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Public speaking is one of the hardest things for people to do, but it's also one of the most important skills you can develop. The ability to speak publicly in front of a group of people and hold their attention can help you succeed in everything from interviews to job presentations. Still, there are some techniques that will make public speaking easier for everyone involved--and if you invest some time into improving your public speaking skills, you'll be able to impress both audiences and employers alike!
1. Record yourself speaking.
Recording yourself while speaking is a great way to improve your public speaking skills. You can either record yourself on your phone or video camera, or you could go all out and get a tripod and record with a professional video camera.
Once you have recorded yourself, watch the video back and try to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Where are there awkward pauses? What words do you use too often? Where are there areas in which you can improve?
After watching yourself speak, practice the parts that need improvement over and over again until they feel natural and comfortable for you, then move onto other areas where improvement is needed. Doing this will help develop good habits that will serve as a foundation for growth in other aspects of public speaking such as eye contact, hand gestures etc
2. Master the art of being persuasive.
The ability to persuade is an important skill for a public speaker. To persuade, you need to be clear about your purpose and main message. It's also important to use a clear, simple structure and tone of voice that is appropriate for your audience.
Your body language will also play an important role in persuading people. Be confident and relaxed, but don't overdo it—you don't want anyone thinking you're arrogant or condescending!
Preparation is key when it comes to public speaking: if you are prepared ahead of time with materials such as handouts or slideshows that contain the information needed by listeners, they'll have an easier time understanding what you're saying (and therefore being persuaded). If possible, try using a variety of techniques for persuasion so that everyone can find something useful in what's being said (for example: facts/statistics).
3. Memorize your speech.
Memorize your speech word for word. Once you have a draft of your speech, practice reciting it over and over again until you can say it without looking at any notes.
Practice in front of a mirror or video camera. If you don't have a friend to practice with, film yourself speaking so that you can watch how your body language comes across on screen (and make any adjustments).
Memorize sections of your speech first, then put them together. If there are parts of the text that don't seem as important or interesting to memorize, just focus on those sections until they're committed to memory before moving onto other parts!
Use cue cards if necessary — but only as an absolute last resort! When giving a presentation as part of one's job responsibilities (or during an audition), it's totally fine to bring some cue cards along with you — but make sure not use them unless absolutely necessary; remember: we're trying here not only improve our public speaking skills but also look professional while doing so!
4. Speak slowly.
Speaking slowly allows your audience to process what you are saying, which helps them stay focused. You also have time to think about how best to respond and react when they ask questions. Speaking slowly also keeps you calm and helps you remember your speech.
Finally, speaking slowly makes it easier for you not to ramble on by taking the time for each thought or point in your presentation.
5. Use humor when appropriate and relatable.
When you're speaking to an audience, it's important to use humor that helps break the ice and make people more comfortable. Humor can also be used to make a point or illustrate how something works. But it's important not to overdo it; otherwise, your speech will come off as flippant or make you look like you don't take yourself seriously at all.
6. Avoid using filler words.
When it comes to public speaking, there are a few things that you should never do. One of those things is using filler words such as “um” or “like.” You may think that these words will help you fill in gaps in your speech, but they actually end up doing quite the opposite. Using filler words can make your audience feel like they aren't listening to anything important because they're too busy waiting for the next word to come out of your mouth… which might not be until five seconds later!
Filler words are also one of those things that make us sound more natural when we speak; however, professionals know better than to let their conversations become too casual during an important presentation or meeting with clients. Filler words don't allow listeners' minds to focus on what you're saying because they already know the rules (so why bother?). Instead, try pausing between sentences instead of using filler words; it might feel awkward at first but once you get used to it then everyone will think twice before interrupting again!
7. Rehearse your speech in front of a friend.
Rehearse your speech in front of a friend or family member.
Have them ask you questions about the topic and content of your speech.
Ask them for feedback as you rehearse, and make note of what they say, including things like: “That line didn’t sound as good as it did when I wrote it down on paper,” or “That joke got a laugh! Good job!” You can also ask questions yourself while you rehearse, such as: “What do you think I should change? Do any parts seem too long? Is there anything missing?”
If you are nervous about public speaking, have someone help you relax by listening closely to every word that comes out of their mouth (or typing onto a computer screen) so that there is less chance of having to think during the actual delivery. On the other hand if confidence is an issue then have someone take notes while they listen so they can give feedback later on what worked well during rehearsal versus what could be improved upon before giving the actual presentation
8. Train yourself to stay calm during a presentation.
Breathe deeply. When you're in front of an audience, it's easy to get nervous and forget to breathe. In addition to the tips above, take a moment before your presentation and breathe deeply a few times (inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth). This will help keep you calm and focused on what you're saying without worrying about other things going on around you.
Think positive thoughts. Several studies show that thinking positively can boost confidence levels and even improve memory! You'll be more confident if you start off with positive thoughts such as: "I know I'm going to do this well" or "I'm so excited about this presentation!" This will also help keep negativity at bay when someone asks for feedback after the presentation is done which could leave them feeling even worse than they did before they gave their speech/presentation because now they've got negative comments ringing in their ears instead of happy ones like "great job!"
9. Make eye contact with your audience throughout the presentation.
When you're presenting, look at the audience and not the screen. Look at people in the audience and not the ceiling. Make eye contact with people and not your notes, unless those notes are about what to say next. If someone is asking a question, make eye contact with them so they know that you're listening to them and will answer their question as soon as possible (after all, no one likes talking to someone who's staring off into space).
You can be an amazing public speaker if you work hard enough at it!
Practice makes perfect
Be willing to make mistakes
Ask for help when you need it
Be yourself, but also understand that there are some topics that call for a different tone of voice or demeanor than others
Don't be afraid to get emotional about something if the situation calls for it
Conclusion
There’s no doubt about it—public speaking can be an intimidating experience. But with these nine tips, you should be on your way to improving your skills in no time. If you still feel nervous after reading this article, just remember that practice makes perfect! Good luck out there!
