How can you use public speaking to build your self-confidence and establish yourself as a thought leader?

I always tell a history when I do a public speaking. I start telling the first half as the introduction to the theme and as punch line when finishing. It helps people to anchor the concept or idea I am proposing. It can come from a book, history or it can be made specifically for the talk.

It is worth choosing topics that match your expertise and passion. Talk about topics in which you have in-depth knowledge and can provide valuable insights. This will increase your credibility You should match this with the interests of your audience. It makes a difference to whom you are presenting and for what purpose. During the presentation, it is also worth paying attention to the visible signals coming from the audience.

If you cannot relate to the topic personally it will always present a challenge for you when speaking in public. Understanding the audience needs and wants should be something you factor into your storytelling

Public speaking is a key skill for building self-confidence and establishing thought leadership. Preparing and practicing your speech meticulously is crucial. Personally, using a speaking coach greatly enhanced my abilities. Recording rehearsals and getting feedback helped me refine my presentations. Post-event debriefing, especially with recordings, was invaluable. This approach not only built my confidence but also my proficiency as a speaker.

The quality of your life is based upon the quality of your communication. In essence, the better communicator you are, the better your quality of life. Public Speaking enables you to become a better communicator, and the more you do it, the easier it gets. It's funny how you can speak with someone 1-on-1 on a topic that you are passionate about for hours on end. Get up on a stage and suddenly you get tongue tied. Whether you are in front of 10 people or 1000 people the trick is to simply have a conversation, and convey your thoughts. Most people are very forgiving and encouraging and a message well delivered can change someone's life. Focus on getting your message across in order to help others, and you'll be amazed at the results.

Confidence is based on an excellent knowledge of the subject, a well-developed presentation and the necessary background knowledge. However excellent stage performance is based on good practice. You cannot perform effectively without practice even if your knowledge is excellent.

Public Speaking is a great opportunity to share your story, perspectives, ideas and concepts, knowledge and experiences, advice and tips that you are passionate about. It is a chance for others to learn from you.