Public speaking skills: all twelve, defined

Knowing your audience is shaping your message to what listeners already know and care about.

You have it when you can say in one sentence why this room should care.

Drill: explain your topic for one minute to an imagined beginner, then an expert.

A lighthouse mindset is pointing your attention at helping listeners, not at your own flaws.

You have it when you think about their problem, not your image. People overestimate how much others notice them, a bias called the spotlight effect.

Drill: say out loud what the audience can do after your talk.

Structure is the order of your talk: a short opening, a few clear points, then an ending people remember.

You have it when the middle holds three or four main points, a limit AmberWillo's skills guide also suggests.

Drill: deliver it in one minute, using only each point's first line.

Simple language is short sentences and everyday words, without jargon.

You have it when a friend outside your field can repeat your point. More public speaking tips on wording are collected here.

Drill: say your main point out loud, then again in half the words.

Purposeful movement is moving with a reason, like stepping forward for a key point, instead of pacing.

You have it when you stand still between moves.

Drill: pick two spots and move only when your point changes.

Eye contact is holding one listener's gaze for a whole thought, then moving on.

You have it when you hold each gaze for about 3 to 4 seconds.

Drill: stick three notes on the walls and speak one sentence to each.

A pause is a planned silence that lets an idea land.

You have it when silence replaces "um" and does not scare you.

Drill: read aloud and breathe once at every full stop.

Voice projection is speaking louder than conversation, from the breath, so people at the back catch every word.

You have it when nobody asks you to repeat yourself. AmberWillo's voice projection guide recommends vocal warm-ups every day, ten to fifteen minutes long.

Drill: count to ten at the far wall, then speak one sentence at that volume.

Gestures are hand movements that underline a word; control means open hands on key words, stillness between.

You have it when your hands stay out of your pockets.

Drill: record a minute and count gestures with no word behind them.

Self-review is watching yourself speak to catch posture and filler words.

You have it when you can name your most common filler word.

Drill: record one minute and count every "um" and "like".

Keyword notes are a short list of cue words that replace a written script.

You have it when your notes fit on one card.

Drill: halve your notes, speak from them once, then halve them again.

Feedback is an outside view of how you came across, from a person, a group or a tool.

You have it when you ask "what was unclear?" after you speak.

Drill: talk to a friend for one minute and ask for one change.