4 Ways to Improve Public Speaking

Do you fear the idea of speaking in public? For some, the mere thought is enough to induce a state of panic. Whether you are speaking with clients, giving a presentation at college or work, or leading a meeting, you need to use public speaking skills. When you are speaking in public, your job isn’t simply to communicate your ideas to an audience, it is also to portray a sense of competency. But how do you achieve this? Let’s take a look at four means to improving your public speaking skills that are certain to help your cause:

1. Practice And Prepare

It is normal to feel nervous when you haven’t spoken in public before. Some may even experience unusual reactions like a pounding heart and trembling hands. The first and foremost thing you should do is calm yourself. And, get rid of any thoughts that make you feel demotivated. The fastest way to overcome anxiety is to get some practice under your belt. But, nothing happens without preparation, take enough time to go through your notes. Create a structure of your speech and plot down the general purpose of your topic. Once you understand the core of what you’re going to deliver, then you’ll be more comfortable with the material. Make a video of your ‘performance’, and perhaps, ask your friend to critique it for you.

2. Know Your Audience

Think about the purpose of your speech and the crucial points you want the audience to grasp. This will help you determine the extent of information you should provide. Also, don’t forget to organize your thoughts before you finally deliver the speech. It’s important to connect with the audience, you don’t want the audience to lose their interest midway. Now, it’s unlikely that your audience are experts of the topic you’ll speak about, so, it’s important that you use the language they understand. If you are unable to successfully articulate your point to your audience, you’ll most certainly lose them.

3. Let Your Personality Come Through

When speaking to your audience, it is essential to be relaxed and be yourself. Make sure you are prepared, and have practiced plenty of times. Be strong in your delivery. Stand straight and maintain eye contact while delivering your speech. This will help your personality shine throughout, and your audience will trust you and every word you say.

4. Watch For Feedback And Adapt To It

Keep the focus on your audience and gauge their reactions regarding your speech. Make sure you stay flexible. If you deliver a canned speech, then your audience will lose the attention or may get confused. This can happen to even the most devoted listeners. Constantly capture feedback your audience gives, through body language or words and adapt your way of presenting to make your delivery of speech more interesting. This will ensure your audience stays attentive throughout your presentation.

Don’t let fear hold you back from expressing your opinion or speaking in public. These public speaking training skills will help you reduce your anxiety and give you confidence.