Hi Susan, love these tips, and as an introvert that loves speaking, I can attest to the value of this post. Here's a few additional tips that have worked for me:

1 - Arrive early at the location where you will speak. You want time to not only become familiar with the setup and space, but to also make sure you have all the hookups you'll need, etc.

2 - Realize that even if you make a mistake, your audience probably won't notice it. I am big on scripting out the flow of my presentations, and sometimes I will mix up the order of the points I want to cover, etc. I finally learned that when this happens, to just take a second to pause, and re-center myself and move on. Even if I 'mess up', the audience doesn't know what's coming next, so they aren't aware that I may have covered my points out of order, etc.

3 - Focus on the members of the audience that you are connecting with. When I talk as I scan the audience I'll come across someone that's nodding along as I'm talking. Or maybe they are bright-eyed and you can tell they are listening intently. I try to keep focusing on these people to 'reward' their attention, but also it re-inforces to me that the audience is responding positively to my talk, which gives me more energy and helps me do a better job.

Thanks again for the great post, Susan, and good luck with your course!

Thanks for your tips, Susan.

Like you, I’ve begun really valuing speakers just being themselves (tip #1). Recently I joined Toastmasters, and a common outside view is that some TM members “ham it up” with cheesy body language and voice. (Ham and cheese are good on your plate, but not in your face!) Anyway, being aware of that trap is the 1st step to avoiding it and to being yourself on stage.

Like you've done before, I do recommend Toastmasters, as it’s such a great place to practice and to refine skills. (Here’s a professional video that shows people what TM meetings are like: http://wp.me/p1PHR3-qD )

And on the subject of bodily calm (tip #5), the content of this video by Harvard researcher Amy Cuddy really works for me:
http://wp.me/p1PHR3-hI

So thanks again. Your work has rightly brought introverts more recognition – even from themselves!

Loved reading these tips you had.

Awesome tips! I think of myself as an ambivert, but my wife would say I'm definitely introverted :)

Reminds me of, "Don't fake it til you make it, fake it til you BECOME it."

Hi Susan, you post is so relevant. Your Inc. article asks how we came out of our shells. There are so many contributors. For me the real boost was after I joined Toastmasters. The safe & comfortable and encouraging environment that offers constructive feedback, helped crack open the shell with the real growth came after taking on leadership roles outside the club. Second, having a good mentor who believes in you. Third, learning to tell stories and finally, taking every opportunity to speak when you can. As a tech columnist, The Gadget Guy @gadgetgreg, it took me out from behind the keyboard. Amazingly, 2 years ago I became a District Governor (Alberta/Saskatchewan Canada), akin to being a CEO of a non-profit with 4000 members and 250 branches. In any event, yo need to take that first step and amazing things can happen.

Hi, it is also a perception that introvert can not become a sales person is it true?

smile and serve the audience... - that's what helped me most :)

Thanks all, I so appreciated your comments! @Zia, definitely not true that introverts can't make good salespeople. In my book QUIET, i actually profile a guy named Jon Berghoff who is a superstar sales guy by virtue of using his talents for listening and asking questions. And in his book TO SELL IS HUMAN, author Dan Pink argues that the best salespeople are neither introverts nor extroverts but somewhere in between. And @Mack, I love your tips, agree with them all. (3) for me was a huge one. I used to focus on the people who looked bored, and feel unnerved by them. Now I focus on the ones who seem engaged.

Thanks again, all, and to Nancy Duarte for running this post!

Loved this article. Its very encouraging for those people who don't necessarily feel like they are extroverted. Its true - presenting is just an act! I like your examples from successful speakers and presenters like Gladwell and Gaga :)

http://artofpublicspeaking.net

Great tips for improving your public speaking skills. Speakers
need to constantly be learning and updating their knowledge, skills and
abilities.

Great advice!

I'd like to share the following tip. I do this to relate better to my audience and understand their expectations, not to conquer any fear of public speaking (which fortunately I don't have). But I think this will help those who are afraid of public speaking:

Arrive early enough at the location to first get set up, then mingle with the audience. Shake hands, make eye contact, make small talk. Do this with only a few people, ideally sampling the room in different locations: front, center, back, left, and right. Ask them why they are here, what they expect. Sometimes they'll say something important or ask you a question. Tell them you plan to cover that in your presentation, but if you miss it, request them to speak up and ask you that question or make that comment.

When you get back up on the stage, you don't have a faceless audience anymore. You have 'friends.' They are not beasts about to devour you or laugh at you. They have names, desires, expectations. They are listening to you to see if you address their question or concern. Flesh and blood. When you speak, speak to them - make eye contact with them. Speak to each one for 10 seconds, then move on to the next one in a different location

Thank you soooo much you helped me ALOT!!!!!!! P.S Your awesome!!!!!!