Read The Room

Every room fights or helps your voice. Hard surfaces like wood and glass reflect sound, so projection comes easy. Carpet, curtains, and soft furnishings absorb it, so you need more energy.

Arrive early and run a quick sound check. Stand where you'll actually speak, talk at your intended volume, and have a friend stand at the farthest point. Adjust until they hear every word with no strain on your end. Thirty seconds of testing beats a whole talk spent guessing whether the back row can follow.