One-on-One Public Speaking and
Communication Coaching
Whether you’re leading an organisation, pitching to clients, or presenting a vision for the future, every time you speak, you have an opportunity to shape how others think, feel, and act.
The most effective communicators know how to bring clarity where there is complexity, create confidence where there is uncertainty, and inspire others to act with conviction.
These personalised coaching sessions are designed to help you develop that level of influence.
One-on-One Public Speaking and Communication Coaching
Whether you’re leading an organisation, pitching to clients, or presenting a vision for the future, every time you speak, you have an opportunity to shape how others think, feel, and act.
The most effective communicators know how to bring clarity where there is complexity, create confidence where there is uncertainty, and inspire others to act with conviction.
These personalised coaching sessions are designed to help you develop that level of influence.
How It Works?
Every session is built entirely around you. Using techniques from theatre, improvisation, public speaking and executive presentation coaching, I work with you to develop how you use your body language, voice, and presence to motivate and inspire your listeners, and to find the right level of confidence and animation to be a genuinely engaging speaker and a meaningful leader.
In individual sessions, we:
- Focus on your specific presentation, audience, and communication goals
- Analyse and refine your content, adapting it to your audience so your message is clear, compelling, and memorable
- Strengthen your body language, vocal presence, and overall impact
- Rehearse in a focused, supportive environment that builds confidence and reduces anxiety
- Craft messages that engage attention, inspire action, and leave a lasting impression
- Learn practical techniques to manage public speaking nerves and perform under pressure
- Develop a personalised pre-speech ritual that helps you feel calm, focused, and ready to perform at your best
Session recordings: Every coaching session is recorded and sent to you afterwards, so you can observe yourself, see what you do well, and identify what to improve. This is one of the most valuable elements of the coaching process.
Details
60 to 90 minutes per session
recorded sessions
Online worldwide
In person in Florence, Italy
Who Is This For?
Companies and individuals invest in 1:1 coaching for leaders, experts, and high-performing professionals who:
Are preparing for an important presentation, pitch, speech or any public event
Want to improve their public speaking skills and create winning presentations
Show talent and potential and deserve investment in their development and growth
Need to build confidence and presence in high-stakes communication settings
Additional Areas of Coaching Expertise
Beyond presentation coaching, I also offer individual sessions in the following areas:
Job Interview Coaching
Preparing for an important interview is about much more than rehearsing answers. We’ll work on how you present yourself, handle pressure, and articulate why your experience, skills, and perspective make you the right fit for the role, so you can make a strong, authentic impression and perform at your best.
University Application Interview Coaching
We’ll work on how to communicate who you are, what matters to you, and what you would bring to the university community. You’ll learn how to express your ideas clearly, engage in thoughtful discussion, and present yourself with confidence and authenticity, so interviewers come away with a strong sense of why you’re an excellent fit for their program.
Voice, Presence & Confidence Coaching
The most charismatic people aren’t necessarily the loudest or most outgoing. They know how to make others feel comfortable, engaged, and inspired. Together, we’ll develop the presence, confidence, and communication skills that allow you to command attention naturally, build stronger connections, and leave a lasting impression in any room.
"Elia is a phenomenal advisor and coach. I have done so much public speaking in my career, but I have never worked with a public speaking expert in preparation for a big speech. I was blown away by her insights, practical skills and recommendations. She also does a phenomenal job breaking down all the feedback to significantly improve the outcome. I did meet her a few times in person, but I think she does a great job coaching and teaching on Zoom as well. Any exec would be very lucky to have her expertise."
I attended Elia's 2-day Workshop on Public Speaking Skills at the European University Institute -- without any doubt, a top notch learning experience! Elia was extremely well prepared, fun to work with, and she spent considerable time on one-to-one feedback throughout the workshop. She drew from her public speaking professional experience, acting career, and personal experience to deliver a high-level, high impact training. I personally feel that I learned an immense amount and would definitely want to work with Elia again!
Elia is a masterful and compelling speech coach. She gets down into the trenches with you to bring out the best of your talents. Her dedication to helping you take your coaching to the next level is beyond anything I have ever experience. I am beyond thankful for her unwavering support to get my speaking skills to the level needed to be a professional and captivating speaker.
Elia è una persona di elevato profilo professionale, culturale e umano. Ha grandi capacità comunicative, e riesce a trasmettere energia positiva durante le sue interazioni con il cliente o nell’ambito di un gruppo di lavoro, nell’ambito del quale evidenzia innate doti di leadership e mediazione. E’ sicuramente una persona affidabile e puntuale.
