Edinburgh Public Speaking Coach on: Making Your Message Clear
You’ve prepared your talk. You’ve practised it aloud. But as soon as you stand up in front of an audience, your message gets muddled. You rush, repeat yourself, or get lost in your own words. You leave the stage thinking, Did they understand what I meant?
Making your message clear is not just about knowing what to say. It’s about delivering it with confidence, conviction, and clarity—so your audience not only hears you but feels compelled to listen.
As a public speaking coach, I’ve worked with professionals, educators, leaders, and creatives from all walks of life. And no matter their experience, one common thread runs through their concerns: I’m not sure I’m getting my message across.
This article is for you—whether you’re new to public speaking or a seasoned speaker looking to sharpen your edge. Let’s explore the root causes of unclear messaging and learn how to transform your communication from confusing to compelling.
Why Clarity Matters More Than Confidence Alone
Many assume the best speakers are just confident. In reality, the most effective speakers are clear. They respect their audience’s time and attention. They structure their message. They leave no doubt about their point.
When a message is clear, three things happen:
Your audience stays engaged.
Your ideas are remembered and repeated.
You’re seen as a credible and competent speaker.
But getting there isn’t always easy. Let’s look at five key challenges that stand in the way—and how to overcome them.
1. Stage Fright: The Clarity Saboteur
Picture this.
James, a senior architect, is delivering a pitch to a client. He’s knowledgeable and passionate, but as soon as he begins, his hands tremble, his breath shortens, and his words blur. He speeds up, loses his place, and forgets the main takeaway.
What happened?
Stage fright hijacked his clarity.
Why It Happens
Stage fright is a physiological response. The body perceives public speaking as a threat, activating the fight-or-flight response. Your focus narrows, your heart races, and your verbal agility suffers.
How to Overcome It
Breathe deeply and intentionally. Try box breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4.
Ground yourself physically. Feel your feet firmly planted on the floor and your posture upright.
Visualise success. Rehearse the moment going well in your mind before stepping up.
Try This Exercise
Before your next talk, stand still, breathe slowly, and rehearse your opening lines aloud—three times. Speak slowly, pausing between sentences. Notice how this slows your mind and calms your nerves.
2. Poor Audience Engagement: Speaking at Instead of to
You’ve seen it happen.
A speaker launches into a data-heavy presentation without once checking in with the audience. Eyes glaze over. Phones come out.
The speaker walks off thinking, Well, at least I got through it.
But public speaking is not a broadcast. It’s a conversation.
Why It Happens
Many speakers are so focused on saying the right words that they forget to read the room.
How to Fix It
Use inclusive language. Phrases like “You might recognise this” or “We’ve all been there” help build connection.
Ask rhetorical questions. They keep your listeners mentally involved.
Make eye contact. Not just with one person, but across the room.
Try This Exercise
Deliver your talk to a friend or colleague and ask them to signal when they feel lost or disengaged. Rework those sections to be more relatable or interactive.
3. Lack of Vocal Variety: The Monotony Trap
Clarity isn’t only about words.
It’s also about how you say them. Monotone speech—even with excellent content—will lull your audience into indifference.
Why It Matters
Your voice is your most powerful tool. When used well, it:
Signals importance
Creates energy
Highlights contrasts
Builds suspense
What You Can Do
Mark your script. Highlight where to pause, raise pitch, slow down, or lower volume.
Practise exaggeration. Read a paragraph in an overly dramatic tone, then scale it back.
Record and reflect. Listen to your tone. Are you emphasising the right words?
Try This Exercise
Take a paragraph of your talk and deliver it with three different emotions: excitement, frustration, curiosity. Feel how your vocal energy shifts and how your message becomes clearer.
4. Ineffective Body Language: Mixed Messages Create Confusion
Imagine a speaker saying, “I’m excited to be here” while crossing their arms, avoiding eye contact, and swaying nervously.
The audience won’t believe a word—not because of what’s said, but because of how it’s said.
What Your Body Says
Closed posture = discomfort or defensiveness
Fidgeting = anxiety
Avoiding eye contact = lack of confidence
What To Do Instead
Stand tall. This shows confidence and helps with breath control.
Use open gestures. Let your hands move naturally to emphasise key points.
Face your audience. Movement should be purposeful, not distracting.
Try This Exercise
Film a short practice session and watch it with the sound off. What does your body communicate? Then re-record it with intentional posture and gestures.
5. Disorganised Speech Structure: A Message Without a Map
Ever heard a talk where the speaker seemed to ramble with no destination in sight?
Even passionate, well-informed people lose their audience when their message lacks structure.
Why This Happens
Speakers often try to say too much without a clear hierarchy of ideas. The result? Overwhelm and confusion.
How to Structure for Clarity
Hook your audience with a story, question, or striking statement.
State your message in one sentence.
Break it down into three key points.
Support each point with evidence or a story.
Finish with a clear call to action or reflection.
Try This Exercise
Write the outline of your talk using only five bullet points: one for your opening, three for the main body, and one for the conclusion. If your core message isn’t obvious, refine until it is.
Clarity is a Skill You Can Master
You don’t need to be born charismatic to be clear. You don’t need to be fearless to speak with impact.
You need the right tools, the right mindset, and the right practice.
Public speaking is a craft—and clarity is its cornerstone.
Whether you’re pitching to investors, presenting to colleagues, or delivering a keynote, your ability to communicate clearly can transform how others see you and what opportunities come your way.
Take the First Step Towards Clearer, More Confident Speaking
If you’re tired of being misunderstood, overlooked, or underheard, I can help.
As an Edinburgh-based public speaking coach, I work with clients one-to-one to:
Refine their message
Tame their nerves
Master delivery techniques
Build a toolkit for real-world speaking success
Personalised coaching is the fastest way to accelerate your growth, uncover blind spots, and build genuine confidence.
Let’s make your next presentation your most powerful yet.
Get in touch today to book your discovery session.
About the Author
Mark Westbrook is a highly experienced public speaking coach based in Edinburgh, working with professionals across industries to build clarity, confidence, and influence.
With more than two decades of experience in teaching, coaching, and communication training, Mark helps individuals discover their unique voice and speak with conviction. His work is grounded in psychological insight, real-world application, and a belief that great communicators are made—not born.
Through tailored sessions, Mark guides clients to overcome nerves, structure impactful messages, and connect authentically with any audience.
