"All the great speakers were bad speakers first." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Speaking in front of a group of people can be anywhere between the most terrifying or the most rewarding experiences. I’ve read that people fear public speaking more than dying - does this mean that more people would prefer lying in the casket than presenting the eulogy at a funeral. This is a scary thought!

Effective public speaking is a standout quality in the workplace. I am always astonished at how many people make absolutely no effort to improve their presentation skills. It is a surefire way to stand above the crowd. Here are twenty tips that if practiced will immediately improve your presentation ability:

1. No speech is ever perfect. Perfectionism only creates more fear and pressure. Do your best and leave it at that. Your goal is always to make the current speech your best ever.
2. Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area, and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
3. Forget about what you forgot to say. Trust that the audience heard what was needed.
4. The most important part of a presentation is the beginning. This is when the audience decides what type of presentation you are about to give. It is vital to gain immediate rapport and engagement.
5. The audience buys you first. Good presentations are always about good credibility. The audience will only buy your message if they buy you.
6. Visualise yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking - your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you picture yourself as successful, you will be successful. Your presentation will always be as good as you believe it will be.
7. Make it clear. No rambling. No tangents. The audience should leave knowing your position whether they agree with it or not. Clarity is the key.
8. Always be conversational. Speak like you would to a friend over a cup of coffee.
9. Always be authentic and sincere. Always be yourself. Chances are high that your friends or colleagues consider you warm and humourous. No one is ever against a speaker like that.
10. The audience wants you to be great. I have yet to see a presentation where the audience has hoped to see the speaker fail. The audience has come to listen and learn. Realise that people want you to succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining.
11. Get to know the audience. Meet and greet before and after. Get as close to the crowd as possible when speaking. Move freely and confidently around the speaking area. Don’t get stuck to the podium.
12. Use as few notes as possible. Too many notes will just add to your stress levels and take away your focus on the audience. Only use a single sheet with your key points highlighted on it.
13. Your life provides your anecdotes and illustrations. Every experience holds the possibility of an example or truth others can learn from.
14. Never tell jokes. More times than not, I see individuals spoil their presentations when trying to be comedians.
15. Your best for this moment is the best you can do. Don't compare yourself to famous or more proficient speakers. You can learn, grow, and improve, and you will. Just always do your best.
16. Fear is a part of public speaking. Even the best speakers feel some slight butterflies from nervous excitement. Nervousness is not unusual. Don't be surprised by its presence. The goal is to ensure that your butterflies always fly in formation.
17. You cannot improve if you don’t speak regularly. Join a club like Toastmasters to get valuable experience and exposure. Practice will eventually make perfect.
18. If you can't summarise the intended result of your speech in one sentence, then you're not communicating clearly. There should be no doubt about the value, expectation and intention of your presentation.
19. Always be aware of you’re your body language. Your body language is a great tool to make effective non verbal communication. Stand tall and confident. You also must dress appropriately for the audience you plan to speak to.
20. We live in a world of advanced technology. Multi-media and PowerPoint is the order of the day. But nothing will ever replace an individual with a powerful and emotional message, the passion to share it, and an audience wanting to change. Use descriptive words that paint clear pictures. Words have tremendous power.

By far the most important piece of advice in the above list is to know your material. Most nervousness comes from the fear of looking like a fool. If you're totally confident in your mastery of your subject, you'll never have this problem.

Being a poor presenter is a serious problem for anyone who wants to be successful in business. It will create all sorts of hidden obstacles that will hinder or even stall an otherwise bright career. You can master the art of public speaking.

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