Improve your Public Speaking

It is but obvious for everyone to be stressful before delivering a speech to an eagerly waiting audience. But how is it that some of us are able to mesmerize their audience while others are not able to deliver that good? The answer is hidden in the fact as to how much effective practice has gone into the preparation. Between the actual speech, and the first time you decided to give a speech lies the most important time. How good you make of this period determines whether you receive deafening applause or disgusted frowns.

It is simple yet difficult to become a god public speaker. Moreover tutorials can only help you build yourself up. Only when you realize yourself, you can become a great speaker.

I can help coach you to be a great public speaker, with my knowledge and experience I am suggesting few useful and simple tips which will make you realize where you are going wrong. Understanding and correcting these small yet vital points will definitely transform you into one of the best orators. Another great way to work towards being a great public speaker is to join Toastmasters. You learn speaking by speaking at Toastmasters.

Just check which problem(s) you face from the list below and you will find some ideas for a solution.

Mind going blank when eyes encounter audience:

Mostly people complain that they were very well prepared but when the actual time came, their minds went blank and could not deliver. The only answer to this puzzle is stress. You need not be stressful before giving a public speech. If you think too much on your performance, you can never perform. Just be your natural self and I assure you, your mind will provide the necessary words to your tongue and you will shine.

Don’t know the correct speed?

Many people either talk too fast or talk too slow. If you talk fast, there are several problems that affect your public speaking. Firstly, the audience feels you have just learnt the stuff and you are just letting it out as fast as possible before you forget. Secondly, you finish much before the stipulated amount of time. This means you have nothing to say, still the clock runs and you have to face the frowns and freckles on the faces of the audience. Thirdly your words may not be clearly understood by everyone because of your rapid pace.

Breathe deep, breathe easy.

During lectures and public speeches, or when just talking, it is important not to take deep in-breaths between phrases. Inhalations must be short (or with reduced tidal volume) in order to maintain normal CO2 levels in the lungs and arterial blood.

Often, people start their sentences and phrases after deep inhalations, then quickly blow out the air from their lungs, together with precious carbon dioxide, as they speak. That is a feature of modern talking style and it can be routinely observed in many TV reporters and commentators. Such a speaking style makes the speech more appealing or even dramatic for viewers. However, it also increases ventilation, causing reduced carbon dioxide stores, and then reduced oxygen levels in all body cells. Moreover, taking deep inhalations, or speaking with a loud voice and/or high pitch, or strong emotions, all make breathing heavier during and afterward such speaking.

Start speaking at the end of your usual exhalations.
Take only small inhalations at the end of the phrases using the nose and the diaphragm (not through the mouth and not using the chest or thoracic muscles)
Hold your breath and calm your breathing if you have longer pauses (e.g., when other people speak

Be prepared.

You should be fully aware of what you are speaking on. If you are not clear yourself, then you can never make your audience believe in what you say. Good public speaking skills mean being prepared. Good speakers stick to what they know. Great speakers research what they need to convey their message.

As the saying goes, prior planning prevents predictably poor performance. Planning and preparation will reduce nervousness 75%. Again, your audience will know if you didn’t rehearse. While preparing the content for your speech, keep in mind the following plans:

Keep the message simple, concise and clear.
Be vivid when delivering the message.
Be your natural self.
Do not use flowery language or too tough vocabulary.
Group similar contents together.
Maintain a flow or a connection between the parts of your speech.
Do not learn your speech by heart. You may memorize the introductory and concluding sentences only.

Rehearse.

As the saying goes, practice makes a man perfect. 95% of your success is determined before the presentation. Your audience will know if you didn’t rehearse. Rehearsing, or “rehearing” yourself minimizes 75% of your nervousness. Rehearse standing up, or better yet, ask someone to videotape you. The camera will be your most objective ally. The more comfortable you become with your material via rehearsing, the more comfortable you will be with your body language.

One of the other effective ways to rehearse if you do not have a camera is to practice in front of your mirror. This gives you an overall idea as to your appearance, posture and how much self confidence your outer self is portraying on stage.

Your audience: Know them, interact with them, engage them, and please them

Know whom you are interacting with. Knowing the taste of the audience is as important as choosing what to speak. Make a research on what the audience is interested in. Give the audience something that they can take away and do for themselves. What is the impact on the audience’s lives? Stand out from the rest and avoid topics that people have already heard or read.

Help your audience stay focused by choosing topics they can relate to and including in your message carefully, especially at the beginning. Doing that could make a difference in whether or not you get someone to become engaged, then believe and share your perspective.

Never speak on something which the audience has already heard several times before. But it is not always possible to think of absolutely new topics. The trick is to manipulate the audience in such a way that you portray your subject matter as something they have never heard of before. This can be done by a shocking introductory statement which engages the audience immediately and then gradually proceeding to the subject matter.

Define your objective.

When organizing your talk, define your purpose. Why are you there? Why are they there? Is this a sales presentation? A community watch group? If you present technical information, is this an information/knowledge transfer or a decision briefing? When presenting technical information make certain not to overload your audience with too much detail, or too much on each slide. Tailor your message. Define your objective.
Check your disposition.

Your appearance speaks for you even before you actually start speaking. Dress in comfortable formals, but make sure your appearance doesn’t look too casual. If you need to wear a tie, maintain a loose knot. Your dressing attracts attention even more than your facial expressions. So dress smartly.

Posture during speech.

Many get confused as what to do with their hands while speaking or which leg to put more body weight on, etc. Research shows that your level of composure increases with certain body postures while it deteriorates with other postures. The best posture while standing is to keep your hands on your sides, fist open. Try not to focus your body weight on one leg. Distribute your weight on the heels of both feet. Do not clench any of your fingers. For trembling hands, place your hands on the side of your chair and count to 10 as you try to lift the seat. This is an isometric exercise that works and nobody will notice you doing it.

Most importantly, try not to be too conscious whether your posture is being liked by the audience or not. Just be yourself.

Use humor, satire, metaphor and intonations wisely.

A long speech may become monotonous. To keep up the interest of your audience, state practical examples and make comments which arouse laughter. Also subtle comparisons or metaphors can boost your impression to the public. The most important part of keeping the audience glued to their seats is to use intonations. Varying voice quality, pitch and modulations make even the most stubborn come alive. Make your words not just heard but visible to. This can be achieved by satire, comedy and metaphors.

Interact with audience.

A good speaker involves the audience with his speech. Throw out questions to the audience to understand whether they are following your viewpoint or not. Take live examples from the audience. You may even call up someone on stage to demonstrate your ideas practically.

Realize your position.

Remember the audience has come to hear you and see you. Your position is that of high respect and repute. They want to hear you so they are there. They want your speech to e successful. They look upon you as their idol, that is why you are on the stage and they are sitting in front of you. They know you, but you may or may not know them. All these facts prove just one point. Your position is much superior compared to theirs and so you have got absolutely nothing to worry. Just relish those moments on stage and everyone will relish your speech too.

Abstain from caffeine and alcohol before you speak.

Don’t be perfect – give yourself permission to make mistakes.

Be at the venue much before the scheduled time.

Hope this article has been able to address most of your queries and provided simple, logical and effective answers. The tips suggested have been tested on various people by psychologists and have proven quite effective in turning a shy, nervous and jittery speaker to a dynamic and energetic orator who is capable of addressing a huge number of audiences. It is never too late. Just start practicing now and stick to the suggestions stated. Toastmasters are a great group to joining to learn more about Speaking skills and Leadership skills.

If you need a Public Speaking coach contact me at bruce@millsway.com.

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