I'm interested in creating a PDF to offer on my website as a free download. I'm trying to create a compilation of answers to the question... "Why? 25 Reasons You Should Improve Your Public Speaking Skills."

If you are interested in contributing to this compilation, I am looking for tips, stories, or experiences that support the premise that improving your public speaking skills is a smart move that will contribute to your success.

Feel free to share the reason you first started working on your public speaking skills.  Share how improving your public speaking skills has worked to your advantage.  Even share an example of how you saw success in someone else because of their public speaking skills.  Here are some examples...

"I was told by a mentor of mine that my technical skills are top 1-2 he has worked with.  However I could improve on communication.  My goal is to be a CIO one day and I know I'm going to need great communications skills to get there."

"I have to do many presentations and trainings.  I also teach.  I found myself using the dreaded "filler" words; so, like, um and you know.  Toastmasters has helped my public speaking skills by making me think before I speak, and pause to collect my thoughts instead of using the filler words."