8 public speaking tips you need for everyday
By Hanin Najjar
Whether you are rocking a job interview, doing business or speaking on stage, public speaking skills are a necessity for everyone to have. Knowing how to speak confidently and get your message across is a vital skill no matter what you are doing.
More and more, the world is shifting to include various platforms of communication, from Instagram Lives to podcasts and so many more. Here are some tips that will help you speak like a pro whether your audience is a group of 3 or 3,000.
Be confident
Your audience mirrors you. If you are nervous, flustered or uncomfortable, the audience will be uneasy, too. Whether you are in an interview or going live in front of the camera, you have to be confident for your audience to trust you. Even if you are freaking out on the inside, fake it till you make it.
Command the space
We live in an age where people are distracted by their phones. To keep the attention of the people listening, you have to command the space. Be in charge, make it look like you know what you’re doing and what you’re talking about. If your audience gets distracted, you won’t be able to get your message across.
Pay attention to your body language
You’ve probably heard that first impressions are important, but the first impression is not just in what you say. In fact, 93% of communication is non-verbal. How do you walk on stage? Is your head down? Are you smiling? Even if you are doing a sit-down interview with someone. Are you slouched or is your back straight? What are you doing with your arms and hands? Your body language should look confident and match the message you’re trying to send.
Don’t read
Reading from a script never inspires confidence. Why should someone listen to you when they could just read what you are going to say? Instead of preparing a script, prepare an outline. Practice your speech and outline the key points. This limits the time you spend looking at a script and the temptation.
Make eye contact
You’re not looking at a script, so where do you look? People’s eyes. Don’t look at the floor or over people’s heads. Make eye contact with your audience and connect with them. That could mean connecting with someone in the crowd from a stage, looking at the camera or at your interviewer. Connecting with someone helps get a message across.
Notice nervous tics
Everyone has something that they do when they are nervous; playing with a pen, or shifting your weight. Women tend to play with their hair, men with their cufflinks. Those tics are distracting to the audience when you are trying to tell them something. Notice them and try to avoid them.
Know your audience
Who are you talking to? It can be a company you want to work for or a demographic of people you want to reach. What is their story? What do they want? What are their concerns? Do your research and create content that they can relate to.
Let your personality come through
People want to feel like they are dealing with a human being, not a robot. Don’t be afraid to let go of some of the formality and let your personality shine through. Being yourself will help the audience connect more to your words.
