Couldn’t agree more about practicing on your feet - and it’s a personal bug-bear of mine that people try and practice in their heads (on plans and trains on the way to the conference, for example). It’s far, far better to do your rehearsals out loud, as you suggest!

S

I had a baseball coach in high school who said, “You play the way that you practice.” Naturally, practicing public speaking will help. What most people forget though is that it is equally important to practice non-verbal delivery skills as well. It is important to do so as practicing your non-verbal skills will help cement them in your muscle memory. If you do not practice that way, you are less likely to meet with success.

Another important thing to keep in mind when practicing public speaking, is that you shouldn’t stop yourself in your practice sessions. What would you do if you made a mistake or misspoke? Practice it like you would in front of an audience. Then you’ll be more adept at reacting and thinking on your feet.

There is no substitute for practicing your presentation on your feet before you deliver it. Mark Twain said it best, “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.”