Public speaking is something many people struggle with, even as they move into management. But like any skill, it can be practised and perfected with the right techniques.
Whether you need to present campaign findings to your team every month or host an event in front of hundreds, there are many reasons you might need to participate in public speaking. Mastering this skill allows you to share your expertise, captivate audiences and position yourself as a leader in your field or workplace.
Here, we’ll be covering some useful tips that will help you become a better public speaker, turning those fumbling nerves into a professional-level orator in no time.
Practice out loud
No matter how many times you go over a line in your head, it will always sound different when you say it out loud. Practising out loud means you can familiarise yourself with your lines, practice your intonation and perfect the speed of your speech. You might be surprised by how long it takes to get through your speech when reading aloud, so this is especially important if you need to stick to specific timings. When you’re working on the speed, be sure to give each section the balance it requires, and don’t be afraid to jettison any parts you feel are dragging things down.
Ask for feedback
If you can practice beforehand in front of colleagues or friends, be sure to ask for feedback on your presentation. This way, you’ll have an opportunity to make changes and improvements before the real thing, such as checking that you’re saying any technical terms correctly or cutting out any unnecessary information.
Avoid reading from a script
Reading too closely from a script or slides can create a disconnect with your audience. Instead, it can be more helpful to write down a brief outline of the main points that will guide your presentation or speech. This will leave you more open to deviate and interact with the people you’re talking to, allowing you to tailor it to your audience better.
Remember body language
Nonverbal communication is vital when presenting. Remember to stand confidently and be aware that all your facial expressions, eye contact and gestures can be seen. Try to avoid fidgeting, slouching or harsh facial expressions since these could all give the audience the impression that you lack confidence.
Get your audience hooked
You only have 15 seconds to make a first impression. Use this time to grab your audience’s attention.
Start with a surprising statistic, a personal experience, or an entertaining anecdote before drawing your audience in with a captivating introduction.
Your introduction should tell your audience what to expect, but more importantly, it should make clear why what you have to say is so valuable to them. It should also be tailored to suit each audience. For example, when presenting to the general public, you’ll need to include a brief background on the topic and avoid using technical jargon – an approach that even a group of seasoned, knowledgeable experts may find difficult to digest in the early going of any presentation.
Make your presentation visual
Relying too much on plain slides is too much of a gamble if you’re nervous about holding the audience’s attention. Unless you’re confident in your delivery and can rely on your charisma to keep people focussed on you, we recommend using a mixture of media types to deliver your information, such as images, videos, slides, infographics, anecdotal examples, case studies and prototype models. It’s also a good idea to allow plenty of time to set up and check that all your visual aids are working correctly.
Offer a chance for the audience to ask questions
Your speech or presentation should always include a section for the audience to ask any questions they might have. By factoring this in when you outline your main talking points, you’ll have a chance to research well-thought-out and succinct answers to potential questions. Preparing for this should help alleviate any nerves you might have about being scrutinised on the day, as well as provide the audience with an opportunity to connect with you and the topic of the speech.
The last thing you want to happen, especially if the rest of your speech has gone so well, is to get caught up by a tricky question that leaves you on the spot. When someone asks you a question, try some of these techniques:
- Repeat their question back in your own words. This shows you have listened, clarifies your understanding, and also gives you a little extra time to compose your response.
- Break down complex questions into simple parts. This makes complicated questions easier to address and stops you from feeling overwhelmed.
- Remember, it’s not a personal attack. If your audience is asking questions, it should be viewed as a positive since you have successfully engaged their interest!
- You won’t have all the answers. Be honest and direct when you’re stumped by a question. State that the answer will require further research and suggest that you follow up with the person after the presentation, such as: “You make a good point! One I’ll need to give some more thought. Are you happy to hang back at the end to talk about this in more detail?”
If in doubt, slow down
Remember that although this speech may have been playing in your head for days or weeks, your audience is hearing this information for the first time. They can quickly lose interest if you rush through your material. Going too fast makes it difficult for your audience to understand complex arguments, making them feel they’re being ‘talked at’ rather than ‘spoken to’.
If you start to feel nervous, try speaking unusually slowly. This might feel strange at first, but you’re probably going at double time already. Speaking slowly makes you sound more confident and less rehearsed, giving your presentation a natural flow that’s more engaging to audiences.
Not sure when to take a break? Insert a 3-5 second pause before important statements to help prepare your audience for new information. Pausing at the end of a story will encourage your audience to reflect on its meaning, too.
Remain confident
Confidence is everything when speaking in front of an audience. Speaking clearly and with conviction will help you captivate a group, no matter how big or small. The more confident you seem when speaking about the subject matter, the more engaged an audience should be.
If you slip up, dust yourself off and carry on. The chances are that your audience didn’t pick up on the error in the first place, so there’s no point in dwelling on it. Instead, carry on as planned and don’t let it affect the
Whether you deliver presentations regularly or are preparing for an important appearance, these simple strategies will help you approach your next public speaking gig with more confidence and help you achieve better results in the process.
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