Public Speaking Tips — Consonantly Speaking

These tips are designed for busy people with real constraints. You’ll find small, repeatable practices that compound. Choose one tip, use it on your next talk, then return for the next. The goal is reliable improvement, not the perfect performance.

Audience snapshot (5 minutes)

Write three bullets: who they are, what they care about, and what you want them to do next. This snapshot shapes your examples, tone, and calls to action. If you’re unsure, ask one representative person for a quick sanity check.

Opener formula (2 minutes)

Hook, problem, promise, map. Hook earns attention, problem sets stakes, promise offers value, map tells them where you’re going. Draft your opener aloud and time it under 120 seconds.

Rule of three (10 minutes)

Group ideas into three named chunks. People remember threes. Name each chunk with a short headline you can put on a slide. Examples: “Why now,” “What changed,” “What to do next.”

Transitions out loud (10 minutes)

Rehearse only the handoffs between sections. Say: “We’ve seen why this matters. Next, how it works.” Smooth transitions reduce filler words and make you sound prepared without sounding rigid.

Slide hygiene (15 minutes)

One idea per slide. Big headline. Visual proof. Remove anything that doesn’t support comprehension. If you must show dense data, zoom into the relevant part, annotate it, and speak to the takeaway—not the numbers.

Pacing drill (8 minutes)

Record a 60‑second segment at natural pace. Watch at 1.25× speed to spot filler and run‑ons. Record again aiming for 5% slower. The goal isn’t to speak slowly; it’s to make choices about emphasis and breath.

Breathing: 4‑2‑4 (2 minutes)

In for four, hold two, out for four. Repeat five times right before you speak. This downshifts arousal and steadies your voice. Pair with a physical reset: roll shoulders, unclench jaw, place feet firmly.

Q&A triage (5 minutes)

Repeat the question, answer the smallest version, and bridge to your path. If it’s a deep dive, offer a follow‑up. This protects momentum for the room while respecting curiosity.

Concrete close (5 minutes)

End with one next action and a time box. Ask for visible commitment: hands, chat, or a QR code. People prefer clarity over choice during the close.

45‑minute prep template

Use this when time is tight: 10 minutes for audience snapshot, 15 minutes for a MAP outline (Message, Audience, Path), 10 minutes on transitions, 10 minutes for a timed run‑through. If you gain extra time, add stories and proof—not more topics.

Delivery micro‑skills

Eye contact triangles: Pick three spots in the room and rotate lightly between them. This spreads attention evenly without darting.

Pause on punctuation: Breathe at commas; stop for a count of one at periods. Silence creates meaning and gives the audience processing time.

Gesture economy: Use hands to underline contrasts and enumerate points. Keep hands chest‑high to avoid fidgeting.

Anchor points: Decide where you’ll stand for the opener and close. Movement between sections is purposeful; stillness during key lines adds weight.

Story crafting

Stories follow a simple arc: context → conflict → change. Keep context short, emphasize stakes, and end with the change that supports your point. Avoid detours unless they reinforce your message.

Filler word reduction

Filler words often patch over uncertainty. Replace them with intentional pauses. Practice reading a paragraph while deliberately inserting short silences at commas and slide changes. Record once a week and compare.

Remote presentations

Raise your camera to eye level, light your face with a lamp behind the screen, and close distracting tabs. Use fewer words on slides and more verbal signposting: “First,” “Now,” “So what.” Invite interaction early to normalize it.

Handling nerves

Normalize adrenaline. Label sensations neutrally (“I notice heat in my chest”). Do two rounds of 4‑2‑4 breathing. Deliver your opener from memory, then let your outline carry you. Once you’re moving, anxiety usually drops within 90 seconds.

Post‑talk review

After each talk, jot down one win, one fix, and one experiment for next time. Improvement is a series of tiny edits, not a personality change.

Checklists

Before you build slides: outcome sentence, audience snapshot, three‑beat path, opener map, close action.

Before you rehearse: transitions script, timed run, Q&A questions with single‑sentence answers, logistics list.

Before you speak: room walk, clicker test, water, first sentence card, 4‑2‑4 twice.

Templates

Outcome sentence: “After this talk, my audience will [do X] because they [believe Y] and have [Z resource].”

Slide headline: “Big idea: [clear claim].”

Close: “Today, do [one step] by [date]. If you want help, [single path].”

Common pitfalls

Overloading slides: If your eyes feel busy, the audience’s brains are busy. Remove, don’t compress.

Memorizing everything: Script opener and close; outline the middle. Over‑memorization increases cognitive load and makes recovery harder.

Skipping rehearsal: Even two short loops dramatically improve pacing and confidence.

Practice plan (two weeks)

Week 1: Outcome sentence, MAP outline, transitions rehearsal. Deliver a 3‑minute version to camera twice.

Week 2: Slides, proof, full timed run, friendly audience rep, room rehearsal. Add one story and one visual proof per beat.

Actionable public speaking tips