Do’s and Don’ts of Public Speaking

Deliver with the Utmost Confidence

It can be difficult to deliver a powerful speech, especially when you don’t do them often. It can also be intimidating. I want to offer you some of my favorite do’s and don’ts of public speaking, so that you can deliver your next speech or presentation with confidence and ease.

DO have note cards or bullet points

Often times, nerves can start to take over our brains. We panic, we forget to breathe, and worst of all, we forget what we’re trying to say. That’s why you should always have note cards handy. Jot down short bullets so that if you ever find yourself in this position, you feel prepared. It’s kind of like a safety blanket. Take advantage of your resources, and don’t try to memorize if you know it doesn’t work for you. However, make sure you’re sticking to index cards — paper can get crumply and distracting.

DO practice a bunch

Yes, I know, practicing might take up too much time and frankly you might not feel like doing it. But it’ll be worth it. Practice reading out loud, or even better, practice in front of a family member. It’ll ease your nerves before you get up in front of the audience. Practice even more than you think you need to. And have someone give you feedback! Any feedback is positive feedback.

DO breathe slowly

Always remember to breathe. Nothing is worse than when you’re short of breath and find yourself gasping for air. Constantly remind yourself to slow it down up there! You can even write it in your note cards.

DO speak slowly

Speak slowly and don’t rush. This is also something that takes practice. Time yourself. Make sure the audience will be able to understand you and don’t mumble.

DON’T panic

Don’t freak out. If you’re someone who strongly dislikes public speaking, keep telling yourself “it’ll be over soon”. Keep your head high and have your note cards handy. Once it’s over I’m sure you’ll be thinking, “huh, that wasn’t so bad!” It’s not worth it to panic or stress!

Entrepreneur and internet personality Gary Vaynerchuck suggests that people find a way to harness nervous energy into their performance, rather than be completely consumed by it. Use that nervous adrenaline to add power to your speech instead!

DON’T use “like” and “um”

This is a hard one. Saying “ummmm” in-between words is almost second nature to some of us. But it can take away from your speech or become distracting. Obviously, one or two um’s is okay (in fact, people probably won’t even notice). But don’t make it a habit. Remember, you’re here to learn! You’ll get the hang of things. Don’t lose confidence.

DON’T beat yourself up

Don’t be so hard on yourself. This is a problem so many human beings have these days. So what if you deliver a not-so-good speech? Chances are, you did better than you think. There’s nothing you can do about it other than learn from your mistakes. Reflect on the things you did well and the things you can improve on, and master them for next time. Set goals, but don’t beat yourself up if you can’t achieve them right away. You’re only human!

DON’T be late

Show up early to ensure you’re not more stressed than you need to be. Allow yourself to have at least 30 minutes of prep time. This’ll give you a change to make any last-minute changes or corrections. The more time you give yourself, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel.

DON’T be overconfident

Don’t be overly confident. Yes, you want to sound sure of yourself and be prepared, but you don’t want to sound arrogant. You want the audience to respect you and actually listen to what you’re saying. Confidence is good, just don’t overdo it!

DON’T memorize word for word

This tactic might work for some, but it can also cause a lot more unwanted stress. Memorizing puts more pressure on you and can even put you at a disadvantage. You might want to memorize a few key lines, but don’t memorizing your entire speech can make it sound less genuine. Keep things conversational and light.

DON’T fidget

Try to limit your fidgeting. It can be distracting for the audience. Body language is encouraged, but only if its natural. Fidgeting can also be noisy, and it can become the only thing the audience focuses on. If you’re feeling fidgety, put your hands behind your back or use a podium. This might help you feel less intimidated.

DON’T use jokes that marginalize certain groups

Keep it politically correct. There’s no need to put down certain groups even if you think you will get a laugh out of the audience. Nobody likes a bully and it can get uncomfortable. Avoid doing this all together; you want to uphold a good relationship with your audience.

Follow these tips and I guarantee you’ll feel confident about beginning your journey to becoming a better public speaker. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? Well start now. I know you have the potential to deliver a powerful speech!