A lack of self-confidence often prevents people giving a good performance when speaking at a public event. Yet, with a few simple techniques, even the most phobic of speakers can stand up and deliver a credible presentation. This article looks at how you can develop the skills that will give you the confidence you need to entertain and enthrall your audience.
Most people’s insecurity tends to stem from two main areas – the level of understanding of the subject itself and a dislike of standing up in public and talking in front of strangers. The good news is that you have control over both these issues so helping to boost your self-confidence and self-belief.
In terms of subject understanding there are some basic rules that you need to follow as part of your preparation:
Understand your audience. Find out from the organisers the background and experience level of your audience. Clearly you will tailor content and delivery to match the knowledge & expertise of the group so this information is vital to how you plan your presentation.
Understand what the organiser wants from you. Find out what they’re looking for in terms of approach and topic so you can offer an appropriate talk. If you can meet expectations, you’ll be delivering more likely to be invited again.
Identify your own goals and objectives. What do you want to achieve from this talk? Are there key points of information that you want people to retain after they leave? When you’re putting together appropriate material, refer back to your goal & objective list to ensure that you’re on track.
Make it easy to understand. Provide case studies, examples and relevant statistics that will quickly illustrate the points you want to put across to your audience. Relevant and interesting case studies and examples will be remembered long after realms of facts and figures. Use visual prompts, diagrams and pictures to simplify complex ideas or data and can reinforce the themes that you’re discussing.
What are the hot topics? Include reference and responses to the leading issues and questions that are concerning your audience. This demonstrates that you are conversant with the latest ideas and discussions that are taking place in the field. By providing commentary and analysis within your talk, you’re showing that you are an opinion leader and expert on the topic.
Be prepared. Anticipate areas of controversy, counter-argument or disagreement and prepare yourself with answers and necessary data. Again, this shows yours depth of knowledge on the topic and helps you deal with questions that otherwise might be difficult to answer.
Focusing your research and preparation this way allows you to provide appropriate content which is correctly pitched to your audience’s knowledge, experience, and expectation levels. Our audience will accept your knowledge and expertise from the moment you step foot on the stage. Knowing that you have pulled together relevant content which is backed up with case-studies, statistics and data to defend against counter-arguments, will greatly boost your confidence levels.
Avoid overwhelming the audience by telling them everything that you know about the topic – they won’t remember everything and you’ll overload them with too much information. Keep to a few key points for each section of the talk – you can go into more detail if you are asked a specific question.
Offering a brief paper or short report on the topic which the audience can refer to later achieves several things – it allows the audience to relax and concentrate on what you are saying rather than trying to listen and take notes at the same time. It is another opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge on a topic (and you don’t have to stand up and speak unless you offer a video or audio piece). It also helps you expand your network.
The second obstacle facing unconfident speakers is the actual fear of speaking in public. Again, there are some proven techniques which you can use on the day and before to calm nerves and anxiety and improve performance.
Shrink your audience down to size. Instead of viewing the audience as a vast sea of unknown faces, think of a smaller and intimate setting of just nine or so people. By selecting faces on the right, left and centre of the room, one in the front, one in the middle, and one by the back, you can look as if you’re speaking to the whole room. By focusing on these nine faces, you can respond to them in a more natural way.
Breathe. When we are nervous, our breathing changes to a more shallow and rapid rate. The muscles in the rib-cage and throat tighten and constrict which affects the sound of the voice and its ability to travel across a room. The higher, faster and tighter tone that results is also harder to listen to – making a conscious effort to breathe slowly and deeply will lower your voice, and slow the pace of your speaking.
Build rapport. Your prior research has given you an insight to your audience background and expectations which you can use to develop an affinity between you and them. Share your interest and enthusiasm for your topic and the audience will respond to your energy. They want to hear what you have to say – show that you want to share your knowledge with them.
Engage with your audience. Keep energy levels high by getting your audience to interact with you by conducting straw-polls, asking questions, and where appropriate, inviting them to take part in hot-seat sessions. The more you draw in your audience, the more positive the response to what you have to say.
Be appropriate in your dress and speech. Lack of confidence and anxiety can sometimes produce inappropriate language. Avoid bad language and dress in clothes that are both comfortable as well as appropriate.
Believe in yourself. Reflect positive body-language – remember that with all the background work you’ve already done, you are genuinely knowledgeable about the topic. Your experience and track record of achievements brought you the invitation to speak so this is the chance for you to share.
Get suitable help & support before the event. Build up your confidence by practising breathing techniques, visualisations, and relaxation strategies. Knowing that you have a range of tools to help you reduce your anxiety will strengthen you.
Remember that you don’t deliver all the information that you have researched and collected. Doubts and anxiety should fade from the knowledge that you know more than you’ll actually talk about on the day. Building on this assurance and practising the speaking & relaxation techniques above will help your delivery and composure on the stage.
Sumi Olson is the author of the Amazon five-star rated, ” How to Manage Your Social Media Marketing in 30 Minutes A Day”, and is an author, speaker and consultant on social media & business development. With 25 years’ experience in book publishing, business development, online selling, sales & marketing, Sumi is expert in reducing overwhelm and turning insights into implementation.
If you want to satisfy your publishing or writing aspirations, meet your sales, marketing & management objectives, or achieve your social media & online marketing targets, then Sumi Olson can give you the tools and knowledge you need.
With a young family of her own, she’s passionate about helping people create a great work-life balance through practical systems & processes so that they can spend more time on the things that matter in life.