides that engage your audience and reinforce your message
• Learn how to answer tough questions
• Get your team to hold more productive meetings, in-person or online
• Master the skills of virtual communications and online training
• Send (and receive?!) more productive emails
• Learn to enjoy and become effective at communication ALL THE TIME!

Communications Workshops

• Powerful, Persuasive Speaking* — Registration
• Storytelling: The Public Speaking Silver Bullet* — Registration
• Creating Powerful, Persuasive Presentation Content*
• Speak with Confidence*
• Business Communication Basics
• Great Answers to Tough Questions
• Making Impressions in an Online World 
• By the Numbers: Using Data Effectively in Presentations
• Powerful, Persuasive Visuals
• Powerful, Persuasive Emails
• Powerful, Persuasive Meetings
• Powerful, Persuasive Webinars
• Giving Powerful Feedback
• Negotiation Skills
• Conflict Assessment and Resolution
• Business Productivity Package
• Certification
• Train the Trainer

It’s no longer a luxury to have effective speaking skills, it is ESSENTIAL.

See a list of our upcoming  public workshops and their dates.

To set up an on-site, corporate workshop contact us  directly.

Our Keynote presentation topics are available in 30-minute, 60-minute, 90-minute, half-day, and full-day formats, and may be presented as a keynote speech, training seminar, workshop, webinar or conference breakout session.

Your privacy is important to us. Check out our Privacy Policy.

Based in Raleigh, NC.

Transforming people all over the world.

[email protected]

+1 (919) 386-9238

www.millswyck.com/

www.alanhoffler.com/

Pin It on Pinterest

• eVolve Login
• Africa & Middle East
• Australia & New Zealand
• Central America, the Caribbean & Mexico
• South America
• United States
• View All Locations
• Dale Carnegie Unlimited: A Live Online Subscription
• eVolve Digital Learning & Collaboration
• Custom Solutions
• Government Solutions
• Presentation & Public Speaking
• People Skills
• Customer Service
• Organizational Development
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Youth & Teen
• Case Studies
• White Papers
• Methodology
• COVID-19 Standards

Effective Presentation Skills

Leaders who build, develop the skills to present confidently.

Communicate Confidently to All Types of Audiences

• We provide presentation skills training courses to empower you to communicate confidently and competently to all types of audiences. 
• We illustrate proven methods and techniques that allow you to develop compelling, high-impact presentations with universal appeal, yielding consistent, positive results.
• You will explore the optimum use of voice and gesture to create a lasting impression as well as a variety of public speaking styles, ranging from a formal speech to a casual meeting or contentious conversation.
• Rather than trying to have you be someone you’re not, Dale Carnegie's training courses help bring out your greatness—your authentic self and inner leader.

Top Public Speaking and Presentation Training Courses

Explore the variety of presentation training courses offered to improve your public speaking skills.

• Deliver convincing presentations.
• Make memorable and dynamic openings.
• Close presentations with credibility and impact.
• Learn techniques to calm your nerves.
• Learn to think on your feet.
• Present with confidence and polish.
• Research and organize your presentations.
• Speak with conviction and confidence.
• Navigate Q&As with ease.
• Influence outcomes.
• Create cooperation.
• Build your image as a strong, fair-minded leader.
• Discover preparation tools to boost your confidence.
• Use storytelling to present with influence and impact
• Learn best practices for virtual presentations and meetings.

Our Presentation Courses Will Help You:

Speak More Effectively

Develop essential presentation skills in your organization.

Expand and sharpen your skills for a more successful career.

Contact us and explore how we can meet your unique challenges and allow you to take command of your career, your organization, or your team.

What you need to know about public speaking: history, types and tips

Jun 13, 2024

Posted by: Regine Fe Arat

Public speaking is an essential skill that can help you influence, inspire and connect with your audience. You can become a more confident and effective speaker by understanding the history and types of public speaking and following a few helpful tips for improving your communication skills.

Mastering the art of public speaking can open up new opportunities whether you’re looking to persuade, educate, or entertain.

What is public speaking?

Public speaking is the act of verbally communicating information or ideas to a group of individuals. The number of people in this group can range from just a few to thousands, and the setting can be anything from an intimate gathering to a formal event.

Public speaking isn’t just talking, though. It’s a craft, finely tuned over time. It has structures, strategies and styles that help make communication effective, engaging and impactful.

Purposes of public speaking

Public speaking is more than standing in front of a group of people and talking. The main drive behind successful public speaking is the purpose it serves. This purpose helps guide the speech’s content, style and presentation.

Generally, it serves three broad purposes: to persuade, educate and entertain.

Persuasive speech is one of the oldest forms of public speaking, dating back to ancient Greece.

As the name suggests, this type of speaking is all about convincing your audience about a particular point of view, idea or course of action. The speaker aims to align the audience’s beliefs or actions with their own, using logic, emotion and personal credibility.

An effective persuader knows how to influence, not manipulate, engaging with the audience on complex ideas rather than triggering reactive emotion.

