Nothing has changed since sometime around 420 BC when the world’s most influential philosopher, Plato stated: “Know thyself”. This is good advice to remember when asked to give a presentation and battling something known as “performance anxiety” in the wonderful world of public speaking. Usually in my seminars, I get attendees up and speaking immediately before they even consider being “scared”. They first take a very small step such as stating their name and something they like to do. Then, as our time together progresses through a 3-hour seminar or an ongoing 12-week online course, I continue slowly building their confidence. Tom Hopkins, known worldwide as a best selling author and sales trainer states: “Do what you fear most, and you control fear”.
Whether public speaking to you is something that you “fear most” or you just need a few pointers to keep your anxiety level to a minimum, my ten “knows” of public speaking may be invaluable for your next presentation:
KNOW YOUR STUFF. Most public speaking mentors will tell you to know your material. But here’s something that is sometimes overlooked. Why not simply speak on something you already know? When you speak on something you already know, you are already an expert at some level and you’ll tend to speak more passionate about it. For those times when you can’t choose your topic, inject personal stories about things that you know within your presentation but… be sure to make sure they serve to make a point.
KNOW YOUR VOICE. In voiceover work, as when you hear someone narrating a commercial, a voiceover actor pays close attention to all aspects of the voice. You can do a bit of research to find how a voiceover artist prepares, at one of my favorite voiceover coach’s site: http://www.voiceacting.com. James R. Alburger In public speaking we need to know what our voice is capable of doing. Experiment and practice areas in your speech, using variation of highness and lowness (pitch), the slow or fast pacing of our words, and pause in places to show emphasis. Work to speak more conversationally and not like an announcer selling cars on the radio.
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS. What are you good at? Are you good at painting, cooking, or accounting? Just as there is no such thing as a natural born painter, chef, or accountant, so too, there is no such thing as a natural born speaker. Invite evaluation from others. Ask what things you do best when you present. Do you use gestures well? Do you have a contagious smile? Are you humorous? Use your best attributes in your presentations and slowly incorporate other things you’d like to improve upon. Speaking is something you’ll do the rest of your life. Every episode is an opportunity to improve.
KNOW YOUR FACE. Your face is your fortune. Your face may not grace any page of a celebrity magazine, but we all have a smile, use it. You have facial expressions so let your face “express”. Look excited and you’ll be excited. Remember that to the audience, many times nervousness translates as excitement. Going beyond facial expressions, work on your body “expressions” as well. This is called body movement. And, don’t be tied to the lectern, move around a bit. This will ease your anxiety as well. Conduct a bit of research on the use of body movement for presenting. Study the science of body movement, which is called “body language” to add interest in your presentations.
KNOW YOUR PROPS. I believe that every speaker should use a few props when giving every speech. It adds interest, makes points clearer, and gives the speaker a “security blanket to hold onto! Try it; you’ll like it!
KNOW YOUR VENUE. There’s probably nothing more disconcerting than to get to a place to deliver your presentation and seeing that the room setup is not conducive to presenting well. I try to get as much information prior to the event about the venue I’ll be presenting at. Then I get there early. You’ll be more comfortable after getting a “feel” for the room.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE (BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER). Do research before your event to learn about your audience. What age are they? What level of education do they have? What do they like to do after work? Then incorporate this information in your presentation and you’ll relate well with them. During your delivery, when you get feedback like smiles, nods of affirmation, and laughter, your performance anxiety will surely melt away. Also, after your presentation, ask for sincere feedback, and be sure to take notes and actually use this valuable feedback to do better. Remember when your thoughts are on others, and not on yourself, you’ll have less performance anxiety.
KNOW THAT YOUR AUDIENCE DOESN’T HAVE A SCRIPT. The audience doesn’t know what your speech is about. They will not know if you leave out a few words, or points. Of course, always strive to do your best, but knowing that the audience does not have a written script as to what you will say, should bolster your confidence and decrease any stress.
KNOW YOUR SPEECH DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. This is much like point eight above; know that you are always learning and getting better. No one in the audience is perfect and they’ll relate better to you when you are more “human”. Believe that the audience is your friend and want you to succeed!
KNOW THAT THERE IS MORE TO KNOW. Join Toastmasters, associate with other speakers, take courses, and learn a different hobby. Enjoy life and enjoy speaking about it.
Ok, I like to add value to all of my products and services so I’ll offer one more “know”: KNOW THAT YOU’LL NEVER KNOW. There are many “knows” that I haven’t covered here because of space limitations. I’m sure you can think of some of your own. Don’t stop learning and keep improving.
