No one is born a public speaker. It takes time and practice to develop the skills needed to speak in public. If you're an aspiring speaker, it can be tough to know where to start. In this article, we will discuss some tips for getting public speaking experience. We'll also provide advice on how to overcome your fear of public speaking. So if you're ready to take the next step in your speaking career, keep reading!

But First, let's consider the following question:

What Is Considered Public Speaking Experience?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, public speaking experience can generally be defined as any time you speak in front of an audience. This could include giving a presentation at work, speaking at a conference, or leading a meeting.

How To Get Public Speaking Experience

Before we dive into how to get public speaking experience, here is sound advice: Start small! If you're new to public speaking, start by speaking in front of smaller groups. This will help you get comfortable with the process and build your confidence.

So if you're looking to build your public speaking experience, here are 10 ways to do so:

1. Join a club or group: There are many clubs and groups that focus on public speaking like Toastmasters. Joining one of these organizations can provide you with opportunities to speak in front of a variety of audiences. This will also give you the opportunity to practice in a safe environment with others who share your interest in public speaking. If there isn't an existing public speaking club in your area, consider starting one!

What are the benefits of joining a club or organization for public speaking?

-Opportunities to speak in front of a variety of audiences

-Safe and supportive environment

-Gain confidence while speaking in public

-Learn from other members who have experience public speaking

-Get feedback on your speeches from experienced speakers

As you can see, there are many benefits to joining a public speaking club or organization. If you're looking for more public speaking experience, this is a great place to start!

2. Participating in online forums and discussions like Quora or Reddit is another great way to get exposure to public speaking. You can find online forums and groups for just about any topic, so there's no excuse not to find one that interests you.

3. Attending workshops and training courses is a great way to learn new techniques and improve your skills as a public speaker. There are many workshops and courses available, both online and in-person, so you're sure to find one that meets your needs. For more information, check out the article "Online Resources for Public Speaking"

4. Speaking at local schools is a great way to gain experience while helping others. This type of speaking opportunity is typically low pressure, and it can be a great way to get started.

5. Volunteering to speak at events for charity organizations is another great way to gain experience while helping a good cause. These events often have lower expectations for speakers, which can help reduce the stress associated with public speaking.

6. Pitching your ideas to local businesses is another great way to gain public speaking experience. This type of opportunity can be especially beneficial if you're looking to start your own business.

7. Giving a presentation to your friends or family is a great way to gain experience in a low-stress environment. This type of speaking opportunity can also help you practice for larger presentations.

8. Giving presentations at work is another great way to get public speaking experience. Many businesses, organizations, or even leaders are happy to let employees give presentations about their work-related projects. This is a great way to build your confidence and improve your public speaking skills.

9. Participating in online video conferences is another great way to get exposure to public speaking. This type of opportunity allows you to speak in front of a large audience without having to leave the comfort of your own home.

10. Speaking anytime you want using VirtualSpeech. VirtualSpeech is a virtual reality soft skills training on presentation skills, public speaking, sales pitches, networking, media training, and more. This will provide unlimited real-feel practice where you will also receive constructive criticism. For more information check out the article "Does VR Help With Public Speaking"

Finally, don't be afraid to practice. The more you speak in public, the better you'll become. Try recording yourself giving a presentation or speech and then watching it back. This will help you identify areas where you need improvement. You can also join an online forum or community of public speakers who can offer feedback and advice.

Now that you understand how to gain public speaking experience, it leads to another question:

How Do You Acquire Public Speaking Skills?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to improve your public speaking skills depends on your strengths and weaknesses. However, here are a few tips that can help:

-Practice, practice, practice: As with any skill, the best way to improve your public speaking skills is through practice. The more you speak in public, the better you'll become. The article "9 Killer Public Speaking Exercises You Can Do At Home" details how practice can be done inside your very home! 

-Watch videos of successful speeches: Another great way to improve your public speaking skills is by watching videos of successful speeches. This will give you an idea of what good public speaking looks like and help you emulate their techniques.

-Understand your audience: When giving a speech, it's important to understand your audience and what they want to hear. Tailor your presentation according to their wants and needs.

-Be prepared: Make sure you know your topic inside and out and have rehearsed your speech multiple times. This will help you feel more confident when speaking in public.

-Use visual aids: If possible, use visual aids with tools such as PowerPoint, Canva, Visme, or props to help keep your audience engaged. Check out the article "Best Presentation Technology Tools 2022" for more detail.

-Stay calm and confident: One of the most important things to remember when public speaking is to stay calm and confident. If you appear nervous or hesitant, it will only make matters worse.

-Make eye contact: Make eye contact with members of your audience throughout your speech. This will help connect with them and keep them engaged. If you would like to improve in this area, check out these 9 tips.

-Use humor: If appropriate, use humor to lighten the mood and keep your audience entertained.

-Keep it brief: Try to keep your speech as concise and organized as possible. Don't overload your audience with too much information at once.

-Be aware of your body language: Make sure you are aware of your body language when public speaking. Avoid crossing your arms or fidgeting excessively, as this can make you appear uncomfortable or unprofessional.

-End on a strong note: Always end your speech on a strong note by summarizing the main points you made and leaving the audience with something to think about.

How to Get Public Speaking Experience: Bottom Line

The bottom line is that getting public speaking experience takes time and effort, but it's definitely worth it! With a little bit of hard work, you'll be on your way to becoming an accomplished public speaker.

For more resources to develop your public speaking skills while you are in the comforts of your own home, please check the articles Online Resources for Public Speaking and 
Where Can I learn Public Speaking? Top 20 Places.