Public speaking isn’t an easy thing to do. It requires a lot of confidence and calmness to pull off, especially on your first try, however that doesn’t mean it’s only reserved for a select people. Anybody can do a public presentation successfully if they’re prepared with the right knowledge. These tips should be helpful…
PRACTICE
It’s been said over and over, “practice makes perfect.” You can’t nail it unless you work hard enough to do so. Write your speech down, and practice your delivery of the words as much as you can. It helps you flow better when you get out there.
It’s also important to try presenting in different positions as you practice. Stand, sit, open your arms wide, just add various styles to your practice because the more options you explore, the more prepared you are. It also helps to record yourself as you do your thing, and try to listen afterwards so you know what you sound like, and make necessary adjustments.
ENERGIZE YOURSELF
Energetic speeches always win. No matter how well-crafted it is, if it lacks energy in its delivery, it’ll never be good enough.
There are numerous ways to pump up the energy in you. Drink some energy booster, play your favorite song, or engage in activity that gets you that adrenaline rush before you put out your presentation.
LISTEN TO OTHERS
You have to be careful so you don’t try to sound like them, the idea is to make you better, not fake.
Attend other presentation classes, programs, or download them online, so you listen, and know how it’s done by. It helps you get your poise right, and helps you know how to start, deliver, and finish well.
BE EARLY
Lateness will unsettle you, because you’re trying to meet up, and fit in immediately. Being early would help you clear your head in time, and get used to your surrounding beforehand.
MEET AND GREET
Try to chat up people at your presentation venue. It helps get the nervousness away, and could sell you to the public as ‘likeable’. It can also get you more inspiration for your presentation because you’re going to learn from them.
WORK ON YOUR PAUSES
The jitters can make you talk too fast because you don’t want to make mistakes or say the wrong thing, but it can actually lead you to making more errors. Instead, work on your pauses. Slow down, nothing wrong with that. Pauses make your speech more conversational, and helps you emphasize certain points better. The moment you feel you’re pacing too much, pause for a deep breath, and continue slowly again.
DRINK SOME WATER AND SMILE
Smiling helps calm the nerves because it increases endorphins. It also makes you seem more likable and confident.
Drinking water helps you feel more relaxed, and wards off dryness of mouth which is often due to nervousness.
Always remember, you can do it if you put your mind into it.
Drama