How To Improve Your Public Speaking Skills (from Home!)
Ed Darling
5 min read
What you’ll learn:
- Analyse top presenters to improve your public speaking skills
- Join virtual communities for practice and feedback.
- Use online speaking opportunities to build confidence.
- Start a vlog or podcast to refine your delivery.
How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills (Without Leaving Home)
Public speaking isn’t just for TED Talk stars or corporate bigwigs – it’s a skill anyone can master with practice.
The best part? You don’t need a stage or an audience to get started.
Whether you’re prepping for a work presentation, a wedding speech, or just want to sound more confident, you can improve your public speaking skills from the comfort of your home.
Ready to level up? Grab a mirror, a makeshift mic, and let’s dive into these DIY strategies to transform how you communicate.
Study the Pros to Improve Your Speaking Skills
Great speakers aren’t born – they’re made.
One of the easiest ways to learn how to improve public speaking skills is by watching the best in action. Thanks to the internet, world-class speakers are just a click away on platforms like YouTube or TED.
Here’s the key: don’t get too caught up listening to their message. Focus on how they deliver it. Notice their body language, vocal variety, and pacing. How do they pause for impact? How do they engage the crowd? Break down their techniques like a detective.
Not sure where to start? We’ve got a blog here on the best public speakers of 2025, full of links to videos you can watch.
By studying these pros, you’ll pick up practical tips to weave into your own style, making you a more polished and confident speaker.
Join Online Communities for Speaking Practise
The internet is buzzing with communities dedicated to helping you improve your public speaking skills. From virtual Toastmasters clubs to Meetup groups, these spaces let you connect with others who share your goal.
You’ll find support, swap tips, and even get feedback on your speaking.
Search Meetup.com or Eventbrite for online speaking clubs or workshops. Many are free or low-cost, and they’re a goldmine if you’re just starting out.
Watching others speak (warts and all) can teach you just as much as practising yourself. Plus, sharing your journey builds confidence and expands your network.
Pro tip: Group learning is so powerful, we created a public speaking community, exclusively for our coaching clients. Inside Charisma Club, our members get to learn, practise, and test their speaking skills every single week. It’s the most powerful way I’ve found to help people transform their skills, and confidence.
Ready to speak with confidence?
Explore our training options...
Ditch Texts and Emails - Pick Up the Phone
Phone calls might feel old-school, but they’re a brilliant way to improve your public speaking skills. Unlike texts or emails, calls force you to think on your feet, use vocal variety, and convey ideas clearly.
They’re like mini speaking workouts.
Nervous about calling someone out of the blue? Try this simple three-step plan:
- List 5–10 people you’d like to connect with – friends, family, or even a potential mentor.
- Rank them from “easy to call” (like a close mate) to “nerve-wracking” (like a business contact).
- Call one different person daily. For friends, an unexpected catch-up is fine. For professional contacts, have a clear reason for getting in touch, and maybe email first to request a call.
Most people are flattered to get a call. You’ll be doing a double good: Brightening their day, while honing your ability to articulate thoughts, listen actively, and build rapport – core skills for any great speaker.
Use Virtual Gigs to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills
Virtual events, webinars, and Zoom meetings are perfect opportunities to improve your public speaking skills from home. Whether it’s a company town hall, an industry webinar, or a networking group, look for chances to speak up.
Start small: offer to give a 10-minute talk on a topic you know well. Not sure how to structure it? Our guide on speech writing has you covered. These low-stakes settings let you test your skills, get feedback, and grow more comfortable addressing an audience.
The more you speak virtually, the more you’ll refine your delivery and gain exposure. Say yes to these opportunities — they’re stepping stones to mastering how to improve public speaking skills.
Pro tip: There are many professional communities on LinkedIn. They’re usually industry specific, and often looking for external speakers to deliver webinars, or virtual workshops. Many of them are happy to pay a small fee for the right speaker, too!
Launch a Vlog or Podcast
Feeling even more confident? How about starting a vlog or podcast. Recording yourself forces you to focus on your voice, body language, and clarity – key elements of great speaking. Plus, it’s a fun way to build your personal brand.
Worried no one will listen? Relax – it’s not about going viral. The act of creating content is transformative. Pick a topic you love, brainstorm 5–10 short ideas (like answering common questions or sharing stories), and hit record. Video is ideal since it lets you work on gestures and expressions, but audio works too.
You don’t need fancy gear – your phone is enough. Commit to recording a few episodes, and you’ll notice your confidence and delivery improve with each take.
Who knows? You might even build a loyal audience along the way.
Improve Your Public Speaking Skills by Taking Action
Knowing how to improve your public speaking skills is one thing – doing it is another.
These DIY methods work, but only if you take action. Study great speakers, join online communities, make phone calls, seize virtual gigs, or start a vlog. Each step builds your confidence and sharpens your delivery.
Public speaking is a skill, not a talent. The more you practise, the better you get. So, don’t wait for the perfect moment to shine — whether it’s a work presentation, a wedding speech, or a leadership role, start now.
Your future self will thank you.
Want expert guidance to accelerate your progress? Book in a free 30-minute call with me. We’ll discuss your public speaking goals and challenges. If there’s a good fit, I’ll share our training options, and answer any questions you may have.
To improving your public speaking skills,
Ed