Topic guide

Timing when speaking

Pausing on purpose, not by accident. The deliberate pause is the most underused tool in public speaking. It makes your point land harder and makes you look in control.

Most speakers fear silence. Confident speakers use it. A two-second pause before a key point signals "this matters". A two-second pause after a point gives the audience time to receive it. Most untrained interviewees rush through their best lines. Training teaches you to slow down on purpose.

Want to drill this with a working journalist? Take the Public Speaking Foundation course or book a strategy call.