The Master Communicator Blog
Stay up to date with the best practices in public speaking, media relations and presentations online and in person.
13 Public Speaking Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Earlier
It's my birthday this week, and as I reflect on a long and wonderfully varied career, I've been thinking about the things I wish I'd known when I was younger. I've spent much of my life in communications. First as a public relations executive and broadcaster, and...
13 Public Speaking Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Earlier
Oct 19, 2026
Discover public speaking lessons from decades in communications, broadcasting and executive coaching, including confidence, vocal presence, authenticity, and connection.
Want to receive powerful communication tips in your inbox?
Subscribe to my weekly mailer.
Categories
Filter - All
Crisis Communications
Executive Communications
Fear of Public Speaking
Presentation Skills
Public Speaking Don'ts
Public Speaking Tips
Storytelling
The Resonant Speaker
Video Conferences
Video Meeting Management
Zoom Score
-
-
13 Public Speaking Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Earlier13 Public Speaking Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Earlier
-
-
Political Ads: Fact, Fiction, and Election MessagingPolitical Ads: Fact, Fiction, and Election Messaging -
How to open a presentation and capture attentionHow to open a presentation and capture attention -
What Gloria and Dolly taught me about communicationWhat Gloria and Dolly taught me about communication -
Great Communicators Don’t Ramble: They Use StructureGreat Communicators Don’t Ramble: They Use Structure -
Your hands are physical emojis: How great speakers use themYour hands are physical emojis: How great speakers use them -
Want to become a better public speaker? Try cross-trainingWant to become a better public speaker? Try cross-training -
-
The 80/20 Rule of Unforgettable PresentationsThe 80/20 Rule of Unforgettable Presentations -
How to talk to anyone (because we’ve forgotten how)How to talk to anyone (because we’ve forgotten how) -
What executives can learn from diplomatic interpretersWhat executives can learn from diplomatic interpreters -
The storytelling shift that changes everythingThe storytelling shift that changes everything -
-
Why dating skills make you a better communicator at workWhy dating skills make you a better communicator at work -
The Power of Surprise: 7 Ways to Keep Any Audience EngagedThe Power of Surprise: 7 Ways to Keep Any Audience Engaged -
7 Ways Women Unintentionally Sabotage Workplace Communication7 Ways Women Unintentionally Sabotage Workplace Communication -
-
The most seductive structure in public speakingThe most seductive structure in public speaking -
-
A Woman’s Guide to Asking Powerful Questions at WorkA Woman’s Guide to Asking Powerful Questions at Work -
-
-
-
-
-
How tour guiding can make you a better speakerHow tour guiding can make you a better speaker -
-
What stuttering reveals about speaking with impactWhat stuttering reveals about speaking with impact -
Lessons from Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement SpeechLessons from Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Speech -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Start strong, end strong: How to open and close with impactStart strong, end strong: How to open and close with impact -
How to speak confidently without memorizationHow to speak confidently without memorization -
-
-
Story is the most powerful connector of hearts and mindsStory is the most powerful connector of hearts and minds -
How to handle holiday politics with grace: a survival guideHow to handle holiday politics with grace: a survival guide -
The power of truth: How lying undermines trustThe power of truth: How lying undermines trust -
-
-
-
-
11 body language tips to make your speech flow11 body language tips to make your speech flow -
-
-
-
Without further ado and the pitfalls of trite phrasesWithout further ado and the pitfalls of trite phrases -
-
Use this power phrase to unlock understandingUse this power phrase to unlock understanding -
-
-
Common mistakes presenters make without realizingCommon mistakes presenters make without realizing -
-
-
What to answer when you don’t know the answerWhat to answer when you don’t know the answer -
Tips to rise above the noise and communicate betterTips to rise above the noise and communicate better -
-
-
-
-
-
Master the art of the throughline when you speakMaster the art of the throughline when you speak -
-
-
What to answer when you don’t like the questionWhat to answer when you don’t like the question -
What holds you back from using your voice for change?What holds you back from using your voice for change? -
-
-
-
How to speak well in public when you’re having a bad dayHow to speak well in public when you’re having a bad day -
-
-
Want to speak like a leader? Dump the clichésWant to speak like a leader? Dump the clichés -
Why do women and men communicate differently?Why do women and men communicate differently? -
Don’t let imposter syndrome sabotage your next speechDon’t let imposter syndrome sabotage your next speech -
