Where to Practice Public Speaking When You're Just Getting Started

There's a moment most aspiring speakers hit where they're ready to practice, really practice, but suddenly realize there's nowhere to go.

Most stages want a polished speaker. A specific topic. A speaking reel. Experience. But for someone just starting out, or someone who's nervous but ready to try, the options are almost nonexistent.

I saw this firsthand. For years as a public speaking and communication coach, my clients kept asking me the same question: "Do you know of any place I can practice? Somewhere low stakes, with a friendly crowd, where I can actually use what I'm learning?"

I always tried to help. But options were limited, and they weren't always in need of speakers.

So after years of hearing the same question and running into the same walls, I decided to stop looking for the stage and build one.

That's how my event, Drop the Mic Night (DTMN), was born. 

Drop the Mic Night is a stage built specifically for aspiring speakers. Each speaker gets five minutes to step up and share their story in front of a live audience (who we call cheerleaders, because that's exactly what they are). Leading up to the event, every selected speaker receives free coaching and support to help them prepare for their mic-drop moment.

The first event was supposed to be a one off. We sold out with 100 people in the room, standing room only. So we planned another one, and the same thing happened. It became clear pretty quickly that there was a real need, because it turns out my clients were not alone in looking for beginner-friendly stages.

People just like my clients had been looking for exactly this kind of space. And when they finally found it, their friends, families and communities showed up to cheer them on.

We outgrew our original space and moved to a larger venue with an actual stage that can hold an audience of up to 300 people. We even started attracting speakers from across the United States.

For our third event, we expanded our mission to include supporting local nonprofits. Since DTMN's inception, we've hosted four events, supported two nonprofit partners and raised over $10,000 for their missions. And on June 18, 2026, we'll host our 5th event.

The Aspiring Speaker Dilemma

When I'm encouraging aspiring speakers to apply for Drop the Mic Night, I often hear, "Maybe next time. I'm not quite ready."

I hear it every single event we host. Some people have even said it multiple times now.

But here's the thing... ready isn't a feeling that shows up before you take the leap. It shows up after. Stages like Drop the Mic Night were built for exactly where you are right now. Read that again:

Exactly.

Where.

You are.

Right now.

Where to Practice Public Speaking Near You

I get it. And honestly, the most common follow-up I hear is, "But what if I don't live nearby?"

Fair question. Here are some places worth exploring, no expert credentials required:

Toastmasters — One of the most well-known public speaking organizations in the world, with chapters in most cities. Meetings are structured, supportive and great for building consistency.

Rotary Club — Local chapters often welcome community members to speak at meetings, and it's a great way to connect with your community at the same time.

SCORE — A nonprofit that supports small business owners and entrepreneurs. Many chapters host workshops and events where community members can share their expertise.

Your local library — Often overlooked, but libraries frequently host community programming and are open to local speakers.

Community centers — Similar to libraries, community centers are always looking for engaging programming and local voices.

Open Mic Nights — Not just for musicians. Many open mic events welcome spoken word, storytelling and personal essays. A great low-stakes option.

Meetup Groups — Search "public speaking" or "storytelling" in your area on Meetup.com. You might be surprised what's already out there.

Want to Bring Drop the Mic Night to Your City?

If you love the idea of a beginner-friendly stage with a real audience, a supportive community and a nonprofit mission behind it, let's talk about bringing the stage to you. We love supporting aspiring speakers and local nonprofits, and we'd love to explore what that could look like in your city.

Reach out at speacsuccess.com and let's make it happen.

See you on stage!

Shannon