Imagine: It’s five seconds before your important speech or presentation. This is a special moment, filled with anticipation and, maybe for you, stress and fear. But these five seconds or so also offer you one last opportunity to prepare for a great public speaking performance. Here are 10 things to do to ensure success.
Public speaking tips everyone should know
While Harvard might have their own tips, here are 10 public speaking tips from Kennedy Speech Communications for new and seasoned speakers:
1. Remember your purpose
Great performances always begin with a clearly defined purpose: Why are you speaking? What do you want from your audience? What does your audience want from you?
2. Visualize success
Why give a speech or presentation if it’s not going to be successful? Believe in yourself. Determine your measure of success—whether it’s a standing ovation, a dynamic Q&A, recognition by your boss, or closing a sale—and then envision yourself achieving this goal.
3. Embrace your audience
You cannot be successful without your audience. In fact, they are your partners in this experience and, as partners, they deserve your respect and admiration.
4. Review your Motivating Conclusions
These are the big ideas and key take-aways of your speech or presentation, the messages your audience will remember long after you’re done speaking. Maybe there’s only one, which is just fine, but typically there will be three to five in a 30-minute speech.
5. Know what you will say first
This will bolster your confidence and build lasting momentum for the rest of your presentation. Start strong to end strong.
6. Balance your stance
I recommend to all my clients that they spend the majority of their speech in a balanced, athletic stance: weight evenly distributed and towards the balls of the feet, with a slight bend of the knees. This grounds you and helps you to “lean forward” towards your audience.
7. Set your tempo
At this moment your fight-or-flight reflex is kicking in and you need to make sure you’re not starting out too fast, or even too slow. A technique I share with my clients is to think of a favorite mid-tempo song to set the overall pace for your speech. You can own time.
8. Focus on the present
This may be the most difficult, but it’s critical that you are only thinking of this time, this place and this special group of people. Everything else can be dealt with later. Being present allows you to be open and honest, which leads to a stronger audience connection
9. Smile
Let your audience know that you’re happy to be with them. More importantly, this also reminds you of how special this situation is. You have an opportunity to give your audience something of value. Enjoy it!
10. Be thankful
Your audience is giving you a very meaningful gift. They have chosen to be with you today and are sharing with you their time and attention. Appreciate it.
For More Public Speaking Tips
More strategies and exercises can be found in the downloadable guide: The 5 Steps to an Improved Speaking Performance. If you are looking to supercharge your public speaking skills, you should consider how communication coaching can help you present the best version of yourself.
Are you ready to take your communication skills to the next level? Let’s schedule a call to discuss your needs and begin improving the results you achieve from every speech, presentation, and conversation.
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