Public Speaking Tips
Just a little practice.
January 13, 2016
7 Simple Exercises That’ll Up Your Public Speaking Game
Your pitch serves as a gateway between every new person you meet and his or her contribution to your enterprise. Land the pitch, and you’ll open the door to a bigger conversation that could lead to a new client, a new adviser, or maybe even new funding. Slip up, and you might not get an opportunity for further discussion.
Of course, stronger business ideas naturally lend themselves to more convincing pitches than their weaker counterparts, but there’s only so much you can do to perfect your business plan. The real key to a successful pitch is delivering it in a personable, compelling, and effective way, and that requires strong public speaking skills.
If you’re trying to perfect your pitch, try these seven public speaking exercises to help you get there.
1. Explain Your Idea to a Child
This exercise is all about conveying your business idea in as few terms and as simply as possible. Children have far less experience in the real world than adults and need ideas simplified for them—meaning you have to remove all those fancy-sounding buzzwords and fluff sentences. The twist is that even though you’ll simplify your pitch, you’ll actually end up with one that carries more meaning. Use this to get used to using simple, concise phrases.
2. Practice Small Talk
Small talk is your reliable segue into your pitch. Never walk up to a stranger and immediately pitch to him—instead, start up a short conversation about the weather, about the venue, or about a piece of clothing he’s wearing. To get a better feel for the rhythms and niceties of small talk, practice it on a daily basis. Find someone new to talk to every day—gradually, you’ll become more comfortable with it.
3. Write Out Your Main Points
Written exercises help your mind visualize and absorb information better than speaking exercises. Your pitch might sound great in your head when you speak it audibly, but when you write it out, you might find that you’re forgetting a major point, or that one of your points isn’t necessary to include. Chart out your pitch’s main points on paper, and use that as a platform to improve.
4. Perfect Your Posture
Posture may not seem like a big deal, but it can improve your image (and first impressions) while simultaneously improving your diction and delivery. Stand up straight and tall with your shoulders back and your hands in front of you or at your sides (not in your pockets). Make eye contact with people and breathe deeply—it makes a big difference.
5. Experiment With Variations
Don’t practice your pitch over and over using the same vocabulary and the same speech patterns. Eventually, you’ll sound like a robot. Instead, intentionally play with different words, different phrasing, and different main points altogether. This form of practice prevents that robotic, over-rehearsed sound and makes you seem like a more natural speaker.
6. Play With Your Pacing
Different people speak at different rates, but you might find that your pitch is better heard spoken slowly than quickly. Play around with different styles of pacing, and listen to which sounds better. You might enlist the help of an outside party to do this. No matter where you settle, you’ll at least get different forms of practice in further diversifying your potential approaches and forms of delivery.
7. Record Your Pitch
Last, but not least, use a recording device to listen (and watch) yourself speak. You’ll likely find there are subtle tics or choke points that you don’t notice about yourself from a first-person perspective, interfering with your delivery. For example, you might discover that you pause too long, or that you tend to shrug your shoulders after every line. Use these recording sessions to iron out these disruptions and flaws.
Repeat these exercises as necessary until you feel comfortable rolling out your pitch to a wider audience. Remember, even a “perfect” pitch can (and will) be rejected by a percentage of the people you talk to, so try not to take things personally. Keep your delivery light and natural, and seek out diverse new audiences to maximize your chances of success.
January 12, 2016
15 Ways to Avoid a Public Speaking Freakout
I’ve been doing a lot of presenting recently, and I have no problem admitting that it’s tough. For those not born with natural eloquence, public speaking can be remarkably nerve-racking.
We can’t all deliver the next Gettysburg Address, but there are several small things you can do prior to your presentation that will help calm your nerves and set you up for optimal oration.
1. Practice
Naturally, you’ll want to rehearse your presentation multiple times. While it can be difficult for those with packed schedules to spare time to practice, it’s essential if you want to deliver a rousing presentation. If you really want to sound great, write out your speech rather than taking chances winging it.
Try to practice where you’ll be delivering your talk. Some acting strategists suggest rehearsing lines in various positions—standing up, sitting down, with arms open wide, on one leg, while sitting on the toilet, etc. (OK, that last one may be optional.) The more you mix up your position and setting, the more comfortable you’ll feel with your speech.
Also try recording your presentation and playing it back to evaluate which areas need work. Listening to recordings of your past talks can clue you in to bad habits you may be unaware of, as well as inspiring the age-old question: “Is that what I really sound like?”
