Six Simple Public Speaking Tips

As a business leader public speaking is part of your role. Whether you love it or hate it, embrace the opportunity, or merely get through it aim to be the best speaker you can be.

Strive to speak with clarity and confidence whether you are talking to an audience of 5 or 500. We are all busy these days and there is so much 'noise' to cut through as we are constantly competing against digital devices for peoples' attention. As a leader it is essential to include speaking as part of your marketing strategy. Learn to improve your public speaking, and you will find the trust and credibility factor increase as well as your ability to connect and influence. 

Time to check your habits

A lot of the traits I see as a public speaking coach are habits that are fairly simple to correct once you become aware of them. Ask a peer to watch you speak, and even better record your talk on your phone and review the recording. If you’d like a professional opinion of your speech I’m happy to provide a complimentary analysis of your speaking style and message.

Here are six public speaking tips that can be the difference between public speaking growing your business or grounding your business, because if you do a lousy job as a speaker you may not get asked back and it can damage your brand and reputation. 

1. Don't be a time thief.

When you have been given 30 minutes to speak, then speak for 30 minutes. Nothing is more frustrating than a speaker who chooses to run over time. Respect the time that you have been allocated and take responsibility to stay on track. I recommend you have a timing device with you when you speak. I use an iPad and the app Podium Pro that I keep in my speaker bag and have on stage with me while speaking so that I can gauge how long I have remaining. If necessary you can then adjust on the fly if you need to.

2. Don’t read out loud.

If you are going to stand in front of an audience and read out loud you can send a memo or a handout instead and save your time and theirs. There is no point in presenting information that people can Google. Be conversational and don't get stressed about sharing your talk word for word. If you avoid writing out your speech word for word that will remove the temptation to read it. There are ways that you can be comfortable with the contents of your talk without the need to memorise.

3. Don't cram in too much.

The curse of too much information is a common mistake. Less is often best. Jargon can also be the enemy of a useful message. It is preferable to leave your audience wanting more than stuffing them so full that they cannot take in what you are saying. You cannot fit more material into your talk by speaking twice as fast. It may sound logical but it’s counterproductive.

4. Don't bore with bullet points.

Many speakers use slides to hide behind. You are the influencer in your talk, not your slides. If you want to use slides, then create a stunning visual presentation that will contribute to the overall experience for your audience. I offer organisations a short presentation Putting the Power back into PowerPoint. If you’d like me to come to your workplace (or provide a virtual session) and share with you how to create stunning visuals then lets chat

5. Don't rock, pace, or fidget.

Any unnecessary body movements can be distracting for the audience and can detract from your message. Stand tall and deliberate with confidence and poise. You want to look as comfortable as possible when you are standing in front of people. If you look awkward, they feel awkward. Be natural with open body language and avoid things such as clasping hands, placing hands in pockets or behind your back or fiddling with items such as a pen, clicker or jewellery.

6. Don't race.

If you have too much information it's tempting to speed up. Instead, speak at a steady pace so that people can hear you, and have excellent articulation, pitch and tone. The power of your voice comes with your breath. Learn diaphragmatic breathing to project your voice and add resonance.

If you are ready to step up and take your public speaking skills to the next level, find a coach, book a class or read some books, but remember not to imagine the audience naked - that has to be the worst tip ever. Another piece of common and unhelpful advice is practice in front of a mirror, there is a better way to practice your public speaking.

Powerful leaders speak clearly. They also make direct eye contact with everyone in the room. They take their time and pause at the right moments. In short, their whole persona, from the way they dress to the way they speak and stand, portrays confidence and strength. Executive presence is key to leadership communication.

Here’s how can I help you

If you are looking for a keynote speaker for your next event I speak on communication and business storytelling.

If you would like to work with an experience and certified speaker coach to or prepare for a pitch, award or conference, I offer 1:1 or group training sessions.

If you don’t have time to write your speech or craft a compelling slide deck, then I can help.

If you’d like a complimentary analysis of your speaking style and message, then send me a message. If you’d like to chat about how I can help you transform your communication then please get in touch.

As a Certified World Class Speaking and Storytelling Coach, I’ll help you mine, refine and deliver captivating stories for your business or brand. Whether it is the boardroom, platform, podium or stage, together we will craft powerful presentations with compelling stories that are hard to forget.