Not everyone has the ability to speak in front of other people. It takes a lot of courage and practice to speak in front of a crowd. Even the most experienced public speakers will admit that it is not an easy thing to do.
In some industries, however, it’s a skill that is absolutely necessary if you want to find true success. The farther along you progress in your career, the more likely it is that you will be required to speak publicly.
There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.
Any stage fright or anxious feelings you might have about public speaking can be exacerbated once you’re up in front of a crowd. However, there are steps you can take to help minimize these feelings and overcome your fear of public speaking.
You need to prepare yourself thoroughly–in order to avoid the fear that comes with speaking in a public forum– here are some strategies you…” with “– and to help you do that, you can follow these seven strategies to get yourself ready!”
1. Get Organized
Half the battle when public speaking is making sure you know what you’re going to say. If you have a disorganized jumble of thoughts and notes, it will be that much more likely that you’ll freeze once you get in front of the crowd.
So your first step is getting organized.
If you organize all your thoughts and materials prior to a public speech, you will be more calm and relaxed. Ensuring you have clear, well-organized notes can help negate any anxiety that comes along with public speaking. With an established and practiced flow of ideas, there’s a lower chance you’ll become overwhelmed and stammer throughout your speech.
Organization breeds confidence, and it will show in how you present yourself and your ideas.
2. Practice and Prepare Adequately
Whoever said practice makes perfect was right. With adequate preparation and practice, you will know what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. Practice gives you confidence and courage to face a crowd.
Most people fear to make public speeches because they are afraid of making mistakes. To avoid this, try practicing in an empty room, in front of a mirror or before a few friends. Let them correct you whenever you make a mistake, and become more comfortable with the material you are presenting on. Knowing your speech topic and content backwards and forwards is a great strategy if you’re very nervous about your speech. While it’s absolutely not necessary to memorize your speech in its entirety– remember, you can use notes!– it can bring a sense of comfort and familiarity that makes it easier to deliver your speech.
3. Eliminate the Fear of Rejection
The first thing that goes through the mind of a presenter is if the audience is going to like their speech.
Before you present, it’s important for you to face this fear of rejection and eliminate it before you take the floor. It can be paralyzing during a speech, not to mention distracting if your focus is dragged to how the audience perceives you and your material. Remember, there’s a reason the audience has come to listen to you. Focus your energy on ensuring any facts and figures in your presentation are correct, having a good sense of humor, and appearing confident. The chances are, your audience is not only interested in what you have to say, but also is ready to learn something from you. Let your passion for the subject show, and theirs will follow. Focus on what you can teach them rather than what they think of you.
4. Practice in front of a Mirror
Watching yourself in the mirror is one way of gaining confidence and making you more comfortable with the prospect of delivering your speech. While doing this, pay attention to your gestures, your facial expressions, and your composure.
Seeing how you handle yourself as you speak can build your confidence, and answer any questions you might have about how you’re presenting yourself. This will help eliminate distractions during your presentations, and not to mention contribute towards familiarizing yourself with your content and your cadence so you can deliver the best possible version of your speech.
5. Work on Your Breathing
While this seems like a strange strategy to mention– we all know how to breathe, after all– it is actually an important one.
During a public speech, anxiety can creep in and make you tense. This affects your breathing and, if you’re not careful, you might become short of breath– or, in extreme cases, faint. Therefore, focus on your breathing pattern, and keep it steady and even. This will ensure that your voice stays strong and calm as you present. This can help quell rising anxiety, as well as ensure that you appear more confident and sure of the material you are presenting.
6. Avoid Talking Too Fast
When you talk too fast during a speech, it generally interferes with your breathing patterns and can affect how you pronounce words. This can clue your audience into your anxiety, and well as make it more difficult for them to understand the content of your speech. If you know you tend to talk fast when you give a speech, make a point to time yourself as you practice and try to keep your speech time consistent.
Knowing how long your speech takes can help you keep a comfortable pace, and the additional practice can help you deliver your speech smoothly and confidently.
7. Pause Frequently
A few calculated pauses between points will help you stay calm. Pausing can help you stay relaxed and composed, keeping anxiety at bay and giving you the chance to take a breath and pace yourself.
Additionally, a well timed pause can benefit the content of your speech. Breaking up your words so that you audience has time to process your ideas and consider your perspective. This can add to the experience of listening to your speech, and not only help you quell anxiety, but actually make your words more effective.
Final Thoughts
Though public speaking is certainly daunting for many people, it’s not nearly as difficult or frightening as many people believe. If you adequately prepare for your presentation and keep in mind these helpful tips, you will feel more confident before, during, and after making your speech. Remember to keep calm, and bring a good sense of humor to your presentation so that you can impress the crowd, share your ideas, and conquer your fear of public speaking once and for all.