No matter what your career or where you're at in life, public speaking is a skill that will always come in handy. Still, many Americans cite public speaking as their number-one phobia. While it may be an anxiety-producing experience for many, knowing a few ways to more effectively master this skill will go a long way in quelling fears and empowering you to embrace this powerful form of expression. Below are a few tips for enhancing your public speaking abilities.

3 Pointers for Improving Public Speaking Abilities

1. Rehearse

A public speech is a performance, and what's the one thing all actors do to prepare for a performance? They rehearse. As soon as you know you will be giving a speech, plan out a rehearsal schedule, being sure to practice on a daily basis if at all possible. Add rehearsals to your calendar, and stick to the schedule, even if it's only to run through the speech a time or two. The more one prepares, the more comfortable they are with the material, and that makes them more at ease when getting up in front of a roomful of people.

2. Be Organized

Anyone can stand up and rattle off a series of facts and random sentences. It's the public speaker's job to captivate the audience through the sharing of information, and this takes organization. Put in a story, joke, or surprising fact within the first 30 seconds--this grabs the audience's attention and keeps them tuned in. Then, state the purpose of the speech strongly and clearly, and devote the rest of the time to providing interesting insights that back up that purpose. Use strong, proactive action words and avoid passive language as this gives you authority and inspires the audience; for example, for a speech on exercise, you would say, "Do cardio for 30 minutes each day," instead of "Cardio should be done for 30 minutes each day."

3. Show Your Personality

Even if the subject of your speech is the stuffiest topic imaginable, you don't need to come across as stuffy. Never be afraid to inject a speech with a hearty dose of your own personality. That might mean inserting a few jokes (when appropriate, of course), sharing a story or two from your own life, and/or using bullet points as a guide instead of a fully-typed-out speech. The latter will make it seem more off-the-cuff, like a relaxed conversation with a roomful of friends rather than a stiff and overly rehearsed lecture.

Career consultant and motivational speaker Margaret M. Enloe, Esq., helps her clients master public speaking. She works with people throughout New York City and looks forward to helping you achieve your full potential. Call (646) 872-3674 and visit her website to learn more about her services or to make an appointment.