How do I stop saying “um” and “like”?

Replace fillers with a silent pause. Record yourself and practise pausing whenever you feel a filler coming.

Should beginners memorise the whole speech?

Usually no — it increases panic if you lose a line. Memorise open/close and know your point structure well.

What if my hands shake?

Hold notes at waist height, breathe out slowly before starting, and use natural gestures. Most audiences notice far less than you fear.

How long should a beginner practise?

Enough full run-throughs that the opening feels automatic — often several short sessions across days beat one long cram.

Public Speaking Tips for Beginners

Turn nerves into preparation. Craft one core idea, open strong, practise out loud, and handle the room with pauses — not perfectionism.

Public speaking fear is common — and trainable. Beginners improve faster by shortening talks, practising out loud, and focusing on the audience’s problem instead of their own nerves.

You do not need theatrical talent. You need a clear message, a practised opening, and enough reps to make the room feel familiar.

Nerves mean you care. Channel them into preparation and energy, not into apologising for existing on stage.

Craft a Message People Can Repeat

One core idea in a single sentence
Three supporting points maximum for short talks
A concrete example or story for each point
A closing ask: what should listeners do next?

Open Strong, Close Clean

The first 30 seconds set attention. Avoid “Um, so today I will try to talk about…” Start with a question, a surprising fact, or a short story that frames the problem.

Memorise the opening and closing; outline the middle
End with a summary and a clear takeaway — not a fade-out
Thank the audience once, briefly

Practice That Actually Helps

Speak out loud — silent reading does not train your mouth
Record a phone video and fix one issue per run (pace, filler words, posture)
Practise with a friend who asks one tough question
Rehearse in the clothes and standing position you will use

In the Room

Plant feet; avoid pacing like a pendulum
Pause after key lines — silence feels longer to you than to them
Look at friendly faces in different parts of the room
If you blank, glance at notes, breathe, and restart the last point

Slides support you; they should not be a script in 8-point font. One idea per slide when you use them.

Final Thoughts

Public speaking is a skill built in small stages: one clear message, one strong opening, many loud rehearsals. Book the next low-stakes talk soon — confidence follows evidence, not the other way around.

Key Takeaways

Anchor the talk on one repeatable core idea.
Memorise the open and close; outline the middle.
Practise out loud and review recordings for one fix at a time.
Use pauses, simple slides, and a clear audience takeaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop saying “um” and “like”?: Replace fillers with a silent pause. Record yourself and practise pausing whenever you feel a filler coming.
Should beginners memorise the whole speech?: Usually no — it increases panic if you lose a line. Memorise open/close and know your point structure well.
What if my hands shake?: Hold notes at waist height, breathe out slowly before starting, and use natural gestures. Most audiences notice far less than you fear.
How long should a beginner practise?: Enough full run-throughs that the opening feels automatic — often several short sessions across days beat one long cram.

Public Speaking Tips for Beginners: Message, Practice & Stage Presence