Discover proven public speaking techniques that help you inspire, motivate and influence any audience with confidence and authenticity.
Why Public Speaking Matters
Whether you’re addressing a boardroom, leading a team meeting, or speaking on stage, public speaking is one of the most powerful tools of leadership. There is an expectation that a leader is able to deliver a well-directed, engaging and motivating speech.
It’s not just about what you say it’s about how you make people feel and what you inspire them to do.
Great speakers don’t just inform, they cause a reaction, makes their message memorable and ignite their audience with excitement and a desire for action.
We all know when a speaker doesn’t hit the spot, we cringe or feel disappointed. This is how to avoid that from happening.
1. Start With Purpose
Every inspiring speech begins with clarity of purpose.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want my audience to feel?
- What do I want them to remember?
- What do I want them to do?
When you know your “why,” your words naturally carry conviction and authenticity — two of the strongest drivers of influence. Without knowing your “why” the audience are just hearing a lot of words without focus or purpose.
2. Tell Stories
Facts inform, but stories transform.
A well-told story creates emotion, builds trust, and makes your message memorable.
Use stories that:
- Reflect real experiences or lessons
- Show vulnerability or personal growth
- Link clearly to your key message
It is all too easy to make a statement of intent, but it is way more powerful and impactful if you can tell a story which illustrates the point you are making with real life examples. It plays on the audiences’ emotions. Subconsciously they are replacing the people in your story with either themselves or people who they know. Your story instantly becomes their story.
3. Use the Power of Pause
Great speakers know that silence can be as powerful as speech.
Pausing allows your message to land — it gives the audience time to think. It also projects confidence.
Try this technique:
After making an important statement, stop for two or three seconds.
Let the silence reinforce your words.
It’s simple, but incredibly effective.
4. Speak With Energy and Emotion
Passion is contagious. If you sound inspired, your audience will be too.
Vary your tone, pace, and volume to create rhythm and interest.
- Raise your energy when telling a story
- Slow down for emotional moments
- Put emphasis on key words to drive meaning home
The goal is to sound natural, not robotic. Speak as if you’re having a meaningful conversation with one person — not reading to a crowd. Try and avoid well-trodden phrases that will sound insincere and unconvincing.
5. Connect With Your Audience
Influence grows through connection. Before trying to persuade, show that you understand.
Ways to connect:
- Use inclusive language
- Make eye contact with different parts of the room. (If you ignore any part of the room, the people there will begin to disengage).
- Be authentic (you don’t need to be perfect; you need to be believable).
When the audience feels involved and understood, they will like you, and listen carefully.
6. End With Impact
Always have a big finish. How you start and how you finish are vital (primary and recency)
Your closing message is the last thing your audience hears from you and it is what lingers in their minds. It is important that you leave them being able to repeat what you have said. Make sure that you make it count.
You can end with:
- A key thought for the audience to take-away.
- A challenge or question
- A repeatable and memorable mantra.
Public speaking isn’t about perfection — it’s about connection, conviction, and courage.
When you speak with authenticity, tell stories that move people, you don’t just communicate — you inspire.
Public speaking is not about impressing others, it is about making an impact and changing how people think.
Ready to Master the Art of Influence?
You have the techniques, now it’s time for the mastery. If you are serious about transforming your speaking from simply informative to profoundly impactful, your next step is expert, hands-on training.
Take the Next Step to Public Speaking Mastery
Don’t just read about confidence—build it. Ashley Boroda’s Public Speaking Courses in London are designed to give you the practical skills, personalised coaching, and powerful confidence you need to captivate audiences and drive action every time you speak.
Stop just giving presentations and start truly inspiring change. Enrol today and secure your spot.
