Public Speaking Blogs: The Definitive List
The public speaking blogosphere: a large and varied space with fuzzy edges spanning many disciplines. There are public speaking blogs which focus on speech delivery, visual presentation design, speechwriting, humor, personal development, and interpersonal communication.
Public Speaking Bloggers: A Diverse Group
One is a world champion speaker; some speak professionally; others chronicle their first speaking steps. Many are authors - some more than once. Many are Toastmasters. Or were Toastmasters. Or recommend joining Toastmasters. Women and men. Young and old.
The only unanimous traits are (1) a passion for giving so that others may be educated and entertained, and (2) a way to subscribe to their articles with an easy subscription.
Learn from the Public Speaking Blogosphere
I compiled this snapshot of the public speaking blogosphere with three primary aims:
- To aid readers in the discovery of excellent public speaking blogs;
- To build ties within the community of bloggers;
- To provide encouragement to current and future public speaking bloggers.
For each blog below, sample articles are linked to give a flavor of the blogger’s style.
Legend
Activity | |
 | This blog has been recently active. |
 | This blog has been recently semi-active. |
 | This blog has been dormant recently. |
113 Public Speaking Blogs
1
Andrew Dlugan: Six Minutes
This blog, focussed on public speaking and presentation skills.
Regular features include speech critiques, book reviews, and weekly reviews of all blogs on this list.
This blog, focussed on public speaking and presentation skills.
Regular features include speech critiques, book reviews, and weekly reviews of all blogs on this list.
Example Articles
2
Lisa Braithwaite: Speak Schmeak
Lisa posts articles nearly every day, and she spreads words of encouragement through the public speaking blogosphere in article comments.
Lisa posts articles nearly every day, and she spreads words of encouragement through the public speaking blogosphere in article comments.
Example Articles
- Public speaking: talent or skill?
- The truth about 7% - 38% - 55%
- Six ways to improve the training environment
3
Ian Griffin: Professionally Speaking
Ian's blog regularly features interviews with professional speakers as well as insights from his experiences with the National Speaking Association.
Ian's blog regularly features interviews with professional speakers as well as insights from his experiences with the National Speaking Association.
Example Articles
- 29 Search tools for Savvy Speechwriters
- Telling it like it is - 10 tips for involving an audience
- The Medieval Speechwriter
4
Nick R Thomas: A Public Speaker's Blog
Nick's blog features real-life anecdotes taken from his professional speaking assignments, and every one includes at least one public speaking tip.
Nick's blog features real-life anecdotes taken from his professional speaking assignments, and every one includes at least one public speaking tip.
Example Articles
- Mr Watson made it look elementary!
- A fee, some tea - and advertising for free!
- Speechwriting in verse? Well, you could do worse!
5
Bert Decker: Create Your Communications Experience
Bert is a well-respected communications coach and author. His blog regularly features communications commentary on political and current events.
Bert is a well-respected communications coach and author. His blog regularly features communications commentary on political and current events.
Example Articles
- Top Ten Best (and Worst) Communicators of 2008
- Why Caroline Kennedy Needs Speaking Game
- The Five Biggest Mistakes CEO's Make in Speaking
6
John Kinde: Humor Power
John's regular Observational Humor and Cartoon Caption series are anticipated reads every month. John is one of many on this list to offer an email newsletter in addition to his blog.
John's regular Observational Humor and Cartoon Caption series are anticipated reads every month. John is one of many on this list to offer an email newsletter in addition to his blog.
Example Articles
- Cartoon Caption Contest - Creative Writing
- Observational Humor - Case Study #16
- Creating A Humorous Slide Show
7
Garr Reynolds: Presentation Zen
Presentation Zen may be the most well-known presentation skills blog thanks, in part, to the book of the same name (reviewed here). His articles tend to link presentation skills for speakers to design fundamentals in art, music, and other disciplines.
Presentation Zen may be the most well-known presentation skills blog thanks, in part, to the book of the same name (reviewed here). His articles tend to link presentation skills for speakers to design fundamentals in art, music, and other disciplines.
Example Articles
- Make your next presentation naked
- "Slideuments" and the catch-22 for conference speakers
- Benjamin Zander at Pop!Tech 2008: How Fascinating!
