Public speaking is a valuable skill that can boost your confidence, credibility, and career prospects. However, many people struggle with anxiety, nervousness, and lack of preparation when they have to speak in front of an audience. If you want to improve your public speaking skills, here are some tips that can help you overcome your fears and deliver effective presentations.
Before you design your speech, you need to understand who you are speaking to and what they expect from you. Research your audience's background, interests, needs, and preferences. This will help you tailor your message, tone, and style to suit them. You will also be able to anticipate their questions, objections, and feedback. Knowing your audience will make you more confident and relevant.
A good speech requires careful planning and organization. You need to have a clear goal, a catchy introduction, a coherent structure, and a memorable conclusion. You also need to choose the best supporting materials, such as facts, examples, stories, and statistics, to illustrate your points. Plan your speech in advance and use an outline or a script to guide you. Avoid cramming too much information or going off-topic.
Practice makes perfect, especially when it comes to public speaking. You need to practice your speech several times before you deliver it. You can practice in front of a mirror, a recorder, a friend, or a small group. This will help you improve your delivery, timing, and body language. You will also be able to identify and correct your mistakes, such as filler words, stutters, and pauses. Practice your speech until you feel comfortable and confident.
Contrary to popular belief, practice doesn't make perfect (unless of course, you are practicing perfectly). Not a lot of people know this about me, but I was trained in classical piano for about 10 years and participated in a lot of performances and guild competitions. My piano teacher would always remind me, "practice makes permanent" and that it was really hard to undo if I learned a section of the piece incorrectly. I think this applies to public speaking in many ways. Some people may prefer to use an outline whereas other prefer to write the entire script word for word. Bear in mind that whatever you practice will be what you remember and default to when you're nervous. So take the time to properly plan what you're going to say!
It is normal to feel nervous before and during a public speaking event. However, you can manage your nerves by using some coping strategies. For example, you can breathe deeply, visualize a positive outcome, focus on your message, smile, and interact with your audience. You can also prepare for the unexpected, such as technical issues, interruptions, or difficult questions. Remember that your audience wants you to succeed and that you have something valuable to share.
One of the most important aspects of public speaking is to engage your audience and keep their attention. You can do this by using various techniques, such as asking questions, telling stories, using humor, showing emotions, and using gestures. You can also use visual aids, such as slides, charts, images, and videos, to enhance your presentation. However, make sure that your visual aids are relevant, clear, and simple. Do not rely on them too much or read from them.
The last tip for improving your public speaking skills is to seek feedback from your audience and yourself. Feedback can help you learn from your experience and improve your performance. You can ask your audience for their opinions, suggestions, and comments after your speech. You can also evaluate yourself by watching a recording of your speech or reviewing your notes. Be honest, objective, and constructive. Celebrate your strengths and work on your weaknesses.
Sometimes people need a forum to rehearse without soliciting feedback every time. Sometimes people prefer to receive constructive criticism. This is exactly why in the Peer Advisory Group Engage (PAGE) program, we have a designated session for people to do a dry run of an upcoming presentation. It's completely their choice if they wish to receive feedback. We record the calls too, so they can watch the playback and make their own adjustments accordingly. Find a community that will support you every step of the way as you improve your ability to deliver strong presentations or speeches and enhance your executive presence overall.