Why You Should Improve Your Presentation Skills & Our Top Tips
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
Speech Therapy at Home for Adults can help you prepare for your next presentation.
Presentation skills and the way you deliver your message are just as critical as what you are talking about in the presentation. Here are the top tips we've collected from the Better Speech therapists to help you improve your speaking skills for your next presentation.
It's not every day that you get to speak in front of a possible client or the head of your department. So, it's important to be able to present your message with your speaking skills as polished as possible. Usually there is only one opportunity to get your message across.
Many adults come to the speech therapists at Better Speech wanting to improve their presentation skills before an important meeting or pitch. So we've put together some of the top tips to help you give the best presentation you can.
Know Your Audience
The message you deliver should always be tailored to the audience you are presenting to, as well as their interests. Some of our clients have been able to send a questionnaire to a sample of people in advance of the presentation to know what to talk about. Susan Lui, a Better Speech therapist, specializes in communication skills for business professionals and has presented hundreds of times. She suggest speaking to the audience before a presentation has started to ask them a bit about what they came to hear. She plans some flexibility into her presentation so that she each time she presents, the talk is tailored to her audience.
Let us teach you how to be comfortable on stage
Practice but Don't Memorize
Lui practices her presentations a month in advance. She also practices in front of a mirror and other colleagues or family who are willing to listen several times. There are also groups such as Toastmasters, which allow people to practice public speaking. Very importantly, Lui also suggests practicing out loud so you can hear how your voice, loudness and other factors might affect the presentation. But she also recommends not memorizing the speech. The audience can pick up on this and the presenter ends up looking too robotic and unapproachable. When you don't memorize you also have the opportunity to tailor the speech to your specific audience's interests.
We wouldn't want to leave you without some quick tricks to make the presentation even better:
Go to the Videotape: Record yourself on your smartphone and see what your audience will see. Watching yourself allows you to see where you need to improve.
Trick Your Brain: Getting nervous before the big presentation? Trick your brain by calling it a "conversation" and not a "presentation." Some of our Better Speech clients have even suggested that they imagine giving their speech at home to one family member instead of to a larger audience. And when they are up in front of the crowd, they look for one person that is their imaginary family member.
When we asked Lui what the top issues are that she helps clients with, she mentioned all of the above, and then also listed the aspects of speech therapy that she works on. These are not to be minimized. Not everyone gets nervous in front of an audience but the following are critical to making you feel confident to present:
Our Better Speech Therapists can help people who:
Have difficulty organizing information for a presentation.
Have a nervous feeling creating a ‘nervous voice’.
Find it hard to answer questions appropriately.
Have difficulty using non-verbal communication like eye contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my presentation skills actually need improvement?
If you feel nervous before speaking, struggle to organize your thoughts clearly, or notice that audiences seem disengaged, those are strong signs there is room to grow. Pay attention to feedback from colleagues or recordings of yourself presenting. Most people underestimate how much small adjustments in pacing, eye contact, and structure can transform their overall effectiveness.
Can adults really improve their public speaking skills, or is it something you are born with?
Absolutely, adults can improve at any age. Presentation skills are learned behaviors, not fixed traits, which means consistent practice and targeted feedback make a real difference. Working with a licensed speech-language pathologist, like those available through Better Speech, can help you identify specific habits holding you back and build a personalized plan to address them.
What are the most important elements to focus on when trying to become a better presenter?
Start with the fundamentals: clear organization, confident body language, and controlled pacing. Many presenters rush when anxious, which makes them harder to follow. Practicing out loud, recording yourself, and seeking honest feedback from others are practical steps that accelerate improvement faster than simply reading about techniques.
How long does it typically take to see noticeable improvement in presentation skills?
Most people notice meaningful progress within four to eight weeks of consistent, intentional practice. The key word is intentional - rehearsing with a specific goal each time is far more effective than just running through slides repeatedly. Structured sessions with a professional can shorten that timeline by pinpointing exactly which areas need the most attention.
Is there professional help available for adults who want to work on speech clarity and communication for presentations?
Yes, and it is more accessible than most people realize. Better Speech offers licensed speech-language pathologists who provide online sessions with no waitlists and insurance-ready care, making it easy to get started without delay. Whether you want to reduce an accent, improve vocal projection, or speak more fluently under pressure, a qualified professional can create a plan tailored to your specific goals.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
