The Most Trusted Public Speaking Coach Certifications

Want to become a public speaking coach? 

Then, you’re in the right place. 

In this guide, you’ll learn the exact steps to:

• Build a thriving public speaking coaching business that attracts clients who need your expertise
• Pick the best public speaking coach certification programs that align with your goals and values
• Create a fulfilling career helping people become confident speakers

Ready? Let’s dive in.

Biggest takeaways:

• As a public speaking coach, you can work with individuals or businesses 
• The average public speaking coach makes $61,218 (but there’s no limit)
• You don’t need a certification to be a successful coach, but you can get one from the Transformation Academy or 3V Communications 

What is a public speaking coach?

A public speaking coach is someone who helps clients unlock the confidence and skills needed to become powerful, effective speakers.

Glossophobia—the fear of public speaking—is one of the most common fears in America with 77% of Americans saying they fear public speaking. And yet, strong public speaking skills can open doors to career advancements, personal growth, and unforgettable moments on stage. That’s where you come in.

It’s the perfect fit for you if you want to help your clients achieve life-changing results with your unique gifts and skills. With the overall corporate training market being valued at $352.66 billion, your ideal clients are within your reach. And as you grow your coaching business, you’ll create more freedom, flexibility, and income for yourself. 

What type of speaking coaching can you do, though? There are plenty of different formats of public speaking, so you can specialize in different sub-niches like: 

• Storytelling coaching: Crafting narratives that captivate audiences.
• Media training: Preparing clients for interviews and on-camera appearances.
• Impromptu speaking: Building quick-thinking and spontaneity for unscripted moments.
• Technical presentations: Simplifying complex ideas for professional audiences.
• Content coaching: Creating speeches that resonate and drive impact.
• Delivery coaching: Perfecting body language, tone, and stage presence.
• Speaker marketing coaching: Positioning clients for keynote opportunities and paid gigs.
• Vocal coaching: Improving vocal abilities and vocal range. 
• Executive speaking coaching: Becoming a better leader and communicator. 
• Motivational coaching: Finding motivation and changing their thought patterns.  

Public speaking coaches and public speaking trainers work with a wide range of clients—business professionals, actors, activists, politicians, athletes, and more. For instance, my former student Victoria Lioznyansky helps executives and entrepreneurs conquer public speaking anxiety and boost their careers with confidence.

With that in mind, let’s go over the specifics of the job.

What does a public speaking coach do? 

What will your day-to-day life look like as a public speaking coach? Here’s a breakdown of your key responsibilities:

• Understand your client’s challenges and strengths: Once you’ve assessed your client’s needs, you help them set clear objectives. For example, perhaps they want to compete in a Toastmasters competition. 
• Set clear goals: After the assessment, it’s time to set specific, actionable objectives. Maybe your client dreams of acing a Toastmasters competition or delivering a flawless business pitch—your role is to help them get there.
• Correct bad habits: With your expertise, you guide clients away from bad public speaking habits like fidgeting or speaking too fast.
• Build confidence:
  Public speaking anxiety is one of the biggest reasons clients seek your help. Using strategies like mindfulness, posture adjustments, and breathing exercises, you’ll help them control their anxiety and gain real confidence. 
• Provide ongoing support and accountability: Your clients rely on you not just for feedback but also for staying on track. With every session, you’ll review their progress, celebrate their wins, and guide them toward continuous improvement.

While many coaches work one-on-one with clients, you can also run group workshops or lead seminars if that fits your style or niche. Later on, you could even scale with online courses and create a true “Freedom Business.” 

Now, let’s go over who your clients will be.

Who hires a public speaking coach 

So, who could you work with as a public speaking coach?

The most common clients you’ll have are:

• Entrepreneurs
• Executives
• Aspiring professional speakers
• Job seekers
• Students
• School teachers
• Media professionals
• Corporate business professionals
• Politicians
• Actors
• Activists
• Athletes

Basically, anyone who has (or aspires to have) a public-facing role in their career.  

And if you start your own public speaking coaching business, you’re in control. This path gives you the freedom to choose your clients, set your rates, and scale your business in a way that aligns with your goals.

Many of my students have made the leap to become full-time coaches, and their results speak for themselves:

But before you dive in, you might be wondering: Do I need specific qualifications to get started? That’s what we’ll cover next. 

How to choose a certification

Here’s the thing: the coaching industry is unregulated, which means getting a public speaking coach certification is completely optional.

