I signed up for Master Your Speaking as the biggest challenge I faced was my fear of speaking to large audiences. Before taking the course, this fear often held me back. However, thanks to the techniques I now know how to calm myself before and during a speech. The course provided actionable strategies that have not only helped me address my fear but also changed the way I approach public speaking. The tools from the course have given me the much needed clarity and confidence and helped to improve my breathing. I have started to do voice projection exercises and it has taught me to stop rushing my words. I already feel and hear the difference in my voice. I now have much more control and ownership of my voice. I did have some reservations before starting. The time commitment was a significant factor for joining, but my primary concern was around what the course would actually cover. To be honest, my expectations were fairly low, and I wondered if it would truly be worth my time and effort. I questioned whether the course would provide any substantial value or simply rehash familiar concepts.

The biggest benefit I gained from the course was clarity on the specific areas where I needed improvement. A simple analogy would be learning to swim well. You may be aware that you're not a strong swimmer and have a general idea of where you fall short. However, it’s only through structured training that you discover the myriad of techniques involved and learn precisely how to improve. Similarly, the course offered a comprehensive breakdown of the components that contribute to effective public speaking. It helped me pinpoint which areas I needed to work on.

For example, I understood that breathing plays a role in public speaking, but the course clarified why it is so essential and provided me with techniques to improve it. I found the guidance on topics such as voice projection and body positioning visualisations particularly useful. Working on these elements led to some visible changes very quickly.

I was very impressed by the course structure and content. The only drawback, in my view, was the delivery format, which included numerous PDFs and a lot of small text. The videos, however, were excellent, and they stood out as the most impactful part of the course. Caroline's explanations of the various techniques were very useful. Her approachable and engaging style made a significant difference.

Not knowing what you don’t know can easily lead to doubts. The course will open your eyes to many essential aspects of the art of public speaking. It will equip you to become a great speaker, no matter the circumstances.

Luka