Educational public speaking aims to impart knowledge or instruct the audience on a particular topic.

This form of speaking is present in many settings, from the university lecture hall to the corporate training room. A successful educational speaker is organized, clear and engaging. They should be able to break down complex information and concepts into understandable, bite-sized pieces.

A good educational speaker is also an effective teacher, helping the audience understand new ideas and concepts.

Entertainment-oriented public speaking is still informative and persuasive, but it also involves captivating an audience with a performance that primarily seeks to amuse or delight listeners.

You might find this style of oration in comedy standups, dramatic interpretations or engaging storytelling sessions.

Unlike educational or persuasive speeches, you might characterize entertaining speeches by their creativity and flexibility. Speakers often use humor, anecdotes, dramatic pauses and stylistic voices to keep their audiences intrigued and hooked.

While these speeches may seem lighthearted, they often require extensive practice and skill to strike the right balance between entertaining and overwhelming the audience.

The history of public speaking

Public speaking has been a fundamental aspect of society for as long as humans have communicated. It’s deeply rooted in our global history, from ancient Greeks giving speeches in assemblies and markets to American presidents delivering their inaugural addresses.

Ancient beginnings

The art of public speaking, also known as rhetoric, is rooted in ancient Greece. Approximately 2,500 years ago, Greek philosopher and educator Aristotle defined public speaking. He outlined three components of persuasive speaking:

• ethos (credibility)
• pathos (emotion)
• logos (logic)

This classification still forms the backbone of many public speaking strategies today.

Public speaking and democracy

Public speaking played a pivotal role in strengthening democracy in ancient Rome. The courts often required citizens to deliver speeches in court to defend their rights. Hence, a good command of public speaking was a key prerequisite for any influential Roman citizen.

Education formalized public speaking into a discipline during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods and made its way into general curricula.

Modern public speaking

In the 21st century, public speaking is more accessible and diverse. It’s no longer limited to politicians and scholars but extends to business leaders, activists, educators and even comedians.

Thanks to technology, speakers can connect with audiences globally through mediums like TED Talks and podcasts, broadening their scope and reach.

Many business leaders use public speaking as part of their marketing and selling tactics. They may present at events, lead events for their business brand or present as a guest on outlets such as podcasts. This is often termed “speaking to sell”, as it relates to using the stage’s power and influence for business objectives.

In the corporate world, public speaking is common. It’s a requirement for leading meetings with small teams or the company as a whole. It can take place online via conference calls and webinars or in person.

Storytelling as part of public speaking

Storytelling is an essential part of public speaking. Many people learn best and remember information through stories, so storytelling is an excellent way to demonstrate a point or influence action from your audience.

Politicians are a helpful example of this as they commonly use stories to respond to questions in debates or as their main device when giving a speech to drive potential voter action. Like politics, anytime influence is the goal; stories are an effective way to connect and gain buy-in.

Public speaking training

Many people believe public speaking is daunting, but an array of resources and organizations are dedicated to helping individuals improve their oratory skills. Public speaking training can take many forms, from traditional classes and workshops to modern online courses.

Toastmasters International

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide to promote communication, public speaking and leadership skills. It allows members to develop these skills through a learn-by-doing program, which takes place in a supportive, friendly environment.

Toastmasters uses a structured program to help members work on their speaking skills, providing constructive feedback and advice to hone their craft.

Membership in Toastmasters isn’t just about becoming a better speaker, though. It’s about building confidence, developing leadership skills and expanding your network. You get the opportunity to practice speaking frequently, in front of a group, on a wide range of topics.

The feedback and support fellow club members give you can be invaluable in your journey to becoming an effective communicator.

Another international organization, Rostrum, provides a platform for its members to practice and improve their speaking skills in a safe and encouraging environment. Rostrum clubs are all over the world and meet regularly for members to give speeches, gain feedback and develop their communication and leadership abilities.

Rostrum’s structured training program offers members a series of tutorials, guides and a personal mentor to help them improve.

Joining international organizations like Toastmasters and Rostrum is a great way to significantly improve your speaking abilities. These organizations aim to empower people to become more effective communicators and leaders in their personal and professional lives.

Self-training solutions

Self-training solutions are a good alternative for those who prefer to learn at their own pace or perhaps need to work on their public speaking skills independently due to time or location constraints.

Pip Decks – Storyteller Tactics Deck

Incorporating storytelling into your speech is one of the most effective ways to engage your audience when public speaking. The Pip Decks Storyteller Tactics Deck is a powerful tool designed to help you master the art of storytelling.

This deck incorporates several tactics and strategies for crafting compelling narratives, drawing from years of research in fields such as psychology, marketing and, of course, public speaking. It includes techniques related to character development, plot crafting and effective timing, among others.

By incorporating these storytelling techniques into your speeches, you can connect with your audience more effectively, maintain their attention and communicate your message in an impactful way.

Online courses

Online courses offer a flexible way to learn and practice public speaking skills. Platforms such as Coursera, Udemy and LinkedIn Learning provide a wide array of courses targeted at different levels of experience, from beginners to advanced speakers.

