6 Must Public Speaking Tips for a First Time Speaker
Did you know that according to statistics 75% of the population suffers from Glossophobia aka the fear of public speaking?
If you have watched an award show in the past, you may have come across how eloquently and fluently celebrities speak when they give an acceptance speech. When I was a kid, I used to think that actors and actresses were born speakers. But did you know that everyone including Julia Roberts and Harrison Ford has all suffered from Glossophobia?
I have been part of the Toastmasters club for a while and today, I want to share with you 6 tips that you will need before you give your very first speech.
Are you ready? Then keep on reading.
Know your topic well- There is nothing better than having a good preparation for your first speech. If you are giving a presentation about a certain topic, always do your research beforehand and structure your speech with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Know your audience- Who will you be presenting to? Is it a group of friends? Is it a group of potential investors? Or is it a group of high school students? No matter what your audience is, learn who they are, their age, their education, and so forth. You want to adopt your speaking style and the message you are giving based on who you will be serving.
Integrate personal stories- When I listen to a speech, what I love the most is listening to stories. There is nothing better than connecting with your audience with a personal and relatable story. So make sure to incorporate stories, so that the audience will feel touched, connected, and more engaged with you.
Combat nervousness with the Wonder Woman pose- It is very much normal to feel nervous right before a speech. I recently came across the concept of Wonder Woman pose to get over my nervousness and trust me this trick really works. Studies have found that if you do the Wonder Woman pose for about 2 minutes every day or even before an interview or a speech, it will calm you down and give you a boost of confidence.
Do not memorize your script- When presenting, one of the things you want to avoid at all costs is memorizing your speech. You don't want to sound like a robot speaking at a speed of a train. When presenting, be relaxed, talk slowly, take pauses, and most importantly, be spontaneous. Your audience will like you more for your authentic self.
Practice, practice, and practice - Practice is what will make you perfect. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be on stage.
In summary, all you need for your presentation is preparation and yourself.
People are there to listen to you, to get to know you, and to learn from you. As long as you have something to offer and you are your true self, that's all that matters.