For many professionals, growth means setting bigger goals: earning a promotion, expanding a business, attracting new clients, or stepping into leadership with greater confidence. But no matter what that next level looks like, one skill consistently separates those who advance from those who stay stuck: the ability to communicate with confidence.

Public speaking is often thought of as something reserved for keynote speakers or executives on a stage, but in reality, those skills show up everywhere in business. It happens in client meetings, networking events, team presentations, sales calls, and investor pitches. Every time you speak in front of others, you have an opportunity to build trust, demonstrate authority, and open doors to new opportunities.

That’s why public speaking is one of the most valuable growth tools any professional can develop. When you learn to communicate your ideas clearly and confidently, you increase your influence, strengthen your credibility, and position yourself for greater success. As I always tell my Celeste Giordano Coaching clients, public speaking is the fastest path to cash in the business world.

Whether you are getting up to the podium, “working the crowd” at a networking event, or simply being a vocal contributor at a company meeting, the ability to speak confidently in groups is invaluable and can prove extremely lucrative. And yet, despite the enormous opportunities it creates, public speaking remains one of the most common fears professionals face. 

The good news is that confident speaking is not a talent reserved for a lucky few—it is a skill that can be learned, practiced, and mastered.

If you are ready to overcome the fear and use your voice as a tool for business growth, these seven practical strategies can help you start speaking with greater confidence and impact.

1. Remember when it’s a speech vs. a conversation. 

When you’re ‘schmoozing’ casually with clients, colleagues, or even investors, you’re likely to use conversational language, and that’s perfectly okay. But it’s important to differentiate your language when you’re delivering a more formal presentation. To come across professionally, make sure your language fits the occasion and that your vocabulary is tailored to the audience before whom you’re speaking.

2. Speak slowly and deliberately. 

Many nervous speakers are afraid of silence. Meaning well, these individuals pepper their speeches and sales pitches with ‘filler’ words out of habit (think: “y’know’, ‘um’, ‘like’, etc.). When you resort to filling space with these words, you weaken your message and often confuse your listeners. To combat the tendency towards using these filler words, make a conscious effort to speak more slowly and don’t be afraid to take a pause to collect your thoughts.

3. Breathe! 

One of the best tools that you can use to improve your speech presentation skills and sales delivery in general is to work on your breathing. Do you feel anxious before taking to the podium, making an important sales call, or introducing yourself at a networking event? Take a few breaths before you begin speaking. You can also dramatically improve your speaking ability by taking a conscious breath after each sentence. When you breathe, not only do you give yourself the opportunity to stay focused and communicate clearly, but you also offer your listeners the chance to digest what you’re telling them.

4. Keep it Captivating. 

Maintaining consistent, audible volume and an engaging tone is key to capturing and holding the attention of your audience. When your volume drops, your message is quite literally lost in translation. No one should have to strain to hear you speak (nor should they have to cover their ears – don’t shout at the audience!). Be sure not to trail off at the end of your sentences, mumble, or speak too quickly. To ensure that your message is being delivered in a comprehensive, captivating manner, s-l-o-w down and enunciate your words.

5. Know Your Material. 

One of the reasons for poor speaking delivery is lack of familiarity with the material. When speakers lack comfort with the material they’re presenting, they tend to read off note cards or slides verbatim, leading to a flat, emotionless delivery. When you review your material extensively and come in with simple notes or an outline, you are better able to speak from the heart in your own words. When you speak from the heart, your audience is more likely to actively listen to you and resonate with your message.

6. Start with a Smile and Maintain Eye Contact. 

Research studies have shown that the act of smiling (even if it’s forced) makes an audience feel happier and more at ease. The next time you need to deliver a presentation, smile at the audience before you get started. Likely, several members of the audience will smile right back at you, giving you a confidence boost and leaving you more relaxed. While a smile can initiate a connection with your audience, eye contact will allow you to maintain that connection. Once again, when you’re intimately familiar with your subject matter, you’re better able to make a conscious effort to make eye contact throughout your presentation.

7. Practice, practice, practice. 

If you aren’t a naturally gifted public speaker, don’t despair. With practice, you can steadily improve your delivery skills and confidence level. Start by practicing with friends and family and slowly but surely work your way up to larger groups. Attending networking events is an excellent way to work on speaking with others and getting out of your shell. To become more conscious of your public speaking habits, record yourself on your phone. This exercise can be a huge eye opener!

As you challenge yourself to make more opportunities to speak publicly in forums large or small, remember that the worst mistake you can make is not speaking at all. If you’re a business professional interested in learning how to use speaking and networking opportunities to fuel explosive growth, contact me today.

Looking forward to hearing you all speak up!

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business professionals develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus™” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with more than 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams. To learn more about Celeste, click here. Want to use this article? Please feel free to use this content as long as you keep it in its original format and include a link to the original post and Celeste Giordano’s brief bio.