Uneasy about public speaking? You’re not alone. But, whether you like it or not, public speaking is a critical business and life skill. The good news is that, like any skill, it gets easier the more you do it. So, even if you find talking to an audience daunting now, you’ll get better with practice.
We’ve put together the top public speaking tips you need to crack the skill:
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Know your audience
Knowing your audience doesn't mean you need to meet everyone in the room. Instead, it means knowing at a high level who the audience is, what they want and what they need to know. Understanding these details helps you pitch your speech, focus on relevant content and go into the right level of detail.
For example, is the audience made up of peers looking for an informal work update? Are they senior colleagues who want to know key information? Are they investors you need to convince to put up more cash? Are they a sports team looking for pre-match encouragement? Or are they wedding guests who want to have a laugh? Each of these audiences needs a different tone and style of speech.
Knowing your audience determines what’s relevant and what content you need to include (eg. data points, inspirational stories, comic references). It also helps you prepare accordingly. For example, it gives you time to get any props or supporting visuals ready – whether that’s a couple of slides showing diagrams or a roadmap of your future plans.
Learn from the Head of TED
Presenting well is an art. Become a master by taking on these tips from Chris Anderson, Head of TED – the non-profit devoted to spreading ideas.
Plan what you're going to say
Even professional public speakers plan what they're going to say. And not just for big speeches, but for smaller, more informal updates too.
Planning what you're going to say helps you clarify what you want to cover. For some, planning involves identifying the exact words they’ll use and the moments they’ll pause or change the slide. For others, it’s enough to identify two to three key points to include.
Having a structure is a good way of dealing with nerves, as it’s easier to get back on track after a wobble if you’ve got a plan. Whether you outline your entire speech or simply plan out an overarching structure is up to you. But trying to speak with some kind of plan will make public speaking more comfortable.
Planning doesn’t mean you’ll be boring. If anything, it helps you plot how you’ll wow your audience. For more help, learn how to present well and surprise people.
Practise
Once you’ve got a plan, the next step is to practise.
Whether in front of the mirror, your housemates or your family, saying your speech out loud will help you spot any problematic areas. Perhaps there are moments where you can't find the right words or something keeps tripping you up. Practice gives you a chance to tweak what’s not working before you talk to your audience.
If possible, record yourself as it’ll help you spot habits you’re unaware of. Typical traits include saying 'like' or 'kind of' repeatedly or adding 'um' between each word. Once you know you do these things, you’ll be able to make a conscious effort to cut them out of your speeches.
When practising, try delivering your speech slower than you normally speak. When we get nervous, we tend to speak faster but learning how to slow down will help you control your talking speed. Similarly, practise with and without your notes – to check you’re good to look up from your prompts to build eye contact and to spot where you lose your thread.
Volunteer for more speaking opportunities
Stepping up for speaking opportunities is a great way to build your confidence and develop your skills.
Why not nominate yourself to provide the team update in your weekly meeting or present the Christmas sports team awards at uni? Even saying a few words at a family birthday is a great way of putting your skills to the test.
Sometimes public speaking will just be you addressing an audience but other times it’ll involve presentation software. Once you’ve got more confident with talking, don’t let technology let you down. So, take some time to perfect your PowerPoint presentations too. To get better, add slides to your speaking opportunities where appropriate.
Set yourself up for successful delivery
Before you address an audience, make sure you and the room are ready. Think of the little things that make a big difference, like having a glass of water handy. If you’ll use a microphone, check how it works in advance and find out if you need to turn it on before you speak.
Many speakers use notes or prompts to assist their memory. If you use printed notes, make sure the font is big enough to read from where they’re placed.
Speak slowly and take pauses between sentences to allow your audience the chance to digest what you're saying. Even if it feels slow to you, it probably isn't!
If possible, ask friends or colleagues to sit in the audience and smile at you throughout. Seeing their friendly faces will help you feel relaxed during your performance. Make eye contact throughout and pay attention to any key individuals in the room (for example, the lead investor). If you feel comfortable doing so, use your hands to emphasise your words.
Finally, relax, take a deep breath and believe you’re capable. You’ve got this. Good luck!
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