As a public speaking coach, I understand that you might not find yourself in public speaking situations every day. However, you still want to improve as a speaker. In this article, I’ll introduce you to the best exercises you can practice on your own or with friends to enhance your speaking abilities.

Exercise 1: Count Up to 20

This exercise focuses on your delivery, body language, voice, and hand gestures, all combined into one. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Count up to 20 from 1 to 20, practicing various hand gestures, voice tones, and speeds with each count.
2. Experiment with pointing at objects in your surroundings while counting.
3. Play with your delivery, body language, and facial expressions during the exercise.

Remember, this exercise helps you work on your overall delivery, making it more engaging and impactful.

Exercise 2: Hi, My Name Is…

This exercise helps you stay present, comfortable with your space, and grounded during speaking. Follow these steps:

1. Take a deep breath before and after saying, “Hi, my name is Your Name.”
2. Maintain eye contact with the audience or an object you’re looking at, even after saying your name.
3. Embrace the power of silence at the end of the sentence to exude confidence.

Practice this exercise in various scenarios, such as on phone calls, Zoom meetings, or at the beginning of any conversation. The breaths at the beginning and end add impact to your speech.

Exercise 3: I Am the World’s Best…

This exercise focuses on improving your vocal variety. Complete the sentence “I am the world’s best…” with different statements, varying your tone, pitch, and pace each time.

1. Say the sentence with different volumes – louder and softer.
2. Experiment with higher and lower pitches.
3. Play around with the speed of your speech, going faster or slower.
4. Utilize strategic pauses to add emphasis and variation to your speech.

This exercise enhances your vocal delivery, making your speech more engaging and dynamic.

Exercise 4: Box Breathing

Box breathing is a relaxation technique used by the US Navy to stay composed under pressure. Here’s how to do it:

1. Breathe in for four seconds.
2. Hold your breath for four seconds.
3. Breathe out for four seconds.
4. Hold your breath again for four seconds.
5. Repeat the cycle.

This exercise helps you relax and maintain composure, which is vital for effective public speaking.

Exercise 5: Prep Questions

Although not spoken aloud, these prep questions are crucial for preparing for any speaking engagement:

1. Who is my audience, and what do they want?
2. What are my audience’s expectations from me?
3. What are my target points for the presentation, and what do I need to prepare?

Answering these questions will help you understand your audience better and formulate more relevant and engaging content.

In conclusion, these five daily public speaking exercises are designed to help you grow as a speaker. By practicing them regularly, you can gain a competitive advantage and significantly improve your speaking skills. Remember, these exercises are time-efficient and can be easily integrated into your daily routine. So, invest in your speaking abilities and watch your confidence and impact soar!

If you’re interested in further tips to enhance your public speaking, check out my video “Five Tips to Help You Improve Your Public Speaking.” Happy speaking!