These courses often include video lectures, reading materials, practical exercises and community forums where you can interact with instructors and fellow learners. This type of training allows you to study at a pace that suits you and gain feedback on your progress.

Things to remember when giving a speech

The following are practical tips for when you’re up on stage or in front of an audience. This advice can enhance your delivery and help ensure your message resonates with your audience.

Move your gaze

One of the hallmarks of a great public speaker is their ability to engage the entire audience. Consciously moving your gaze across the audience as you speak is a strategy that can help you do this effectively.

Keep in mind that eye contact is an essential element of personal communication. It can create a sense of connection and mutual understanding. Eye contact makes listeners feel seen and included, creating a more personal and engaging interaction.

However, be careful not to stare at one person or spot for too long, as this can become uncomfortable. Instead, try to scan your gaze over the audience, systematically covering the entire room. This technique can help maintain engagement, keep your audience’s attention and show that you are confident and in control.

Talk – don’t read

While planning your speech and knowing your material is essential, a successful public speaker doesn’t read a script. Instead, they engage their audience by speaking naturally and conversationally. Reading from a prepared script can often feel impersonal and may not effectively engage your audience.

Rather than reading verbatim from a script, use your notes as a guide to remind you of key points or facts. You should come across as knowledgeable about your topic but also genuine and spontaneous. To achieve this, practice your speech multiple times until you are comfortable with the flow and content. This will give you the confidence to deliver your message naturally without constantly referring to your notes.

Your voice is a tool

Your voice is one of your most powerful tools for captivating your audience and communicating your message. You can vary your tone, pitch, volume and speed to add emphasis and maintain the audience’s interest. A monotone or dull voice will likely bore your audience, no matter how compelling your content might be.

Work on developing your vocal variety and practice emphasizing key points in your speech by changing your tone or volume. You can use brief pauses to let important ideas reverberate, giving your audience time to digest your content.

Remember, your voice sets the mood and energy level for your speech, so use it wisely.

Body language

Body language is a crucial part of effective public speaking. Hand gestures, facial expressions and posture can all convey a wealth of information and significantly impact how your audience perceives you and receives your message. Positive body language can help boost your credibility, keep your listeners engaged and strengthen your message’s impact.

Try to use natural and meaningful gestures that align with what you’re saying. Stand tall and confident, maintaining good posture throughout your speech. Use facial expressions to convey emotion and engage with your audience. Be mindful of any nervous habits you may have, such as fidgeting or pacing, as these can be distracting.

You can find online body language training courses that show various postures and movements to explain how they impact the audience. Even basic things like how you stand, where you hold your hands and your facial expressions impact how the audience understands or perceives you.

Enhance your public speaking skills with Pip Decks

Taking advantage of resources like Pip Decks can help you enhance your public speaking skills. This method employs practical tools, like the Storytelling Tactics Deck, which allows you to weave narratives into your speeches seamlessly.

Harness the power of storytelling to captivate your audience and make lasting impressions. At the same time, you can further refine your skills by actively pursuing self-improvement through online courses and self-training solutions.

Like any other skill, public speaking proficiency comes with practice, patience and a desire to improve. As you continue building upon your public speaking skills, you’ll find yourself becoming a more confident, persuasive and effective communicator, capable of making your voice heard and making a difference in your chosen field.

Level up your career with Pip Club

Join 100,000+ leaders who get unique tips every week on storytelling, leadership and productivity - plus exclusive how-to guides, first-dibs on upcoming Pip Decks and our very best discounts.

Nearly there...

Check your inbox to confirm your email.

No spam, no email sharing - ever. Privacy Policy

One of the few newsletters I look forward to. — Dave Cunningham, Head of DesignOps @ NHS

You might find these articles useful

The art of strategic storytelling: how to master it, nine examples of brands that excel at storytelling, business storytelling examples to excite your consumer base.

What Is Public Speaking? Why Is It Important? (Definition + Tips)

What is public speaking? In this article, you'll learn what speaking in public is about and the importance of public speaking in business.

If you’ve been asked to give a public speech, you may wonder: what is public speaking and why is public speaking important? Those questions are quite logical if you’ve never thought much about public speaking before.

Public speaking is important in business, education, and the public arena. There are many benefits to speaking in public, whether you’re an individual or a business.

In this article, we’ll define public speaking for you. We’ll discuss the importance of public speaking in general. We’ll also cover the importance of public speaking in business. Plus, we’ll share some resources to help you become a better public speaker. This includes some public speaking examples.

Also, if you want to pursue speaking in public yourself, download our free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It’ll help you master the complete presentation process.

What Is Public Speaking & Why It’s Important (Quickstart Video)

If you’re reading this, you’re probably asking the question “ what is public speaking “? You may even be faced with the prospect of creating a public speech yourself.

Or maybe you just want to know “ why is public speaking important “? Whatever your situation, we’ve got you covered with this short video that gives a public speaking definition and provides you with some tips to make a better public speech.

