11 TIPS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

Do you feel like communication is a challenge? Do you find yourself struggling to articulate your thoughts and feelings in the moment? Communication, especially verbal communication, can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. In this blog post, we will discuss 11 tips that will help improve your communication skills and make speaking easier.

1. Start with the end in mind. Every communication, verbal or otherwise, has a purpose, an end-goal. Identify this first so you have a clear idea of what you will need or want to say. Ask yourself what you are looking to accomplish through your words to help you know your goal.
2. Identify your message. This should become clear once you know the purpose of your communication. As part of this, identify your audience and how you need to speak to them to ensure your message will be properly received. 
3. Identify potential challenges. Most of us will inevitably mess up or trip over our words a few times in any given situation. DO NOT let this derail you. It is natural to make mistakes. Your reaction to and recovery from those mistakes is what matters. If you know that you are a nervous speaker, have a few ideas in mind as to how you will recover if you make a mistake. I always ask myself what is the worst thing that will happen. Once I force my brain to think of a logical answer to that question, I realize that my nerves are usually unfounded and that even if I trip up, I'll be able to recover.
4. Have an outline. Make yourself a roadmap for your thoughts. This is important, especially if you have a limited amount of time to deliver your words. Having your outline in front of you can help you feel more relaxed and can give your hands something to hold on to while you speak (I personally find this very useful and almost always have my notes in my hands when I'm speaking).
5. Leave the fluff out. I've said it once, maybe even a hundred times by now...leave out the fluff words. In case you missed it last time, fluff words are words that are added to your message but act like padding rather than contributing to the message. Think of fluff words like packing peanuts - they take up space but are basically useless. It's okay to embellish a little bit but do your best to keep it simple and leave the fluff out.
6. Slow down and speak up. Nerves and excitement cause us to speak fast. They can also cause us to speak too softly. Even if you have a microphone when you are speaking, be sure to use a strong voice so you can be heard. Also remember to slow down. If you go too fast, your message will be lost on the audience, and they will lose interest.
7. Practice. I can't say it enough - practice speaking out loud either in front of a mirror or in front of breathing humans. Practicing out loud can help you overcome your nervousness and can help you find your mighty voice. For more on why practicing your speaking is important, click HERE to read my blog post "Practice Makes Permanent."
8. Look at the audience. Have your notes, but don't stare at them. Look at the people you are speaking to. If you stare at your notes and read them, the audience will feel like you are speaking to your paper rather than to them. You want to engage with your audience, look around at them as you speak, make eye contact, and speak TO them, not AT them!
9. Be an active listener. “But I'm the speaker,” you are thinking...yes you are, but you also must listen to the audience. If you are presenting to a large crowd, listening simply means you are reading the room and feeding back on the energy from the audience. In smaller situations, like a one-on-one conversation or a small presentation with Q&A session, you MUST actively listen to those responding to you. Listen to understand and then to respond. Do not interrupt.
10. Think of communication as a process rather than an event. Speaking in public is a marathon, not a sprint. You need to prepare, train, challenge yourself, and improve as you go. In verbal communication, you start with an idea, create your content, practice it, and refine it. These steps will naturally lead to improvement and confidence in yourself.
11. Know the setting. There are several settings you can find yourself in that require verbal communication or public speaking. These range from informal communication between friends to formal training at the office or speaking to a large crowd. Knowing the setting you will be in can help you communicate as effectively as possible. Some common settings for verbal communication are teaching, presenting, one-to-one or one-to-many training, and phone conversations. Knowing which setting you will be in will allow you to prepare adequately.

Speaking to or in front of others can be scary, but it doesn't have to be! Next time you find yourself needing to prepare a presentation or speech, use these tips to help streamline the process and calm your nerves so you can go into it with confidence!

For more on how to improve your communication skills, click HERE to download my free 10-page guide to communicating greatly!

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