Communication is key to your success. In relationships, in the workplace, as a citizen of your country, and throughout your lifetime. Now, imagine you have to communicate to an audience. How we communicate to get the attention of an audience is very important. To do so, you need to apply some public speaking techniques in the speech you will deliver.
After all, during a presentation, several factors influence the perception and engagement of the audience.
In addition to good oratory, issues such as body language and practice make all the difference. Here you will find some techniques and tips, so you can captivate your audience, overcome the fear of public speaking and transform your presentation for high impact.
Preparation
Preparation is key to make you feel confident in what you will deliver. When preparing take time to analyze the material you are going to talk about,
study your outline, or agenda, analyze the main points that you can highlight, develop a current story that will infect your listeners and practice what you are going to say out loud.
Breathing
If you have been to a lecture or presentation, it is possible that you have seen the speaker seeming to be breathing heavily. This certainly hampered your understanding of the content that was passed.
Therefore, to better perform, you need to be in an upright position with your shoulders back to breathe properly during a presentation. Do breathing exercises, so you don't waste the air, letting it out too quickly while talking. Breathe out slowly.
Planning
A note, agenda, or outline is typically given to a speaker to help with what they are going to say. But planning is one of the oratory techniques that makes the most difference.
Even if you confidently know the subject and the topic that you will address during your presentation, it is important to do your own planning, so that your speech is personalized, with your style. Take a look at some important steps in planning your speech:
- Think about issues that concern or interest people and apply that to your topic when preparing. In addition, about current events, problems that the country may be facing, issues that are directly linked to your audience.
- Know your audience, considering aspects such as their background and average age. This will even help you prepare the language of the presentation.
- Make mind maps and scripts of what you are going to talk about.
Observe body posture
It is necessary that your posture be as natural as possible to speak well in public.
To be able to achieve good posture, something that you may do is to stretch in the days leading up to the performance, to eliminate tension. In these stretches, try to stretch your hands, arms and legs, also slowly rotate your neck. These exercises will help you keep the audience's attention on your speech and not your body posture during your presentation.
Practicing in front of the mirror
If you want to know one of the oratory techniques that gives the most results for a good performance in presentations is to practice in front of the mirror.
But why is this technique so effective?
Because, by looking at yourself in the mirror, you will be able to detect the main points that you need to improve. You will be able to check, for example, if you need to improve your posture, speech or gestures.
Standing still during a presentation is a no no
We know that many people will observe us, so it is normal to feel uncomfortable when giving a public lecture or presentation.
With that in mind, many speakers do the entire lecture without moving.
But is this good? The answer is definitely no! This only disturbs the concentration of those who are watching.
What to do then?
One of the most practical and interesting oratory techniques is for you to stay in one spot for a few moments, or minutes, and then change places and continue talking.
This will help you not to be “a pole” and not to be “walking around” aimlessly.
Watch out for pauses during your speech.
During your presentation, be aware of pauses in your speech. Be careful not to take too much or too little breaks. Be aware of this, as many speakers end up exaggerating at the time of the pause and the subject loses its original meaning, leaving people confused.
Watch out for involuntary movements
It is also important to be careful of involuntary movements during your presentation. As we have seen, one of the most important public speaking techniques is moving around while giving a speech.
However, beware of involuntary movements such as:
leg swing;
To fiddle with the hair;
Snapping fingers, without realizing it, and touches like that.
Pay attention to these movements and try to eliminate them in the preparation phase of your presentation.
Make PowerPoint your ally
Enrich your presentation by using available tools!
An excellent help to show images and make the lecture more pleasant and easier to understand is Powerpoint.
When you need to explain something complex, use a Powerpoint presentation and explain step by step what to do.
But don't just read what's written on the screen.
This is unpleasant and you will give the impression that you do not fully master the subject being discussed in the lecture.
Storytelling
Naturally, human beings like to hear exciting, real and true stories.
And it is from this natural desire of ours that the storytelling technique takes shape.
Among the top public speaking techniques is storytelling as it really works to engage your audience.
If your permitted, insert a story in the middle of the speech that has to do with the topic. The audience will identify themselves and will be hooked on what you say.
A dose of humor goes well
It is possible to mention that in many cases and for most audiences, a relaxed talk is an important factor in engaging the audience.
After all, no one wants to go to a lecture and listen to a completely serious and cold speaker. Consider your listeners. An exaggerated dose of humor can take the seriousness of the matter at hand.
So, if you decide to use humor in your presentations, ask yourself:
Will they understand my mood?
What age group am I dealing with?
Apologizing all the time – Don´t do it
Have you ever been to a lecture where the speaker is apologizing all the time. Whether it's because of something they did wrong in the middle of the speech, or simply something they said that didn't please everyone.
This is a mistake, as it shows insecurity and uncertainty in what you are saying. Don't do this unnecessarily.
If you make a mistake, like a misspelled word, correct it immediately and move on.
Interaction
The lack of interactivity is one of the main problems between the speaker and the audience in presentations and lectures. Your audience will enjoy participating in the lecture. Ask them to write, draw, tell or answer a question.
If the talk is long, do small exercises every now and then with the audience. This helps to bring interest in the subject.
Collect feedback for your own evolution
Analyze your progress. This is an important tip for your presentations.
What you can do is ask someone to film your talks and then watch them to see your performance. In addition, ask listeners what they thought of your presentation and what you can improve.
This will definitely contribute to your growth as a speaker, as with these feedbacks you will be able to improve your oratory techniques.
These are some tips to help you develop good oratory skills. Now, just put them into practice.
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