When I was 5, one day while attending a small party, my father handed me a mic to recite a chapter from the holy book. As I was a kid and knew no shame (thanks to my family being shameless xD), I recited it. That marked the spontaneous beginning of my journey of speaking in front of the public. But well, that wasn’t public speaking.

A few years back, I couldn’t have answered the title question, “What is public speaking?” except by saying, “Well, it’s when you talk in front of people?” While the gist is kind of true, it’s not entirely correct. When you say something in front of a huge group of people, does that automatically qualify as public speaking? What about going on stage to fix the mic and saying, “Hello! Microphone testing 1, 2, 3, 4.” Would that count as public speaking, even though you’re in front of hundreds? The answer is a resounding no, and we all know why.

Because public speaking requires the following:

• A purpose, i.e.,
  • Raising awareness or giving information
  • Persuasion or motivation
  • Entertainment
• A live audience, whether on an online platform or offline. Without a live audience, you cannot call it public speaking.
• A structure: Not always required, but for your speech to qualify as public speaking, it generally needs a certain structure. This is especially necessary for formal speeches, though less so for casual or informal ones.

If your speech meets these criteria, has a live audience, and fulfills a purpose, then you can call it public speaking.

Is it a skill?

Yes, it is. There’s no other answer. Public speaking is one of those skills that AI can never take over. It’s uniquely human, highly necessary, and always sought after. If you look at history, all the prominent figures we admire were great orators or public speakers—be they politicians, business leaders, or religious icons. For example, think of Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Steve Jobs, or the prophets of various religions.

If you want people to follow you, you need to be able to speak your mind in front of them in a way that resonates with them. And yes, that’s definitely a skill. Here at Mishkat Speaks, our tagline is “Let’s discover the voice within you.”

Is it genetic? Or can I learn?

It’s a learnable, acquirable skill. While it’s true that some people are naturally great speakers—as if they instinctively know what to say and when to say it—this often has more to do with nature than nurture. Some people are simply born more expressive and empathetic.

However, anyone can train themselves to be a great public speaker. This platform, Mishkat Speaks, is dedicated to helping you become one, with numerous free resources waiting for you to take advantage of and ace your next speech.

I want to learn public speaking. What should I do?

Just follow our articles and practice! As the saying goes: Practice makes perfect. Once you know all the little tips and tricks that can boost your speeches by a few degrees, you’ll be ready to ace it. It’s easy—as long as you believe it’s easy. So, don’t stop believing in your own potential to master public speaking!

In summary:

Public speaking is a skill you use to speak in front of a live group of people to inform, entertain, or persuade them to take action. Whether it’s leading a team, persuading a client, or pitching your business idea, this one skill will serve you throughout your professional career. Additionally, public speaking boosts your interpersonal skills, which in turn will greatly benefit your social life and relationships. You’ll learn what to say, how to say it, and when/where to say it.

And the best part? You can learn it!

Stay tuned! May the public speaker in you rise to new heights.