To master the art of self-presentation and confident speaking, one should start with the following public speaking tips. As with any skill, improving your public speaking and getting over any lingering fears you may have requires practice, practice, practice. If you do not have opportunities to give presentations in a professional setting that could serve as this practice, consider joining a public speaking group or merely practicing by yourself in front of a mirror.

In addition to practice, the next tip is to know your subject matter as well as possible ahead of time. Even the most verbose, quick-thinking people perform prepared speeches better than extemporaneous ones. Politicians on the road have standard speeches that they alter for each campaign stop they make, giving the appearance of a casual presentation when they have really spent weeks or months perfecting their performance.

Practice and preparation will give you the confidence needed to speak authoritatively in front of your audience, which leads us to step 3: project confidence. Be aware of your body language and adopt a strong stance, with legs shoulder width apart, head up, and chest back. There is no slouching or shifting around! If it is appropriate, it may help to use a prop, such as a laser pointer. One of the most important elements of confident body language is making eye contact with your audience. Scan the room slowly as you speak, giving each audience member the impression that you are making eye contact (even if you cannot due to the size of the room or its lighting). This will make them more comfortable, and show that you are not a novice.

Finally, do not be afraid to make mistakes. If you trip over a word or forget a line, stay relaxed and give yourself a quick moment to recover. It is better to leave a small pause in between statements or phrases than to fill it with “umm” or filler words, such as “anyway.” Using these public speaking tips, you will build your skills and unlock your natural abilities.