Are you afraid of public speaking? Many people turn down opportunities to speak in front of a crowd out of fear. Overcoming this fear and becoming a great public speaker can open you up to so many more amazing opportunities, like promotions, networking, and more.
If you want to up your public speaking skills, follow our tips on how to become a better public speaker. Gain confidence in this skill so that you can be a great leader in your industry.
Know That Nerves Are Normal
Most people, even experts, get jitters when public speaking from time to time. Try working to accept that nerves are just a feeling, and they are completely normal. Realize that nerves are a normal part of the process of public speaking instead of letting them stop you from speaking with confidence.
A great way to do this is to flip your mindset, taking the pressure off yourself, and focusing on your audience. Remember that you’re there to help your audience members, by educating and sharing with them. Focusing on the fact that the purpose of your speech is to service your audience can help you relax.
Don’t Read from a Script
Reading from a script will not only deter your eye contact away from your audience, but it may also make your speaking sound robotic. Additionally, memorizing a speech word for word can be problematic as well. Your voice won’t sound as conversational, and if you get lost at any point you might panic and not know how to proceed.
Instead of memorizing the speech, you should instead memorize the concepts you’re talking about, and in what order. When preparing your speech, it may be best to create an outline with these topics so that you can figure out how the speech would best flow. Having a more flexible structure will allow you to flow through the speech, and if you forget one of your points that’s okay, you can just move on to the next one.
By speaking without a script, you can prove your authority over your subject. If you can just conversationally explore your topic, you can show your audience that you’re confident because you know your stuff.
Practice Makes Perfect
Make sure you practice your speech ahead of time. The best way to do this is to practice the speech out loud to make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re saying and that things sound natural. This can also help you smooth out your transitions from topic to topic.
If you need additional assistance in overcoming nerves and becoming a better public speaker, consider attending a public speaking training program.
How to Become a Better Public Speaker
If you want to work on your public speaking skills, keep these tips on how to become a better public speaker in mind. Gaining the confidence to speak publicly can do great things for your career, your company, and your audience. If you’ve been avoiding public speaking, take the time to practice this skill that can seriously take you places.
For more on business and speaking related topics, browse more sections of the site!
