The secret to public speaking

I guess you could say I do a lot of public speaking and presentations these days. Unfortunately I am still a long way off being an expert, but I do feel I’m qualified to give you some insights I’ve found in the last few years of being up in front of an audience.

1. Know your subject: If you’re presenting, you are assumed to be knowledgeable on your topic and able to speak confidently about the theme at hand. The first step in a great presentation is to get familiar with your subject and choose carefully the areas that you will present on. Choose things that will interest people and help them to identify with the subject and make it easy enough to follow.

2. Do your research: When we talk about knowing your subject and doing your research, this really is the most critical, and also the most overlooked, element of presenting. Your confidence comes mainly from knowing the subject matter so ensure you really have this aspect covered before moving on.

3. A catchy opening: How many exceptional speakers do you hear start with “Welcome … blah blah blah”. Not too many! The first words that come out of your mouth are what’s going to grab your audience’s attention. In my opinion, “Welcome” simply isn’t going to do it!

A great opening might be “As we flew over the mountain ranges the red light came on indicating we were in pretty deep trouble …”. Now you have my attention! For those of you who are saying “But that’s never happened to me,” I say, stop making excuses. Every single one of us has a great story or two and there is absolutely nothing wrong with telling it in the third person, or even weaving it into your day - it may even have happened in an Xbox game. Get creative, and do what you need to do to really get their interest. First impressions last!

4. Three main points: Now that you have their attention, begin to weave in your three main points. Don’t try to overload the audience, generally 3 -5 main points are all we will recall in an ideal situation. Make a point, then tell a story to highlight how it works, or the importance of that point. People may not remember the points, but if a story is told well, they will keep the meaning behind it.

5. Eye contact and voice modulation: If anything will kill an audience’s interest it’s lack of eye contact and a monotonous voice. You don’t need to necessarily trawl the audience with your eyes, but when you do make eye contact, make it deliberate, and get that person completely refocused on what you’re saying. With your eyes alone you can engage a room, and with your voice and body language you can move them emotionally.

6. Practice: Nothing will take the place of practice. Knowledge will not, confidence will not, and enthusiasm will not. You simply must practise your speech, rehearse it over and over again, get comfortable with stumbling on words and forgetting your place.

The first public speech I made was in front of an audience of over 100 people - I know, nothing like jumping in the deep end! I was asked at the event if I was nervous, and of course I replied “yes, a little”.  In truth, I was nervous a lot! That nervousness was also matched with a confidence that came about from doing the speech around 25 times before I stood in front of an audience. Without exaggerating, I had rehearsed the 40-minute presentation about 25 times before actually giving it. The practice gave me confidence.

If you have the opportunity to practise with a friend or associate before the event, even better. Ask them for specific feedback on what you can do to improve it and be clear in your directions on how to give feedback. The last thing you want is them to say ‘that was great’ when it sucked. 

7. Minimal notes: When you know your subject and have practised it extensively, there should be little reason for long notes. I always have notes with me, however I never have more than one palm card. It is enough to write my opening statement, my key points, and my closing statement. I have seen more people tripped up by a written speech than I have by anything else.

8. A concluding statement that will be remembered: Please, please don’t end your speech with “Thank you”! You don’t what the last thing that they remember to be “thank you”, you want them to remember your key message, so make it outstanding!

An ending that I often use is “I implore you to work at it, day by day, week by week, until you get the life you desire!” I can add before that sentence anything relevant to my topic. However, I want my audience to always remember that I can’t do the work for them. It’s them that must do it and in that closing that’s the message I leave them with. A little more powerful than “Thank you”. 

So think about what your key message is and what you are trying to leave your audience with and create an amazing conclusion that will leave them clapping till their hands hurt!!! 

If you’re really ready to step up and give an amazing presentation, check out our public speaking workshops. Over two Saturday mornings you’ll learn all the tricks of the trade and get the opportunity to face your fears and become an awesome speaker! The next (two-part)workshop is Saturday 21 and 28 March, 8.30am - 12.30pm. Cost $90 each workshop! Check out: http://advancedcoachingsolutions.com.au/Workshops.html for more info.  

If you like what I’m writing or would like to give me some feedback, I’d love to hear from you. Shoot me an email at jodie@advancedcoachingsolutions.com.au