The Public Speaking Advice That Changed Everything for Me

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received about public speaking is this: be generous with your preparation time.

Public speaking is a skill that demands more from us than we often anticipate. It’s not just about standing up and delivering—it’s about creating an experience, connecting with your audience, and making your message resonate long after you leave the stage.

The key? Give yourself more time than you think you need.

Time to rehearse.

Time to make mistakes.

Time to stumble through ideas that feel clunky but evolve into something compelling.

Time to get intimately comfortable with your content.

While preparing for my talk at Columbia University, I engaged with my talk from every angle. What do I mean from every angle?

1. Only listen

2. Only watch

3. Only read

Part One: Only Listen

Play the recording with sound on but no visuals. Focus on your voice and speech patterns.

• Are there any disfluencies (ums, uhs, or filler words) that distract from your message?

• Are you pausing effectively to let key points land?

• Are you rushing through parts that deserve more breathing room?

By isolating the audio, you can refine your rhythm and clarity, ensuring your words land with impact.

Part Two: Only Watch

This time, mute the sound and pay attention to your body language.

• Do you look confident and engaged, or are your nerves showing?

• Are your gestures natural and supportive of your message, or are they distracting?

• Are you effectively using the stage or the space around you?

Your audience will read as much from your presence as they will from your words. Ensure your body language aligns with the story you’re telling.

Part Three: Only Read

Read through the transcript of your talk—yes, every word. And ask yourself:

• Is your message clear and easy to follow?

• Are you telling powerful stories that connect with your audience emotionally?

• Are you creating opportunities for your listeners to reflect, act, or engage?

Seeing your words laid out on paper reveals opportunities to refine the structure and your message with clarity.

Once I had gone through these steps, I practiced the talk 30 more times.

I know, it sounds like a lot, but repetition builds muscle memory, and practice takes your delivery from feeling rehearsed to natural. When you’re so familiar with your material that it flows effortlessly, you can focus on the most important part: connecting with your audience.

In acting class, we practiced until we could deliver the lines in our sleep! Until we knew our lines in our bones.

The Payoff? A Talk That Compels People to Act and Think 

When you prepare deeply, you show up with confidence, clarity, and charisma. Your audience feels it—and they’ll remember it.

Here’s some of the feedback I received after my talk:

“Your last message on not sleeping on your purpose will forever stay with me. It inspired me to push more boundaries to make things happen, and it encouraged me to be brave. So grateful to have you on stage this year, Naomi! ”

“Loved your talk! Super inspiring and definitely charged to run high on my purpose. Great meeting you at the summit.”

“We are absolutely thrilled that you auditioned and are so impressed by your talent and presence on stage!”

The next time you prepare for a talk, be generous with your preparation time. Invest in yourself, your message, and your audience.

Okay, now practice 30 more times and go rock out on stage.

I would love to hear from you—what’s the best advice you’ve received for public speaking?