Best Public Speaking Classes Near Me: Find In-Person & Virtual Training

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Public speaking has long been one of the most valuable and versatile professional skills across industries, with the expansion of stages and classrooms into the digital realm making the skill set all the more central to success in numerous career paths. Far from being limited to formal speeches, public speaking today includes virtual presentations, live streams, interviews, and everyday interactions that call for presence, persuasion, and connection. This guide explores the wide range of careers shaped by public speaking, the skills that make speakers successful, and the growing number of opportunities in a world that increasingly values strong, authentic communication and storytelling.

Top Industries and Employers for Public Speaking Careers

Business, Leadership, and Corporate Training

Public speaking skills are integral to success within modern business culture, where executives and team leads often rely on persuasive communication to align stakeholders and drive results. In corporate training environments, strong presenters are expected to have the ability to shift culture, build confidence, and inspire professional transformation.

Media, Broadcasting, and Entertainment

In media and entertainment, public speaking isn’t just a tool; it’s often the core of the job. Hosts, interviewers, and emcees all rely on their voices to build connections and deliver value in real time. Whether live or recorded, this kind of speaking requires professionals with the skills to blend performance with authenticity and confident improvisation.

Broadcasters for networks like CNN, BBC, and NPR owe their success not only to what they say, but also to how they say it, as tone, pace, and presence are essential components of the collective voice of these organizations.
Podcasters and YouTubers build followings by turning everyday speaking into a personal brand, often developing their professional speaking skills through real-time experience in front of the camera or mic.
Live entertainers, including stand-up comedians, storytellers, and event hosts, use their public speaking skills to create shared space, keep energy flowing, and respond to real-time feedback.

Politics, Law, and Advocacy

Public speaking remains central in law, politics, and social change work, where every word has the potential to shift public opinion or change a life. In these fields, the skills to communicate with clarity and conviction are as essential as having the knowledge and ideas necessary to make a difference.

Lawyers often present arguments under pressure, adjusting tone and vocabulary based on whether they’re addressing a courtroom, a client, or a judge.
Politicians must communicate ideas that cut through the noise, often repeating and reshaping their message across diverse formats and audiences.
Advocates and organizers speak to inspire, but they also speak to educate, choosing words that move people from awareness to action.

Education and Training

Teachers and trainers are among the most frequent and versatile public speakers working today. Whether teaching in-person or online, they must translate complex material into something alive, memorable, and engaging.

Professors and instructors—whether working in university classrooms or creating their own courses for platforms like Udemy—must make topics in their field of expertise accessible to their students, even when the subject matter is challenging.
Educational speakers at conferences or school districts often combine original research with storytelling to motivate fellow educators and shape best practices.
Coaches and workshop facilitators rely on speaking not only to teach but to energize, guiding people through experiences that shift perspectives and build skills.

Public Speaking Career Pathways and Salaries

The world of public speaking offers an enormous variety of career paths, from freelance motivational speaking to salaried positions in media, education, advocacy, and the corporate world. Income can vary widely depending on industry, experience, audience size, and geographic location, but the following chart offers a snapshot of common job titles and salary ranges.

Role	Typical Annual Salary (USD)
Professional Public Speaker	$60,000–$120,000
Speaker Trainer/Coach	$55,000–$90,000
Corporate Trainer/Facilitator	$65,000–$110,000
Broadcast Presenter/Host	$70,000–$130,000
Motivational or Keynote Speaker	Project-based or per event

Freelancers and consultants often negotiate rates per project or event, and those with established reputations or niche expertise can command premium fees. Many blend speaking with writing, consulting, or training to diversify income streams.

Skills for Screenwriting Success

Technical and Performance Skills

These are the practical tools speakers use to build clarity, confidence, and connection when presenting both in-person and online.

Content Mastery: Great speakers know their material inside and out, allowing them to stay flexible and natural in delivery, even when audiences ask unexpected questions.

Storytelling: Facts and logic gain power when they are shaped into a cohesive and compelling narrative. Strong speakers use personal stories, metaphors, and structure to bring their message to life.

Vocal and Physical Presence: A speaker’s voice, gestures, and posture work together to create trust and engagement, especially in larger or virtual spaces.

Adaptability: Whether adjusting to a tech glitch or reading a quiet room, skilled speakers know how to remain grounded and improvise as the situation requires.

Soft Skills for Public Speaking

The emotional and interpersonal side of speaking often determines the ultimate success of a speaker’s goals in communicating their desired message to their audience.

Empathy and Listening: Strong speakers don’t just talk—they tune in, reading cues and responding in ways that make people feel seen and included.

Confidence and Resilience: Overcoming nerves, handling mistakes with grace, and learning from tough audiences are marks of an experienced and successful public speaker.

Critical Thinking: Being able to think on one’s feet, respond to challenges, and shift direction without losing coherence is key in many high-stakes speaking situations.

Certifications and Professional Development

Toastmasters Certification: A globally recognized resource for building leadership and speaking skills through structured practice and peer support.

Presentation Skills Workshops: Offered by universities and private organizations, these trainings often focus on business communication, presence, or media engagement.

Coaching and Mentorship: One-on-one or small group coaching provides customized feedback and training in specific areas of speaking.

Trends Redefining Public Speaking Today

Even in-person events now often involve a webcam and an audience chat box, which can dramatically change how energy is built and feedback is received. Speaking at hybrid events like these demands a delicate balance of in-person and virtual speaking skills, which can become even more complicated when introducing popular interactive components to a presentation. Live polling, breakout groups, and Q&A segments are just a few ways that today’s public speakers are making their talks more participatory and audience-centered. Thankfully, AI tools and other tech are easing public speakers’ transitions into virtual and hybrid spaces, providing automated feedback, note-taking, and real-time captions.