-
8 communications lessons from people who stutter8 communications lessons from people who stutter -
True or False: 9 public speaking myths debunkedTrue or False: 9 public speaking myths debunked -
Tilt and nod your way to better body languageTilt and nod your way to better body language -
-
-
Talking tips to survive your holiday parties.Talking tips to survive your holiday parties. -
-
-
-
-
-
The Virtual Interview Is the New Résumé: What You Need to KnowThe Virtual Interview Is the New Résumé: What You Need to Know -
-
-
Eight ways to use note cards during a presentationEight ways to use note cards during a presentation -
Nine ways to elevate the role of panel moderatorNine ways to elevate the role of panel moderator -
Why ZoomScore is more relevant today than everWhy ZoomScore is more relevant today than ever -
Did you lose your voice? DON'T do these five things.Did you lose your voice? DON'T do these five things. -
-
How a question creates courageous communicationHow a question creates courageous communication -
-
-
-
The introvert's guide to great public speakingThe introvert's guide to great public speaking -
-
-
-
-
-
-
7 tips about food and drink before you present7 tips about food and drink before you present -
-
-
Public speaking jitters? Train your butterflies to fly in formationPublic speaking jitters? Train your butterflies to fly in formation -
Transform your presentations with the rule of threeTransform your presentations with the rule of three -
-
How to create a dazzling first impression on video.How to create a dazzling first impression on video. -
Want to deliver engaging presentations? Try PechaKucha.Want to deliver engaging presentations? Try PechaKucha. -
Five reasons why you will enjoy Zoom more in 2022Five reasons why you will enjoy Zoom more in 2022 -
Practice your <em>private</em> speaking during the holidays.Practice your private speaking during the holidays. -
How <em>Mondays with Mitch</em> inspired great presentation tips.How Mondays with Mitch inspired great presentation tips. -
Three reasons why you will never speak like me.Three reasons why you will never speak like me. -
Lessons in storytelling from my seven-year-old grandson.Lessons in storytelling from my seven-year-old grandson. -
Pro tips for world-class virtual presentations.Pro tips for world-class virtual presentations. -
Stand out on video meetings with charisma and influence.Stand out on video meetings with charisma and influence. -
-
-
-
Five reasons you should use a green screen with Zoom.Five reasons you should use a green screen with Zoom. -
Five steps to boost your executive presence online.Five steps to boost your executive presence online. -
-
Six ways to improve your audio quality on Zoom.Six ways to improve your audio quality on Zoom. -
Get ready to ace your next virtual media interview.Get ready to ace your next virtual media interview. -
Want to look great on Zoom? This 10-point checklist is for you.Want to look great on Zoom? This 10-point checklist is for you. -
7 steps to shave word whiskers from your speeches.7 steps to shave word whiskers from your speeches. -
-
Six team-building ideas to spice up your next Zoom meeting.Six team-building ideas to spice up your next Zoom meeting. -
4 ways to help everyone feel included in hybrid meetings.4 ways to help everyone feel included in hybrid meetings. -
Hand signals for Zoom: 6 non-verbal cues to enhance your meetings.Hand signals for Zoom: 6 non-verbal cues to enhance your meetings. -
-
What can speakers learn from Oprah’s interview style?What can speakers learn from Oprah’s interview style? -
No-excuse guide to hold attention during Zoom meetingsNo-excuse guide to hold attention during Zoom meetings -
9 ways to supercharge your next virtual meeting.9 ways to supercharge your next virtual meeting. -
7 hand gestures that will immediately increase the value of what you say.7 hand gestures that will immediately increase the value of what you say. -
-
10 steps to look your best on virtual job interviews10 steps to look your best on virtual job interviews -
-
Boost your charisma on Zoom with these 7 tips.Boost your charisma on Zoom with these 7 tips. -
-
-
A stutterer's guide to overcoming stage fright on ZoomA stutterer's guide to overcoming stage fright on Zoom -
-
-
-
-
-
-
7 Essential skills to stand out in a Zoom meeting7 Essential skills to stand out in a Zoom meeting -
Racial justice requires business leaders to speak upRacial justice requires business leaders to speak up -
Better virtual meetings during Covid-19 and BeyondBetter virtual meetings during Covid-19 and Beyond -
10 Communication Tips for Navigating the Covid-19 Crisis10 Communication Tips for Navigating the Covid-19 Crisis -
Ten tips to look your best on video conferencesTen tips to look your best on video conferences -
Bad Public Speaking: Gambling on Trump's Coronavirus BriefingsBad Public Speaking: Gambling on Trump's Coronavirus Briefings -
Crisis Communications Leadership in the Time of Covid-19Crisis Communications Leadership in the Time of Covid-19 -
-
Quick Presentation Fix: Make Your Audience the HeroQuick Presentation Fix: Make Your Audience the Hero -
-
-
-
-
-
-
