Back in 1967, an extraordinary event took place for the time: the first international live satellite broadcast in which artists from 14 countries participated. The event had a record audience and the closing was by the Beatles who performed All you need is love specially composed for the occasion. Legend has it that when they told Lennon: you are going to sing before 400 million people from all over the worldwas left without a voice for a few minutes due to stage fright.
It’s not easy to expose yourself. In fact, public speaking can be a daunting task for many. Being in front of an audience, large or small, can generate anxiety and nervousness in even the most confident people.
However, the ability to communicate your ideas and projects with impact is crucial for your professional growth and that of your business. Whether you are presenting a proposal at a work meeting, giving a talk at a conference or leading a seminar, here I share five tips to encourage you to speak in public with confidence.
1. Move forward despite fear. Don’t wait to stop being nervous because that’s not going to happen. Don’t fight your nerves or anxiety either. Recognize that it is something natural. Constant practice will help you become more comfortable over time.
2. Be real not perfect. In your first presentations, you probably don’t handle yourself fluently or your voice or hands shake. It’s part of learning to speak in public. Free yourself from the pressure of perfection. Everyone, even the most experienced speakers, makes mistakes occasionally. It’s okay if you make a mistake or forget any part of your speech. The audience does not expect perfection, but authenticity and sincerity. Being genuine and admitting mistakes, if they occur, shows humility and makes you closer. Focusing on communicating your message in an authentic and real way will make your presentation more powerful and connect better with your audience.
3. Organize how you are going to present the ideas. Don’t improvise. Planning your speech is essential. Clearly structure your ideas so that your presentation has a coherent beginning, middle and closing. Use anecdotes or stories to capture your audience’s attention.
4.Practice, practice and practice. Practice is essential to gain confidence. Practice your speech in front of the mirror, record your presentations and watch them to identify areas for improvement. Take advantage of meetings with friends and family willing to give you constructive feedback. The more times you practice, the more familiar you will be with the content and the more natural and confident you will feel presenting it in public.
5. Connect with your audience, not your concerns. When you’re in front of an audience, don’t think about how you look or if you’re doing everything perfectly. Forget about yourself and focus on people. You are there for them. Think about what they need from you and how you can contribute and add value to them. Remember that they are there to listen to you and learn something new. When you focus on enriching your audience’s experience, your worries fade away, allowing you to genuinely connect and make your message resonate.
Put these recommendations into practice. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to give a presentation. Don’t let fear stop you. Every time you dare to speak in public, you open up new opportunities. Imagine the connections you can make, the ideas you can share, and the people you can inspire.
Mariel Mejuto trains leaders, sales force and teams so that increase your productivity.
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by Mariel Mejuto
