Overcome public speaking jitters

Do you get anxious and have a racy heart when you speak in front of others? Public speaking is one of the most common fears affecting professionals, students and CEOs alike. Being nervous in front of an audience is universal, but there are platinum rules to becoming an effective speaker.

The idea of a powerful public speech is to make maximum impact. Communications coach Nick Morgan says in Harvard Business Review: “You have to tap into the basic impulses underlying your speech. These should include four powerful aims: to be open, to connect, to be passionate and to listen.” He suggests rehearsing speeches with them in mind. He assures if you are able to sincerely realise these feelings, your body language will take care of itself.

Knowing your subject is vital to a successful speech or presentation. Harrison Monarth and Larina Kase, authors of The Confident Speaker, have a suggestion: Study the arguments for and against and the ones in the middle. If you are already an expert on the topic you are talking about, good for you. Otherwise, research. Hesitation, unfamiliarity with your own words and lack of conviction during a speech will ruin the experience both for you and your audience. Once you have mastered your subject, the next step is to make your talk or speech as realistic as possible. Practice in front of a mirror helps. Rope in your peers and colleagues to critique your rehearsal speech. According to communication experts, you will learn more from their observations as to what works and what doesn’t than you would in a room all by yourself.

Create powerful openings and closings that get audience attention and make them sit up. An anecdote works, a joke doesn’t. Some startling fact will get you audience attention, but make sure you back it up with research. Remember to take question breaks throughout to keep your audience engaged. “The intent is to be open with your audience. If you come across as closed, your listeners will perceive you as defensive—as if they somehow represent a threat. Not much chance for communication there,” says Morgan.

5 Essentials

• Preparation is important. But when a talk is over-practised, it can become stiff and sound mechanical.
• Listen to messages from your audience, whether spoken or unspoken. Accordingly, you may want to change the pace, or even eliminate parts of your talk.
• Be open to interjections and questions. Let the audience know when you will have the Q&A session—at the end or will you take question breaks throughout.
• Be candid when you talk. Some speakers, without meaning to, come across as so serious that they alienate their audience.
• Project your enthusiasm. Focus not just on what you want to say, but also on why you are giving the speech and how you feel about that.