You're striving for growth in public speaking. How can you measure your progress effectively?

I know I'm making progress as a speaker when people come up to me directly after a talk (or contact me soon afterward) with interest in hiring me to speak. I also find it helpful to record videos during my rehearsals and watch them back to look for any awkward or repetitive body movements, timing, delivery, etc.. For example, among other things, I had no idea that I had a tendency to point my fingers a lot, which doesn't come of well on stage. Finally, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse...and then rehearse some more. This will ensure you are confident with every move you make and every word you say on stage.

I know I'm making progress as a speaker when people approach me right after a talk or reach out soon after with interest in hiring me. Recording videos of my rehearsals has also been incredibly helpful for spotting any awkward or repetitive movements, timing issues, or delivery flaws. For instance, I discovered that I tend to point my fingers a lot, which doesn’t come across well on stage. Lastly, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse...and then rehearse again. This ensures confidence in every move you make and every word you say during your presentation.

Measure your public speaking progress by tracking audience feedback, such as surveys and engagement metrics, to gauge impact. Record and review your speeches to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Set specific goals, like increasing speaking engagements or mastering new techniques. Regularly seek constructive critique from mentors or peers to refine your skills.

o measure your progress in public speaking effectively, start by recording your speeches and reviewing them to identify areas for improvement. Get a coach or a mentor to help you progress and seek feedback from trusted peers or mentors and note recurring comments. Engage in speak-offs and get their feedback. Use audience surveys to gauge engagement and impact. Track your comfort level and confidence over time by keeping a journal of your experiences and feelings before and after speaking. Continuously set specific goals, such as reducing filler words or improving eye contact, and celebrate your progress as you achieve them. Regularly reassess and adjust your strategies to keep growing.

Track your progress by recording speeches, seeking feedback, and noting improvements in audience engagement and confidence. “Growth is measured in small victories,” so celebrate each step forward.

I ask my audience to fill out a survey at the end of my speech and ask them to help me improve, I share the QR code to the survey and I have received excellent comments!

The key to successful speaking is preparation. Recording yourself is essential both to perform better on the day and to be aware of what you still need to improve. Personally, I prefer a video recording because you get a complete picture and can go into even more detail: body language, facial expression, posture, pronunciation, clarity, structure. This practice, if it becomes your routine, will enable you to continually improve your technique, the quality of your speeches and also will boost your self-confidence.

Too many times have I cringed when watching recordings of my past speeches for the pause-fillers, the inappropriate use of body language in my speeches. Recording and watching yourself speaking is not easy but can help a lot in improving one's public speaking. I have progressively improved on not using too many pause-fillers such as "er", "erm", "ah" in my speeches because when I watch my recorded speeches, I can see and hear all of such occurrences and it helps me become more conscious of it and to strive to be more comfortable with silences when I have pauses in my speeches.

Toastmasters clubs can be found in almost every country of the world. Personally, I have benefitted tremendously from being a member of a toastmasters club over the last 20 years. This is because when you are delivering prepared speeches during club meetings, you will receive feedback from an evaluator who is a more experienced toastmaster in how to improve your speaking skills.