2. Transform Nervous Energy Into Enthusiasm
It may sound strange, but I’ll often down an energy drink and blast hip-hop music in my earphones before presenting. Why? It pumps me up and helps me turn jitters into focused enthusiasm. Studies have shown that an enthusiastic speech can win out over an eloquent one, and since I’m not exactly the Winston Churchill of presenters, I make sure that I’m as enthusiastic and energetic as possible before going on stage.
Of course, individuals respond differently to caffeine overload, so know your own body before guzzling those monster energy drinks.
3. Attend Other Speeches
If you’re giving a talk as part of a larger series, try to attend some of the earlier talks by other presenters. This shows respect for your fellow presenters while also giving you a chance to feel out the audience. What’s the mood of the crowd? Are folks in the mood to laugh or are they a bit more stiff? Are the presentations more strategic or tactical in nature?
Another speaker may also say something that you can play off of later in your own presentation.
4. Arrive Early
It’s always best to allow yourself plenty of time to settle in before your talk. Extra time ensures you won’t be late (even if Google Maps shuts down) and gives you plenty of time to get adapted to your presentation space.
5. Adjust to Your Surroundings
The more adjusted to your environment you are, the more comfortable you’ll feel. Make sure to spend some time in the room where you will be delivering your presentation.
If possible, practice with the microphone and lighting, make sure you understand the seating, and be aware of any distractions potentially posed by the venue (e.g., a noisy road outside).
6. Meet and Greet
Do your best to chat with people before your presentation. Talking with audiences makes you seem more likeable and approachable. Ask event attendees questions and take in their responses. They may even give you some inspiration to weave into your talk.
7. Use Positive Visualization
Whether or not you consider yourself a master of Zen, know that plenty of studies have proven the effectiveness of positive visualization. When we imagine a positive outcome to a scenario in our mind, it’s more likely to play out the way we envision.
Instead of thinking “I’m going to be terrible out there” and visualizing yourself throwing up mid-presentation, imagine yourself getting tons of laughs while presenting with the enthusiasm of Jimmy Fallon and the poise of Audrey Hepburn (the charm of George Clooney wouldn’t hurt either). Positive thoughts can be incredibly effective—give them a shot.
8. Take Deep Breaths
The go-to advice for jitters has truth to it. When we’re nervous, our muscles tighten—you may even catch yourself holding your breath. Instead, go ahead and take those deep breaths to get oxygen to your brain and relax your body.
9. Smile
Smiling increases endorphins, replacing anxiety with calm and making you feel good about your presentation. Smiling also exhibits confidence and enthusiasm to the crowd. Just don’t overdo it—no one enjoys the maniacal clown look.
10. Exercise
Exercise earlier in the day prior to your presentation to boost endorphins, which will help alleviate anxiety. Better pre-register for that Zumba class!
11. Work on Your Pauses
When you’re nervous, it’s easy to speed up your speech and end up talking too fast, which in turn causes you to run out of breath, get more nervous, and panic! Ahh!
Don’t be afraid to slow down and use pauses in your speech. Pausing can be used to emphasize certain points and to help your talk feel more conversational. If you feel yourself losing control of your pacing, just take a nice pause and keep cool.
12. Use a Power Stance
Practicing confident body language is another way to boost your pre-presentation jitters. When your body is physically demonstrating confidence, your mind will follow suit.
While you don’t want to be jutting out your chest in an alpha gorilla pose all afternoon (somebody enjoyed Dawn of the Planet of the Apes a bit too much), studies have shown that using power stances a few minutes before giving a talk (or heading to a nerve-racking interview) creates a lasting sense of confidence and assurance.
Whatever you do, don’t sit—sitting is passive. Standing or walking a bit will help you harness those stomach bats (isn’t that more appropriate than butterflies?). Before you go on stage, strike your best Power Ranger stance and hold your head high!
13. Drink Water
Dry mouth is a common result of anxiety. Prevent cottonmouth blues by staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water before your talk (just don’t forget to hit the bathroom before starting). Keep a bottle of water at arm’s reach while presenting in case you get dry mouth while chatting up a storm. It also provides a solid object to hurl at potential hecklers. (That’ll show ’em.)
14. Join Toastmasters
Toastmaster clubs are groups across the country (and the world) dedicated to helping members improve their public speaking skills. Groups get together during lunch or after work to take turns delivering short talks on a chosen topic.
The more you present, the better you’ll be, so consider joining a Toastmaster club to become a top-notch orator. Just don’t forget, it’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Bread).
15. Don’t Fight the Fear
Accept your fear rather than trying to fight it. Getting yourself worked up by wondering if people will notice your nervousness will only intensify your anxiety. Remember, those jitters aren’t all bad—harness that nervous energy and transform it into positive enthusiasm and you’ll be golden. We salute you, O Captain! My Captain!