As someone who started public speaking at a very young age, I really understand how scary and intimidating it feels at first.
And trust me, confidence is not something people are simply born with. It’s something you build little by little through practice and experience.
So here are some tips that genuinely helped me.
Because honestly, even experienced speakers still get nervous before speaking, for example before competitions or guest speaking events.
I still feel pressure and kaba sometimes.
But the goal is not to completely remove nervousness. The goal is to learn how to speak despite it.
Most people are actually too busy thinking about themselves to analyze every little thing you do.
Sometimes we become overly conscious about our voice, appearance, or even mistakes, when in reality the audience usually just wants to listen and understand your message.
So don’t let overthinking stop you from speaking.
One tip: practice speaking out loud, not just in your mind.
For example, if you have a reporting tomorrow, try explaining the topic in front of a mirror tonight like you’re already teaching a class.
You can also record yourself speaking so you can observe your pacing, voice, and expressions.
This helped me become more comfortable with my voice over time.
Two tip: don’t memorize everything word by word.
Instead, master your thoughts and key points, because when you only memorize once, if you forget one line, there’s a chance you’ll panic.
But when you truly understand your topic, you’ll speak more naturally and confidently.
Third tip: improve your posture and eye contact.
Sometimes confidence starts with body language.
For example, stand properly, avoid looking at the floor too much, and try looking around the audience while speaking.
Because even simple eye contact can make you appear more confident and connected to people.
Fourth tip: accept that mistakes are normal.
There were moments before where I mispronounced words, forgot lines, or got mentally blocked during speaking activities.
But I realized that one mistake does not define your ability as a speaker.
What matters is how you continue and carry yourself after the mistake.
Fifth tip: don’t speak too fast just because you want it to end immediately.
A lot of people tend to speak super fast during reporting or speeches because they are nervous and just want to finish already.
But speaking too fast can make your audience struggle to understand you, and it can also make you lose your breath or panic more.
Take your time, breathe properly, and remember that speaking slowly and clearly actually makes you sound more confident and composed.
And lastly, please remember this: your voice deserves to be heard too.
Don’t let fear stop you from sharing your thoughts, ideas, and potential because one day the version of you who’s currently scared to speak might eventually become someone who inspires people through words too.
That’s all for today.
Love and good luck to everyone who’s trying to become more confident in public speaking.