To learn even more about public speaking and why it’s important, study the written tutorial below.

A Public Speaking Definition

So what exactly is public speaking? Basically, it’s a presentation that’s given live before an audience. Public speeches can cover a wide variety of different topics. The goal of the speech may be to educate, entertain, or influence the listeners. Often, visual aids in the form of an electronic slideshow are used to supplement the speech. This makes it more interesting to the listeners.

A quality public communication definition should explain how it’s different from an online presentation, which is why we’ll cover it here. Here’s a description of some of the differences:

• A public speaking presentation is different from an online presentation because an online presentation is available any time. A public speech is typically limited to a specific time or place.
• Online presentations often use slideshows or pre-recorded videos of a speaker. (This includes recordings of a live public speaking presentation).

Because speaking in public is done before a live audience, you need to consider some special factors. We’ll touch on those shortly.

Now that you’ve got an understanding of the meaning of public speaking, let’s take a quick look at the history of (and the importance of) public speaking.

A History of Public Speaking

What is the history of public speaking? And why is public speaking important?

There’s a good chance that there’s been public speech, in one form or another, as long as there’ve been people. But most public speaking experts involved with public speaking in business communication trace the origins of modern public speaking back to ancient Greece and Rome.

Of course, those societies didn’t have slideshows, but they did have a need for speaking in public. As a result, they developed public speaking methods that are still studied today.

The ancient Greeks used public speech primarily to praise or persuade others. At one point, all Greek citizens had the right to suggest or oppose laws during their assemblies. This resulted in a need for skilled public speakers. Speaking in public became a desirable skill and was taught. Public speaking in the time of the Greeks was called rhetoric. Later, when Rome came to power, speaking in public was used during the Roman senate sessions. The Romans adopted the public speaking rhetoric methods of the Greeks. In fact, most public speaking teachers of the time were Greek.

The Latin style of public speaking was popular in the U.S. and Europe until the mid-20th century . After World War II, a less formal and more conversational speaking style of speaking became popular. Also, electronic tools became available to enhance public presentations.

Towards the end of the 20th century, electronic tools migrated to the computer. They evolved into the computer software tools, like PowerPoint , that we know and use today.

Don’t be fooled, though. Even though today’s public speeches are less formal, they still need to be well organized. More on that later. Now, let’s take a look at the importance of public speaking.

The Importance of Public Speaking

If you ask most people, they’ll probably say they don’t like public speech. They may even admit to being afraid of it since fear of public speaking is very common. Or they may just be shy or introverted. For those reasons, many people avoid speaking in public if they can. If you’re one of those people who avoid speaking in public, you’re missing out.

You may be wondering, “What is public communication and how can it benefit me?” Over the years, public speaking in communication has played a major role in education, government, and business. Words have the power to inform, persuade, educate, and even entertain. And the spoken word can be even more powerful than the written word in the hands of the right speaker.

Whether you’re a small business owner or a student, you’ll benefit from improving your public speaking skills. Some benefits of speaking in public include:

• improves confidence
• better research skills
• stronger deductive skills
• ability to advocate for causes

Speaking in public is especially important for businesses to market their offers. This allows them to get their message in front of potential customers. Salespeople and executives are often expected to have good public speaking skills. To learn more about some of the benefits of speaking in public, review this article .

Next, let’s explore the methods you can use to become better at speaking in public.

How to Become Better at Public Speaking (5 Quick Tips)

Okay, so now you understand the benefits of public speaking. You might be a little more interested in the topic. Still, you might think it’s not for you. Maybe you gave a speech once and it didn’t go well. Maybe you’re afraid of speaking in public. Or maybe you think you don’t have a natural ability for giving speeches.

The truth is that speaking in public is a skill. And you can learn any skill. While some people may have more natural speaking ability than others, anyone can learn to be a better public speaker. It just takes some know-how and some effort.

To help you become better at giving public speeches, we’ll take a look at these five areas:

• writing the speech
• overcoming a fear of speaking
• practicing the speech
• preparing your presentation slide designs
• giving the speech

We’ll start with writing the speech.

1. Write an Effective Speech

The first thing you’ll want to do is work on writing a well-organized, engaging speech. Even a great speaking voice or a great deal of charisma isn’t enough if your material isn’t any good.

Specifically, it’s crucial to research your audience beforehand so that you can target your speech directly to them as much as possible. Become familiar with their wants and needs, as well as any problems you can solve for them. This will drive the actual topic that you actually select for your speech, as well as how you research it.

The more research you do, the easier writing your speech will be.

2. Overcome the Fear of Speaking

Fear of public speaking is very real and can hold you back if you let it. If you don’t feel confident when giving your speech, your listeners may pick up on that. This can make your presentation less effective.

Fortunately, there are some techniques to help manage the fear of speaking in public. They also help you become more confident.

First, let’s tackle fear of public speaking. If you’ve already written an effective speech, then you’ve already taken an important first step. The more familiar you are with your speech, the less worried you’ll be on presentation day.

