Fear Not, Public Speaking! Preparation Is Half the Battle
Posted on Sep. 22, 2025 / Business Development, A/E/C / Subscribe 0
Author: Robin Schell, APR
Robin Schell, APR, Fellow PRSA is Senior Counsel and Partner at Jackson Jackson & Wagner (JJ&W), a behavioral public relations and management consulting firm based in the Seacoast. She and her colleagues work with clients to improve their communication skills, whether they are preparing for a public hearing presentation or getting ready for a media interview. On October 9, SMPS Boston is pleased to invite Robin to lead a two-hour workshop designed for A/E/C marketers to build confidence and master presentation skills. This event will be worth 2 CEUS and help you transform your public speaking anxieties into confidence through practical preparation and practice. Check out more details and register for the event here!
Fear Not, Public Speaking! Preparation is Half the Battle
Three out of every four people experience some level of fear when it comes to public speaking, according to a 2025 study by Crown Counseling. This phenomenon, known as "glossophobia", is also slightly more prevalent in women than it is in men.
I believe that statistic. I took my first public speaking class in college, and strategically chose to do it when I was studying at San Diego State University on an exchange program from the University of New Hampshire, because I figured, "I'll never see these people again!".
If you are in the communications/public relations field, however, there is no avoiding public speaking - whether you are presenting proposals to potential clients, selling an idea to the leadership team in the Boardroom, or persuading a skeptical community to support your project.
The key to success - PREPARATION. The average person spends 17.5 hours preparing for a public speaking engagement. Here are a few things to think about as you prepare for your next presentation.
Develop an Attention-Getting Intro
This can be anything from a startling statistic to an on-the-spot poll that draws the audience in to the subject at hand. "How many of you admit to having a fear of public speaking?"
Tell a story that is memorable and relatable to your audience. Show a compelling visual.
Familiarize, Don't Memorize Your Content
Everyone has a different process for developing content for a PowerPoint presentation - some start with a long narrative that can be transformed into bullet points; others think in terms of visuals before developing the supporting information. Think about the three key points you want to make and identify metaphors or stories that will help the audience remember them. If you use an acronym, define it - every organization has their own version of "alphabet soup", and you don't want the audience distracted by wondering what your acronym meant.
One common mistake is spending all of your time researching and refining your material, but neglecting to practice the delivery out loud. Know your material and practice voice inflection to avoid boring, monotone delivery. Practice in the mirror to get a sense of your body language and stop yourself from nervous habits like swaying back and forth or using distracting gestures with your arms. Make sure to time your presentation so you'll know where to cut and where you'll have an opportunity to go into more detail.
Summarize Key Points in your Close
Anyone who's ever taken a Toastmaster's class probably remembers the phrase, "tell 'em what you're going to tell 'em, tell 'em and then tell 'em what you told 'em." Close with a "serve, not sell" mentality - give the audience a call to action or let them know where to get more information on your topic.
Over the years, I've worked my way up from quaking before a 15-minute public speech to confidently teaching a days-long "PR Bootcamp" class for our professional society, PRSA (the Public Relations Society of America). The best way to get better at public speaking is to spend time preparing and practicing your material - and then take every opportunity you can to just do it!
For more information about JJ&W, visit jjwpr.com or email Robin at [email protected].
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