Why Is Public Speaking So Important
Public speaking is one of the most prevalent fears that people experience. Given how self-conscious most of us are about things like what we dress, how we style our hair, and how others perceive us, it makes sense. People will go to extreme measures to avoid giving a speech or speaking in front of a group, yet it is to their harm. People with social phobias (fears) like public speaking earn 10% less than others, are 10% less likely to graduate from college, and 15% less likely to get into a professional or managerial job, according to Columbia University’s Dr. Franklin Schneier (Social Anxiety Disorder).
Having good presentation and public speaking skills, on the other hand, usually results in improved income, increased educational performance, and a far larger possibility of rising up within a company. When working in groups, being able to effectively communicate ideas and concepts is very vital because it allows you to move ideas and initiatives forward—a crucial skill for leaders.
Fortunately, giving good presentations and speeches is a skill that can be learned. This article will show you how to connect with your audience, prepare great presentations, and deliver them with confidence to help you build these skills.
Connect With Your Audience
You should be able to guess that this principle will come first by now. Your message is shaped by your audience. This is one of those principles that is simple to understand yet tough to implement. This is a principle that most people would agree with. Despite the fact that their prospective employers are significantly diverse, many people utilize the same CV and job application letter over and over again. Similarly, even when the audience, format, and location have changed, the same presentations and discussions are presented.
Here are some ideas for connecting with your audience:
Know what you want your audience to do.
What do you want your audience to do at the end of your presentation or speech? If their conduct remains unchanged, you haven’t added any value. “So what?” is a good question to ask oneself. What do you want your audience to know or do as a result of your presentation? Everything in your presentation should be geared toward achieving this aim, and you should specifically invite them to participate.
Know your audience.
What is your audience’s knowledge of your topic? What makes you think they’d be interested? Do they belong to a professional group? What words will they be able to relate with the most? Is it more likely that they will be aggressive or friendly? What is it that would prevent them from doing the action you desire?
Listen.
During a presentation, we’re usually so focused on what we’re about to say that we neglect to listen to our audience. Keep in mind that your speech is about them, not you. To see if you’re connecting with your audience, look for nonverbal cues. Are they dissatisfied? Confused? Engaged? Distracted? If the location and format allow it, ask questions. Be willing to change your presentation based on the feedback you receive.
Let your personality shine through.
Your audience may have read your ideas, but they came to hear and see you, so make sure you’re there! To put both you and your audience at ease, use comedy, tales, and personal connections.
Prepare Your Message
You may start shaping your message after you know who your target audience is. The importance of preparation for your success cannot be overstated. Knowing your topic thoroughly is an important part of preparation. Make sure you know more about your topic than what you’re going to say.
Beginners frequently make two mistakes: (1) learning just enough to put together a presentation, and (2) learning a lot and then trying to deliver everything they’ve learned. You won’t be buried in your notes if you know your content well, and you’ll be more sensitive to your audience.
Just make sure you read (understand) your audience well and don’t provide too much information.
Here are some suggestions to assist you in preparing your message:
Be Straightforward
Make sure the concept you’re trying to express is simply that: an idea. In a presentation, your audience won’t be able to process various ideas and sophisticated explanations. The focus of your presentation should be on a single theme or question. Return to the original “so what?” inquiry. What do you want your audience to know or do as a result of your presentation? What do you want your audience to remember about your talk? Stay concentrated once you’ve gotten that response.
Organize Yourself
To make your point, make sure you have a strong hook in your introduction. Then use supporting details that will appeal to your audience in the body of your presentation. Finally, bring your presentation to a close by encouraging your audience to take action.
Make Use of An Outline
Unlike papers or essays, speeches and presentations frequently require changes during delivery. Instead of writing your talk, prepare an outline to make it easier to adjust your performance. This will take more practice, but it will help you connect with your audience more easily.
Understand The Expectation
If you’re given the task of giving a presentation or a talk, make sure you know what’s expected of you. Do you know what the presentation’s goal is? How much time do you have on your hands? What will the location be? What kind of equipment (projector, PCs, whiteboards, etc.) is available? What criteria will be used to assess you? All of these questions can assist you in determining the best presentation format and delivery style.
Practice
Make sure you’re well-versed in your subject so you can tailor your presentation to your audience. Make a video of yourself giving your presentation, or practice giving it to friends or coworkers and get their feedback. Arrive early to ensure that any visual aids or technology you’re using will operate.