Besides knowing your topic well, be sure to practice, practice, practice! And remember that if you do make any mistakes on presentation day, it’ll be less obvious to your audience than you think.

Next, let’s work on improving your confidence.

3. Practice the Speech

Even if you’re not afraid of speaking in public, practice helps you give a more effective speech. If you’re in a rush, you may be tempted to skip practicing your speech to save time. While skipping practice may seem like a good idea, it’s really not.

Practicing your speech improves your public presentation skills. It also increases your familiarity with the presentation. As a result, your speech will go smoothly. You can go over this handy checklist to help you practice your speech.

4. Prepare Your Presentation Slide Designs

Your slide design needs to be on point. You’ll want to make sure it looks professional and is easy to read. Luckily, you can find plenty of modern and professional presentation templates on Envato Elements.

You’ll also want to download The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations eBook now. Download it for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Learn how to get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that’ll move your audience.

Don’t forget to make good use of tools like PowerPoint , Google Slides , or Keynote . The right template for your slide deck can make a huge difference in your presentation.

5. Give the Speech

You’ve written a good speech. You feel more confident about giving a speech in public, and you’ve practiced. You’re ready to actually give the speech. There are some tips and tricks you can use on the day of your speech to make it go more smoothly, though.

Remember, you’re giving a presentation before a live audience at a specific place and time. So, you’ve got some concerns about the speaking venue that those who give online presentations don’t have to worry about.

Some common concerns for public speakers include:

• Will the audience be able to hear me?
• Does the venue have the equipment I need?
• Are there enough seats for all my listeners?

Public Speaking Examples

Public speaking examples are great for learning or improving a new skill. That applies to speaking in public as well. If you get the chance to listen to some top-rated public speakers, you should do it. You can observe how other speakers go about giving their speech. In the process, you’ll improve your own speaking skills.

One great source of recorded public speeches is Ted Talks , which is a series of short presentations on a wide variety of topics. Ted Talks are known for attracting world-class and celebrity speakers. You can find my favorite Ted Talks in this article .

The Best Source for Simple PowerPoint Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements is the perfect place to find modern PowerPoint templates . For a single monthly fee, access unlimited downloads of PowerPoint themes, photos, fonts, and other resources to use in your next presentation.

Elements gives you the best bang for your buck. And thanks to the unlimited downloads, you can try out a variety of slide designs as you build out your public speaking PowerPoint presentation.

PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements have plenty of features to help you create a stunning presentation, such as:

• bold text and title slides to capture audience attention
• rich image placeholders to show off photos and videos
• many infographic elements and charts to visualize data
• plenty of customization options to make the template your own

Thanks to these templates, you’ll be able to create a modern, standout presentation to go with your public speech.

5 Modern PowerPoint Templates From Envato Elements

1. minimalism clean powerpoint presentation.

Try this template if you’re looking for a clean and simple PowerPoint slide design. The template features a versatile layout. Use it for any type of presentation or topic. It includes 50+ unique slide designs, tons of customization options, and vector elements. The template was designed in widescreen format.

2. Kaspa PowerPoint Presentation

The Kaspa PowerPoint template has a modern and trendy design. It’s best suited for presentations that need a lot of photos to share information. The template can be customized completely. It comes with slide animations and transitions. The template also includes vector icons.

3. Guava PowerPoint

The Guava PowerPoint has a dramatic, yet elegant design. You’ll notice dark image overlays and elegant typography that makes your message stand out. The template comes with 50+ unique designs, image placeholders, and master slides. It was designed in widescreen resolution.

4. Dauna Minimalist PowerPoint

The Dauna template is another minimalist PowerPoint design. It works well for any type of business presentation. You’ll find 30 unique slides and two color variations. The template comes with image placeholders and plenty of customization options.

5. Pastelize Colorful Business PowerPoint Presentation

If you’re looking for a colorful and bold PowerPoint, the Pastelize template is the perfect choice. The template includes many slide designs, three color variations and color themes, and image placeholders.

Make Great Presentations ( Free PDF eBook Download )

We also have the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully.

Download our new eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It’s available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.

What Is Public Speaking? Now You Know! Time to Get Work on Your Next Speech

So what is public communication in terms of what it can do for you, your career, or your business?

In a nutshell, a world of potential! In this article, we defined public speaking and why it’s so important in your business. Hopefully, the public speaking meaning we explored will help dispel any fear you may have.

We discussed a thorough public communication definition so that you can be adequately prepared for your next speech. Besides the public speaking definition, you learned a bit about the history of public speaking and how it evolved to modern standards today.

We also shared some helpful tools to help you learn how to give a public speech and provided you with a source for good public speaking examples that you can learn from.

You should now be ready to grow as a public speaker. Be sure to check out the sleek PowerPoint templates on Envato Elements as you prepare for your next speech. You’ll find a ton of inspiration for your next presentation!

So go ahead. Write that public speech and give it. You’ll be glad you did!

