10 Tips to Master Public Speaking

Public speaking is the act of delivering a presentation to an audience with the intention of informing, persuading, or entertaining. It encompasses various settings from formal presentations in business environments to informal gatherings or public events. Public speaking involves verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to achieve an objective which is to ultimately influence the audiences' thoughts, beliefs, or actions.

1. Plan Your Speech

Before stepping onto the stage, plan your speech. A well structured speech ensures that your message is delivered coherently, so the audience follows along without any issues. Consider the following steps when planning your speech:

1. Define your objective
2. Introduction
3. Outline the main points
4. Define how you will smoothly transition between points
5. Conclusion

If you prefer to freestyle it's still important that you plan your speech to some extent to make sure that you stay within the time limit.

2. Preparation is key

Rehearse your speech outload multiple times, focusing on both the content and delivery. This way you'll know if it flows logically, be able to spot what needs to be improved upon, while also building confidence. You can rehearse in front of a mirror to observe your body language and/or record yourself and playback the recording to identify areas for improvement.

3. Tailor your message

Tailoring your message to your specific audience greatly benefits you. You can tailor your speech by researching your audience's demographics, interests, prior knowledge on the topic and using language and examples that resonate with them. Consequently, you will establish a stronger connection with your audience, keep them engaged and they'll better understand the message you're trying to communicate. Note that it's always easier to influence people when they feel like they can relate to the topic or issue.

4. Be Confident

It's normal to feel nervous about speaking in front of a crowd, however, projecting confidence will help establish your credibility in the audience's eyes. Here are a couple of tips you can use to boost your confidence:

• Focus on your strengths and think positively about yourself. Challenge negative beliefs you have about yourself.
• Think back to previous successful speaking experiences you have.
• If you're afraid of making mistakes look at other public speakers' mistakes you've witnessed first-hand. To them it might have felt like a terrible mistake, while you as part of the audience barely noticed it.

The more you exude confidence, the more your audience will trust you. However, if you find it hard to build that confidence, still pretend you have it while and you'll automatically start gaining confidence.

5. Utilise visual aids

Visual aids like slides or props can help you better explain your points. They also help you feel less nervous since people aren't looking at you during the whole presentation. Slides are a common visual aid used in public speaking. Whether you choose to use images, graphs, or bullet points ensure the slides are easy to understand. Lastly, remember that you are the main focus, not the slides, so don't rely on them to communicate the message.

6. Speak slowly and clearly

Speaking too fast can make it difficult for your audience to follow along and it can sometimes make you appear nervous. Here's what you can do instead:

1. Record yourself while practicing your speech. If you're not enunciating your words clearly practise doing so.
2. Avoiding mumbling or rushing through your sentences.
3. Take deliberate pauses to allow your audience to absorb the information.
4. Use a moderate pace of talking that allows you to maintain a natural flow while ensuring that your words are easily understood.

Speaking slowly and clearly will help your audience fully grasp your ideas. And as a bonus speaking at a steady pace helps you feel more comfortable because you have time to think before speaking.

7. Engage with your audience

Encourage interaction from the audience by asking questions, incorporating audience participation activities, telling stories, among others. And be responsive to the audience even it means just acknowledging their reactions. Public speaking is a two-way communication process and actively engaging with your audience will make your speech more fun for them.

8. Be passionate

Passion is contagious and can enhance the impact of your public speaking. When you speak with genuine enthusiasm about your topic, it captures the interest of your audience. Find aspects of your subject that truly excite you and incorporate that enthusiasm into your delivery. Let your passion shine through your words, tone of voice, and body language.

9. Non-verbal communication

Pay attention to your body language, facial expressions and gestures. While you're practicing you can record yourself and analyse if your non-verbal communication is positive. Similarly, it's helpful to ask a friend to sit through your speech and listen to their feedback.

Here are some common body language techniques used while public speaking:

• Maintain eye-contact.
• Use the space you have.
• Use meaningful had gestures.
• Have an open body posture.
• Smile.
• Avoid crossing your arms.
• Your facial expressions shouldn't be bland or show strong emotions.

10. Learn from others

Look to other speakers for inspiration and learning opportunities. There's so much you can learn from them like delivery style, stage presence, storytelling techniques and so much more. Take the aspects that resonate with you and adapt them to your own style. Additionally, you can seek feedback from mentors, colleagues or people you trust who can provide you with constructive criticism. It's important that you look to for feedback from others because they are likely to spot something in your technique, whether positive or negative, that you missed.

Conclusion

Developing public speaking skills takes time and this is skill you'll continue to build forever. It may take some effort but with time, practice and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone you put yourself in the right path to become a great public speaker.