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11.8: Following Up to Improve Your Skills

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    Learning Objectives
    • Discuss strategies to ensure your message lands
    • Take steps to keep improving your skills
    • Explore numerous presentation skills resources

    A great presentation doesn’t end when you step off the stage. The final step in delivering a powerful presentation is following up to refine and enhance your skills. Below are steps to take and resources to explore for continuous improvement.

    Use Feedback to Improve Your Skills

    Action: Seek constructive feedback from peers, mentors, or audience members after every presentation. Example: Ask specific questions such as, "What part of my message was most impactful?" or "How could I improve my delivery?"

    Resource: Carnegie, Dale. The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990.

    Learn on Your Own

    Attend Training or Take Classes

    Action: Enroll in courses on public speaking, improvisation, or storytelling to improve confidence and adaptability. Example: Take an improvisation class to learn how to think on your feet. Resource: Duarte, Nancy. Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences. Hoboken: Wiley, 2010.

    Listen to TED Talks

    Action: Analyze techniques of top speakers, focusing on vocal variety, storytelling, and audience engagement. Example: Watch Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on body language (TED.com). Resource: Gallo, Carmine. Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World's Top Minds. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2014.

    Join Toastmasters or Another Speaking Group

    Action: Practice speaking in a supportive environment. Example: Join a local Toastmasters club and participate in weekly speech challenges. Resource: Toastmasters International (toastmasters.org).

    Seek a Mentor or Coach

    Action: Work with an experienced speaker to refine delivery and content. Example: Find a coach who specializes in executive presentations. Resource: Maxwell, John C. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010.

    Develop Your Storytelling Skills

    Action: Take an online course. Example: Search online for free or low-cost training. Resource: Pixar’s The Art of Storytelling on Kahn Academy.

    Ask for Feedback Every Time You Speak

    Action: Solicit and apply feedback regularly. Example: Use a digital survey after a presentation. Resource: Presentation Zen blog by Garr Reynolds (presentationzen.com).

    Follow Influential Speakers; Heed Their Advice

    Vinh Giang is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and communication coach. With over five million Instagram followers, he provides simple ways for you to unlock your potential through masterful communication. His Record and Review techniques involve three simple steps:

    Record a 5-minute IMPROMPTU video. Wait 24-hours before reviewing to avoid being overly critical.

    • Step 1: Conduct a visual image review (Turn OFF the sound and review your body language, facial expressions and any distracting features)
    • Step 2: Conduct a vocal image review (Turn off the image and just listen); review your melody, rate of speech, volume, tone, and use of pause
    • Step 3: Transcribe the speech verbatim; look for added filler words or non-words; highlight them to become more aware of your tendencies

    Why this works:

    • Builds self-awareness
    • Identifies areas to improve
    • Helps to improve your skills

    Learn more from Vinh by subscribing to his Instagram or YouTube channel.Captivate book

    Vanessa Van Edwards is a speaker and the bestselling author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People. Visit her Science of People website to find tips and techniques for improving your presentation skills.

    Seek Speaking Opportunities

    Action: Engage in diverse speaking experiences to develop adaptability. Example: Volunteer to present at school events or workplace meetings. Resource: TED Masterclass App (TED.com).

    More Resources for Improving Public Speaking

    Action Recommended Resource Website
    Attend Training Duarte, Nancy. Resonate duarte.com
    Watch TED Talks Gallo, Carmine. Talk Like TED TED.com
    Join Toastmasters Toastmasters International toastmasters.org
    Seek Mentorship Maxwell, John C. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect johnmaxwell.com
    Ask for Feedback Presentation Zen (Garr Reynolds) presentationzen.com
    Videotape and Self-Assess Weissman, Jerry. Presenting to Win pearson.com

    Anyone can improve their speaking skills. Choose the activities that resonate with you; take small steps daily to gain confidence and enhance your abilities.

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