How to give a killer presentation when you totally hate public speaking
Anastasia Kolanji, Editorial Intern at Innovation Department
Many of us would rather die than give a public presentation. (No, seriously — according to some studies, public speaking is commonly reported as one of the average person’s greatest fears, topping even death. That kind of gives a whole new meaning to the idea of a killer presentation, doesn’t it?)
While we undeniably despise it, public speaking is a necessary life skill that can be especially important when it comes to your career, so mastering the art of speaking is nearly mandatory. Whether you’re talking in front of the whole team, pitching an offer to a client, or just trying to convince the office manager that you really need this specific type of paper for the printer, these tips and techniques will help you nail that public speaking engagement every time.
Pre-presentation
Location, location, location
Before you start throwing slides together, gather all the pertinent info about where, when, and to whom you’ll be speaking. This way, you can build a presentation to fit the event, and make sure your words are going to resonate with the audience.
If you have the luxury, choose a location based on comfort and available equipment. Schedule your speech at a time that fits your personal and professional obligations — you want “presentation day” to be hassle free, with no missed conferences or skipped meals. Tailor your speech to fit your audience; speaking to a 25-year-old software developer is completely different than speaking to a 50-year-old investment banker, so your presentation should bend accordingly. Knowing where, when, and to whom you are presenting is a fundamental part of preparing for the main event.
The power of the power point, and Powerpoint
A slideshow presentation is meant to emphasize the major elements of an argument, clarify complex concepts, and summarize key points. Although slides can be invaluable in illustrating ideas, the audience’s focus should ultimately be on you and what you have to say. Therefore, keep your slides simple and direct using text sparingly and keeping the presentation to as few slides as you can and still get the point across. Whether arranged chronologically or thematically, your presentation should be logically structured for easy audience absorption. You’ll have to be the judge for when a joke here or a pun there is helpful or hurtful to this particular audience.
Practice makes perfect
Don’t just run through your vague outline once, or twice. Give yourself the benefit of (mental) muscle memory by doing the whole thing several times over. The more you practice, the more you’ll feel comfortable with the material. You won’t need to lean on your notes as much and the whole show will have a more natural rhythm. For some different ways to practice, you could try:
- Speaking in front of a mirror, as this allows you to easily fix small tics and unintentional mannerisms.
- Recording yourself speaking, sending it to a (trusted) friend, and asking for feedback.
- Attending a public speaking workshop, practicing your speech, and receiving more feedback in a more professional but low-pressure environment.
During the show
Get in the zone
Take 10 minutes before your speech to relax, breathe, and focus your attention on the task at hand. You can spend this time listening to motivational music, looking over your slides, drinking tea, or even taking a quick, energizing nap — whatever it takes to get your head in the game.
Maintain eye contact
When speaking to an audience, make as much eye contact as you can. You’ll make a much stronger connection with your spectators by looking them in the eye than you will by staring off over their heads into the distance.
The power of the pause
You’re midway through your speech when you make a small mistake and suddenly you’re freaking out. Stress levels peak, you’re saying “umm” a little too often, and now you’ve begun rushing through the rest of the presentation. STOP! Pause for a moment, recollect your thoughts, and continue on, speaking slowly and clearly. Slow and steady wins the race––and public speaking.
You can also use a pause to emphasize a point, give the audience some time to reflect, or mark a change in topic. The power of the pause is one of the most valuable speaking techniques you will learn, so ought to learn how to use it.
Post-presentation
Any questions?
At the end of your speech, engage with your audience. Ask your listeners if they have any questions about all the information you’ve just delivered to their doorstep. Share your knowledge and let them share their own. Public speaking can be a learning experience for all participants, including yourself. Unable to answer a question on the spot? Let them know, take their contact information, and let them know that you’ll reach out once you do have all the answers.
Recognize your successes and try, try again
Don’t be too hard on yourself, and make sure to recognize your successes when they happen. It’s easy to dissect every hiccup or minor mistake, but stressing endlessly won’t change what happened and won’t actually make sure you’ve learned anything. Instead, look for ways to improve using constructive criticism. Ultimately, you overcame your fear. Give yourself a pat on the back — you deserve it!
