Public Speaking in Liverpool: How to Make Your Message Clear and Captivating
- Mark Westbrook Public Speaking Coach
- Apr 4
- 5 min read
Liverpool is a city of voice. From iconic musicians and passionate football fans to world-class business leaders and educators, communication is part of the city’s heartbeat. But there’s a world of difference between speaking and being heard.
Whether you’re leading a meeting in the Knowledge Quarter, pitching at a digital start-up hub, or delivering a speech at a community event, one of the biggest challenges you’ll face is making your message clear.
Too many people in Liverpool—and across the UK—know their subject well but still struggle to hold attention, overcome nerves, and make their key points land. That’s not a lack of knowledge or effort. It’s usually a lack of clarity.
In this article, we’ll explore how to improve your public speaking in Liverpool by mastering the art of clear communication. I’ll guide you through five of the most common obstacles speakers face—and give you the tools to overcome them.
Why Clear Communication is Crucial in Public Speaking
Clarity is the unsung hero of impactful speaking. You can have charisma, confidence, and clever ideas—but if your audience doesn’t understand your message, nothing else matters.
When you're clear, you're:
Easier to follow
More persuasive
More memorable
More trusted
Without clarity, even the most passionate talk will fall flat. Here’s how to fix it.
1. Stage Fright: The Clarity Thief
Picture this:Tom, a small business owner from Toxteth, has just landed the chance to present to a panel of investors. He knows his figures, his vision, and his pitch. But as soon as he begins, his throat tightens, his breath shortens, and his words jumble. He speaks too quickly and skips over key points.
The nerves have stolen his message.
Why This Happens
Public speaking activates the body’s stress response. Your brain enters survival mode—prioritising escape over articulation. That means foggy thinking, shaky voice, and reduced clarity.
How to Overcome It
Breathe deeply before and during your talk. Try four-count box breathing.
Practise your first 60 seconds. Repetition builds familiarity and calms the mind.
Reframe the nerves. Don’t say “I’m terrified.” Say, “I’m energised. I’m ready.”
Try This
Before your next talk, breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold again for 4. Do this cycle 3–4 times. Then say your first sentence slowly and intentionally.
2. Lack of Audience Engagement: When People Tune Out
Now imagine Michelle, a project manager in the Baltic Triangle, presenting to her team. Her talk is packed with detail—but ten minutes in, the team looks distracted. A few check their watches. One starts replying to emails.
She’s delivering information—but not connecting.
Why Engagement Matters
You can’t be clear if no one’s paying attention. Engagement isn’t about entertainment; it’s about relevance and connection.
How to Improve Engagement
Start with a story or question that relates to your audience’s lives or work.
Use inclusive language. Say “we,” “you,” “together.”
Pause to check in. Look for non-verbal cues and adapt as needed.
Try This
Begin your next presentation with a question like,"Have you ever sat through a talk and not remembered a single thing five minutes later?"This primes your audience to care—and listen.
3. Monotone Delivery: Flat Voice, Fading Message
Even the most structured speech will suffer if the delivery is monotonous. Vocal variety is the difference between informing and inspiring.
Why This Happens
Nervous speakers often default to a flat, safe tone. They focus so hard on remembering their material that they forget to bring it to life.
How to Add Vocal Energy
Emphasise keywords. Highlight important ideas with pitch and pace.
Pause for power. A moment of silence draws attention.
Shift your pace. Speed up for excitement, slow down for emphasis.
Try This
Take a short paragraph and say it aloud with urgency, then sincerity, then curiosity. Feel the difference in your delivery—and clarity.
4. Body Language Mismatch: Saying One Thing, Showing Another
Imagine someone saying, “I’m really excited to share this with you,” while fidgeting with their hands, looking at the floor, and swaying back and forth.
The message and the body language contradict each other—and clarity suffers.
Why It Matters
Your body tells its own story. If it doesn’t match your words, the audience believes the body.
How to Align Your Body and Message
Stand with purpose. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and relaxed.
Use open gestures. Let your arms reinforce your message.
Make eye contact. Look at individuals—not the floor or your notes.
Try This
Film yourself giving a 60-second intro and watch it with the sound off. Ask: What does my body say about my confidence and message?
5. Weak Structure: No Roadmap for the Listener
Public speaking in Liverpool often involves high-stakes environments—pitches, community meetings, interviews, networking events. In any of these, unclear structure can cost you trust and influence.
Why Structure Affects Clarity
Without a clear structure, your audience can’t follow your logic. They tune out. They forget your point. Or worse—they get the wrong message.
Strong Structures to Try
The Rule of Three: Make three main points. People remember in threes.
Problem–Solution–Benefit: Highlight the problem, offer your solution, explain the value.
Past–Present–Future: Useful in storytelling or vision-setting.
Try This
Write down the five main beats of your next talk:
Hook
Core Message
Supporting Point 1
Supporting Point 2
Memorable Close
If these don’t clearly tell a story, refine your structure before adding any slides or detail.
Clarity is a Learnable Skill—Not a Personality Trait
Some people believe clarity is a natural gift, reserved for confident extroverts. That simply isn’t true.
Clarity comes from:
Preparation
Practice
Feedback
Purpose
And those are things anyone can develop—with the right guidance.
Get Expert Help with Public Speaking in Liverpool
If you’re based in Liverpool and want to improve your communication—whether it’s for work, public events, interviews, or presentations—I can help.
As a professional public speaking coach, I work with individuals across Liverpool to:
Clarify their message
Control nerves
Improve delivery style and structure
Build authentic, persuasive presence
Whether you're preparing for a conference at ACC Liverpool, speaking to a boardroom in the city centre, or just want to feel more confident expressing your ideas, personalised coaching can accelerate your progress like nothing else.
Take the Next Step
Ready to speak with more clarity, confidence, and conviction?
Book a discovery session today. Let’s work together to make your next presentation your best yet.
About the Author
Mark Westbrook is a highly experienced public speaking coach offering tailored coaching sessions across Liverpool and the UK.
With over two decades of experience in teaching, coaching, and communication training, Mark helps individuals at all stages of their speaking journey. His practical, psychologically informed approach combines structure, storytelling, and strategy to help speakers of all levels become clear, confident, and compelling.
From tech pitches and TEDx events to internal business presentations, Mark helps clients craft their message and deliver it with impact.
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