Learning to speak in public with confidence is a surefire way of boosting your overall self-esteem. Doing so gives you a real challenge and, because it is actually really easy to achieve, can give you a huge sense of satisfaction and achievement.

When I had finished my education and started out in the world of work I was a quiet and somewhat shy individual. But eventually I realized that if I wanted to progress in the company in the sales and business development roles I desired, I would need to change. So I volunteered to attend a training course on presentation skills and the transformation started there and then!

You too can develop as a person by learning the techniques for becoming an accomplished speech maker. But beware because in all endeavors there is the right way and, of course, the wrong way! And here are seven ways to ensure you fail as a public speaker:

#1 Don't Prepare

It is vital that you spend time planning a speech, gathering information for it, preparing it, and rehearsing thoroughly. If you fail to plan your talk then it is simply going to bomb!

#2 Don't Know Your Topic

There are many people who, when making a speech, will simply read from a script, sometimes using other people's material. To them the subject is irrelevant, but that will soon come across to their audience too! It is essential that you speak about a topic you know about, are genuinely interested in, and can enthuse about, if you actually want anyone to listen.

#3 Don't Have Structure

A good speech should flow like a good book. It should have an effective opening, a main body with a number of points which move logically forwards, and an ending that will be remembered. You need to be able to carry your audience effortlessly along with you.

#4 Don't Grab the Attention of Your Audience

At the beginning of your speech you must make your audience sit up and listen. Use a startling fact, a pertinent question, or a challenging quotation - whatever it takes to get them on board.

#5 Don't Look Good

It won't matter how good your talk is if you don't pay attention to your appearance. Make sure you look clean and tidy and dress appropriately for the occasion. And don't stand with your hands in your pockets, or keep hopping from foot to foot. Your audience will soon be put off.

#6 Don't Sound Good

It is vital that when you rehearse you pay attention to how you sound. There's nothing worse than a dull monotone voice, so put expression into your speech. Remember that nerves can make you talk more quickly and affect your breathing. So control your breathing, try some exercises, and don't be afraid to build pauses into your talk.

#7 Don't Leave Your Audience with Something Memorable

No matter how good your subject matter, if you don't ensure your audience remembers it you will have failed. So end with a challenge or a call to action so that they have to act on what they've just heard.

Learning to speak in public is just one way of challenging yourself and developing a new and worthwhile skill. But I recommend it as it helped transform me from a quiet and unsure young man into a confident and successful business manager. So why not take action today and start your own journey to success.