Public Speaking

Public speaking is the act of presenting a concept to the general public. The audience size can range from a few people to a large crowd. Many people associate a larger audience with greater fear, but most people are terrified whether they are in front of a small group or a large crowd.

Examples of public speaking include delivering a speech at one's place of employment, presenting an idea to an investment firm, presiding over a pep rally, and even taking part in an official interview.

Why People are Afraid of Public Speaking

To face your insecurities head-on, you must first identify the root causes of your anxiety about giving speeches or presentations in public. There is likely more than one reason for this, some of which are listed below:

• The feeling of self-consciousness that comes with being the center of attention

• The thought of appearing nervous

• Past failures and difficulties

• Not having the appropriate skills to do it.

How to Deliver an Excellent Speech

Have you been tasked with delivering a presentation on a certain subject at work? Are you concerned that you won't be able to give that speech that will absolutely kill? There are steps that you can take to plan ahead and develop your skills, regardless of the circumstance or how intimidating the topic may seem.

Prior to the Presentation

It's possible that the presentation itself is the scariest part of the experience, but that's not the only thing to think about. Preparation is essential for a successful presentation because it enables you to feel calm and at ease when the time comes for you to present.

• Study Your Subject Thoroughly

Whether you know a lot about the subject or you are completely unfamiliar with it, make sure you do your research. It's important to gather some verifiable facts about the subject in order to sound credible and competent, but don't go overboard. If you fully understand your subject, you will not need to memorise the speech and will be able to adjust as needed.

• Understand Your Message

Consider why you are delivering this speech during the planning process. What is the message's true meaning and intent? Because you are only the platform through which that idea is presented to an audience, your concept should take center stage. Make an effort to speak with purpose at all times.

• Know Your Audience

Who are you speaking to or attempting to reach? If you're speaking to a specific group, spend time getting to know them and tailoring your presentation to their needs. Consider how formal or informal you should be, and keep in mind the importance of being interactive and empathetic to a large audience.

This includes avoiding making jokes that could be considered offensive, communicating in a clear and concise manner, and avoiding the use of sarcasm, which can lead to misunderstandings.

• Make a Structure

A speech that is well-structured can eliminate monotony. You shouldn't keep the same tone throughout the entire speech; instead, break it up into sections, such as an introduction, some anecdotes, a strategy, and a conclusion. You can watch related videos to this topic to get an idea of how experienced public speakers organise their presentations so that the audience is engaged throughout the beginning, the middle, and the end of their talk, which makes their presentations more appealing.

• Don't Stuff Your Slides

If you must use slides to supplement your presentation, make sure they are not too text-heavy. Consider how you want them to be presented. Few people enjoy listening to a speaker simply read to them.

Apart from the fact that people will be preoccupied with reading everything on your slides, you may be tempted to read directly from the slides, which will make you appear monotonous. Instead, use slides to demonstrate your main points.

• Simplify

Although you may be tempted to demonstrate your expertise by discussing a wide range of topics and providing a wealth of information, you should be aware that this is generally a bad idea, unless your presentation is expected to be lengthy. Your speech will be easier to understand if you communicate clearly, simplify your ideas, and focus on only a few key points.

Everything you say in your speech should be related to these key points and should support the simple subject you want to explain.

• Practice Till You Are Comfortable

This is a great piece of advice because of how effective it is. Practice really does produce excellent results, and it also helps you prepare for the many different situations that could arise while you are actually giving the speech. After putting in the necessary work, it will feel so natural that your worries will evaporate the moment you open your mouth to start speaking.

• Receive Constructive Feedback

Although practicing in front of others can be intimidating, the truth is that if you can't practice in front of a friend, family member, or colleague, you have no business presenting in front of a larger audience. Receiving feedback helps you prepare for the concept for which you are being evaluated as well as improve weak areas of your presentation.

• Attend a Workshop, Join a Club or a Servant Leadership

Join a club or attend a workshop to improve your public speaking skills. Clubs and workshops will assist you in rehearsing each speech before delivering it. The most important thing is to be confident and appear natural in front of the listeners, which is why Kurt Uhlir's definitive guide to servant leadership is such a valuable model because, if a servant leadership framework is implemented within a company, employees will gain self-belief and wield more authority. If none of these options are available to you, simply gather your friends and colleagues and make do.

