In 1999, Lilyan Wilder published his book “7 Steps to Fearless Speaking”. On the first page, an oft-cited study done by Bruskin-Goldring, surprised the readers: 45% of those surveyed said their biggest fear was public speaking. 30% said they feared death.
Looking at these numbers, I decided to write this post in order to tell you to replace your insecurity for techniques and notice that every speech is but a conversation.
Everytime, we judge and are judged by people everywhere. We know it. And it is precisely the fear of seeming strange that prevents us to express ourselves eloquently. But no more, here are 5 decisive tips to kill your fear of public speaking.
1. Content
Why am I doing this presentation? What do I expect to promote? These are the first answers you must find to start your presentation. It’s not enough being well trained. You go further when you tell a great history with beginning, middle, end, and a clear purpose. Having good content, you’ll certainly become more confident and motivated.
2. Your presentation is your chance
If you feel threatened by public speaking, you are wrong. Actually, your speech performance is a big chance to prove your creative intelligence and sensibility. It’s your opportunity to inspire people and being striking.
3. Planning your performance
Sure that there are features such as TV, projector or notebook for your presentation? If so, create your slides with only keywords and images. Forget the long and tiresome texts. All set and memorized, it’s time to practice with trustworthy people, who listen to and comment honestly your performance. Training in front of the mirror is too often quite useful as an ice breaker.
4. Pause
Minutes before the presentation, try on: inhale and hold your breath in the abdomen and, slowly, release the air through your nose.
During the presentation, take breaks from one to two seconds. It tends to convey reflection and depth to the speech and aids to cut down vices of the language like “you know”, “huh”, “so…”. Besides, pauses give safety and courage and are also helpful to relieve who talks too fast.
5. Successful techniques
Empathy:
• Talking about your own story, humor, and sacrifice;
• Reflections of the group’s sentiments.
Memorization:
• Three-parts lists;
• Repetition of expressions;
• Retrospective of the presentation.
Illustration:
• Metaphors and comparisons;
• Contrast between images (past/present/future).
Rhetoric:
• Use of historical events;
• Facial expressions and balanced gestures ahead of the body;
• Rhetorical questions.
Well, you wouldn’t be here, interested in tips on public speaking, if you didn’t wish to become a respected leader. Knowing how to express yourself before a negotiating table or an audience is wonderful, since you have something to teach. RunRun.it is a team and task management software, that organizes the workflow and keeps the priorities clear for your company. Try it for free: http://runrun.it
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