How to Prepare for Speaking in Public
While some of us can never truly eliminate the fear of public speaking, we can take some basic steps to reduce that feeling of total helplessness and channel nervous energy into our presentation.
The key is preparation. Abraham Lincoln once said, “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe.” Hold on to this thought.
Some effective suggestions
1. Practice with Video
Take advantage of having time before that next speaking engagement. Start by creating a simple three main point presentation, and do it in front of a video camera. Then watch yourself. Pay attention to what both looks and sounds good, figure out how it can be made better, then try again. If you can, present it in front of friends or family, and then ask them what worked and what didn’t. Often what we think looks or sounds a certain way is far different from the perspective of an audience member. This kind of feedback is invaluable.
When you are watching yourself, pay attention to your voice. Don’t let a weak voice betray your nervousness. A soft voice sounds apprehensive. Speak louder than you would one-to-one, but without shouting. Shouting rarely works on stage, but a strong voice draws instant attention and gives you credibility.
Use your eyes. Don’t stare at the ceiling or the floor, and don’t try to imagine everyone in their underwear–that doesn’t work. Instead, look random people in the eye and hold them for 3 to 5 seconds each. This can take practice. Again, use your family and friends. This technique alone will make you look like a professional speaker.
Don’t Be Afraid to Pause. A nervous speaker tends to rush. This not only gives away a speaker’s anxiety, but it can ruin wonderful opportunities to make an audience think about a point that was just made. If your mind goes blank, just pause and collect your thoughts. But stay with them; stay engaged. Your audience will watch with wonder and anticipation.
2. Word Flow
Its important to say your speech out loud. Even if you do not have a video or people to practice in front of, you can still stand in a room and give your speech out loud. Words have a different impact when its in our heads than it does when spoken. For example, when I write, I tend to use words that I do not always use when speaking. When I practice my speech, I always end up changing words to get the right flow. Some words flow from our lips, and others don’t.
Learn How to Utilize Notes. Prepare your notes using just key or “trigger” words. You should be speaking on content that you are familiar with – so it’s enough to just talk about what you already know. The key words simply guide you to the next thought. Never write a speech out word for word and try to memorize it. A speech written out is a train ready to get derailed. Fear and anxiety will cause you to forget a word or sentence and then your brain loses the pattern. It never works. Instead, use the key words to remind you of what to say and then just speak from your heart. Your audience does not know your speech and won’t know you made a mistake unless you tell them.
3. Seek helpful resources
Public speaking is personal growth
When you are a good public speaker, you will feel more confident, others will see you are confident, you will be looked at as a leader, and you will boost your ability to get hired to many different positions.
You can use these tips as well as what you will find in the book, “Mind Primer For Public Speakers”.
If you know you are ready to take that step, I am ready to work with you and so you can transform the world with your message.