Many people are afraid of speaking publicly. This fear can be felt in over 75% of adults and for a lot of people it is a dreadful feeling.
A recent article in the Huffington Post talks about five tips that could help you feel more confident when speaking publicly. The first tip is to get people laughing. Most people wouldn’t think to begin a speech with a joke. Sometimes breaking the ice with a silly remark or joke can really change the feeling of the speech and make it less formal and more personable. Depending on your audience, this approach can be quite helpful. It also helps engage the audience. If people are laughing that means they are listening and now they are interested in what you have to say. They might even find you funny!
The second tip is to “focus on people who are nodding.” When you are talking to an audience, while scanning the crowd, take note of people who are nodding during your speech. These people are most likely truly engaged in what you are saying and can help boost your confidence knowing that they care. The more confident you sound, the more people will gravitate towards you.
The third tip is to express your emotions. Get excited about the speech you are delivering!
The fourth tip is as simple as it sounds, practice. The more you practice the better prepared you will be for your speech. Get out in front of a group of people, friends, whoever. The more you speak in front of a number of people the better you will be in the long run.
The fifth tip is “be prepared to make a mistake.” There is always a chance that you could make a mistake during your speech, so don’t come off surprised if you do. Rest assured that everyone makes mistakes no matter how professional or experienced you are – you are not alone!