Highlights

1. Public speaking helps build teamwork and improve cooperation at work.
2. It allows you to share ideas and solve work problems effectively.
3. Strong skills help earn respect from employers and co-workers.
4. Personal stories and humor make presentations more engaging.
5. Practice, feedback, and recording yourself can boost confidence.

When you think about giving a speech in front of an audience, do your palms get sweaty? According to research, public speaking anxiety, or PSA, is one of the most prevalent forms of anxiety nowadays, as one out of every five individuals has it. However, other research indicates that you can give a good public speaking presentation after having the right strategies to overcome your fears.

So, here are the 9 tips for improving your public speaking skills to make you feel more at ease in front of any crowd.

What is the Importance of Public Speaking? 

The ability to speak in public can be beneficial to professional development and in your life. The following are some ways you can benefit by developing strong public speaking skills:

1. Enhance team building and co-operation 
2. Give your ideas and solutions to work problems
3. Win the respect of employers and co-workers 
4. Earn the respect of employers and co-workers
5. Establish new networking contacts that may create new business opportunities

If you’re looking for public speaking jobs or opportunities where you can showcase your communication skills, Yulys is the perfect place to start. With thousands of remote employment opportunities, a free resume builder, and easy job alerts, Yulys helps connect talented professionals like you with top employers. Sign up today, explore exciting openings, and take the next step in your career on Yulys!

9 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Below, we’ve given 9 tips that you can employ to begin enhancing your skills in public speaking:

1. Be familiar with Your Audience 

It is better to present in front of an audience when you know what to expect. Then you can formulate your message with a tone they will relate to well and add some humor to relieve the tension.

Begin by determining how much your audience knows about the subject you will discuss. This will decide how much background to provide and whether to be more professional or casual. When talking, be mindful of the response of the group. Adapt yourself so that you can reach out to them during your presentation.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice

Even the most experienced public speaker must practice to be good. Provide a mock presentation of your speech beforehand. This way, you can see whether you have arranged the information logically and understandably. 

Talking aloud to an imaginary audience or before a mirror may help, but practicing in front of a favorable co-worker, friend, or family member who acts as the audience is better.

3. Take Advantage of Feedback

Ask people to give you feedback, whether in practice or during a presentation. This positive criticism may involve specific examples that you can refer to to become better at presentations in the future.

When your friends tell you that you say umm or know too frequently, assure them that you are not personalizing the criticism. Include their remarks in future presentations, and appreciate your friend or team members providing you with priceless feedback.

4. Give Your Personal Touch

When you give your touch or flavor, it may appeal more to an audience. Be yourself when passing across the message, be it your funny or compassionate side that comes out. Be yourself and use humor only when it can add value to your work, not when it will take away its quality.

If you speak using a PowerPoint presentation, do not read it word by word, but utilize images or videos to make your presentation enjoyable. At the end of the presentation, please include your contact details if someone wants to get back to you later.

5. Relate to a Personal Story

You can use personal stories or anecdotes to improve your presentation. TED Talks speakers usually start with a brief childhood story or personal experience anecdote when they get on stage. This format makes them relate to the audience, feel their enthusiasm about what they are about to talk about, or clarify their knowledge.

When adding such a personal touch to your presentation, ensure that whatever you share directly relates to the topic you are discussing.

6. Look in the Eyes

You can also make eye contact with your audience, making you more relaxed since you can tell whether they are with you or require you to explain further. You can get used to eye contact by practicing your speech or presentation in advance. Moreover, by simply moving your eyes around the room, you can make your audience feel more involved, which will make you, in turn, more confident.

7. Turn the Stage to Your Benefit

Before the talk, familiarize yourself with the location where you will speak. Ensure your PowerPoint presentation is compatible with the available equipment. Be sure to find out the room arrangement. Find out the time limits and the type of microphone you will be using.

When up on stage, take up the space. Move around to establish eye contact with other people in the audience. Watch your non-verbal cues. Relax your arms. Stand in a superb posture, having a straight back.

8. Relax Nerves

Despite your preparation, it is normal to still experience some point during your presentation when you become overcome with nerves. When this occurs, breathe deeply. Nobody hopes you will be perfect.

Plan how to counter your nerves earlier rather than fiddling with your hair or sticking your hands in your pockets. Do some exercise that morning, or you meditate for five minutes before you speak.

9. Speak and Record Yourself

Co-workers and friends may provide feedback; however, you may also assess yourself during a speech. The next time you present in front of a crowd, arrange your phone to record yourself and observe yourself afterwards. 

Furthermore, when presenting on Zoom, you should request that your viewers allow you to record the session. Record your sessions with this technology, analyze your performance to be even more effective the next time, and do not ruminate about mistakes.

Summary

Strong public speaking skills can open doors to professional growth, better teamwork, and new opportunities. By understanding your audience, practicing regularly, listening to feedback, and adding a personal touch, you can become a more confident speaker. Moreover, following the right tips for improving your public speaking skills can help you confidently communicate, connect with your audience, and create lasting impressions.