Embrace Continuous Learning

Developing expertise in your field not only makes you more confident in your knowledge but also in sharing it. Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences. The more you know, the more confidently you can speak about tech topics. ### 2. Practice, Practice, Practice To build unshakeable speaking confidence, practice your presentations in front of friends, family, or a mirror. Use video recording to watch yourself speak and improve your body language and delivery. Practice makes perfect. ### 3. Join Public Speaking Groups Groups like Toastmasters are excellent for women in tech to improve their speaking skills in a supportive environment. These platforms offer constructive feedback and a safe space to practice and hone your public speaking skills. ### 4. Networking Build your network within the tech industry. Networking events provide a casual platform to practice speaking confidently with strangers. The more you speak about your work, the more comfortable you will become discussing technical topics. ### 5. Engage in Mentorship Having a mentor in the tech industry can provide guidance and feedback on your speaking abilities and confidence levels. Conversely, mentoring someone else can also enhance your confidence as you take on the role of an expert. ### 6. Participate in Tech Talks and Conferences Volunteer to speak at tech talks, webinars, and conferences. This could start with smaller, local meetups before moving on to larger events. Each speaking opportunity is a step towards building your confidence. ### 7. Learn from Others Watch presentations by accomplished speakers and take note of their speaking styles, how they engage their audience, and manage their nerves. Learning from professionals can provide valuable insights into effective speaking. ### 8. Master the Art of Storytelling Incorporate storytelling into your presentations. People connect with stories, and using them can make your talk more engaging and memorable. This approach also makes the speaking experience more enjoyable and confidence-boosting for you. ### 9. Address Your Fear Identify what makes you nervous about public speaking. Is it the fear of forgetting your words, or perhaps it's speaking in front of senior technical professionals? Once identified, work through these fears systematically, possibly with a coach or in workshops. ### 10. Leverage Feedback After every speaking engagement, ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or the audience. Constructive criticism can be incredibly useful in identifying areas for improvement and reinforcing positive speaking behaviors and techniques.