Speaking in public

Speaking in public

Here are some ways that help to speak in front of an audience and become comfortable as a speaker.

1. The key is in the preparation

It is obvious that some of the trust that an audience will feel towards you is based on their recognition of your competence. You must have a solid knowledge of your subject and adequately prepare your content, whether for a course or a conference. Add stories and examples (this touches the kinesthetic side of the audience). Be aware, however, that jokes and entertainment never succeed long in camouflaging poor content. Think about your audience too. What do you think he wants to hear? A university discourse or a more general presentation? Give him what suits him.

2- Practice before speaking in public

Take the time to practice aloud until you are comfortable with your progress. Whenever I had to introduce a new topic, I would sit in a classroom or an empty room, with my Power Point presentation and notes, and then pretend I was really giving my lecture, out loud, like if I had an audience in front of me.
This allowed me to put words in my mouth, (it's very different to read a text in his head and deliver it out loud), to check the logic of my presentation, to measure if my content entered the time allocated and make the necessary changes. Then, I made a second and sometimes a third time from one end to the other. In this way, when I delivered it to a real audience, it was as if I had already delivered it. For me, it made a huge difference.

3- Do you feel rusty?

If you do not often have the opportunity to speak in public or if it's been awhile since you've done so and you're feeling rusty, it's a good idea to watch video lectures that offer sequences where you see the audience (from the speaker's point of view)

4- Locate the places

When I arrive at the place where I have to speak in front of an audience, for a conference, a course or a training, whenever possible, I will make a reconnaissance tour in the room to feel it better. I go to the front, I get on the stage if there is one, to get a glimpse of what I will have in front of me.
At the same time, it allows me to see his organization right away and plan problems so that they can be resolved with the organizers if possible before the start. Do not think that the organizers will predict everything (unless it's a big event organized by professionals ... and again). And do not take the stunt of asking for a change that would allow you to be more comfortable and not be distracted or disturbed.

 5- Study how others are doing

Attend several conferences (or watch them on your computer or digital reader) and watch what the speaker does. How does he introduce his subject, how does he bring his examples, how does he conclude, is he static or in motion, how is his Power Point or KeyNotes presentation constructed, etc.?
And if the speaker is particularly annoying, get bored by trying to figure out how he's doing to be so boring (or what he does not do).

6- Do you review

If your conference is videotaped, ask for a copy and look at yourself. Otherwise, do your conference in your living room (see 2) and film yourself. there are so many technical means easily accessible today, if only your mobile phone.
I know, there are not many people who like to see each other or get along and it is often a painful experience. But do you say that, unlike the majority of people who are paralyzed at the idea of ??public speaking, you did it.
Instead of banging on your head, watch the flow and see first what worked well, to create a good state of mind.
Then, find what worked less well and write it down.
Then ask yourself how you could improve this point next time.

7- Play your role

Enter the skin of your character and play it as if it were a role (it is!). This is a way used by the best artists before a show, the best communicators before speaking in public, the best teachers before entering the class, the greatest athletes before a competition.
Before entering the stage, hold yourself in the same way as an experienced lecturer, totally confident in his means .. Breathe as if you were completely motivated, confident ... Then play with the muscles of your face, smile and take the expression that you would have if you had an unshakable confidence in yourself ... Now, enter the room in the same way as a lecturer confident of his means, confident, perfectly motivated ...
Put in your eyes the spark of perfect self-confidence. Look through your audience and make eye contact with those present, smile and smile back. Very quickly, you will find that your state of mind agrees with this physiology.