fbpx
Friday, March 29, 2024

    Public Speaking Tips

    Date:

    Share post:

    spot_img

    Raise your hands if the idea of public speaking gives you the jitters! We see a lot of raised hands, a number of shaky palms, and most importantly, a high number of people that have limited their potential as public speakers due to their fear of speaking in front of others. However, if you still want to stand on the big stage you can. There are a few specific tips to becoming a sought-after public speaker.

    Public speaking has routinely been described as one of the most common fears among us, and even the mention of it is bound to make a few palms sweat and a few people feel a little uneasy in their seats. While the fear of public speaking is genuine, it can be tackled through a few simple techniques.

    Speakers, who go beyond the fear of the public, still need practice, speech delivery tips, and affirmation to excel at what they do. A speaking career can get a bit too tedious and difficult if you don’t learn how to focus on your skills and implement them where you can.

    In this article, we look at techniques you can follow to become a sought-after public speaker. These public speaking tips come from the greats in the field and will help you revitalize or start your speaking career and become better at what you do.

    Slow a Bit Down 

    Many inexperienced speakers tend to talk fast on the stage without realizing they are doing so. If we delve down into the details, the pace comes from the fear of the public. If you talk fast while speaking in front of an audience, you probably feel nervous and anxious. You may be holding on to emotions and information in your head and trying to let it all out in no time. You want to get through your part and pass the baton to whoever is next.

    While this technique might make you feel assured at the moment, it is not one that we recommend. Speaking too fast will disengage audiences and disrupt the message you are trying to put in front of those listening. Speak slowly so that you can hear yourself speak. The rule of thumb is to speak half as fast as what you deem necessary. Slow and steady wins the race – at least in public speaking.

    Focus on Body Language 

    If you listen to and watch TED talks on YouTube, you will know that many public speakers show excellent body language when speaking. Non-verbal communication is just as important as verbal communication and can make or break your speech.

    Some of the common signs you might show of nervousness while speaking include: 

    • Wandering the stage and pacing back and forth without purpose.
    • Touching your face frequently and playing with your hair.
    • Tapping your feet repeatedly.
    • Playing with jewelry or pockets
    • Constantly fidgeting your fingers.
    • Looking sideways and back too often.
    • Swinging arms and legs.

    You can grasp your audience’s attention if you notice these non-verbal cues and look to minimize them as they happen. The best technique for you is to keep practicing frequently and ensure that you can minimize unintentional movements of body parts.

    Maintain Eye Contact 

    When you are on the stage in front of an audience, you are addressing everyone in the room. Everyone – sitting or standing – is part of your audience, and you should refer to them. Unfortunately, most speakers tend to get nervous in front of a rather large audience and fixate on one part of the audience rather than looking through the crowd and finding ways to connect with them.

    To be good at public speaking, you should run your gaze through the audience and find ways to connect with everyone. Make eye contact with everyone in the audience to get your point across. This is another essential public speaking tip.

    This might sound scary to people who aren’t that good at public speaking yet, but it helps you feel less intimidated. Staring at a few select people can be daunting, but running your gaze through your entire audience can be less daunting and calm your nerves.

    Public Speaking
    Public Speaking gets better with practice.

    Practice and Practice 

    Practice is the best way to calm your nerves before speaking in front of an audience. Your goal should not be just to practice your actual speech, but you should practice it for however long it takes to say everything on repeat without errors fluently.

    Anxiety can block your brain at the moment, as you will feel like you have forgotten everything. It can help to know exactly what you must say and at what moment to calm yourself down. Try to mix and match written and memorized phrases with things you come up with in the moment. The ultimate objective for you should be to have something memorized but still be able to come up with additional talking points that are relevant in the moment.

    Focus on the Topic 

    When speaking about a particular subject, focus on your subject matter more than your performance. Once you focus more on your topic and less on your performance and other related aspects, everything will fall into place, including your body language, eye contact, and verbal coherence.

    Additionally, once you become invested in your topic and less concerned about your performance, your public speech feels more like you are casually talking to a friend than standing in front of an audience and delivering a speech. Moreover, focusing on the topic can also help position you as an authority.

    Public speaking can be intimidating. However, following these public speaking tips will assist you in becoming a sought-after public speaker. Practice them often and you should see improvement in how you deliver your speeches.

     

    Author

    spot_img
    spot_img
    spot_img
    spot_img
    spot_img

    Related articles

    From Dream to Reality: Strategies for Turning Your Goals into Success

    Every woman harbors dreams and ambitions that whisper promises of a fulfilling life. But the leap from dreamy...

    Thriving in Long-Distance Relationships

    Tips for Keeping Love Strong Across Distances Love transcends borders, but what about miles? Long-distance marriages, while challenging, can...

    Unveiling the Power of Overnight Skincare Rituals

    As women, we juggle a million responsibilities, and our precious sleep time is often sacrificed at the altar...

    Using Fashion to Express Your Personality

    Fashion, often relegated to the realm of trends and fleeting fads, holds a deeper power: the power of...