Does the thought of going on the stage or even standing in front of your classmates give you the jitters? Well, you are not alone! A lot of people feel worried and get anxious when it comes to speaking up in front of a crowd. Thankfully, it does not have to be like this. All you need is a few tips and a little practice to bring out that expert public speaker in you! Scroll down to read how you can improve your public speaking skills to give yourself a boost of confidence and polish your leadership qualities.
Public speaking helps you in promoting yourself and convincing decision makers with your ideas.
Go Prepared
Inadequate preparation and practice lead to speech anxiety. When it comes to public speaking, preparation is the first and the most important thing. The more prepared you are, the better you will deliver! Also, speech preparation boosts confidence. You are less likely to get worried when you know what you are supposed to say.
One way to prepare yourself is to get to know a bit about your audience. It is important because the type of audience helps you decide the manner of conduct that you should adopt. For example, you will not behave the same way when you are casually speaking in front of your classmates and a formal school conference. So it is essential to know your audience and prepare yourself accordingly.
Most people like to make palm cards when they are up for public speaking. A palm card is a small card on which you jot down pointers. In case you forget your point, merely have a swift look at your palm card to get right back on the track!
Mind Your Body Language
Even when you are fully prepared, your body language can give away your impulsiveness. So it is important to mind your body language. Here are a few tips to make sure your body language shows nothing but charm and confidence!
Start with your hands at your side. Use strong gestures and specific hand movements but refrain from overdoing it.
You don’t want to stand straight like a robot during the whole session! Relax your body and use the space by moving around. However, don’t pace too much.
If you are sitting in a chair, keep yourself from fidgeting.
Facial expressions are a part of body language. Practice in front of a mirror to master your facial expressions!
Smile and make eye contact with the audience.
Don’t slouch. Stand tall and confident but don’t be too rigid.
While it may seem like a lot to remember, it is not that difficult. Practising in front of a full-length mirror can help you master the rules of body language.
Vary Your Tone
When you speak, your tone leaves an impactful impression on your audience. The trick is to vary your tone according to your material. Try to avoid sounding impassive and monotonous. It will make sure that your audience remains interested throughout your public speaking session. Also, develop a suitable pace and volume according to the room and the number of people in it.
Practice Makes Perfect
Remember, practice makes perfect. Even if you mess up, it is not the end of the world. Just move on to your next point – the show must go on!
Next time when you find yourself in the spotlight in your class, follow these tips to give the best speech or presentation and amaze your friends, teachers, and everyone else!