5 Public Speaking Tips Every High School Entrepreneur Should Know

According to one survey, 92% of people say strong presentation skills are key to success at work. Being able to communicate well makes all the difference when you’re pitching ideas or leading a team. In this article, we’ll share five practical tips to help you speak with confidence in any setting.

Real-Life Situations That Call for Public Speaking Skills

As a high schooler, especially if you’re a young entrepreneur, you’ll run into plenty of situations where speaking confidently in front of a group is a must. Some examples include:

• School presentations: Class projects or student speeches
• Pitching ideas: Presenting a business concept to investors or at local business competitions
• Networking events: Speaking at virtual meetups or workshops
• Community involvement: Sharing ideas at local business fairs or youth conferences
• Future opportunities: College admissions interviews or scholarship presentations

1. Define Your Target Audience

Knowing your audience helps you create a presentation or speech that truly connects with them. Start by building an Ideal Customer Persona (ICP)—basically, a snapshot of the person you’re speaking to. Consider details like:

• Age and occupation
• Challenges they face
• Interests and concerns

With this in mind, you can shape the tone of your speech, choose examples they’ll relate to, and build slides that speak to what matters most to them.

For example, if your audience is other high school entrepreneurs, you might focus on topics like balancing school with running a business or affordable ways to market your products.

2. Keep Your Slides Simple

If you’re creating an online presentation for your public speaking event, keep your slides simple. Use bullet points and clear graphics so they’re easy to read. In addition, only include information that supports your speech—stick to short sentences or even single words you can expand on while speaking.

3. Create a Compelling Story

Consider beginning your presentation with a unique hook to capture your audience’s attention—something that makes them want to hear more. This could be:

• An insightful question
• An interesting statistic
• A relatable quote or short story

As you go through your presentation, add in examples your audience can relate to. For instance:

• Share a short story about how you stayed up late packing cookie orders for your small business before a school fair, then explain how your product solved the problem of expensive, unhealthy snacks for students.
• If you’re speaking about a topic you’re passionate about, like mental health for teen entrepreneurs, start with a quote about stress and share a quick story about balancing schoolwork with your business.

The goal is to connect with your audience’s pain points. You have to understand their challenges and concerns, then shape your story around them.

4. Practice Out Loud

This tip might seem obvious, but practicing your public speaking out loud is essential. Even if you don’t have a specific event coming up, it’s smart to prepare a few points about your business, product, or service so you’re ready to talk about it anytime.

Here are a few ways to practice:

• Alone in front of a mirror: Speak out loud (not just whispering or mouthing the words). Listen for filler words like “um” or “uh” and work on cutting them out.
• With friends or family: Ask them to listen and give feedback. Are they engaged? Do they clearly understand your points?
• Record yourself: Watch the playback to check your tone, timing, and body language to see how confident you look and sound.

Practicing out loud builds confidence and makes sure your timing and delivery stay on track.

5. Stay Energized

One researcher found that 55% of communication is nonverbal. This stat highlights how your body language, energy, and enthusiasm play a huge role in keeping people engaged. When you speak with excitement, your audience feels it too. They’re more likely to connect with what you’re saying because your delivery makes the topic come alive.

To bring that energy to your presentation:

• Get enough sleep so you feel alert and focused.
• Eat well and stay hydrated for steady energy levels.
• Practice often so you feel confident and prepared.
• Shift your mindset—think of it as sharing something you care about, not just giving a speech.

Bringing It All Together

Your confidence with public speaking will grow the more you do it. When you focus on your audience, tell meaningful stories, and bring energy to the stage, some of the fear around speaking in front of others will naturally start to fade.

If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, the Kantner Foundation offers scholarships to help young entrepreneurs like you pursue college programs that build both business and communication skills. Learn more about it here!