Top 5 Tips for Public Speaking
Want to become a more confident and skilled public speaker? Start by embracing these five essential tips, conveniently remembered as the 2 S's and 3 P's.
The Two S's
Simplify: Let's be honest, no one enjoys a rambling, convoluted speech. Your audience craves clarity and conciseness. Before you even think about delivery, simplify your message. Strip away unnecessary jargon, complex sentence structures, and tangential anecdotes. Focus on the core message you want to convey. A clear, concise script will be easier for you to remember and far more engaging for your audience. Think of it like this: you want your audience to walk away with easily digestible nuggets of information, not a tangled mess of ideas.
Slow Down: In the heat of the moment, it's easy to fall into the trap of rushing through your speech. Nerves kick in, and suddenly you're racing against an imaginary clock. Resist this urge. Slow down. Deliberate pacing allows your audience to absorb your message. It gives them time to process your words and connect with your ideas. Pauses are your friend. They help you slow your heart rate, and they can help emphasize key points.
The Three P's
Purpose: Why are you speaking? What is the desired outcome? Every speech needs a clear purpose. Are you informing, persuading, entertaining, or inspiring? Knowing your purpose will guide your content, your tone, and your delivery. It will give your speech direction and ensure you stay on track. Before you even start preparing, define your purpose – it's the compass that will lead you to a successful speech.
Project: Even the most compelling message is lost if no one can hear it. Project your voice from your diaphragm, not your throat. Ensure everyone in the room can hear you clearly. Be sure to be heard above any competing noises such as the air conditioning unit or the lawn mower outside. Projection also helps you more fully exhale which is key to slowing your heart rate.
Practice: This might seem obvious, but it's often overlooked. Practice makes perfect, especially in public speaking. Rehearse your speech multiple times, out loud. Record it on your phone and assess your performance. You can also send it to others for additional feedback. To take your practice to the next level, you can practice in virtual reality to a wide range of increasingly more challenging audiences. This will build extra resilience, adaptability, and confidence.
The Takeaway
By embracing these five tips – Simplify, Slow Down, Purpose, Project, and Practice – you'll feel more confident, and you’ll deliver a more impactful and memorable presentation.
*Everything you need to practice in VR for free can be found here
*Additional tips can be found here