10 Quick Tips for Effective Public Speaking
Before now, whenever I hear, ‘You are presenting today’, or ‘you are presenting next week’, my heart beats faster like I have been told to come and do something I cannot do.
I used to literally run away from public speaking, I did not like public speaking. I did not like having to stand in front people and teach or explain to them.
In my mind, I used to think they are sizing me up, judging me, trying to notice what I did not say right, or looking at how my hair is getting rough or something like that.
I used to think my audience cared about all that, but it’s not always the case. Maybe they did, maybe they didn’t, but that is not always the case.
And so, I soon overcame my fear of public speaking, I started speaking more publicly and giving more presentations and didn’t fret when asked to speak publicly.
There are some tips that aid effective public speaking, such as:
- Know what you want to talk about: you can’t give a good presentation or speech without having an idea of what you want to talk about. You need to research your topic and have background information on what you’re discussing. It will be obvious to your audience when you don’t have an idea of what it is you’re talking about.
- Know the Form of Presentation and Delivery: how will the presentation or speech be delivered? Will you utilize a projector or will you use flashcards or sticky notes? Or will you deliver your speech on paper? The reason you need to know this is because it will help you in your preparation for the speech or presentation. Are you going to hold a mic or not? And so on.
- Know your audience: this is very key, determine the age range of the audience you would be speaking to. This will determine your speaking style so that your audience can easily comprehend what you would be saying. The way you speak to a technical audience is different from the way you would speak to a non-professional audience.
- Jot down key Points: when you are done with research and you understand your presentation or speech, then you need to jot down key points that can serve as a guide for you to remember the things you want to talk about to your audience.
- Your appearance also Matters: your appearance also matters while giving a speech or presentation. Don’t distract your audience with your cloth. Wear the right kind of outfit for the occasion.
- Speak Clearly: in order to deliver your message clearly to your audience, you need to speak clearly. Without speaking clearly, your audience might not hear you clearly. And so, avoid speaking ambiguous words or phrases. Communicate your ideas clearly.
- Mind your Non-verbal Communication: communication also includes non-verbal communication. You might be saying something, and your non-verbal communication might be indicating another thing. And so, whenever you are talking, be mindful of your non-verbal cues such as gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact, posture, etc.
- Don’t Frown: be friendly towards your audience, and smile to them. Sometimes frowning might distract your audience and they might be more interested in why you are frowning than in what you are saying.
- Relate your presentation to your audience: Do not speak in terms your audience might not understand. For instance, if you are trying to talk to secondary school students about economic policies they might not understand very well, you need to speak in terms they will understand and try to find a way to relate your speech or presentation in the way they will understand.
- Do not take longer than necessary: it is important to keep to time, start your speech or presentation early and finish at the appropriate time. When you keep to time, you leave a good impression on your audience, and they might be ready to listen to you next time again.
- Reinforce your key points: throughout your speech or presentation, try to reinforce the key points you want your audience to take away or remember.
Do you have tips for public speaking not listed above? please share with us in the comment box below. Also, please like, share, and comment.
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