During The Presentation

We are almost ready to begin the presentation. What actions can you take during the course of your presentation to increase the likelihood that it will be well received? Here are some of the most helpful tips that we have.

• Time Management

Even though it might appear to be stating the obvious, making sure that your speech is delivered on time is of the utmost importance. If you do not begin your presentation on time, the audience may become frustrated before you even begin, and if you do not conclude on time, the audience may become uninterested in what you have to say.

• Make it Enjoyable

There are numerous techniques for making your speech engaging, and it does not have to be about something serious. Aside from not repeating yourself or reading directly from your slides, there are some things that can help. You can listen to podcasts in which conference speakers make their speeches informative and entertaining without becoming monotonous. Begin your presentation with something that will pique the audience's interest, such as a shocking piece of information that will grab their attention right away.

• Making Proper Use of Hand Gestures, Body Language, and Eye Contact

Rather than spoken words, the majority of our communication is done through body language and hand gestures. As a result, using expressive gestures and moving around the stage deliberately is preferable to standing in one place. Many people make the same hand gestures over and over again. Avoid doing so as it will confuse the audience.

You most likely already know this, but maintaining eye contact while speaking is extremely important. It establishes a connection between you and the audience, and you will find the most success with it if you focus your attention solely on one individual at a time. When giving a presentation, you should always make it seem as if you are speaking to a single individual rather than the entire audience. This will help keep your audience engaged. The most effective method for accomplishing this is to make direct eye contact with each individual before moving on to the next.

• Repeat Yourself

Keep in mind that the audience is there to listen to you and watch your presentation. They aren't reading a book, listening to a motivating podcast, or watching a video, so they can't rewind to hear that important factor you mentioned during your speech; therefore, you should always assist them by repeating the talking points of your presentation. Repetition ensures that everyone hears it, understands what it means, and has time to process and absorb it.

• Make Use of Pauses

People have a tendency to speak very quickly. They frequently appear to rush through their presentations because their minds are racing or because they want to make a good impression, especially when they are nervous. If you record yourself on video, you should be able to determine for yourself whether you are speaking too quickly and need to slow down.

One of the most important public speaking tips is to use pauses. It can influence the pace and tempo with which you deliver your speech. Pauses should be used sparingly, either after important details so that your audience remembers them or to help you collect your thoughts and get the public's attention for what you're about to say next.

Your Physical Appearance

Numerous studies have come to the conclusion that attractiveness influences a wide variety of factors, including jobs and social class. We live in a culture that is fixated on physical attractiveness, whether or not we choose to acknowledge this fact. People with a pleasing appearance have a better chance of getting hired. According to studies on physical appearance, a person's perception of a speaker's level of expertise can be influenced by their appearance. It was generally agreed that speakers who commanded more attention were also more qualified.

General Advice

In this final section, we will discuss some general guidelines that will help you deliver an effective speech.

Be True to Yourself

The audience does not want a flawless speaker without weaknesses or errors. Instead, they appreciate honesty and seeing your character shine through. Although your self-belief is powerful, so is your vulnerability, so don't be afraid to make a mistake. The audience does not want you to fail, and they will most likely sympathise with you if you make mistakes. The fact that you have not heard a lot of speeches or seen many presentations by other people does not mean you won’t deliver a brilliant presentation.

Don't Be So Critical Of Yourself

Keep in mind that everybody gets nervous. Even those officers who are several grades above you make you nervous. They probably also get nervous when they present as well. Give yourself some grace, and do your best.

Technological Considerations

• Do you understand how to link your laptop to the projector? Regardless of your answer to the question, take the printout of your presentation with you.
• Will you be using a public addressing system or your natural voice while presenting?
• Will you be moving around with the microphone or will it be attached to a microphone stand?

If you know the answers to all of these questions, you will be better prepared for the presentation that you have to give.

Most importantly, try enjoying yourself. The real trick is to enjoy what you're doing at the time. If you can slow down and enjoy being there, the listeners will feel the same way. We hope that these suggestions have helped you overcome your public speaking anxiety; however, it is now time to start putting what you've studied into action.