Don’t wait to be asked to speak. Look for (and make) opportunities to speak, just like my friend, Darren LaCroix, the Toastmaster 2001 World Champion Speaker. He had severe stage fright when he started but today he triumphantly expresses in his mantra, “stage time, stage time, stage time.”
Get to know these ten “knows” of public speaking and they will help you to say, “yes” the next time you’re asked to speak.
Whether public speaking to you is something that you “fear most” or you just need a few pointers to keep your anxiety level to a minimum, my ten “knows” of public speaking may be invaluable for your next presentation:
KNOW YOUR STUFF. Most public speaking mentors will tell you to know your material. But here’s something that is sometimes overlooked. Why not simply speak on something you already know? When you speak on something you already know, you are already an expert at some level and you’ll tend to speak more passionate about it. For those times when you can’t choose your topic, inject personal stories about things that you know within your presentation but… be sure to make sure they serve to make a point.
KNOW YOUR VOICE. In voiceover work, as when you hear someone narrating a commercial, a voiceover actor pays close attention to all aspects of the voice. You can do a bit of research to find how a voiceover artist prepares, at one of my favorite voiceover coach’s site: http://www.voiceacting.com. James R. Alburger In public speaking we need to know what our voice is capable of doing. Experiment and practice areas in your speech, using variation of highness and lowness (pitch), the slow or fast pacing of our words, and pause in places to show emphasis. Work to speak more conversationally and not like an announcer selling cars on the radio.
KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS. What are you good at? Are you good at painting, cooking, or accounting? Just as there is no such thing as a natural born painter, chef, or accountant, so too, there is no such thing as a natural born speaker. Invite evaluation from others. Ask what things you do best when you present. Do you use gestures well? Do you have a contagious smile? Are you humorous? Use your best attributes in your presentations and slowly incorporate other things you’d like to improve upon. Speaking is something you’ll do the rest of your life. Every episode is an opportunity to improve.
KNOW YOUR FACE. Your face is your fortune. Your face may not grace any page of a celebrity magazine, but we all have a smile, use it. You have facial expressions so let your face “express”. Look excited and you’ll be excited. Remember that to the audience, many times nervousness translates as excitement. Going beyond facial expressions, work on your body “expressions” as well. This is called body movement. And, don’t be tied to the lectern, move around a bit. This will ease your anxiety as well. Conduct a bit of research on the use of body movement for presenting. Study the science of body movement, which is called “body language” to add interest in your presentations.
KNOW YOUR PROPS. I believe that every speaker should use a few props when giving every speech. It adds interest, makes points clearer, and gives the speaker a “security blanket to hold onto! Try it; you’ll like it!
KNOW YOUR VENUE. There’s probably nothing more disconcerting than to get to a place to deliver your presentation and seeing that the room setup is not conducive to presenting well. I try to get as much information prior to the event about the venue I’ll be presenting at. Then I get there early. You’ll be more comfortable after getting a “feel” for the room.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE (BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER). Do research before your event to learn about your audience. What age are they? What level of education do they have? What do they like to do after work? Then incorporate this information in your presentation and you’ll relate well with them. During your delivery, when you get feedback like smiles, nods of affirmation, and laughter, your performance anxiety will surely melt away. Also, after your presentation, ask for sincere feedback, and be sure to take notes and actually use this valuable feedback to do better. Remember when your thoughts are on others, and not on yourself, you’ll have less performance anxiety.
KNOW THAT YOUR AUDIENCE DOESN’T HAVE A SCRIPT. The audience doesn’t know what your speech is about. They will not know if you leave out a few words, or points. Of course, always strive to do your best, but knowing that the audience does not have a written script as to what you will say, should bolster your confidence and decrease any stress.
KNOW YOUR SPEECH DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT. This is much like point eight above; know that you are always learning and getting better. No one in the audience is perfect and they’ll relate better to you when you are more “human”. Believe that the audience is your friend and want you to succeed!
KNOW THAT THERE IS MORE TO KNOW. Join Toastmasters, associate with other speakers, take courses, and learn a different hobby. Enjoy life and enjoy speaking about it.
Ok, I like to add value to all of my products and services so I’ll offer one more “know”: KNOW THAT YOU’LL NEVER KNOW. There are many “knows” that I haven’t covered here because of space limitations. I’m sure you can think of some of your own. Don’t stop learning and keep improving.
Don’t wait to be asked to speak. Look for (and make) opportunities to speak, just like my friend, Darren LaCroix, the Toastmaster 2001 World Champion Speaker. He had severe stage fright when he started but today he triumphantly expresses in his mantra, “stage time, stage time, stage time.”
Get to know these ten “knows” of public speaking and they will help you to say, “yes” the next time you’re asked to speak.
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