Imagine it’s Halloween night, and an 8-year-old girl with curly blonde hair is dressed up as a black cat. That girl was me, out trick-or-treating with three friends. As we walked through a nearby school field, someone unexpectedly snatched my bag of candy.

I didn’t let go immediately and found myself spinning in circles, laughing, thinking it was a prank by a friend's brother. It wasn’t until I finally released my grip and watched my bag disappear into the darkness that I realized I had just been mugged.

My friends rushed to console me, claiming they recognized the culprit. Overcome with emotion, I dashed home, where my mother met me, her face filled with concern as I burst through the door in tears.

She quickly checked for injuries and hugged me tightly, while my friends explained the situation. Soon, my father and brother set out into the night to find the neighborhood kid who had robbed me.

My mother also went to confront the boy’s parents about their son’s actions. Meanwhile, I bravely decided that our Halloween adventure must go on.

So, I grabbed another bag and rejoined my friends, not wanting to spoil their fun. As we continued our trick-or-treating, I ended up collecting more candy than usual, as each homeowner heard my sorrowful tale. My mother informed the thief’s mother, who admitted it sounded like her child and handed over a bag of candy that he had collected, possibly some of mine.

After our rounds, we returned home to find my brother confronting the thief right outside our house. Given that my brother was a couple of years older, I wasn’t worried about him.

I remember him saying, “Come on, just admit it and return the candy, and we won’t tell anyone.” To my surprise, the kid quickly confessed and handed over the bag. My brother, excited, yelled for our dad, who appeared from the house in record time.

Though my dad was short, his temper was fierce, and I felt a twinge of sympathy for the boy, knowing he was about to face my dad's wrath. I was soon ushered inside before I could witness the confrontation.

This incident somewhat tainted my Halloween experience, marking a rather traumatic childhood memory, but there are worse stories out there.

On the bright side, I learned that my family would always protect me. I’ve maintained a strong belief that my big brother can tackle anything and will always be there for me. Plus, I ended up with a mountain of candy, which is a silver lining.

Note: I have another fantastic brother who stayed home to hand out candy while the rest of us were on our missions.

You might wonder how this relates to public speaking.

I share this story because it was the first speech I ever delivered. How did a tale about being mugged on Halloween become a speech?

The answer is straightforward, and it also introduces the first tip for making public speaking easier:

1. GET PERSONAL AND PHYSICAL

Don’t worry; it’s not as daunting as it sounds. The first speech I ever gave was about my Halloween mugging, which was the assignment for my class.

Years ago, I enrolled in a Dale Carnegie course, which involved delivering weekly speeches. Our first task was to recount a childhood story. We had a week to prepare and were encouraged to practice by sharing our tale with friends, family, and colleagues.

So, that’s exactly what I did.

On the day of my speech, I fully engaged my audience. I even reenacted how I spun in circles with my mugger, which had everyone laughing. By the end, I received the award for best speech that week—not bad for a beginner! Why was it a success?

Here are three reasons:

Reason 1: This was a story I had narrated countless times throughout my life, so it felt natural to share it again. I had plenty of practice.

Reason 2: It was a personal story I experienced firsthand. I knew it intimately and could recount it vividly.

Reason 3: Instead of standing rigidly, I physically acted out parts of the story, which helped connect with the audience. I didn’t understand it at the time, but now I see the value in sharing personal experiences.

People love discussing themselves. When conversing with others, if they share something relatable, we often can’t help but jump in with our stories. It’s much easier to speak about our experiences than to discuss distant historical events.

Even if your speech is about a topic like World War I, start with something personal. Did you have a relative who served? Encourage the audience to think about their connections. A nod or two from them creates a more engaging atmosphere.

See how you’ve already made a connection? Now, let’s move to the next tip.

2. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Though it sounds cliché, it holds true: the more you practice, the better you become. When preparing a speech, practicing in front of a mirror is invaluable.

It allows you to observe your body language. Are you slouched? Arms crossed? Are you making eye contact? Standing tall and being open is crucial while speaking.

Are you stiff, or are you fluid in your movements? Using hand gestures naturally enhances your speech. The goal is to connect with your audience, and the more engaged you feel, the better the outcome.

Practicing in front of a mirror is the best way to refine these skills. It also helps you manage your volume and pacing, ensuring that you’re loud enough to be heard without overwhelming those in the front row.

Speaking too quickly or quietly can disengage your audience. While it’s okay to occasionally glance at notes, don’t let them dominate your presentation; it’s unnatural to read when conversing with someone.

Practice in front of a mirror might feel silly, but it’s better to work through those nerves in private than in front of a live audience.

3. GET SOME BODY CONFIDENCE

Your body language conveys more than your words, so it’s vital to feel at ease in your skin. A great way to boost your confidence is through exercise.

Whether it’s kickboxing or a simple walk, engaging in physical activity before your speech can help you feel good. A strong body translates to increased confidence, which your audience will recognize.

When they see your confidence, they’ll be more inclined to listen attentively.

Exercise releases endorphins, which promote positive feelings and reduce stress—something many people experience before speaking publicly. Whatever form it takes, ensure you engage in physical activity leading up to your speech.

4. USE YOUR IMAGINATION

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s attractions.” — Albert Einstein

People may chuckle at the idea of using imagination for success, but if Einstein endorsed it, who are we to disagree?

Here are a couple of imaginative exercises to enhance your public speaking confidence:

First, visualize yourself delivering your speech. See yourself dressed well, exuding confidence, and smiling as you speak. Picture the audience captivated by your every word and laughing at your jokes.

Imagine someone you admire commending you on your performance. This could be a famous person, like Oprah Winfrey, or a family member. It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as they inspire you.

Now, visualize that person approaching you, feeling their hand on your shoulder as they express their appreciation for your speech.

Try it now—does your posture improve? Do you feel more confident? Confident individuals tend to take up space rather than shrink away.

Next, envision your audience. Imagine standing before them and looking into their eyes.

You’ve likely heard the advice to picture the audience in their underwear.