Imagine you were just called into your boss’s office and told you need to deliver a big presentation to the board members in several weeks. You notice your heart starts to beat fast, your chest feels as if you can’t take a breath, and your stomach starts to hurt.
You think, “Why am I experiencing all these feelings?”
Glossophobia, or a fear of public speaking, is a very common phobia and one that is believed to affect up to 75% of the population. Some individuals may feel slightly nervous at the very thought of public speaking, while others experience full-on panic and fear.
“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”
Jerry Seinfeld
Sooner or later, we are all asked to engage in public speaking. It is essential in today’s world, whether you are an executive, professional, leader, or student. My experience as an Executive Communication Coach is that no matter your position or industry, you will be asked to speak at a meeting or present information in front of others in person or virtually.
Communicating effectively in front of an audience can open doors to new opportunities and enhance your personal and professional growth. It gives you a platform and visibility within your company to enhance your leadership skills and professional success. However, as mentioned, being asked to speak can be daunting, leading to nervousness, increased heart rate, and anxiety. And no one wants to feel that lack of confidence and speech anxiety whenever you are asked to do a presentation.
The good news is that public speaking is a skill that can be improved with practice and guidance. Whether you are giving a talk virtually, to a live audience, or Ted Talks, public speaking is a skill that can be developed and improved with practice and guidance. When public speaking is practiced, it lessens many of the anxious feelings we all have.
I worked with many clients who avoided any form of public speaking until I began to coach them in the process and provide specific feedback and tips.
Becoming A Better Public Speaker
Since you’re reading this article, I’m going to assume that you’re interested in becoming a better public speaker. That’s a great goal to work towards and I can certainly help you.
I know that for many, public speaking can be intimidating. Glossophobia is a real thing, and we have all experienced those jitters before taking the stage. However, with the right mindset and preparation, you can overcome this fear and become a confident, persuasive speaker.
In this article, I will discuss tips and strategies to help you become a better public speaker, including body language, pacing, vocal delivery, and content development. My goal is to help you deliver your message effectively and deliver it with confidence.
So if you’re ready to take your speaking and presentation skills to the next level, keep reading. But first, let me ask you this – what would it mean for your career if you were a dynamic, powerful public speaker? Let’s find out together.
15 Valuable Tips For Improving Your Public Speaking Skills
1. Understand your audience
An essential skill that the best public speakers utilize is that they get to know their audience.
You always want to tailor your speech to your audience’s needs, interests, and knowledge level. Who are your audience members? What main point(s) do you want them to come away with? What do you want them to think, feel or do after the presentation? You need to establish a connection early on and engage them effectively. The audience’s attention is crucial if you want to be a better listener.
2. Prepare and practice
Thoroughly research your topic and create a well-structured speech of your talking points. Organize your thoughts, including an introduction, main points, and a conclusion. I’m sure you are all aware of the wise saying, “Tell them what you are going to tell them,” “Tell them,” and “Tell them what you told them.”
Effective public speakers offer this type of roadmap to their audience. Practice it repeatedly, focusing on delivery, timing, and body language. Practicing also means giving your speech out loud. There was a time when I had a client who wasn’t satisfied with the presentation he gave. I asked him, “Did you practice it frequently before presenting”? He said, “..of course, I did. I ran the presentation through my head many times!”
The truth is if you don’t practice out loud, you are not practicing!
3. Use visual aids
A powerpoint presentation and visuals can enhance your message and make it more memorable. Graphics are always better than detailed slides, if possible. The audience can read, so don’t allow your slides to be busy or read from your slides. Remember, YOU are the focus, not your slides.
4. Start with a strong opening
A great way to start your talk is, to begin with a captivating way to grab your audience’s attention from the start. Telling a story, stating a startling statistic, asking a question, or sharing personal stories will immediately bring your audience’s attention to your talk. I recently coached an international executive who began his Ted Talk by sharing a personal story of how he had been homeless on the streets. He struggled but later worked himself up in a company to become a CEO. Every person in the audience was completely attentive and glued to listening to his talk after that opening. His opening first invoked empathy, and his talk invoked admiration as he explained how he turned his life around through personal stories.
5. Master nonverbal communication
Pay attention to your body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures. Maintain eye contact, stand tall, and use natural hand movements to augment your words and convey confidence and authenticity. A substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. In fact, some researchers suggest that the percentage of nonverbal communication is four times that of verbal communication, with 80% of what we communicate involving our actions and gestures versus only 20% being conveyed using words. Daily, we respond to thousands of nonverbal cues and behaviors that reveal who we are and impact how we relate to people. Body movement and position is a key ingredient in sending messages. We need to own our space and engage in a purposeful movement when we speak. Do not pace side to side, and do not sway when speaking.
6. Control your pace and pauses
The best way to command a room is not speaking all the time. “Powerful people speak slowly” is a phrase I share with my clients. Speak slowly and clearly, use strategic pauses to emphasize important points, and allow the audience to absorb information. Mark Twain said, “No word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” Pausing gives gravity to the words you want to emphasize. Control your pacing. Ensure you are not speaking too quickly, dragging your words, or speaking too slowly.
7. Vary your tone and volume
Vocal variety is the key to good delivery. Modulate your voice to express enthusiasm, emphasize key points, and maintain audience engagement. Remember, regardless of your content, a monotone voice will never make a lasting impression. Don’t expect your audience to be attentive when they feel you are not speaking with enthusiasm on a topic.
8. Connect emotionally
Share personal stories or anecdotes that resonate with your audience’s emotions. This will help create a deeper connection and make your speech more relatable.
9. Engage the audience
Encourage audience participation through questions, brief activities, or interactive elements. This involvement will keep the audience attentive and interested. Start your talk by telling the audience you welcome questions. When speaking, look at their faces to see if they are interested or confused and perhaps have questions.
10. Use storytelling techniques
Craft narratives that illustrate your points and captivate your audience. Since we were children, stories have always had a powerful impact and made complex concepts more understandable.
11. Handle nerves
Accept that nervousness is normal and actually a powerful tool since it gives you energy in your voice and body to deliver a dynamic talk. However, the best way to speech anxiety is to practice. When you feel that adrenaline rushes through your body, take a deep breath and engage in positive talk to overcome any stage fright.
12. Seek feedback
The best way to be a great speaker is to evaluate yourself. If you can, work with a coach and videotape your speeches looking for those areas of strength and areas you need to work on. You can also videotape your own speeches and ask for constructive feedback. Watch yourself doing a presentation on videotape and see where you do well and where you need improvement.
13. Learn from great speakers
Study and analyze the speeches of a great public speaker or at least a few accomplished public speakers. Observe their delivery style, use of language, and how they engage their audience. Be mindful of the time Respect your audience’s time by staying within the allocated timeframe. Practice your speech in the way that you will actually deliver it so your time is accurate.
14. Practice, practice, and practice
Start early practicing any speech you have as early as you can. The more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you will become. Practice in front of a mirror, record and listen to your talk and recite your speech in the car. Find any opportunity to speak your talk out loud. Additionally, always look for opportunities to speak in public, such as joining Toastmasters or volunteering for presentations.
Developing effective public speaking skills is a journey that requires time, effort, and consistent practice. Don’t be caught off guard the next time you are asked to do a big presentation. By implementing these 15 tips, you can enhance your ability to communicate your ideas, engage your audience, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Remember, we all start somewhere, and with perseverance and dedication, you can become a skilled and confident public speaker.
Do you have a big presentation or keynote coming up? I teach business leaders how to command their virtual room and enhance the art of public speaking.
Schedule a session with me to learn how to deliver your talk with confidence and presence. Call 404-861-5559 or email today!