How to Decode the Essentials of Public Speaking

Do you often suffer in silence in a meeting? Often some presenters bore you to death with long speeches and presentations. You become so inattentive during the meeting that you miss out on the important points. Although you think you can do a better job, you shy away. Is it because of the fear of public speaking? Or, is it because you silently over think that you will equally mess up like the precedent presenter? 

Well, you are not alone. This is a common feeling that we all share. Often, we think to ourselves how can we listen to a long Ted Talk while our attention span flickers like a puppy during office meetings? The answer is simple. Professional public speaker follows five golden rules which maximum presenters ignore in-office meetings. 

The feeling of frustration not only dominates the listeners but also affects the presenter simultaneously. One who presents, clearly knows how long his audience was with him or her and exactly when he or she lost them. So, how can you be heard in a meeting? 

The answer is simple. You need to master the five golden rules that public speakers follow. Here, in this article, we discuss those rules to boost your energy!

• Be Direct.

The first of the five golden rules are to be direct with your speech or presentation. This means you don’t beat around the bush and get straight to the point. If you are conducting a meeting, remember neither you nor the attendees have the entire day. So, get straight to business. People enjoy direct conversations. Also, stretching a meeting longer than required will yield no fruitful results. If you have a presentation to your aid, make that easy to read. Use pointers, graphs, charts and images to deliver the message correctly.

• Fix Your Body Language.

When you talk nervously, your body picks up the tension and gives away your nervousness. So, learn to use your body language. Too many hand movements distract the audience. Use powerful gestures that will help in emphasizing your speech. While illustrating a point, don’t keep pointing at the screen. Instead, point out just the vital points your audience should focus on. This helps you to retain your audience’s attention. 

• Make Eye Contact.

Direct eye contact shows how confident you are. If your confidence reflects in your eyes, people will believe what you say. Also, it keeps people engaged and attentive. Never only focus on people you know or rely on. That creates a negative impact and demoralises the rest of the audience. 

• Know Your Speech.

You should prepare notes before you address your audience. But you should not go check them often. This shows your lack of confidence. Also, make your presentation on your own. Doing this leg work alone boosts your confidence. Your audience is capable to read and understand your presentation. Your task is to elaborate on the ideas you are presenting. So, keep mental notes of what people ask, answer them politely and don’t deviate from your points. 

• Manage Your Pace.

You can neither be in a rush nor be too slow while delivering your speech. Imagine you are talking about a crucial point and you rushed, the audience might not get the points straight. Also, over-elaborating in a meeting shows your lack of confidence in the audience. Begin the speech at a normal pace and maintain it throughout your speech. If you have a separate Q&A session, answer the questions directly and politely. Don’t be intimidated or excited. 

These are the basic rules that distinguish you as a speaker and presenter. Public speaking is daunting, but by following these rules you can make the best of your time and your knowledge. Follow these rules before your next public appearance and shine bright!