Improving your public speaking abilities is a journey that combines practice, feedback, and continuous learning. Here are actionable steps to enhance your skills.
Learn more about the other 2 “Better Series” from me:
• Sleep Better for Career Growth – 10 actionable steps to enhance your sleeping
• Eat Better for Career Growth – 10 actionable steps to enhance your eating habits
And remember from Ancient Rome:
"Mens sana in corpore sano" (Classical Latin) -> usually translated as "a healthy mind in a healthy body"
Let’s jump-start!
Step 1 – Understand Your Audience
Audience analysis involves gathering data about the attendees’ ages, professions, cultural backgrounds, and interests. This information can guide the choice of language, humour, examples, and complexity of content. For instance, technical jargon may be appropriate for industry specialists but not for a general audience. Understanding your audience also means anticipating their questions and concerns, allowing you to address these proactively in your speech.
Step 2 – Practice Regularly
Regular practice helps to refine your speech content, timing, and delivery. Start by practising in a controlled environment, such as your home, where you can focus on memorizing your main points and working on your delivery without pressure. As you become more comfortable, seek out more public speaking opportunities, such as community events or professional meetings. This gradual increase in audience size and diversity will help you adapt to different speaking contexts and audience reactions. Being consistent is much more important than having intensive bursts of practice. The benefits of being consistent are further explored in my other "Better Series" on Sleep Better for Career Growth
Step 3 – Seek Constructive Feedback
Constructive feedback is crucial for improvement. After practising or delivering a speech, ask for detailed feedback on specific aspects such as clarity of your main points, the effectiveness of your opening and conclusion, use of language, and engagement techniques. Encourage honesty, and consider providing a feedback form that addresses these areas to make it easier for your audience to provide specific insights. Reflect on this feedback objectively and use it to make targeted improvements.
Step 4 – Master the Art of Storytelling
Compelling storytelling involves selecting stories relevant to your message and resonating with your audience. Develop your storytelling skills by practising the pacing and delivery of your stories to maintain audience engagement. Use vivid descriptions and emotions to bring your stories to life. Remember, the best stories often have an apparent conflict or challenge and a resolution that ties back to your overall message, compellingly illustrating your point.
Step 5 – Improve Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication can reinforce or undermine your spoken message. Work on maintaining an open stance and avoiding crossed arms or legs, which can appear defensive. Practice eye contact with different parts of the audience to create a sense of connection and engagement. Use purposeful gestures to emphasize key points, but be mindful not to overdo it. Your facial expressions should match the tone of your message, showing enthusiasm or concern as appropriate.
Step 6 – Work on Your Voice
A dynamic voice captures and holds attention. To improve the vocal variety, practice speaking with different volumes, speeds, and pitches to emphasize other parts of your speech. Use pauses effectively to allow your audience to absorb information, particularly after making essential points. Vocal warm-ups and exercises can improve your diction and projection, ensuring your voice remains clear and strong, even without a microphone.
Step 7 – Learn from the Experts
Watching and analyzing speeches by expert speakers can provide valuable lessons in public speaking. Note how they handle transitions, engage the audience with questions or interactive elements, and use humour or personal anecdotes. Pay attention to how they manage their notes or slides, ensuring these aids support rather than detract from their delivery. Try to emulate aspects of their style that resonate with you while maintaining authenticity.
Step 8 – Handle Nervousness
Managing nervousness is about preparing mentally and physically. In addition to deep breathing and visualization techniques, ensure you are well-rested and hydrated on the day of your speech. Some speakers find that physical exercise before speaking helps to reduce tension. Develop a pre-speech routine that lets you focus and calm your nerves, such as listening to music or repeating positive affirmations.
Step 9 – Prepare Thoroughly
Comprehensive preparation goes beyond knowing your material. It includes planning the structure of your presentation, designing effective visual aids, and anticipating audience questions. Rehearse your speech in the environment you will be presenting in, if possible, to familiarize yourself with the space. Also, prepare for technical difficulties by having backups of your materials and being ready to proceed without visual aids if necessary.
Step 10 – Continuously Educate Yourself
The best speakers are lifelong learners. Attend public speaking workshops, seminars, and conferences to learn from experts and network with other speakers. Online courses and webinars offer flexibility to learn at your own pace. Reading public speaking and communication books can also provide new insights and strategies. Keep track of your progress and set goals for your development as a speaker.
👋 Let’s talk
I am delighted that you have my article! Your decision to invest in your professional development through learning and mentorship is remarkable — and I am here to ensure that this journey exceeds your expectations.
Here I’m sharing the lessons I learned along the way, and I hope you find my articles helpful in your career journey. Send me a message and let me know.
Since starting my professional career (18+ years ago), I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by great leaders.
I didn’t even realize those leaders were mentoring me at the time. They pushed me forward (beyond so-called common sense) and shared with me their lessons learned. We didn’t always agree, but their beliefs and consistency led me to trust them and discover myself. I’ve learned some things along the way.
This is a fantastic opportunity for us to grow together.
See my mentorcruise.com profile and I hope to speak with you soon!