Finding Your Voice: A Speaker’s Guide to Confidence and Clarity

Justine Martin
3 days ago
2 min read

Because your story deserves to be heard, loud, proud, and with purpose.

When I first stepped onto a stage, I wasn’t confident, I was shaking. When I first told my story, I wasn’t polished, I was raw. And when I first called myself a speaker, I barely believed it myself.

But here’s what I’ve learned: confidence in speaking isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. Whether you’re new to public speaking or ready to sharpen your message, this guide is for anyone who wants to step forward with clarity, courage, and conviction.

1. Own Your Story, Flaws and All

Great speakers don’t need perfect grammar or slick slides, they need authenticity.

Your story is powerful because of its imperfections. Your journey, through adversity, triumph, mistakes and wins, is what connects with people on a human level.

Ask yourself:

What truth do I want to share?
What have I lived through that others need to hear?
What part of my journey gives others hope or strength?

Don’t wait until you feel “ready.” Speak from where you are. That’s enough.

2. Reframe Nerves as Energy

Stage fright? It’s normal. Even seasoned speakers feel it.

The trick? Don’t fight it, reframe it. That flutter in your chest isn’t fear, it’s fuel. It means you care. It means you're alive.

Channel it into your opening. Let it remind you that what you say matters.

Pro tip: breathe deeply before you speak. Plant your feet. Feel the ground. Be present. Your voice will follow.

3. Craft a Message, Not Just a Speech

Confidence comes from clarity. Know why you're speaking, and what you want your audience to walk away with.

Use this structure:

Hook – a question, story, or stat to grab attention
Message – what you believe and why it matters
Moment – a personal story or example
Move – an action, shift in thinking, or challenge for the audience

If your message is clear to you, it’ll be clear to them.

4. Practise, But Don’t Memorise

Practise until your message feels like second nature. But don’t aim to memorise every word, it’ll only trip you up.

Instead:

Practise your key points
Know your opening and closing
Use dot points or visual cues if needed
Speak out loud, in front of a mirror or trusted friend

Clarity grows with repetition. And confidence builds with action.

5. Speak From the Heart, Not the Script

What makes a speaker unforgettable isn’t perfect delivery, it’s passion.

Speak like you’re talking to someone you love. Pause for impact. Smile with sincerity. Let emotion rise if it needs to. And most importantly, believe what you’re saying.

Because when your voice comes from a place of truth, it resonates long after the applause ends.