How to improve speaking skills

Public speaking is a skill, not a talent — and like any skill it improves with deliberate practice.

Start by knowing your audience and your core message: a conference talk should make one clear point that the audience can retell the next day. Structure the talk around that point, cut everything that does not support it, and rehearse out loud at least three times.

On stage, slow down, make eye contact, and pause after important sentences instead of filling the silence with filler words. Finally, watch recordings of your own talks: uncomfortable, but the fastest way to spot and fix your weak points.