The 5 Most Effective Public Speaking Tips
Most people have a rampant fear of public speaking. That’s okay. We’ve been raised in an environment that encourages judgement toward our peers. Be that as it may, it’s an important life skill that will get you all kinds of places if you do it right. Follow these public speaking tips, and you’ll be president in no time.
1) Be loud.
This doesn’t mean shout, but it does mean project. There is nothing worse than a timid public speaker. It makes you look unconfident, which means no one will listen to you. Kind of defeats the point, doesn’t it?
2) Enjoy the attention.
Everyone today is looking for attention, and will do anything to get it (Looking at you, Kim K). When you’re speaking in front of an audience, you’re being handed this precious commodity on a silver platter. Be grateful, and make the most of it.
3) Look up.
Ideally, you’re not reading from a page, but if you absolutely must, LOOK AT YOUR AUDIENCE. You don’t stare at your shoes when talking to your friends do you? So don’t do it to your audience.
4) Use hand gestures.
The more conversation you make your piece, the more natural it looks. It’s all about playing it cool.
5) Don’t rush.
Pauses are one of the most powerful tools when it comes to speech. They allow you to place heavy emphasis, and it shows the audience that you’re composed. If you sound like woody woodpecker, the audience will give up on trying to follow you.
You might still be a bit nervous when getting up there, and honestly that’ll probably never go away. But if you keep the above public speaking tips in mind, you’ll be a better public speaker. Overall, you’ll attract more people toward you. Maybe even that guy or girl you’ve been crushing on in class. You won’t know until you try!