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Olivia Mitchell: Speaking About Presenting
Consistently high quality. This is one of my favorite blogs.
Consistently high quality. This is one of my favorite blogs.
Example Articles
- PowerPoint Design in 2009: Does Design Matter?
- 9 ways to use space in your presentation
- Conversational Presenting
10
Nancy Duarte: Slide:ology
Companion to the bestselling Slide:ology book (reviewed here). Nancy Duarte and other members of the Duarte Design team contribute regularly.
Companion to the bestselling Slide:ology book (reviewed here). Nancy Duarte and other members of the Duarte Design team contribute regularly.
Example Articles
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Indezine: A PowerPoint Blog
The most comprehensive blog for PowerPoint-specific news.
The most comprehensive blog for PowerPoint-specific news.
Example Articles
- Puzzle Pictures in PowerPoint
- Interview with the PowerPoint Content Publishing Team
- PowerPoint Design Shift: Conversation with Julie Terberg
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John Windsor: You Blog
Consistently emphasizes the importance of focussing on your audience.
Consistently emphasizes the importance of focussing on your audience.
Example Articles
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Tom Antion: Great Public Speaking
Tom's blog is one of the oldest public speaking blogs, and focusses on platform tips and techniques for professional speakers. This blog is one part of his vast network of websites which drive people to his products.
Tom's blog is one of the oldest public speaking blogs, and focusses on platform tips and techniques for professional speakers. This blog is one part of his vast network of websites which drive people to his products.
Example Articles
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Bronwyn Ritchie: Pivotal Public Speaking
Bronwyn primarily links to articles elsewhere, including her own (non-blog) site.
Bronwyn primarily links to articles elsewhere, including her own (non-blog) site.
Example Articles
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Sarah Marks: Ah, Um, Er... A Toastmaster's Blog
Focussed on the Toastmasters Educational program. Includes an innovative set of podcasts. (Something I'd love to see from other bloggers in this sphere.)
Focussed on the Toastmasters Educational program. Includes an innovative set of podcasts. (Something I'd love to see from other bloggers in this sphere.)
Example Articles
47
Dave Wheeler: Division A Toastmasters Blog
One of a growing number of Toastmasters clubs, areas, divisions, districts, and regions represented by blogs. Most focus on local events. This one does too, but also provides general-interest public speaking articles.
One of a growing number of Toastmasters clubs, areas, divisions, districts, and regions represented by blogs. Most focus on local events. This one does too, but also provides general-interest public speaking articles.
Example Articles
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Thomas Sechehaye: The Next Meeting
Writes almost exclusively about presentation skills involved in virtual meetings.
Writes almost exclusively about presentation skills involved in virtual meetings.
Example Articles
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Tim Wilson: Public Speaking Library
Daily bite-sized articles of a few sentences each.
Daily bite-sized articles of a few sentences each.
Example Articles
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Bo Bennett & Ryan Levesque: Talking Toastmasters
Podcasts (open to all) which are a component of the Public Speaking iGroop (membership only).
Podcasts (open to all) which are a component of the Public Speaking iGroop (membership only).
Example Articles
62
Max Atkinson
Self-description: "Jottings on public speaking, presentation, conversation, and anything else that occurs to me about communication."
Self-description: "Jottings on public speaking, presentation, conversation, and anything else that occurs to me about communication."
Example Articles
- The enduring challenge and importance of funeral orations
- Clinton, Palin and the legacy of Margaret Thatcher
- Kate Winslet ignores Paul Hogan's advice to award winners
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Kate Peters: Kate's Voice
As her blog title suggests, Kate writes about voice qualities and vocal delivery.
As her blog title suggests, Kate writes about voice qualities and vocal delivery.
Example Articles
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Barbara Kite: Great Speakers and Acting Skills
Emphasizes the importance of acting skills for public speakers.
Emphasizes the importance of acting skills for public speakers.
Example Articles
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Eric Feng: The Public Speaking Blog
Named one of the 25 top young entrepreneurs in Asia, Eric's blog has been updated less often lately.
Named one of the 25 top young entrepreneurs in Asia, Eric's blog has been updated less often lately.
Example Articles
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Art of Speaking
Primarily a directory of public speaking articles and links to presentation videos.
Primarily a directory of public speaking articles and links to presentation videos.
Example Articles
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