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Writer's picturePaul Larkin

Be a Confident public speaker: overcome nervousness

Updated: Apr 9, 2022

What two important factors will make me a confident public speaker?


Imagine two applicants for a marathon race. Competitor A plays table tennis every Wednesday night and goes for a lap around the local park on Saturday. Competitor B goes for a 5 mile run on Tuesday night and a 10 mile run every Sunday. Who do you think will do well in the marathon? Yes, the competitor that prepares, Competitor B. Preparation gives a person confidence.


And in public speaking, it is the audience's perception of you that makes them want to listen to what you have to say. If you appear confident, they believe you are confident. You may not feel it, but if your body language conveys it, you will appear confident.




In this session, we will consider two important factors that will make you a confident public speaker:

  • Preparation

  • Body language



PREPARATION


What should I talk about?


Sometimes, you can choose your own topic. This is ideal because you can talk about something that you love and are enthusiastic about. When you are enthusiastic, you become emotional and audiences love emotion.





Sometimes you are given a topic. The best way to get excited in this instance is to give your talk a 'question' title. Make it a title that some people will agree with and others will disagree with. You can generate enthusiasm for the topic by taking a stance - do you support the title or are you against it? Research facts, examples, and statistics that prove your point. Have fun proving that you are correct.


How do I organize my research?


Group your research findings into subtopics. Anything relating to a particular category is one subtopic. Anything relating to another category is the next subtopic and so on.


How do I start my speech?


A short story or anecdote related to your topic is a great way to begin. You can also use the question technique. Questions have been shown to get attention because we are motivated to know the answer.


How do I end my speech?


Summarise what you have just said. If you want your audience to do something as a result of your speech, don't be afraid to ask them to do it.



Do I need to rehearse?


Just as an athlete needs to prepare for a marathon, you need to spend time preparing for your encounter with your audience. At that point, you are in the hands of the audience. They want your content to be valuable to them. They want visual proof that you know your stuff. Your body language will convey this. Go over and over your material and throw out anything that does not relate to your topic. They want high-octane information that relates to the topic you advertised.



BODY LANGUAGE


When you appear in front of an audience, they are analyzing you before you have said your first words. Do you look as if you know your subject? Do you look like a bore? Is this presenter going to be fun? Appearances do matter.



What should I be aware of when standing in front of the audience?


Eyes

Look at your audience. If you find it difficult to look a person in the eye, look at the bridge of the nose between the eyes. This also gives the appearance of confidence.


Smile

A smile provides evidence that you are welcoming and have the best interests of the audience at heart.


Hands

Your hands should always be in front of you. When you gesture, make big and deliberate movements.


Feet

Stand with your feet a shoulder-width apart. Avoid swaying and do not move without purpose. When you move, move from one section of the audience to another to reveal another gem of your presentation.




Conclusion


I hope this session, on how to be a confident public speaker and overcome your nervousness, has been useful. You have noted the importance of preparation when giving a confident presentation. You have realized the significance of body language at the beginning of your speech. Wishing you every success.


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