I had the pleasure to take part in a two-day workshop on public speaking delivered by Elia at the European University Institute in Florence. I can firmly assert that this was a life-changing experience that trained me to control my anxiety so as to give the best of me when speaking in front of an audience. I have tried to apply all the tips and tricks that Elia gave me and I have even passed them on to colleagues that were feeling stressed or nervous before giving a public talk. It worked every time!
I learned so much from Elia's interview workshops and public speaking lessons. A few weeks after finishing Elia’s training, I applied for two internships and I was offered both of the positions I applied for! In addition, people close to me said they saw a major change in my articulation, projection, and the overall way in which I carry myself. I know that I owe most of the improvements that I made to Elia. She is the reason that I have become more collected and mature.
Elia conducted several group public speaking courses within Menarini and the feedback across the teams was superb. She not only knew her audience well, but also delivered an impeccable connection with each of us, coaching and providing individual feedback that without a doubt was engaging and useful for all. Her technical abilities coupled with her enthusiasm and contagious positive energy geared all participants to progress with motivation while learning, and for some stepping out of their comfort zones and reaching higher professional communication levels. Bravo, Elia! I look forward to the next one!
I think I can speak for all of us that Elia has given us a life changing experience in this one workshop.
I am so thankful to Elia for all that she taught me. I still have much work to do, but what I know because of this class has changed my life forever. Instead of being a lazy-sounding hunchback, I am now a confident and aware person! I can never thank Elia enough for the gift she has given me.
Elia is a gifted teacher and coach who gives attention, guidance, advice and feedback in preparing students to go out in the world and present their best selves. She does this with an infectious energy that inspires. Thank you, Elia!
I was very lucky to have Elia by my side as a speaking coach for TEDxFiesole 2022. Her expertise, positive energy and passion enabled me both to create and deliver a persuasive speech in a way I could not have dreamed of. Thank you for your tireless efforts and valuable support, from the very beginning until the (literally!) very last minute, dear Elia! You are an inspiration to those who are fortunate to work with you and I hope our paths cross again soon!
Elia è l’immagine della spontaneità e la sua capacità di trasferire i principi dell’efficacia comunicazionale, anche nel difficile percorso del ‘remoto’, fa leva su questo naturale talento. A ciò si aggiunge una grandissima carica emotiva ed una costante energia che sostengono i suoi interventi formativi senza soluzione di continuità. Desidero lasciare per ultimo, perché è ovvio, un commento sulla preparazione tecnica e professionale: anni di esperienza nel cinema e nel teatro si fondono con una incessante ricerca di innovazione e di studio continuo. Ho partecipato ad una sessione di alcuni giorni sulla comunicazione efficace da distanza e mi ritrovo cambiato e rafforzato perché ho acquisito maggior consapevolezza dei miei errori e delle mie capacità di superarli.
Find answers to common questions
What do coaching sessions with you typically look like?
My coaching sessions are practical, personalised, and very hands-on. You’ll spend a lot of time actually speaking, practising, role-playing, and getting immediate feedback and coaching from me.
Learning to communicate well is not theory. It is something we do, and to improve, we have to practise—out loud and on our feet.
I coach you on your delivery—your body language, gestures, voice, pacing, pauses, and presence—and teach you how to use variety to keep your audience engaged from beginning to end. We identify what’s already working, what may be getting in your way, and the specific changes that will make the biggest difference.
I know that public speaking can push people outside their comfort zones, so I take great care to create an environment where you feel comfortable taking risks, experimenting, and trying new things. That’s where real growth happens.
Can you help me prepare for a specific presentation, pitch, keynote or important conversation?
Absolutely. That’s my job! You bring me the specific situation, and we work on getting you ready for it.
We start with your audience: Who are they? What do they already know? What do they care about? And, most importantly, what do they need to hear from you? We put ourselves in their shoes and shape your message around them.
From there, we work on your actual content—what to say, how to structure it, and how to make it clear, compelling, and memorable. If you’re using slides or other visuals, we work on those too.
We also focus on your delivery—your body language, voice, pacing, and presence—and I coach you to become a more engaging, confident, and authentic speaker.
Lastly, we tackle any nerves or anxiety so that when it’s time to speak, you feel calm, prepared, and ready to perform at your best.
Can you help me if I have public speaking anxiety?