Related Articles

• Newsletters
• Best Industries
• Business Plans
• Home-Based Business
• The UPS Store
• Customer Service
• Black in Business
• Your Next Move
• Female Founders
• Best Workplaces
• Company Culture
• Public Speaking
• HR/Benefits
• Productivity
• All the Hats
• Digital Transformation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Bringing Innovation to Market
• Cloud Computing
• Social Media
• Data Detectives
• Exit Interview
• Bootstrapping
• Crowdfunding
• Venture Capital
• Business Models
• Personal Finance
• Founder-Friendly Investors
• Upcoming Events
• Inc. 5000 Vision Conference
• Become a Sponsor
• Cox Business
• Verizon Business
• Branded Content
• Apply Inc. 5000 US

Inc. Premium

Bryson DeChambeau's 'Quirky' Practice Routine Will Elevate Your Public Speaking Game

Practice presentations in less than ideal conditions to build your confidence..

Recreational golfers dread four little words: It's in the sand.

Anyone who plays the game knows what happens next. As you approach the bunker where the ball has come to rest, your heart beats faster, your palms sweat, and your confidence crumbles. At least, that's what happens to most of us when faced with a sand shot.

And then there's Bryson DeChambeau , who just won the 2024 U.S. Open Championship.

On the 18th hole of Sunday's final round, DeChambeau's approach shot landed in a bunker about 55 yards from the hole. DeChambeau hit what he called "the shot of my life" to four feet. He made the putt to clinch the title.

Golf commentators were astonished and asked DeChambeau how he managed to pull off one of the toughest shots in golf. DeChambeau's answer provides a lesson for anyone who performs under pressure, including the very real pressure most people feel when delivering mission-critical presentations.

DeChambeau says he confidently approached the difficult shot because he had practiced it thousands of times. His caddie was confident, too, telling his boss, "You got this. I've seen you pull off way harder shots."

DeChambeau also revealed that, since he was a kid, he practiced "quirky, weird things" like placing the ball in "random, imperfect" positions.

People fear giving a presentation or public speaking because they don't practice properly. The best way to practice is to put yourself in less-than-ideal situations.

Try these practice tactics to build your confidence when the pressure is on.

Interruptions. Pitching prospects or winning over investors rarely happens without interruption. In most cases, you'll be lucky to get through the first few minutes of a presentation without someone asking a question, expressing skepticism, or impatiently hurrying the meeting along.  

So, practice being interrupted. Ask a friend or peer to play the role of the customer and encourage them to throw you off your game.  

Distractions. Deliver your presentation with music playing in the background or in a noisy environment. You'll be amazed at how pleasant you'll feel during the real thing when--other than interruptions--there won't be nearly as many distractions as the ones you experienced during rehearsal.

Timed sessions. Give yourself a tight, specific time limit to deliver the presentation (10 to 20 minutes is ideal). It will force you to keep the message concise. It also adds a little stress to your practice sessions because if you lose focus and ramble, you'll run over time.

If you get more time during the real thing, you'll feel a sense of calm because you've done it before in even more challenging conditions.

Audiences. Finally, get used to anxiety by delivering your presentation in front of an audience. Ask friends or peers to watch your presentation and offer their feedback. Since you'll have an audience for the actual event, you might get used to it as early and often as possible.

Performing your best under pressure doesn't happen naturally. It takes dedicated practice to remain calm and build your confidence.

A refreshed look at leadership from the desk of CEO and chief content officer Stephanie Mehta

Privacy Policy

• Verify Documents, Clients & Products
• Offices & Labs
• Our Services
• Our Company
• Sustainability
• Insights & Resources

What are you looking for?

Some topics you might be interested in, the importance of soft skills training for employees.

In the modern business environment, personal development and the enhancement of soft skills are essential for both individuals and organizations. Soft skills, also known as power skills, include critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, and career management. These competencies are crucial across all professions and significantly impact both personal and organizational success. This article explores the advantages of soft skills training for employees and its contribution to enhanced performance and business growth.

Why Soft Skills Training Matters

Boosted employee performance.

Training in soft skills equips employees with the necessary tools to communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively. Programs that focus on these skills enhance interpersonal interactions and overall productivity. Employees with strong problem-solving  and critical thinking capabilities are better decision-makers, leading to more efficient operations and innovative solutions.

Enhanced Leadership Abilities

For employees aspiring to management positions, leadership soft skills are indispensable. Training in areas such as team management, conflict resolution, and strategic thinking helps develop strong leaders. Effective leadership not only boosts team performance but also fosters a positive work environment, increasing employee satisfaction and retention.

Higher Employee Engagement and Retention

Investing in the development of soft skills demonstrates to employees that their growth is valued, which boosts engagement. Employees who feel supported in their professional development are more likely to stay with their employer, reducing turnover. Additionally, soft skills training provides tools for better career management, helping employees advance within the organization.

Benefits for Organizations

Improved business reputation.

Organizations that prioritize soft skills training are seen as progressive and employee centric. This reputation attracts top talent and enhances the company's market standing. Employees with strong communication and leadership skills are more likely to provide excellent customer service and drive business growth.

