It’s been said that when you open your mouth, you tell the world who you are. Like it or not people formulate opinions about us, based not only on our appearance but also on our communication skills. And while many people go to great lengths to look good, dress professionally and so on, very few people take any sort of action to improve their communication skills.

It’s no surprise that many of the world’s most successful people are also top notch communicators. They have taken the time and energy to develop and hone their communication skills. As a result, they know how to inform, persuade and inspire others. Regardless of the aspirations you have, be it a new career, owning your own business or serving your community, there is no greater skill that you can learn than effective public speaking.  Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits of public speaking.

Strong communicators are in high demand. The next time you pick up the newspaper have a look at the careers section. Virtually every job listing requests that applicants have good or excellent ‘communication skills’. Regardless of the position, all employers will tell you they are looking for someone who can effectively communicate. Not just with potential customers or clients, but also with other staff members.

Improve your ability to persuade and influence others. Whether you’re trying to negotiate a raise for yourself, or influence members of the community to donate funds to your organization, your success lies in your ability to communicate your message. If your message is unclear and you appear unconfident, this dramatically impacts on your end result. Being a confident and competent communicator strengthens your credibility in the eyes of the individual or group you are trying to influence.

Creating awareness. Whether it’s a service, product or a point of view, public speaking is a great way to create awareness. This is perhaps most evident at election time. Politicians can be seen going from one location to the next, sharing their ideas and policies with the public.

The benefits of being an effective public speaker are many. But just like any other skill, it must be learned. We must make the effort to develop this valuable skill. Because whatever your pursuit is in life, your communication skills can make or break you!