Public Speaking Courses:
Everything you need to know
Are you considering taking a presentation or speaker training course?
If so, read this before you make a decision.
Why Should I Consider a Public Speaking Course?
Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, credits much of his success to a public speaking course he took.
He famously said, “I don’t have my diploma from the University of Nebraska hanging on my office wall, and I don’t have my diploma from Columbia up there either — but I do have my Dale Carnegie graduation certificate proudly displayed.”
He calls it his most important degree.
Each year, LinkedIn reveals the most in-demand skills in the workplace. Persuasion and communication skills consistently rank in the top three. No matter your career path - freelancer, solopreneur, small business owner, or employee in a large company - mastering public speaking is crucial for success.
We all need to learn to be persuasive, memorable, engaging, and confident. The best way to achieve this is by starting and completing a public speaking course. Make improving this foundational, career-changing skill your goal for the next year.
What are Public Speaking Courses?
There are several types of public speaking courses:
Video-Based Courses:
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Pros: Cost-effective, accessible, concise.
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Cons: Often incomplete due to a lack of hands-on practice.
These courses provide access to a range of recorded video tutorials. Video-based learning combines camera footage, animation, graphics, text, and audio for an engaging experience. Typically, you pay a fee to access the videos for a certain period.
Single or Multi-Day Courses:
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Pros: Direct expert interaction, in-person or virtual.
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Cons: Time-consuming, may not foster sustained skills.
A full-day training is ideal for covering key concepts and interactive practice. Some topics need more than one day, allowing complex subjects to be revisited and new material covered.
Cohort-Based Courses:
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Pros: Encourages accountability, practical learning, community building.
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Cons: Less flexible, might be too rigid for some.
Cohort-based learning involves students advancing together through a course, led by instructors or mentors. These courses often last for a week or more commonly, 30 days.
Benefits of Public Speaking Courses
Taking a public speaking class will improve your speaking skills, confidence, and critical thinking. It helps in crafting presentation strategies, delivering effectively, and fine-tuning communication skills, thereby overcoming public speaking anxiety.
Benefits include:
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Overcoming Fear and Anxiety: Break free from stage fright.
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Enhancing Communication Skills: Articulate ideas clearly.
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Fostering Social Connections: Network and forge meaningful relationships.
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Boosting Public Speaking Prowess: Gain skills in a supportive environment.
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Sharpening Presentation Strategy: Master compelling storytelling.
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Accelerating Business/Career Growth: Open new opportunities.
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Inspiring and Influencing: Effect change with your words.
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Public speaking classes offer numerous benefits, making them essential for professionals seeking to improve this critical skill set.
Image: Spencer Waldron, Coach and founder of Cenrox.com
What to Expect in a Public Speaking Course
A typical course teaches:
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Conquering Fear: Transform anxiety into assertiveness.
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Crafting Presentations: Tailor your message for maximum impact.
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Mastering Persuasion: Learn to sway your audience.
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Effective Voice Use: Control volume, pace, and pauses.
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Navigating Tough Questions: Handle Q&A sessions with finesse.
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Confidence on Stage: Present with conviction and passion.
Image: Spencer Waldron, giving a confidence building session based on improv games
Choosing the Right Public Speaking Course
When selecting a public speaking course, consider:
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Theory vs. Practice: Opt for hands-on experiences.
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Taster Classes: Try before committing, potentially meeting your coach.
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Coach Connection: Choose a mentor who inspires confidence and offers relevant guidance.
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Post-Course Support: Seek courses with continued learning opportunities.
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Alignment with Goals: Ensure the course aligns with your objectives.
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Peer Reviews: Research testimonials and feedback from past participants.
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Choosing the right course is key to becoming a confident, impactful speaker.
Cenrox’s Approach to Public Speaking Courses
Image: Cenrox presenter resources
Image: Cenrox community forums
Image: Cenrox video courses
Cenrox public speaking courses are designed uniquely, focusing on what you need to become an excellent speaker and presenter. The main idea is to give you time and space to develop the skill.
You take an annual membership which gives you 365 days of coaching and support when you need it the most. Every time you have a presentation or opportunity to present or speak, Cenrox is by your side. Come to the coaching sessions, ask questions, practice, get feedback and improve the outcome of your talk.
The platform is built on four main pillars:
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Weekly live coaching with Spencer Waldron, offering 15 years of experience.
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"The Vault": Bite-sized video-based learning for specific presentation types.
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Speaker community: A network for shared growth, similar to Toastmasters.
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Presenter resources: Templates, theories, articles, and support materials.
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An annual membership at Cenrox promises significant improvement in your speaking abilities, offering continuous support for your presentations.
How to Enroll in Cenrox’s Public Speaking Courses
Start on the "Start Here" page on Cenrox, where you'll learn about Spencer Waldron, your public speaking and presentation coach, as well as the platform's offerings.
Next, we recommend joining one of our "Ask Me Anything" sessions. These are designed for you to ask anything about presentations or speaking as well as meeting your Speaker and Presentation coach - Spencer Waldron. Questions you might have could be:
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How to use PowerPoint or Prezi effectively.
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Design best practices.
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Tips for practicing your talk.
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Structuring your talk.
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Managing nerves.
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Improving presentation skills.
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Techniques for data visualization or storytelling.
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You can also inquire about how the platform works.
Cenrox provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you feel the course isn't right for you, we will refund your money.
Investing in yourself to build this lifelong skill is a no-brainer. It becomes your superpower in various aspects of life - from parties to business meetings, and of course, in presenting your story.
Ready to join us and enhance your public speaking skills?