Enhanced Team Dynamics

Soft skills training promotes effective collaboration and cooperation. Employees trained in this area work more cohesively, have better presentation skills , reduce conflict, and improve project outcomes. Teams that communicate well and understand each other's strengths and weaknesses are more productive and efficient.

Increased Adaptability to Change

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, adaptability is crucial. Soft skills training prepares employees to handle change and challenges effectively. Whether adapting to new technologies or shifting market conditions, employees with robust soft skills navigate transitions smoothly, ensuring continuous business operations.

Investing in soft skills training is a strategic move for any organization aiming for maximum potential and sustainable success. By enhancing employees' abilities in leadership, communication, and teamwork, organizations can create a more productive and positive work environment.

SGS offers comprehensive soft skills training solutions, ensuring both individuals and organizations thrive in today's competitive market. Invest in your employees' future and elevate your business with professional soft skills training from SGS. Transform your workforce and reach new heights of success. Contact us today to learn more about our training programs and how they can benefit your organization.

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

Related Articles

Mastering the Art of Effective Presentation Skill: A Gateway to Success

News & insights.

• SGS Indonesia

+62 21 29780600

+62 21 29780678

The Garden Centre 2nd floor,

Cilandak Commercial Estate, 12560,

South Jakarta, Special Capital Region of Jakarta, Indonesia

• The Big Think Interview
• Your Brain on Money
• Explore the Library
• Will true AI turn against us?
• Do we have free will?
• Why are there conspiracy theories?
• Is religion helping or hurting us?
• Are we alone in the universe?
• Should we trust science?
• Michio Kaku
• Neil deGrasse Tyson
• Michelle Thaller
• Steven Pinker
• Ray Kurzweil
• Cornel West
• Helen Fisher
• Smart Skills
• High Culture
• The Present
• Hard Science
• Special Issues
• Starts With A Bang
• Perception Box
• Strange Maps
• The Learning Curve
• Everyday Philosophy
• Free Newsletters
• Memberships

How ancient Greek speaking skills can supercharge your presentations

• The rhetorical skillset of the ancient Greeks can help improve our company presentations.
• Rhetoric comprises three key, interdependent modes of persuasion: ethos (credibility), logos (reason) and pathos (emotion).
• Ensuring you have an even mix of ethos, logos, and pathos will help you achieve Aristotle’s formula for a perfect argument.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that modern ways of doing things are always better. But some of the tools we take for granted these days have made us lazy. Take presentations, for instance. 

The ancient Greeks didn’t have slides, clickers, and bullet points to help them make their arguments. And arguments are what presentations typically need to be. Most presentations are about wanting to change something, be it the way your audience thinks about something, what they buy, or what they do. 

The real job of presentations is persuasion. Aristotle, like many other great thinkers and speakers of the time, famously relied on the effectiveness of his communication. And the Greek approach to governance and organization remains a key foundation for how we conduct ourselves today. Their philosophy is still something that’s studied and used. I know philosophy can feel complex or out of reach, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re going to look at the basics and see just how easily we can apply them in our own presentations. 

So, how did the Greeks approach it? They believed in the power of rhetoric to persuade and inform. Rhetoric comprises three key modes of persuasion which convince others to accept your argument: ethos (credibility), logos (reason) and pathos (emotion). What’s more, all three need to work together. Aristotle believed any imbalance in these tools — let alone omitting one entirely — would significantly reduce the power of one’s argument.

So, let’s dive into each of these modes of persuasion.

Ethos is the Greek term for character. In the context of persuasion, it refers to establishing your credibility. In short, why are you, in particular, worth listening to on this topic? If you can give them a good answer to that question, they’re far more likely to engage with your attempt to persuade them. That means they need to understand your experience or expertise. Of course, the fact that some of you are cringing at the idea of “selling yourself” shows that there is a fine line to be walked here. 

No one likes a bragger or a name-dropper. But underselling yourself can be just as damaging to your chances of making an impact with your presentation. Often the right balance can be struck with case studies and examples. Consider mentioning the people you’ve worked with, the praise you’ve received, and any recognition or rewards that you’ve earned.

Academic credentials are often cited in scientific presentations, while businesses might prefer to hear about similar roles you’ve held. Every industry is different, but the question is the same: “Does this person know what they’re talking about?” Figures and statistics are also effective here. It’s much easier to tell an audience that you’ve been coaching for 15 years than it is to tell them that you’re the best coach around!

However you decide to build your credibility with ethos, make sure this happens early. People want to know if you’re worth listening to before you launch into your main message. Start with establishing your authority and go from there. 

With ethos out of the way, your audience should hopefully be thinking, “Okay, this presenter knows their stuff. So, what have they got to say?” But in fact, you don’t want to start with what. You want to start with why. Because logos, the second mode of persuasion, is all about logic. One thing we do have that the Greeks did not is Google. An endless wealth of information at our fingertips. And that means that giving your audience facts or quotes they could find on their own is simply a waste of everyone’s time. Your presentation should not be a brochure. 

