5 Public Speaking Tips That Will Make You Look Like a Pro

It’s often said that public speaking is the number one fear (glossophobia) that 75% of the human population has.

And this includes even older people.

The reason for this is that human beings, by nature, want to feel accepted and constantly seek positive approval.

You might be the life of the party at family functions, but when asked to make a presentation at work or give a talk on stage, you may immediately freeze up and feel butterflies in your stomach.

The difference is that your family generally knows and approves of you.

With strangers, you don’t know for sure, and your speech or presentation is an untested variable.

Uncertainty leads to fear and worry.

Below, you’ll find a few pointers to be aware of when speaking on stage.

Apply them, and you’ll look like a pro.

(And they might even help you if you need to speak in front of a wedding reception or other large family event.)

1. Practice, practice, practice

Public speaking is similar to a performance.

Only this time, people are there to watch you and hear what you have to say.

Unlike a circus, which has music and variety performers with amazing acts, this time the attention is fully on you and the sound of your voice.

Fewer variables are involved, but they are just as demanding.

The best way to be prepared is to rehearse your speech several times so that it’s second nature to you.

You need to know the main points and the order they’re in, but you don’t need to memorize and recite the speech word for word.

Public speaking is about going with the flow but also knowing where you’re going.

2. Slow and steady

You NEVER want to rush through your talk.

But you also don’t want to be slower than one snail attending another snail’s funeral.

The pacing of your speech should be fast enough to keep it interesting but also slow enough so that your audience can follow along with what you’re saying.

Ideally, you shouldn’t be referring to notes too much because they can be distracting and interrupt the flow of your speech.

This is why many TV professionals use teleprompters, which are unobtrusive.

3. Gestures and tonality

Hand gestures are important and will hold your audience’s attention.

Some stand-up comedians have a habit of pacing the stage.

Back and forth they go.

There’s a reason for that – it holds the audience’s attention.

The performer doesn’t want the audience’s attention to lull into a sense of ‘stagnation’, so they keep moving.

Hand gestures will achieve a similar effect.

So will maintaining eye contact.

The tonality of your voice is a VERY IMPORTANT factor to be aware of.

It should reflect emotion, be soft when necessary, and be loud when you’re trying to emphasize a point.

Of course, soft means a gentler tone, and loud means slightly louder than normal.

You’re not trying to shatter eardrums here.

If your voice is monotonous, your audience will drift off into a peaceful slumber with their eyes open.

However, if your voice is loud throughout, you’ll just exhaust them.

Finding the right balance in your voice is something you should be aware of.

4. Start off strong

The pastor, Joel Osteen, always starts off his sermon with a joke to lighten the mood and establish a connection with the audience.

This is a way to start off strong.

Don’t make the mistake of apologizing to the audience right at the start by saying you’re not used to giving a speech, etc.

This feeble attempt at a ‘backup plan’ will work against you.

You want to appear confident, even if you’re quaking in your boots.

Always remember that about 75% of the audience is terrified of public speaking too.

So don’t fear them.

Maintain poise, avoid nervous twitches, and look like you have something important to say.

Because you do have something important to say. 🙂

5. Know your audience

Some audiences are easy; some are tough.

That’s just the way it is.

Performers who have been in business for years will tell you that while their act may have worked well in several places.

But occasionally their act falls flat in front of some audiences, even if it’s the SAME PROVEN act.

Why this happens is anyone’s guess.

The general idea is that people have a herd mentality, and if the vibe is off, the entire audience is more judgmental and difficult to please.

As a speaker, it’s important to not validate yourself based on their reactions if you’ve done your best.

Before speaking, it’s good to know whom you’re speaking to and what they like in general.

Your presentation must be tailored to your audience’s preferences.

That’s the key to excelling as a public speaker.

You can’t please everyone, but if you please most, that’s good enough.

Remember these 5 pointers and apply them with other tips such as believing in what you’re saying, good body language and playing to your strengths.

Just like any other skill, you’ll get better at public speaking the more you do it.

“All great speakers were bad speakers at first.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson