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We live in a world where ideas are a major currency, and being able to communicate them effectively is of vital importance.
For many people, there's no avoiding public speaking.
Whether you are a salesperson, manager, marketer, or even the head of your company’s IT department, you'll probably need to figure out how to speak in front of groups of people in different situations, including presentations at work, speaking at exhibitions or events, communicating with teams or board meetings, or pitching a new business idea.
From trying to figure out what equipment for exhibition or material you need for your presentation, to ironing out the elements of an eloquent speech, public speaking can sometimes feel overwhelming for first-timers, but the above tips will help you prepare so that you can feel confident and rock your presentation.
No one starts out as a master orator like Lincoln or Gary Vaynerchuk; but that doesn’t mean you have to flop around on the stage like a fish out of water either—there are plenty of tips that can help you become a better speaker.
In this article, we are going to outline our top tips for new speakers.
The more prepared you are, the more confident and less anxious you'll feel.
Start by researching the topic to get as much information as possible.
Then include other things that will help hold your audience's attention like images, videos, stories, and props.
Having great content isn't enough if you can't deliver it well.
The next logical step is to practice how you'll deliver your content.
Rehearse your presentation multiple times in front of a mirror or friends, or record it to view it later.
Evaluate areas that need work and then work on improving them before the actual speech.
Read more “Pre-performance Routine: Why you should consider creating one and how it can help”
Getting to the venue early allows you plenty of time to settle in and physically adapt to your presentation space.
Get to know the stage, your audience, the event organizer and technicians whom you'll be working with, where you'll be standing, the kind of technology you'll be using, and so on.
Familiarizing yourself with all this will eliminate a few unknowns and set your mind at ease.
These details may seem small, but they can actually make all the difference to your speaking experience.
Make sure you haven’t forgotten anything; use the checklist. “The Essential Speaker Checklist”
Don’t let yourself be distracted by the intricacies of your performance. Try focusing on your material and the impact you want to have on your audience.
When you are passionate and interested in your subject, your speech becomes as easy as just speaking to a friend
When delivering a speech, stick to your main points. While telling stories and anecdotes can help you get your point across, make sure that where you are going with it is clear. No one wants to sit through a lengthy, meandering presentation with no point in sight.
Explore this topic with global speaking expert Andras Baneth “World of Speakers E.01: Create impactful talks”
Doing these relaxation techniques before a presentation will help you manage your physical responses to anxiety.
Try deep breathing before taking the stage to relax your muscles and get oxygen to the brain.
Give your audience a big genuine smile at the start of your speech. This will put you more at ease and help you connect with your audience.
Studies have explored the effectiveness of having a pre-performance routine.
Read more “Pre-performance Routine: Why you should consider creating one and how it can help”
Including words such as “you know”, “like”, “well”, “ok”, “um”, “uh’, or “errm” in your speech is a huge no-no.
Filler words are distracting, making it difficult for your audience to follow what you're saying.
In place of filler words, use pauses to make your speech feel more conversational, emphasise certain points and give the audience time to digest information. This has the double advantage of disguising the pauses you need for thinking time or when lose your train of thought.
Scaling back on using filler words is also helpful in your everyday life. You will come across as being more decisive and be seen as a clear communicator.
Read next: “Stop “Um-ing” (and using other fillers)”
Find ways to actively engage your audience.
People love to be involved so make them feel part of the conversation.
Engagement also makes you much more relatable, which boosts interaction and removes you from being the only focus in the room. This may also help to calm your nerves.
Ask questions, get feedback, incorporate comments, ask for a volunteer to help demonstrate a point. Include any activity that will help the audience stay focused on your presentation.
Read more “Can you re-engage a bored audience?”
Body language is important for non-verbal communication.
Depending on what you are trying to put across, there are several ways to employ body language in your speech.
For instance, an upright posture commands the room, maintaining eye contact shows that you are confident, while facial expressions can be used to convey the emotions you want to show.
Excellent body language will help you get your point across effectively and keep the audience engaged with your content.
Read more “ “Body language cheat sheet: 30 Tips for a successful presentation”
The audience will first judge you based on your looks.
When you look good, they will be more receptive to what you have to say. Also, when you dress appropriately you feel more confident.
This doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune on your attire, but rather get something sharp that makes you look more professional.
A casual look is more comfortable but is more suited for an equally casual audience.
Whether you are dressing casual or to the nines, good hygiene is essential. Make sure you are scrubbed and fresh and ready to impress.
Explore this topic with global speaking expert Rah Gor “World of Speakers E.10: From local to global with Rah Gor”
Your early public speaking experiences can be daunting, but take relief in the fact that everybody goes through this. Public speaking is a skill that can be learned, nurtured and mastered over time.
Break a leg and good luck with your speaking engagements!
Be searchable on the fastest growing professional network of speakers and event organizers: SpeakerHub. Find out more here.
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