What really matters? Your clients care most about the transformation you deliver, not the credentials on your wall.

I’ve built a thriving coaching business without a certification—and I’ve helped countless others do the same. But if you feel a certification could boost your confidence or credibility, choosing the right one can make a difference.

When evaluating your options, consider these key questions:

• Is the program accredited? And if so, by whom?
• How long will it take to complete? Make sure it fits your schedule.
• Does the course content align with your goals? Focus on programs that support your coaching niche.
• How is the program delivered? Think about whether online, in-person, or hybrid options work best for you.
• Who’s teaching the course? Look for a program led by a respected expert in public speaking.
• What’s the cost? Is the investment within your budget, and does the value justify the price?

To make the process easier, I’ve researched some of the top options on the market. Keep reading to find the perfect fit for you.

Best public speaking coaching certifications 

Below are some of the top public speaking coaching certifications you can take. 

Quick note: I haven’t personally taken these programs, but I’m recommending them based on their reputation and reviews. Be sure to do your own research to find the best fit for your goals.

1. Public Speaker Training and Workshop Facilitator Certification

Transformation Academy 

Transformation Academy offers short and impactful coaching certification programs. This self-paced course is ideal if you’re looking to master the basics of public speaking mechanics while staying flexible with your schedule.

You’ll learn:

• How to conquer the fear of public speaking.
• Communication strategies to deliver effective speeches.
• Ways to connect with your audience and leave a lasting impression.

Though the course focuses on personal speaking skills, you’ll learn valuable methods that you can pass on to your clients. 

Program details:

• Delivery: Online, self-paced
• Accreditation: CPD 
• Requirements: None
• Duration: 15 hours
• Price: $197

2. Communication Coach Certification

3V Communications

Public speaking coaching is often considered a subset of communication coaching, and this certification from 3V Communications offers a broader approach. It could be a good fit if you want to refine your client’s overall speaking skills while gaining insights into running your coaching business.

The program offers two delivery options:

• A fully self-paced course with some mentor support.
• A hybrid model that includes 16 hours of in-person or online coaching and up to one year of email support.

This flexibility makes it a great choice for new coaches who want a structured yet personalized learning experience.

Program details:

• Delivery: Online or hybrid
• Accreditation: NCCA
• Requirements: None
• Duration: Self-paced or 16 hours
• Price: Available upon request

Now that you’ve learned the top certification programs, let’s talk about becoming a public speaking coach.

How do you become a top public speaking coach? 

Starting your public speaking coaching career doesn’t require a groundbreaking business idea, lots of funding, or even a certification. Instead, you can use your existing skills and expertise to help others overcome their fears and learn to speak. 

1. Define a niche 

The first step to becoming a successful public speaking coach is getting crystal clear on what you do and who you help. Specializing in a niche allows you to attract the right clients and position yourself as an expert.

For example, Jennifer Hennings focuses on helping executives refine their presentation skills.

Other popular coaching niches in public speaking coaching include:

• Helping politicians and activists craft and deliver impactful speeches.
• Training thought leaders to prepare for TED-style talks.
• Guiding job seekers to present themselves confidently in interviews.
• Assisting entrepreneurs who want to use public speaking to grow their businesses or build careers as speakers.

Not sure where to start? Try filling in this sentence:

“I help ____ improve their public speaking skills by ____.”

For more on this method, check out this video:

2. Create a public speaking coaching brand  

Your coaching brand helps you stand out among other public speaking coaches. It communicates your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) that helps explain why you are the right coach for your clients. 

So, to build your brand, think about what you want to be known for. 

A big part of that is your: 

• Story
• Mission 
• And approach to public speaking 

I explain more in this video:

3. Get certified  

A certification might make you more appealing to corporate clients. And if you choose to get one, take a look at the certification programs I shared earlier. 

However, as you know by now, getting a public speaking coaching certification is completely optional. Most clients care far more about the results you deliver.

For example, many of my clients have built six-figure coaching businesses because of the transformations they provide, not because of any certifications. Your ability to help clients achieve their goals will always outweigh a credential on paper.

If you’re not interested in formal certification but still want to boost your credibility and skills, consider joining organizations like Toastmasters or the National Speakers Association.

4. Create and price a public speaking coaching package   

Now that your brand is ready to attract clients, the next question is: What should you charge?

