How to Make Public Speaking Effortless: 7 Expert Tips for Confident Communication

Public speaking can feel like one of the most intimidating skills in the world. Your heart starts racing, your palms get sweaty, and suddenly every word you planned to say seems to vanish.

You are not alone. Studies show that around 75% of people have a fear of public speaking. I used to be one of them.

I still remember sitting in a university lecture theatre when the lecturer announced he would pick people at random to speak. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear what was being said. That single moment of panic shaped how I felt about speaking for years.

But over time, I learned something powerful: public speaking doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. The key lies in how you prepare and how you understand yourself.

When you prepare in a way that fits your personality and mindset, you can make public speaking effortless. You can show up calm, confident, and in control.

These seven expert tips will show you exactly how to make that happen.

1. Understand Your Preferences to Speak Effortlessly

Effortless public speaking starts long before you step on stage. It begins with understanding your natural preferences — how you think, how you prepare, and how you perform best.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Where do you do your best thinking? Is it while walking, writing, or talking things through?

• Are you more task-driven or people-driven?

• How do you like to prepare — through notes, practice, or conversation?

• What stories naturally come to mind when you speak about your topic?

There is no single way to prepare for public speaking. The process that feels easiest for one person might feel impossible for another.

If you’re more introverted, you might prefer time alone to think and plan your message. If you’re more extroverted, talking through ideas with others might help you refine them.

The goal is to prepare in a way that feels natural to you. When you build your preparation around your personality, confidence flows naturally — and that’s the foundation for making public speaking effortless.

2. Back Yourself — You Know Your Stuff

One of the biggest barriers to effortless public speaking is self-doubt. That voice that whispers, “You don’t know enough” or “You’re not ready.”

Here’s the truth: if you’ve been asked to speak, it’s because you have something valuable to share. You already have the knowledge, experience, and insight to add value.

Think about:

• What you know from experience

• The processes or methods you’ve developed

• The stories and lessons you’ve learned along the way

When imposter syndrome creeps in, remind yourself that your perspective is unique. Not everyone has walked your path or learned your lessons.

Confidence grows when you trust yourself. You don’t need to know everything — you just need to know your topic and your audience. Back yourself, because you know your stuff.

3. Rewrite the Story You Tell Yourself

Every speaker has an internal narrative before they step up to speak. For some, it sounds like, “I’m nervous, this will be stressful.” For others, it sounds like, “This is my opportunity to share something meaningful.”

The difference between these two stories changes everything.

When you tell yourself public speaking is hard, it will feel that way. When you tell yourself it’s an opportunity to connect and share, it becomes easier.

Ask yourself:

• Is your story focused on fear or on learning?

• Are you seeing this as a limitation or a chance to grow?

• Are you focusing on potential failure or potential success?

Your body reacts to your mindset. A racing heart or sweaty palms are not signs of panic — they are signs of preparation. Your body is getting ready to perform.

Instead of fighting that feeling, use it. Take a few deep breaths, stand tall, and remind yourself that those physical signs mean you are ready. When you shape your story positively, public speaking starts to feel effortless.

4. Focus on Your Audience, Not You

Effortless public speaking is about shifting the spotlight away from you and onto your audience.

The most powerful speakers aren’t focused on how they sound or what people think of them. They’re focused on what the audience needs to hear, feel, or do.

Your message should always start with your audience in mind. Ask:

• What do they care about most?

• What challenges or goals do they have?

• How can I make my message connect with their experiences?

When you make your audience the centre of your talk, something changes. You stop worrying about performance and start communicating with purpose.

Audiences are not sitting there judging you. They are there to listen, learn, and connect. Once you realise that, your anxiety fades and speaking becomes easier — almost effortless.

5. Tell Stories That Resonate with Your Audience

People remember stories far longer than they remember statistics or bullet points.

Stories create emotion, connection, and meaning. They make your message relatable and memorable.

Think about Ted from How I Met Your Mother. He spends nine seasons telling stories from his life, and every one connects because it’s framed through emotion and reflection.

You don’t need to be dramatic or overly polished to tell a good story. The best stories are simple, honest, and relevant.

Start with experiences that have shaped how you think or work. Reflect on what you learned and how that lesson applies to your audience.

When your stories feel authentic, your audience sees themselves in them. That emotional connection is what makes public speaking effortless. You’re no longer performing, you’re simply sharing your truth.

6. Embrace Silence and Use It as a Strength

Silence can feel uncomfortable, but it’s one of the most effective speaking tools you have.

Most people rush through their talks, afraid that silence means they’ve forgotten something or lost their audience’s attention. In reality, the opposite is true.

Pauses create space for impact. They give your audience time to process what you’ve said. They give you time to breathe, reset, and prepare for the next point.

Silence adds rhythm and control to your delivery. It turns your speech into a conversation rather than a monologue.

Next time you speak, let there be pauses between ideas. Allow moments for your message to land. When you embrace silence, you project calm authority and public speaking starts to feel effortless.

7. Seek Feedback and Keep Improving

The final step in making public speaking effortless is reflection. Every talk is a chance to learn.

Feedback helps you understand what worked and what could be better. It also reinforces your progress, showing you how far you’ve come.

Ask people you trust:

• Did my stories resonate?

• What moments stood out?

• Was there anything I could do differently next time?

Seek feedback from people who will be honest and constructive. The goal isn’t to find fault, it’s to find improvement.

Each talk gives you new insights, small tweaks, and opportunities to grow. Over time, this reflection builds confidence, self-awareness, and authenticity.

That’s how public speaking becomes truly effortless. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s practiced with purpose.

The Path to Making Public Speaking Effortless

Public speaking is often seen as something only a few people can do naturally, but the truth is anyone can make it effortless.

When you prepare in the right way for you, trust your knowledge, reframe your mindset, focus on your audience, tell stories that connect, use silence strategically, and seek meaningful feedback, you unlock a more confident version of yourself.

Effortless public speaking is not about removing nerves, it’s about managing them. It’s not about being flawless, it’s about being real, prepared, and present.

With these seven strategies, you can transform how you speak and how you feel when doing it. Every time you prepare and step up, you are building towards something greater: the ability to make public speaking effortless. To help take your public speaking skills to the next level, check out the Ultimate Guide to Public Speaking article.

More From Liam Sandford

• Read my book: Effortless Public Speaking. Learn how to speak confidently, reduce stress, and turn public speaking into your competitive advantage. These actionable public speaking tips will help you improve your presentation skills for any audience.

• Join the free 5-day email course: Get daily lessons packed with practical strategies to deliver effective presentations and speak confidently. This course is designed to build your public speaking skills step by step. Sign up below: