Public Speaking Coach Near Me? Why Remote Coaching Might Actually Be the Better Fit
Looking for a “public speaking coach near me”?
It’s a smart search—but here’s something worth considering: The best speech coaching doesn’t always require being in the same room.
In fact, I work with most of my clients remotely—and many of them originally thought they needed someone local. Once they saw how effective (and convenient) virtual coaching could be, they were sold.
👉🏼 Book your free 15-minute consult to find out if remote coaching might actually be the better fit for you.
Based near Portland, coaching clients nationwide.
“Jamie was outstanding. I was blown away by the level of professionalism, expertise and most of all the clarity with which he taught. He was quickly able to discern my problem areas and provide remedies in the form of targeted exercises. Additionally, all advice in the form of dos and don’ts was accompanied by an explanation of the underlying mechanics, allowing me to build a foundation of understanding for future speaking/conversational self-improvement. I’ve since noticed a marked improvement in the areas we worked in. If you find yourself needing help improving in the same areas, I can’t recommend Jamie highly enough.”
Let me first declare which side my bread is buttered on: I do basically all of my coaching virtually, via video calls. So clearly I think it works pretty great, and I’m invested in other people thinking so as well! That said, having done plenty of each kind, I feel pretty confident saying that you don’t miss out by opting for virtual speaking coaching. Here’s why:
1. You still get the human connection
See, the rapport practically jumps off the screen here.
Again, these are video calls—I can still see the student, the student can still see me, and we can both pick up on those all-important nonverbal communication cues in addition to the natural rapport of discussion. That’s a good foundation for a relaxed, genuine interaction if you ask me.
In my view, if you’re looking for a natural, personable coaching vibe, there are way more important factors than video versus in-person. Like whether the coach takes the time to get to know you—everything that pertains to your speaking goals & struggles, and probably more besides. I draw on subjects the student is interested in or knows a lot about as prompts for various speaking exercises, and give examples from my own life as I demonstrate how to do them. That’s us getting to know each other a bit!*
2. The content is just as good
Of course the main factors determining a coaching program’s usefulness are how good the suggestions are, how well they’re explained, how effective the prescribed practice exercises are, and how well the instructor prepares you for self-driven skill development outside of class. None of these factors hinge on remote versus in-person learning—and I’m happy to say I can deliver all of them in spades regardless. Consider: I’ve coached thousands of students virtually/1:1 over the last half-decade, & you can read about their experiences. If remote didn’t work for students like you, I’d have been out of a job a long time ago. 😛
3. That includes nerves!
Some might say, look, I mostly need to conquer nerves—and those nerves are triggered in-person, not remotely. So would remote coaching really help? The answer is yes! For more, see my article, “When the Nerves Are In-Person—But the Coaching Isn’t.” Tl;dr:Through tools like artificial pressure, skill-building exercises, and practical mental/mindset shift methods you can use in live settings, I’ve helped hundreds of students overcome in-person nerves via virtual coaching sessions.
4. It’s one-on-one
Pictured: Individuals not getting individualized coaching.
Whether the coaching is group or 1:1 matters far more for connection than remote versus in-person. Individual tutoring is way more focused on you—closer to a conversation than a class—& therefore ripe for rapport-building, even if over video. Whereas group coaching (whether in-person or virtual) definitely risks an impersonal vibe: You’re just one little face among many, and the instructor can’t relate to you individually very well. Hence why I don’t do that format so much—and if I do, I try to meet with each group member one-on-one as well.
5. You can still get in-person practice
Just because sessions are virtual doesn’t mean your practice has to be. If you’re not already getting practice in work or social settings, a local Toastmasters club is a good place to start. They’re everywhere, & they’re a great opportunity for practice for a supportive audience. But they’re not really set up for coaching, & the feedback is cursory. This makes Toastmasters a great complement for coaching, but not a replacement—and you can always use what you’re learning in class in those in-person practices, or just at work or in your normal life!
Plus, if you record yourself speaking for a live audience & send it to me, then I can give you feedback & suggestions in our (virtual) meeting tailored to how you sound in those specific settings. It’s the best of both worlds!
6. Remote is wildly convenient
This could be you, dialing into a speech coaching session from your glass-walled AirBnB overlooking the Norwegian fjords!
It’s tough for most people to find an experienced speaking coach they like within a reasonable driving distance of where they live or work—and even then you have to make the commute to & from their location. Whereas the national pool of quality coaches offering virtual tutoring is much bigger! & you can have those meetings from your normal desk at work, at home, or even on the go/when traveling.
Plus, the remote coach is usually more available, since they can host a session wherever the internet is good, not just when they’re in their customary office. This means you’re more likely to have sessions when you want, as regularly as you want!
7. It’s easier to take notes
I love it when stock photos are super on the nose. 🤓
I’m a big fan of taking notes—both for me and my students. Note-takers typically remember what I taught them better, & are more likely to implement it. In turn, I use my detailed session notes as a record of what we’ve discussed, how the student is doing, and any quirks of their unique situation, coaching needs, etc. Wins all around! & there’s something about the virtual environment that I think actually makes note-taking more natural for both parties.
I’m not positive what precisely this is. Perhaps the slight digital distance makes glancing down at your notebook or typing on a computer more appropriate to the situation, since it signals close attention to the other person, rather than distraction or lack of interest. By contrast, I think breaking eye contact that much while sitting across the table from someone feels somewhat detached. Whatever the exact dynamic, I’ve found superior notes are an unexpected upside of remote 1:1 speaking coaching.
8. Virtual coaching for children
For reasonably confident/self-assured kids, all the above applies. For shy kids, it gets a little more complex. On the one hand, I find they often actually appreciate that one-layer-of-distance that a screen provides, whereas being in the same room might be rather intimidating. On the other hand, staying focused in virtual sessions may be harder for some children, especially those 10 or younger. Now, I’ve seen great results for the kids I’ve worked with, but I understand parents who say their child would benefit more from in-person instruction.
Overall, I think that done right (as I do them!), video meetings easily offer the sort of pleasant, authentic interactions that make learning easy & comfortable.
🎉 Book your free 15-minute consult and see how effective coaching can be—from wherever you are.
*Hey, we might even become friends! One student-turned-friend even got an invite to my wedding, so. You never know!
