Public speaking is a skill that can be difficult to master. Every entrepreneur must learn to overcome these difficulties so that they are able to deliver a message across. It takes time, patience, and practice to become a great public speaker. As an entrepreneur myself, I have had to make many speeches through my years of work and school. My classmates and peers would always ask, “Brennan Balzi how are you so great at public speaking?” Here are five simple tools that have helped me become the speaker I am today.
Preparation
Do your research before the speech or presentation by researching the topic area you will discuss. You want to know as much about this topic as possible. This allowing you to have enough information to keep people’s attention and answer any questions they may have.
It is just as important to remember not to memorize the words or your speech, but rather the concepts. Studying your topic and learning the ins and outs will allow you to elaborate more fluidly. Oftentimes, when delivering a speech, our mind goes blank or travels somewhere else. This results in us forgetting the words or losing our spot in our notes. When you know the concepts it is much easier to come back from this and elaborate more openly and knowledgeably.
Practice
Practice delivering your speech in front of someone else. This will allow the listener to give feedback on how well you delivered your point and message. This will also help with nervousness because the more you practice the easier it will be to elaborate when you forget your next line or topic.
Rehearsing speeches also allows for spontaneity. This is important when delivering a speech because it can be difficult coming up with things on the spot. It is always best to know the speech so well that you can speak without thinking about it. This allows for your mind to be free and able to focus on what is actually happening such as connecting with an audience member. Or, catching a detail while explaining a point during the presentation.
Enhance Your Speech with Visuals
There are many ways to make your speech more memorable. One way is to enhance your speeches with visual elements such as photos, videos, or graphics that can be projected onto a screen. This allows the audience to not have to turn away from you or read handwritten notes on paper. This also can be used to add some humor and make speeches more engaging.
It is just as important to make sure the visuals are not distracting from the message. You want people to engage just as much with the words you are speaking alongside the visuals you are presenting.
Change Your Mindset, No One is Judging
The most effective way to take the pressure off of you is to change your mindset and think about serving your audience, rather than focusing on your performance. Remember that you are there to provide your listeners with valuable information that benefits them. Instead of worrying about everything that could go wrong, focus on how important this message is to you and deliver it.
In reality, you are your biggest critic. Not one person in the audience is thinking anything that your mind is assuming. More often than not, the audience is more impressed with your ability to get up and speak in front of a group of people.
Get Interactive
Getting interactive with the audience is just as important to your speech’s success. You want them engaged and listening for longer periods of time. Which allows for the listeners to be able to take in all the information you have provided.
Interrupting speeches will keep people from zoning out or getting bored, it also helps break up monotony when delivering a speech over a long period of time. Ask the audience questions, use phrases like, “with a show of hands..” to help keep them engaged and involved with your speech.
Are You Ready to Become a Great Speaker?
It is important to know your topic as well as you can, but it’s also just as important to remember not to memorize the words or speeches. When delivering a speech, our mind often goes blank and we forget what was said before. It is much easier when you have an idea of where the message will go beforehand – even if that means having notes in front of us for reference at points.
Practicing speeches helps with nervousness because knowing what comes next makes it less daunting and more like second nature during delivery. Rehearsing speeches allows spontaneity too; this may be especially helpful when coming up with things on the spot during a presentation. You want people engaged and listening long enough so they are able to take in the message and information. You know have the tools to help make you a great speaker.
Until Next Time,