So instead of simply giving them “what,” give them “why”. Explain how you arrived at the main point of your presentation. Walk your audience through the thinking step by step so that they can understand the journey and embark on it with you.

Every industry is different, but the question is the same: “Does this person know what they’re talking about?”

Simon Sinek is famous for his TEDx talk “Start with Why” as a masterful demonstration of this principle. Clients of mine mention that clip so often when they want to supercharge their own presentations. And it’s built on a fundamental point you should keep in mind: Don’t assume your audience will agree with you straight away. Give them the process and the information to make their own decision. If they then end up agreeing with you, they will be far more bought into the conclusion you both share — after all, they did the thinking themselves and arrived there too. 

Last but certainly not least of the three elements of rhetoric is the use of emotion. Pathos is often overlooked in presentations, but it can have a huge impact on the power of your delivery and your message. How often do you make decisions based on gut decisions, or how you feel? It’s so quick and easy for us to trust our instincts and go with what feels right. Appealing to emotion adds another layer to your argument. Because emotions and logic are handled in different parts of the brain, activating both of these areas at once strengthens our reaction to what’s being said. But what are the emotions you want to generate in your audience? Let’s start with what to avoid.

How often are you likely to really empathize and agree with someone who resorts to pleading or guilt to get what they want? Sure, you might give in out of pity, but you’re unlikely to really respect and believe what they’re saying. Emotional connection comes from authenticity and vulnerability. When people let us in and show us their own true feelings, we are far more likely to feel a real bond with them. Most often, stories are the best way to add pathos to a presentation. Whether it’s the origin of an idea or product, the lives touched, or the personal hardships that got you to this moment, give your audience a chance to feel the emotion behind your message. 

We may think of good presenters as nerve-less robots, but the reality is that we’re all human. Use that truth as a source of connection. 

Go Greek with your next presentation

The Greeks are famed for the arguments they presented. And while we have an arsenal of modern tools at our disposal, we sometimes forget the fundamentals of persuasion. The Greeks didn’t need PowerPoint to make powerful points. 

Using Greek philosophy as a base for your presentation can dramatically increase its effectiveness. Ensuring you have an even mix of ethos, logos, and pathos will help you conform to Aristotle’s formula for a perfect argument. 

If you can convince your audience that you are worth listening to, take them on a logical journey towards your conclusion, and tell them a story that appeals to their hearts as well as their minds, you’ll deliver a presentation that makes an impact.

Unlock potential in your business

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. .

Managing Floodplains for Local, Elected Officials and Executives

The purpose of this 1.5 hour presentation is to help you explain floodplain management to your community’s senior leadership. Ideally, this presentation will persuade them to increase resources for floodplain management in your local area. More resources will help improve your community’s floodplain and support you in your role!

This presentation is designed to be given by any Floodplain Administrator. You don’t need experience teaching or to be an expert in floodplain management. Even if you have limited public speaking experience, you will be a great presenter.

Course Materials

For presenters.

Presenters may download and use the materials provided below.

• Presenter Guide : This guide provides helpful information, notes and tips for delivering the presentation.
• Synopsis of Learning Objectives (by unit) : This plan of instruction provides insight on the design of the presentation, including objectives, delivery options, suggested time plans and additional resources.
• Presenter Evaluation Form : Presenters (or participants) can use this form to tell FEMA if the course was helpful.

For Participants

• Participant Manual : This “takeaway” document allows participants to follow along with presenters and includes space for individual notes along with key points and links to additional resources.

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

Home   |  About WTO   |  News & events   |  Trade topics   |  WTO membership   |  Documents & resources   |  External relations

Contact us   |  Site map   |  A-Z   |  Search

español   français

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

At the launch of the course on 3 June, Chile's  WTO Ambassador and patroness of the course, Sofía Boza Martínez, underlined the importance of the training programme in building participants' capacities to formulate, analyse and implement multilateral trade policies. Underscoring the timeliness of the course  given the effect that global crises are having on  the multilateral trading system, she noted that participants have a unique opportunity to strengthen their skills through a hands-on approach and case-based learning.

Also speaking was WTO Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill, who noted the importance that the WTO attaches to supporting government officials in building their trade-related capacities  and in keeping up to date with the outcomes from the 13th Ministerial Conference held in February in Abu Dhabi. She highlighted that the course was designed to enable participants to discuss how to strengthen, reform and modernise the multilateral trading system and encouraged them to actively participate in all sessions and benefit as much as possible from the course.

The course comprises theoretical and practical sessions to support government officials in applying trade agreements. Participants have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice through workshops and case studies and to discuss evolving trade issues during roundtables. Participants are also able to meet experts in other international institutions based in Geneva.

This Geneva-based advanced trade policy course represents the highest level of learning among the WTO's training activities for generalists as part of the WTO Secretariat's progressive learning strategy .

Problems viewing this page? If so, please contact [email protected] giving details of the operating system and web browser you are using.