Speaking in front of many people that you don’t know is a frightening experience. However, public speaking is a great skill to acquire. It is more than speaking: it is actually about informing, influencing, and motivating your listeners. Once you conquer your fear and master the art of public speaking, you can finally become an informer, influencer, and motivator. In this article, you will find some practical ways to do that! 

Why is public speaking an important skill?

To fully understand why you need the tips to improve your public speaking, you must first learn its importance. There are three reasons why this skill is essential: to win over the crowd, inform, and motivate. 

To win over the crowd

Professional speaking is one of the most sought-after skills in the business world. The power of persuasion can bring success. Being able to master the art of public speaking that can win over the crowd can be used inside and outside the workplace.  

To inform

The ability to creatively embed information on people is also one of the beautiful aspects of public speaking. From presenting research papers and other informative materials, one can make a fundamental change in the world. As the saying goes, knowledge is power. Thus, by imparting knowledge, you are also empowering the people listening to you.

To motivate

A great public speaker can move their listeners. Through words, a speaker can ignite something in the hearts of people. This can motivate something to stop doing bad things, change for the better, try a different path, and many more. 

Tips to Improve Public Speaking

If you want to become an influencer, informer, and motivator through public speaking, here are some tips to help you improve! 

Breathe 

If you have public speaking anxiety, then the best thing to do would be to breathe. Don’t start the moment you enter the platform or podium. Take your time and breathe first to prepare yourself. When you start when you are still nervous, your sweat can break out, and you might stutter. 

Acknowledge Your Anxiety

The “conceal, don’t feel” principle of Elsa in Frozen didn’t end up good, right? This is why the best thing to do when you’re feeling nervous in front of many people is to admit to them that you are. Concealing it would make you seem tenser. 

Practice is still the best teacher

Practicing before you proceed to the real action is very helpful. You can ask people you are comfortable with, such as friends or family, to listen to you. Ask for their comments as well, so you’ll know where to improve. You can also surround yourself with stuffed toys or your pet while practicing, to mimic your would-be audience. Just note not to push yourself too much and overthink, as it can do more bad than good. 

Know your audience

Your speech shouldn’t be about you. The focal should be your audience since you will be speaking to convince, inform, or motivate them. When you consider them and make them feel engaged, then they will understand your message more. 

Organize the content of your speech

Professional public speakers say that if you can’t capture the attention of your speakers within the first 30 seconds of your speech, you have already failed. This is why you must organize the content of your speech in the most effective manner. It would even be helpful to create a framework just like in the book Talk Like TED. Start with the topic, then define your general purpose, specific purpose, focal idea, and key points. . 

Let your personality shine through

The audience hates it when speakers are trying to be someone they aren’t. To establish better credibility, just be who you really are and let that shine through your speech. If they see you as someone real, then they will trust you more.  

Beware of your hand gestures

Public speaking is giving out a speech- it isn’t declamation where you need a hand gesture for every word you speak. The gestures can help you not look too stiff, but they also might distract your audience, so keep it to a minimum. 

Move around but not too much

Similar to hand gestures, you can also move around, especially if you have a big stage and audience. It helps you feel more comfortable, and at the same time, your audience will also perceive that as trying to feel closer to them. However, you should also limit it as your audience may get dizzy. 

Something to Ponder On

John Ford said that you could speak well if you deliver the message from your heart. Remember the tips written here, and you will surely be able to do that- to talk about a message from your heart that has the power to influence, inform, and motivate.