I have been practicing public speaking for over 10 years.

Along the way, I have done all sorts of things to try to get better:

• I read Present! by @poornima and Karen Catlin

• I listened to the great speeches on americanrhetoric.com

• I followed speaking advice from @nancyduarte

• Etc.

And all of these things helped me a ton.

But if I had to start all over again (as a beginner), this is the simple framework I wish I had when I first started out in public speaking:

Step 1: Find your speaking purpose

The most important force to drive a speech is your reason and passion. Find that purpose in you, and leverage it to your best motivation.

Step 2: Join a speaker group

If you want to go fast, go alone, but to go far, you need to go together. Join a local speaker group, such as @Toastmasters International. You will receive a well-defined educational path to target-practice your skills. You will also get invaluable peer feedback after each of your speeches.

Step 3: Leverage instant feedback

Why wait until you speak in public to receive feedback? Leverage technologies such as @OraiApp and @yoodli (in collaboration with @Toastmasters ) to level up your speaking game.

You only get to learn public speaking by speaking in public.

Remember: The most important part is that you take the first step and keep doing it.