Another way public speakers are learning to reach today’s audiences is by cultivating their skills to show up with authenticity and vulnerability. Many modern populations tend to respond more to sincerity and lived experience than polish and perfection, a factor that is drastically changing approaches to public speaking around the world. Today’s audiences also respond to diverse voices, paving the way for events featuring public speakers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Challenges and Opportunities for Public Speakers

Public Speaking Challenges

Performance Anxiety: Even experienced speakers struggle with nerves, but consistent practice can help them discover which tools consistently help them regulate and ground.
Content Saturation: Originality and specificity are essential to be heard in the age of social media and digital platforms, which simultaneously gives every voice a chance to be heard while making it more difficult than ever to hold audience attention.
Cultural Nuance: As audiences become more global, understanding how humor, tone, and formality vary across cultures is increasingly necessary.

Public Speaking Opportunities

Personal Growth: Many people find that learning to speak well boosts their confidence while also improving communication in their relationships.
Career Mobility: The ability to speak clearly in meetings and public forums often leads to faster career advancement and broader opportunities.
Thought Leadership: Speakers who find their unique voice can build authority to influence fields, shape movements, and build communities, sometimes through just one powerful message.

Janine Ashley

Janine Ashley is a writer, educator, and digital content specialist with a background in graphic design, video editing, web development, and arts-based education. She holds a BA in Theatre and English from Harding University and an MA in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University. Since 2016, Janine has created educational content on graphic design, front-end web design, motion graphics, and digital tools for creative professionals and learners of all ages. At Noble Desktop, she writes on a wide range of topics, including video editing, UX & UI design, and coding. She has built websites and led branding efforts for several theatre companies and nonprofits, and collaborated with various companies on photography, design, and digital storytelling through social media.

Public Speaking Courses by School

Here are some of the top schools offering Public Speaking training, including Zenspeak - Public Speaking Center (13 courses), Exec-Comm (4 courses), and Improving Communications (4 courses).

Noble Desktop

NYC location: 185 Madison Avenue, New York, NY

Founded in 1990, Noble Desktop offers part-time and full-immersion courses on anything you can think of from design and coding to business. Located in New York City and providing courses both online and in-person, Noble Desktop prides itself on accommodating dynamic courses and bootcamps with hands-on learning, time-tested curriculums, and education from top industry experts.
- Intro to Public Speaking
  - 6 Hours
  - $399
Fearless Presentations

Charlotte location: 6000 Fairview Road, , Charlotte, North Carolina

Fearless Presentations in Los Angeles specializes in giving individuals the knowledge and self-confidence they need to deliver standout public presentations. Courses include Basics of Public Speaking and Developing Your Personal Presentation Style, providing engaging and fun learning experiences. Guests also have access to in-depth communication consulting services to help them reach their goals.
- Fearless Presentations® Public Speaking Course
  - 7 Hours
  - $1,250
American Management Association
Locations:
- NYC
- Washington, D.C.
- Boston
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- San Francisco
- Live Online
- Houston
+ 3 more
American Management Association (AMA) is a professional development organization that offers a variety of courses and certificates for business professionals. Founded in 1913, AMA is committed to providing high-quality educational experiences that help professionals achieve their career goals. The organization's courses are taught by experienced business professionals who are passionate about teaching and helping professionals develop their skills.
- Presentation Skills Workshop
  - 8 Hours
  - $1,495
Zenspeak - Public Speaking Center

NYC location: 131 W 72nd St, New York, New York

Zenspeak - Public Speaking Center is a Los Angeles-based educational institute offering public speaking courses for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. From introductory courses to intense one-on-one tutoring, Zenspeak offers workshops on techniques and strategies for public speaking, including audience engagement, developing a powerful voice, and creating impactful presentations. With the help of experienced professionals, Zenspeak provides an ideal learning environment to help individuals gain the skills and confidence needed to master the art of public speaking.
- Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear - Boston
  - 15 Hours
  - $425
Exec-Comm

NYC location: 1040 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York

Exec-Comm is a professional development institution offering customized courses in communication and leadership skills. Featured training includes small group workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. Courses focus on communication best practices, presentation skills, professional presence, sales pitches, and more.
- Executive Presence
  - 4 Hours
  - $575
Improving Communications

NYC location: 105 Haven Avenue, Port Washington, New York

Improving Communications is a professional school based in New York City that specializes in enhancing communications skills and furthering business etiquette training. They offer courses such as Executive Presence, Professional & Social Media Mastery, Professional Presentations, and more. Their industry-leading curriculum is led by experienced communication specialists, helping participants to present their most polished and professional selves.
- Introduction to Public Speaking
  - 4 Hours
  - $399
- Sales Presentation Skills
  - 4 Hours
  - $499

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Learn Public Speaking

Learn More About Public Speaking Courses

Top Industries and Employers for Public Speaking Careers

Business, Leadership, and Corporate Training

Media, Broadcasting, and Entertainment

Politics, Law, and Advocacy

Education and Training

Public Speaking Career Pathways and Salaries

Skills for Screenwriting Success

Technical and Performance Skills

Soft Skills for Public Speaking

Certifications and Professional Development

Trends Redefining Public Speaking Today

Challenges and Opportunities for Public Speakers

Public Speaking Challenges

Public Speaking Opportunities

Public Speaking Courses by School

Fearless Presentations

Fearless Presentations® Public Speaking Course

American Management Association

Presentation Skills Workshop

Zenspeak - Public Speaking Center

Overcome Your Public Speaking Fear - Boston

Exec-Comm

Executive Presence

Improving Communications

Introduction to Public Speaking

Sales Presentation Skills

Public Speaking Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Public Speaking Training Map & Top Locations

4 Courses Available Live Online

1 Course Available in NYC

Public Speaking
Corporate & Onsite Training