Authored by Dr. Leland Jaffe, Associate Professor and Dean; Published on January 10, 2024
Public speaking is a valuable skill that not only boosts confidence but also opens doors to various opportunities in both academic and professional settings. Whether you’re presenting a project in class or delivering a lecture at a conference, captivating your audience and owning the stage is essential. To help you master the art of public speaking, here are 15 valuable tips that will enhance your communication skills and leave a lasting impression on your audience.
I want you to know that this advice comes from someone who defines himself as a natural introvert! Embarking on my journey as a professor in 2015 and feeling comfortable in front of an audience didn’t come easily. As a student, the mere thought of speaking in front of a crowd gave me butterflies and anxiety threatened to shake my voice. Determined to overcome this hurdle, I embraced various strategies to help conquer my fear. Through consistent practice, visualization techniques, and the invaluable support of mentors, I gradually transformed my anxiety into excitement to speak in front of a group. Each small personal achievement bolstered my confidence, and as I pushed through the stage fright, I discovered a newfound strength within myself. I truly feel that to grow and develop new skills, you must continually push yourself out of your comfort zone. I can confidently tell you that public speaking gets better with time and practice. The good news is that if you currently have a fear of public speaking, you are not alone, as I also felt that way previously. These 15 tips will help you take that nervous energy on stage and become a great public speaker.
1. Know Your Audience:
Tailor your speech to the interests and expectations of your audience. Understanding their background, knowledge, and preferences will help you connect with them on a deeper level. If you’re presenting to a group of students or other professionals, attempt to take their current level of knowledge and elevate it slightly. You don’t want your talk to be too basic, or you’ll bore the audience, but you also don’t want to be speaking at a level that the audience cannot understand. A great way to avoid this is to know the audience members before your talk.
2. Start with a Strong Opening:
Capture the audience’s attention from the beginning with a compelling introduction. You can use an interesting fact, a thought-provoking question, or a personal experience to set the tone for your speech. I find that making myself vulnerable in a speech can be a powerful way to draw my audience in. When you share personal experiences, challenges, or emotions, it creates a genuine and authentic connection with the audience. Vulnerability allows listeners to relate to you on a personal level, breaking down barriers and fostering empathy. Sharing vulnerabilities can also make your message more memorable and impactful. It adds a layer of authenticity to your speech, making it more compelling and relatable. When the audience sees your willingness to be open and honest, it often encourages them to engage more deeply with your content.
3. Master Nonverbal Communication:
Make sure to pay attention to your body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures. Maintain eye contact to establish a connection with your audience, and use gestures to emphasize key points. I think it’s good practice to observe other speakers that you connect with and try to emulate those behaviors. The more comfortable you feel and look on stage, the more your audience will connect with you. A speaker who appears comfortable exudes confidence and confidence, in turn, establishes credibility in the eyes of the audience. When your listeners perceive you to be confident, they are more likely to trust the information being presented.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice:
Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure understanding and confidence. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself or ask friends and family for constructive feedback. One of the best ways to achieve confidence and become a better public speaker is through practice. The first time that I’m scheduled to deliver a presentation, I’m not sure how long it will take and multiple practice runs can help with my pace. One of the books that helped me significantly is Talk Like TED: The 9-Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds. Watching multiple TED talks and listening to speakers share their personal stories has truly helped provide me with a framework of how I’d like to structure my presentations.
5. Use Visual Aids Wisely:
Visual aids, such as a PowerPoint presentation, can enhance your lecture…however, avoid clutter and ensure that your visuals support your message rather than overshadowing it. You must be very strategic when designing a PowerPoint presentation so that it doesn’t distract from your lecture. For example, if your slides are too wordy, the audience will be attempting to read your slides instead of listening to you speak. Make sure to use bullet points and limit the amount of words per slide.