Keep it simple. Start with a three-month coaching package that includes bi-weekly coaching calls for $1,500.

Here’s why this approach works:

• Three months is the sweet spot: It’s long enough to help your clients achieve meaningful results, but not so long that it feels overwhelming.
• $1,500 is a strong starting rate: It’s a significant enough investment to encourage clients to stay committed to the process, and it’s a fair price for new coaches.
• You can scale this to six figures: With consistent clients, charging $1,500 per package makes building a six-figure coaching business absolutely achievable.

👋And I say, high five to that!👋 

For more, I talk about designing your first coaching package here: 

Once you’ve worked with a few clients at this rate and gathered some great testimonials, you can raise your prices. 

5. Find your first client 

Ready to land your first client? Here are my favorite marketing strategies for new coaches:

• Podcasts: Pitch yourself as a guest on relevant podcasts where your ideal clients are listening.
• Your network: Reach out to your personal and professional connections and let them know about your services. You might be surprised who needs help—or who can refer someone to you.
• Social media: Engage with established groups on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook. Contribute value by sharing tips and insights about public speaking.
• Events: Attend speaking events, conferences, or networking meetups. These are great places to make meaningful connections and showcase your expertise.

Why these strategies work so well:

• They don’t cost a thing to get started.
• They tap into existing audiences, saving you time and effort compared to building an audience from scratch.

Next up: Let’s dive into how to work with your first clients and deliver amazing results.

6. Work with your clients 

Helping your clients achieve their goals is all about focusing on the transformation they’ll experience while working with you.

To do so, take these steps: 

1. Start with effective goal setting: Begin by asking your clients, “What do you want to achieve?” Once you’ve established their big-picture goal, break it down into smaller, actionable milestones.

2. Structure your coaching sessions:
Each session should build momentum toward your client’s larger goal. For example, if you’re working with entrepreneurs who want to start public speaking, your first session might look like this:

• Identify their strengths and weaknesses.
• Help them set a specific, tangible goal (e.g., delivering a 5-minute speech at a networking event).
• Provide targeted advice on one key area to focus on before the next session.
• Recap what you covered and assign homework to keep them progressing.

3. Keep the focus on progress:

At every session, review your client’s progress, celebrate their wins, and tackle any challenges they’re facing. This ensures they stay motivated and see measurable results.

For more detailed tips, check out this guide on delivering powerful coaching sessions.

Now that you know the process for becoming a top public speaking coach, let’s address some additional questions you might have.

FAQ: Public speaking coaching

How much does a public speaking coach make? 

According to Glassdoor, public speaking coaches make an average salary of $61,218. However, if you create your own coaching business, you can make much more. Many of my students make six or even multiple six figures in similar coaching niches.

According to Glassdoor, public speaking coaches earn an average salary of $61,218. However, if you create your own coaching business, you can make much more. Many of my students, working in similar coaching niches, have built six-figure—and even multiple six-figure—businesses.

Are public speaking coaches in demand? 

Absolutely. 77% of Americans fear public speaking, while it is a must-have skill for people who want to get their message out. That’s why demand for skilled public speaking coaches will continue to grow. 

Are public speaking coaches worth it? 

Yes. 99% of individuals and companies who hire a coach report being “satisfied or very satisfied.” Public speaking coaches can help their clients make measurable differences in their confidence and ability to articulate. That can lead to great benefits such as professional recognition, promotions, and new income streams through speaking opportunities.  

What’s next? 

And there you have it! That’s how to become a public speaking coach online. 

So, are you ready to build a thriving coaching business and create a life that’s both fulfilling and financially free?

This article covers a lot, but let’s be real—there’s only so much I can include in one post. Building a successful coaching business can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating it alone.

I’ve been there. It took me years of trial and error to figure out how to grow my own coaching business. But once I did, everything changed. I scaled my business to six figures in just four months, and now, I’ve helped thousands of others grow their own coaching businesses. 

That’s why I created Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE)—a self-study coaching training program designed to help you build your business quickly, even if you’re juggling a 9-5 or a busy life. It’s everything I’ve learned from building successful coaching businesses, all in one step-by-step system.

Want to learn more? 

Grab my FREE blueprint to learn how to grow your own six-figure public speaking coaching business. 

Read more:

How to Become a Dialect Coach

How to Monetize Your Expertise

The Most Successful Types of Coaches 

How to Become a Confidence Coach