Public speaking can be a scary thing. I know I tend to freak out when I hear that I need to give a presentation to the class let alone talking to a group of people I don’t even know. However, that’s the beauty of life, you learn to conquer your fears and embrace them!
Here are seven tips to becoming a better public speaker, all of which I have learned from experience thanks to Doug Wilsons Public Speaking class.
1). Be an expert on your topic, no matter what it is.
It does not matter if you hand-picked the topic or if it was assigned
to you, you better know it like the back of your hand. When you are speaking in
front of a group, big or small, you want to know what you are doing. You want
to anticipate questions that your audience might ask so you can be prepared. Do
your research and practice, practice, practice.
2). Presentation is everything.
Yes, sometimes you do not need any visuals, but I would use them. They help your audience picture what you are talking about. Especially if you are demonstrating how to do or make something. If that’s the case, then you most defiantly need a visual. But graphs also help your audience see what you are talking about, for example, a pie chart or bar graph could really help you get your point across. Even PowerPoints are better than nothing because it keeps the audience engaged.
3). Speak clearly and loudly, but don’t become a drill Sargent.
When you are speaking to a crowd you want them to be able to hear you perfectly in the back of the room, yet you do not want to be screaming at the front row. You want to enunciate your words, speak at a constant pace, and at an appropriate volume. It will make you seem very cool, calm, and collected and people like that.
4). Make eye contact and connect with your audience.
5). Get your audience involved. Keep them awake.
Getting your audience involved makes your speech seem more interesting. There are many different ways going about this concept, you could simply start out by asking them a question. You could even have them close their eyes and give a descriptive scene so they could imagine them in that specific scene. Doing little things like this helps keep your audience awake and attentive throughout our speech. You do not want them to get bored and fall asleep. So make it exciting, use vibrant colors, and make it connect to their lives. Inspire them.
6). Dress to impress.
You always want to look your best, especially during a presentation. Not only do you want to seem like you know what is going on, you want to also look the part. I would always wear professional or business casual attire, maybe a nice sundress or khakis if it is appropriate. People like it when you look nice, it gives the whole situation a good vibe. But the most important accessory you could wear is your smile, which will brighten up not only your outfit, but the room as well.
7). Confidence. Confidence is key.
