How To Improve Your Public Speaking Skill

Speaking in public brings the heebie-jeebies to lots of women. Nearly 75% of all people suffer from speech anxiety (glossophobia). It is nerve-wracking, sweat-breaking, butterflies-in-the-stomach kind of panic. And it does not necessarily have to be before an audience of a hundred people. It could be that you are pitching an idea to three or four of your colleagues at a team meeting at work.

Public speaking terrifies us all because we worry about what people will think of us, which makes our brains freeze in panic. In turn, panic shuts down the rational part of our brain (the frontal lobe) responsible for our organizing, planning, thinking, and word production. Then chaos ensues.

But you can conquer glossophobia. Public speaking really does not have to be scary. It could be a lot of fun taking part in a wonderful experience, meeting new people, and learning new things. To make sure you and your listeners enjoy your next public speaking event, try these simple tips.

1. Know your audience

Before preparing your speech, there are two things you have to know: what you will be talking about and who your audience is. The first one goes without saying. It is the second one that takes a bit of investigation. You must find out the following about who is going to be listening to what you have to say:

• age range
• level of expertise
• number of attendees

Once you find this information, you can modify your speech appropriately. You will be seen as friendly and relaxed, which is a sure way to reduce your apprehension and make your speech a success. You are giving them a reason to listen to you by providing the information they want and need.

2. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Make your material most effective by employing anecdotes, humor, and a personal touch. Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction. End with a compelling finish. Try not to read too much. It limits eye contact, which is key to keeping your audience engaged and focused on your message. A good idea is to write an outline or index cards you can look at quickly to jog your memory, bringing you back on track.

While it is essential to be thoroughly prepared, it is also a great approach to pay attention to your audience, gauge their reactions to your speech, then adjust as needed. Being flexible in your demeanor lets your positive energy and enthusiasm flow through to your audience. This helps them enjoy your topic.

3. Use audiovisuals prudently

Although they may seem like a nice touch, they can also disrupt your audience’s attention. Select your audiovisuals, so they serve a direct purpose, like clarifying your message and maintaining your audience’s attention.

4. Change your outlook

Rather than going out in front of everyone worrying about how you will do and how they will react in a negative light, think of it as being given an opportunity to talk about something you love. Also, get comfortable with moments of silence in front of an audience.

Public speakers do not have to talk the whole time. Take a few seconds now and then to catch your breath, look out at your audience, and assess their reactions. Use the silent moments to add to your speech, not subtract from it.

5. Be confident in your skin

Although we hate to admit it, our appearance is what we will be judged on in those first few seconds. Buy yourself a new outfit that makes you feel confident and self-assured. You can also get your hair done to boost your confidence level because when you like what you see, you will feel fantastic. That will trickle down to your audience members.

Once you begin your speech, there are things like eye-contact, relaxed body language, smiling, and a powerful but friendly voice that keep up that confidence level and keep your audience wanting to listen until the end.

The audience does not expect flawlessness. Put in the time to practice. Going over your speech goes a long way in calming your nerves, boosting your presentation skills, and bolstering your confidence.

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