“In public speaking, as in any art, there are a few principles and many techniques”. Dale Carnegie, world authority on public speaking.
Four steps to overcoming the fear of public speaking.
1 – Preparation :
Content
It’s essential to prepare your content well before any presentation. The plan should contain the following elements:
- The purpose of the presentation: what is the message I want to communicate? What do I want my audience to take away from my presentation?
- A structure: the introduction, the body of the presentation, a question period and an inspiring conclusion.
- Striking and captivating elements. Find out what will create emotion in your audience and use it to retain attention and create an unforgettable experience.
The container
Preparing the content is one thing, but it’s essential to prepare the container too – in other words, yourself. Like an athlete, the speaker must prepare mentally and physically before a performance.
- Get at least 7 – 8 hours’ sleep the night before, for optimum energy levels.
- Stay hydrated! And avoid drinking too much coffee or alcohol the night before a presentation.
- Put yourself in a zen frame of mind. Avoid thinking about the flaws in your text.
- Focus on your strengths and don’t think about worst-case scenarios.
- Practice meditation to manage nervousness.
2- Communication :
Verbal communication
- To get your message across, try to simplify your speech.
- Use language that everyone can understand, or at least provide clarification when question marks appear on your listeners’ faces.
- Speak with passion, try to create a bond with your audience, because passion can be felt and it inspires.
- Believe in what you say. If you’re not sure of what you’re saying, your audience will feel it, and it’ll be harder to keep their trust.
Non-verbal
- To make a good first impression, all you need to do is show that you’re at ease (even if this isn’t always the case).
- Look people in the eye. Making eye contact goes a long way to creating a connection with people.
- Take your hands out of your pockets! Don’t forget to empty them before the presentation; stay focused on your objective, not on the keys in your left pocket.
- Get moving! Don’t just stand in the middle of the stage. The audience doesn’t want to deal with a robot, they want to deal with a human being.
- Make sure you’re visible to everyone at all times.
3- Self-management:
There are many different styles of speaker. We’ve all had to deal with an overly energetic or even aggressive presenter who left you with mixed feelings. There’s a balance to be struck, because everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. The important thing is to build on your strengths and manage your weaknesses. Here are a few strategies to help you overcome those weaknesses:
Visualization
Like athletes before a competition, try to visualize yourself performing. That way, you’ll be able to demonstrate the utmost concentration. To be carried out before the presentation
Posture
Good posture makes you look proud and confident. Enter the stage with your head held high, and maintain this state of mind throughout your speech.
Breathing
The real secret here is breathing. Deep, continuous breathing helps to oxygenate your body. How do you do it? Breathe in through the belly to stretch the diaphragm. This movement stimulates the vagus nerve, which sends a signal to the brain to stop the secretion of stress hormones.
4- Practice:
Of course, there are no shortcuts: it takes practice to get better at public speaking. Patience and repetition are key.
- Practice out loud, not just in your head. Our inner voice has a faster flow than when we express ourselves verbally. So avoid thinking you can say everything in a short space of time.
- By rehearsing your presentation, you may pick up on elements that are superfluous, or that don’t make sense in terms of what you want to communicate.
- You don’t become a professional in a day, so try not to put pressure on your own performance.
- Keep at it! By applying all the tips above, you’re bound to become more comfortable with public speaking.
