Public speaking is towards the top of our list of things we are terrified to undertake. Whether it’s the fear of being scrutinized by others or the uncertainty and self-consciousness associated with making a mistake during the presentation, these six tips should help you deliver a polished, professional speech that you (and your audience) can be proud of!
1.- Be aware of your audience. This is the single finest piece of presenting advice. What are their passions? What are their origins? Why have they come to listen to you speak? What suggestions do you have for them? By approaching your speech as a “me-to-you” conversation rather than a full-fledged broadcast, you may reduce the tension associated with it.
2.- What do you hope your audience will take away from your speech? What is the true purpose of your presentation? By focusing on the “end result” rather than the “process,” you may deliver a forceful punch that drives home your point rather than rambling on.
3.- Share an anecdote. This is referred to in public speaking circles as a “hook” — anything that grabs your audience’s attention and compels them to sit up and listen. Begin by asking questions or sharing an experience.
Individuals like to be active participants rather than passive listeners. By providing them with something with which they can identify, you’ll discover that these folks are exactly like you, which makes delivering a presentation much simpler.
Ascertain that your tale has a beginning, a middle, and a conclusion. Nothing is more frustrating than presenting a tale to a receptive audience and then forgetting why you told it!
4.- When marketing a product, emphasize the advantages above the characteristics. People are much more interested in hearing WHAT a product can achieve for them than in HOW it does it.
Narrow down the aspects of your product until you reach the heart of how it addresses an issue. If you’re having difficulty distinguishing between a feature and a benefit, just ask yourself “So What?” For instance, if you’re selling a vacuum cleaner with an allergen-free filter, put yourself in the shoes of the buyer and ask, “so what?”
The response would be something along the lines of “it collects dust, mold, and pet dander.” Once again, “so what?” “You’ll have relief from runny nose and sneezing, as well as itchy, watery eyes,” the answer states. That, my friends, is a bonus!
5.- While PowerPoint presentations are beneficial, they may be overwhelming – or even dull. Rather than that, provide your audience with fill-in-the-blank flip charts or “team exercises.” These assist in reiterating and emphasizing your point in ways that a computer presentation cannot.
6.- Ensure that your speech concludes in a manner that echoes the beginning. Speakers sometimes get obsessed with minutiae, leaving their listeners wondering, “What was the purpose of all that?” Because people typically assimilate information in “chunks,” keep the overall picture in mind rather than the details. If the specifics are equally essential, provide them in a post-speech handout that the audience may take home and peruse at their leisure.
If you follow these six guidelines, you will not only overcome your fear of public speaking more easily, but you will also have a highly grateful audience that will be more attentive and willing to test your product or service. Pursue them!
Only in May, 2024.