6. Speak Clearly and Slowly:
Articulate your words clearly and maintain a moderate pace. Speaking too fast can make it difficult for your audience to follow while speaking too slowly might lead to disinterest. Again, this is a skill that is developed through practice, both independently as well as in front of people (family, friends, colleagues). Practicing your pace multiple times before the actual event is the best way to make sure your presentation is of the appropriate duration.
7. Be Authentic:
Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Authenticity builds trust with your audience and makes your message more relatable and genuine. When you embrace your true self and convey sincerity in your words and body language, you establish a genuine connection with your audience. Authentic public speakers don’t just deliver information; they invite the audience into a shared experience. By being true to yourself, you not only enhance your credibility but also inspire and motivate the audience. To show your authenticity to the audience, you first need to be comfortable on stage, and this again starts with putting in the reps!
8. Tell a Compelling Personal Story:
Humans are wired to respond to stories. Incorporate anecdotes or examples that illustrate your points and make your speech more engaging and memorable. Relating your main points to real work experiences will make the information more memorable for the audience.
9. Be Mindful of Time:
Respect your audience’s time by sticking to the allocated timeframe. Practice pacing to ensure you cover all your points without rushing through the end of your presentation…I’ve been there before and it’s no fun! There is no strict rule for how long a presenter should spend on each PowerPoint slide, as it can vary based on factors such as the content complexity, audience, and purpose of the presentation. However, a common guideline is the “2-minute rule,” which suggests spending about 1-2 minutes per slide.
10. Connect with Emotion:
Engage with your audience emotionally by appealing to their feelings. Whether it’s making the audience laugh, showing empathy, or inspiration, emotions create a memorable experience. This is such an effective way to draw your audience in and captivate their attention throughout the presentation. Some of the great speakers that I’ve been able to observe have truly mastered this skill!
11. (Try To) Handle Nervousness:
It’s natural to feel nervous, but learning to manage those nerves is crucial. Practice relaxation techniques, take a deep breath, and focus on the message you want to deliver, as this will help you speak clearly and avoid filler words. Channeling nervous energy into excitement during public speaking involves reframing anxiety as anticipation, embracing the adrenaline rush, and focusing on the opportunity to captivate your audience with your passion and expertise.
12. Encourage Interaction:
Foster a sense of participation by asking questions or encouraging discussions. This keeps your audience involved and shows that you value their input. Some of the tools that I’ve utilized include Poll Everywhere and Socrative.com, which are two platforms that foster audience participation.
13. Master the Art of Pauses:
Pauses during a presentation can be impactful. Use them strategically to emphasize points, allow your audience to digest information, and create a sense of anticipation.
14. Adapt to Feedback:
Be open to feedback and continuously strive to improve next time. Constructive criticism helps you identify areas for growth and enhances your overall speaking skills. I routinely ask conferences to provide me with my evaluations so that I can learn from the experience and improve my skills for my next presentation.
15. End with a Strong Conclusion:
Summarize your key points and end with a memorable conclusion. Consider leaving your audience with a thought-provoking question or a call to action. Here’s an example of a call to action at the end of a presentation:
“As we wrap up today, I want to challenge each one of you. Take a moment to reflect on what we’ve discussed and consider how you can apply these insights to your own life. Your next step is important. Starting tomorrow, implement at least one key takeaway from today’s presentation. Share your progress with us on social media using our event hashtag, and let’s inspire each other to continue to advance. Remember, change begins with action. I look forward to seeing your success. Thank you!”
In this example, the call to action encourages the audience to actively apply what they’ve learned and share their experiences, fostering a sense of community and accountability.
Public Speaking Tips – Conclusion:
Public speaking is a skill that can be honed with practice and dedication. By incorporating these 15 tips into your approach, you’ll not only capture your audience’s attention but also develop into a confident and effective communicator. Remember, each speaking opportunity is a chance to grow, so embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey of becoming a skilled public speaker.
Great compilation of ideas! Well organized and thought out.
Thank you for the feedback. It took me many years to develop my public speaking skills. Applying these tips over time have really helped me!