Public speaking – Simple Ways to Speak With More Confidence

Public speaking is something many people try to avoid, but it’s one of the most useful skills you can develop, especially in the business world. Whether you’re speaking at an industry-wide meeting, presenting to local customers, or training your team, the way you communicate publicly can leave a lasting impression. The good news is, you don’t have to be born a great speaker to become one. Confidence and impact come from preparation, practice, and a few key habits that anyone can learn.

If you want people to listen to you, trust you, and remember what you say, your message needs to be clear and your delivery strong. You don’t need to be perfectly polished to be a great speaker; you just need to be prepared, calm, and focused. Let’s walk through simple strategies that can help you improve your public speaking skills and make every talk feel more natural and effective.

Know Your Main Point
Before you start writing a speech or planning a presentation, ask yourself: what do I want people to remember? Having one clear takeaway keeps your message focused and helps your audience stay with you. Don’t try to cover too much information. Choose a simple point and build around it with stories, facts, or action steps that support it. Knowing your main idea gives you confidence. You won’t get lost mid-sentence or wonder if you’re rambling. And your audience will walk away with something they can remember.

Practice With Purpose
Practicing out loud is one of the most important things you can do. Don’t just read your notes in your head – speak them aloud. Give your talk in front of a mirror, a friend, or even your phone. The more you hear yourself speak, the more comfortable you’ll get with the process. Practice also helps you identify words or phrases that don’t sound natural. This will give you the opportunity to fix those ahead of time instead of stumbling through them during your presentation.

Focus on Your Pace and Pauses
Many people talk too fast when they’re nervous. If you rush, your message can get lost, and you might lose the attention of your audience. Instead, aim to speak slowly and clearly. Don’t be afraid of short pauses; they give your audience time to catch up and your message time to land. Practice using pauses before important points or after asking a question. It helps keep your listeners focused and shows that you’re in control of the room.

Keep Your Body Language Open
People respond to what they see just as much as what they hear. Stand tall, keep your hands relaxed, and make eye contact with your audience. You don’t need to pace or wave your arms around, but avoid crossing your arms or looking down, as those can be interpreted as negative gestures. Simple movements, like nodding or pointing when making a key point, can make your message feel more real and more personal.

Handle Mistakes Without Panic
Mistakes and unpleasant surprises happen. You might forget a word, lose your place, or hear a phone ring in the middle of your talk. What matters is how you handle it. Take a breath, smile, and keep going. Most people won’t notice a small error unless you draw attention to it. Staying calm during unexpected mistakes shows confidence. It also helps your audience stay focused on what you’re saying – not on what went wrong.

Know Your Audience
Before you speak to a group, think about who’s in the room. Are they customers, coworkers, or industry experts? What matters most to them? Tailor your topics, examples, and tone to match what they need to be aware of and what they care about. The more you connect your message to your audience, the more likely they will be to listen, respond, and remember what you say.

Become a Voice for Your Business
In the propane industry, strong communication builds trust – whether you’re speaking to your team, your customers, or members of your community. You may need to explain safety steps, promote your services, or engage at local meetings. Being able to speak with confidence helps your message land clearly and makes your business look more professional and reliable.

When your team sees that you can speak with confidence, they’ll be more likely to follow your lead. When your customers hear you speak clearly and calmly, they’ll trust you with their service needs. Building public speaking skills isn’t just about you and your words – it’s about becoming a stronger voice for your business. And in a competitive market, that voice can make all the difference.