The final and most dreaded stage is to deliver your message. You’ll be in good shape to deliver your message if you’ve identified your audience and prepared effectively. Slow down and concentrate on your audience and what you want them to do. When you give your message, use your voice first, then your eyes and face, and finally your hands to convey your message.
Deliver Your Message
Here are some suggestions to assist you get your message across:
Use vocabulary and tone that is suitable
When giving a speech or presentation, your voice is the primary instrument you use. As a result, it should get the most attention.
Your voice is what gives life and emotion to your words. It helps the audience in understanding your value and love for them. In fact, the way you say something has such a strong impact that it can alter the meaning of the words you use.
“Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak and to speak well are two different things,” German novelist Heinrich Heine reportedly stated. A fool can talk, but only a wise man can speak.”
Learning to speak well takes time and practice.
Here are some tips to help you utilize the right words and tone:
Use language that is appropriate for your topic and target audience
The manner in which you write and communicate should be appropriate for the professional community to whom you are speaking. This is also true when it comes to speaking. Make use of words that will pique your audience’s interest. Avoid using acronyms, terminologies, or phrases that your readers may not be familiar with.
Match your tone to the content of your message
The same way that gestures may enhance or detract from your presentation, so can the way you speak. If your voice pitch doesn’t fluctuate, for example, it sends the idea that you’re not engaged in your issue, and your audience shouldn’t be either.
Avoid sarcasm because it forces you to express the exact opposite of what you mean, which leads to more misunderstandings. When you speak, be active. Allow your tone, rhythm, and enthusiasm to complement the message. To punctuate your message, let your voice rise and fall in sync with your body language and gestures.
Never say anything that isn’t appropriate
You should maintain a professional demeanor while remaining personable. Use appropriate humor, tone, vocabulary, or gestures and never degrade yourself or your audience.
If you’re going to make a gesture, make sure it’s well-thought-out and has a reason. Remember to use your voice first, then your eyes and face, and last your hands to convey yourself. Make the following gestures when using gestures: Use your nervous energy to your advantage. When giving a presentation or giving a discussion, it’s natural to be nervous. It’s your body’s way of prepping you to be more awake and ready to perform at your best.
Don’t waste that energy by concentrating on negative side effects like a weak voice or quivering knees. Put the emphasis where it belongs: on your audience.
Itzhak Perlman, a world-renowned violinist, overcame stage nervousness by dedicating all of his energy to bringing his music and his audience together. Isn’t this enough to make you want to go to one of his shows? To sense Itzhak’s devotion to you and his music? The less nervous you are, the more you adore your audience and your message.
Use proper gestures and body language
When communicating, it’s normal to use gestures. You probably use them without even realizing it. When you’re giving a presentation, however, you’re more likely to make tense gestures that distract your audience. Keep your arms and hands as loose as possible. Keep in mind that having a hand at the end of each arm is fairly common in humans. Simply leave them hanging if you don’t want anyone to notice them.
Moderation is key
Don’t flail your hands around frantically, but don’t make them too little either. Keep your gestures below your shoulders and above your waist.
Don’t Pace
Your feet, unless you’re a dancer, are usually the least expressive part of your body. In most cases, staying in one location is preferable. When you do decide to move, be sure it’s for a good reason.
Make a statement
When you want to make a point, use your hands. If you have a short list, count them out with your fingers or stress a point with your fingers.
Be welcoming and open
When pointing, keep your arms extended and palms up to convey that you are open to your audience and want to listen. Closed body language, such as crossed arms or closed fists, conveys an unresponsive and possibly angry attitude.
Be culturally conscious
In different cultures, the same gesture might have distinct meanings. Choose gestures with a broad meaning over gestures with a precise meaning.
If you don’t have to, don’t read your speech
The interpersonal connection between you and your audience is broken when you read a speech. You may need to read your talk in some formats, but whenever possible, use an outline or presenter notes instead.
Make no apologies or excuses for yourself
Don’t cast yourself down or tell the audience that you’d rather be doing something else when you start a speech or presentation. It detracts from your message and establishes an early deficit that is difficult to recover.
Similarly, don’t apologize if you make a mistake by stating anything incorrectly or fumbling with a visual aid because it focuses attention to the error and away from your message.