Absolutely. In fact, many of the people I work with experience some level of anxiety around public speaking—from normal nerves to feeling genuinely overwhelmed by the thought of speaking in front of others.
We work on both the physical and mental sides of those nerves. I teach you practical techniques to manage your breathing, body, voice, and thoughts before and while you speak, and we gradually put those techniques into practice together.
Most importantly, you’ll practise in a supportive environment where you can experiment, make mistakes, and build confidence without judgement. The goal isn’t necessarily to eliminate every nervous feeling. After all, being nervous is often a sign that you care, and that nervous energy can actually help you perform at your best. The goal is to learn how to manage your nerves so they work for you, rather than getting in the way of communicating at your best.
How many sessions does it take to improve my public speaking and communication?
It completely depends on you—your experience, your starting point, what you want to achieve, and how quickly you’re able to absorb the tools and techniques I teach and put them into practice.
Some people come to me with a very specific goal and need just one or two sessions to feel polished, prepared, and confident. Others want to make deeper, lasting changes to the way they communicate and benefit from working together over a longer period.
For those who want to go deeper, I offer packages of 4 and 8 sessions. By the end, the goal is for you to see and feel a real difference in the way you communicate—and to have the tools to continue improving long after our sessions are over.
What makes your approach different from traditional public-speaking training?
My approach has been shaped by very different worlds: my background as a professional actor, more than 15 years working with leaders, professionals, and organisations in the corporate and non-profit worlds, and my experience teaching public speaking and communication at universities in the United States and Italy. All of these have profoundly influenced the way I coach.
From my experience in theatre, on-camera work, and improvisation, I bring practical techniques for using your body and voice to communicate confidence and expertise, connecting with an audience, thinking on your feet, and staying present when the unexpected happens. I also teach you how to communicate effectively on camera, whether you’re in an online meeting, recording a video, or creating video content for social media.
This means we actually get up and work. We use theatre, improvisation, and voice exercises to explore how you use your body and voice and help you develop new habits that make you a more confident, engaging, and authentic communicator.
From years of coaching, consulting, and working alongside professionals in corporate environments, I understand the very real situations in which communication matters: presenting an idea, pitching a product or company, influencing a decision, leading a team, handling difficult questions, speaking to senior executives, or simply making sure your voice is heard in the room.
My years teaching public speaking and communication at universities in the United States and Italy have also deeply influenced my approach. I understand how people learn, how to break complex communication skills into practical tools, and how to create an environment where people feel comfortable experimenting, taking risks, and improving.
I’m not interested in teaching you a formula or turning you into a polished but generic speaker. My goal is to give you the tools to become a more confident, engaging, and compelling version of yourself when you communicate.
Can you help me prepare for a job or university admissions interview?
Yes! A successful interview is about much more than preparing the “right” answers. It’s about giving the person across from you a clear sense of who you are, what you bring to the table, and why you’re the right choice.
Together, we’ll anticipate the questions you’re likely to face, shape strong and authentic answers, and practise responding to questions you weren’t expecting. We’ll also work on your body language, voice, and overall presence so that you come across as confident, prepared, and genuinely yourself.
For university admissions interviews, we focus particularly on helping you communicate what makes you interesting and distinctive—your ideas, experiences, motivations, and what you would bring to the university community.
For job interviews, we focus on communicating your experience and strengths clearly and making a compelling case for why you’re the right person for the role.
Are sessions available online and in person?
Absolutely! I coach clients both online and in person. I’m based in Florence, Italy, and work with clients around the world virtually. I’m also available to travel for in-person coaching, trainings, workshops, and speaking engagements.
Do you work in both English and Italian?
Yes! I’m bilingual and give keynote speeches, lead trainings, and coach clients in both English and Italian.
Ready to transform how you
communicate?
Whether you’re preparing for a specific high-stakes moment or building long-term confidence as a speaker, let’s talk about how I can help.
or email me directly at inquiries@elianichols.com
Unlock your Confidence!
Free Guide
The Actor's 3-Minute Breathing Ritual for Confident Public Speaking
The breathing exercises I teach every client, and the ones that got me through my own TEDx talk. Three techniques, three minutes, and a calmer, more confident you before every presentation, pitch or interview.
Inside you’ll learn:
- The Calming Breath: settle your nerves before high-pressure moments
- The Energy Breath: bring life and presence to your delivery
- The Balance Breath: find focus and clarity when your mind is racing
- Plus: your 3-minute pre-stage ritual, ready to save to your phone
