Public Speaking Exercises to Help You Shine as an Online Speaker
If you’ve been struggling to feel confident while speaking on camera, you’re not alone. Public speaking online can feel daunting, but with a few practical exercises, you can build the confidence and skills to captivate your audience. Here are three simple yet powerful exercises to help you become a better online speaker and truly shine.
1. Read a Book Out Loud
Reading a book out loud isn’t just about practicing your pronunciation—it’s a game-changer for your confidence and presence. Start by choosing a book you love and read a few pages aloud each day. Focus on pronouncing each syllable and word carefully, and experiment with different tones and inflections to bring the words to life.
Why is this important for video creation?
When you read aloud, you’re training your vocal muscles to articulate clearly, which is key for creating engaging videos. This practice also helps you find your natural speaking rhythm and improves your ability to modulate your voice, making it more expressive. Plus, hearing your own voice regularly helps you get comfortable with it, making it easier to move past the "cringe factor" many of us feel when we first hear ourselves on camera. Over time, you'll notice that your delivery feels smoother and more confident, making your videos more compelling for your audience.
2. Record Videos When Inspiration Strikes
Whenever you feel inspired about a topic that could help your audience achieve their goals, hit the record button—even if you don’t plan to post the video right away. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about building the habit of speaking on camera and getting comfortable with seeing yourself on screen.
Pro tips for recording:
Lighting: Record in front of a window for natural light that enhances your video quality.
Background: Keep your background clean and distraction-free. A blank or white background works great, but a tidy space that reflects your personality can also add charm.
Energy: Speak as if you’re talking directly to one person who truly needs to hear your message. This keeps your tone warm and conversational.
Why do this exercise?
This practice helps you build confidence in being visible online without the pressure of posting immediately. Think of it as a no-stakes rehearsal where you can experiment with your tone, delivery, and content ideas. Over time, you'll feel more natural in front of the camera, and the transition to posting publicly will become seamless.
3. Embody Your Best Self
Your best self already exists—they’re the confident, charismatic speaker with an engaged audience and a thriving online presence. Tapping into that version of yourself can help you overcome self-doubt and show up with more confidence.
How to embody your best self:
Visualize: Close your eyes and picture your future self. Who are they? What do they sound like? How do they hold themselves on camera?
Adopt their traits: Imagine that this future version of you is calm, poised, and magnetic. Practice adopting their tone of voice, posture, and energy.
Step into their mindset: Your best self isn’t afraid of judgment because they know their message matters. They speak with conviction because they’ve seen how their words impact their audience.
Why does this work?
When you visualize and embody your best self, you bypass the self-doubt that often holds you back. You step into a persona that feels natural and aligned with your goals. This mindset shift makes it easier to show up authentically and with confidence, which is exactly what your audience is looking for.
These exercises may seem simple, but their impact is profound. The more you practice, the more natural and enjoyable speaking online will become. Start small, stay consistent, and remember—you don’t have to be perfect to show up. Your audience is waiting for your unique voice.
Which of these exercises will you try first? Let me know in the comments or DM me—I’d love to hear about your journey to becoming a confident online speaker!
