Tips for speaking in public

There is no need to be nervous!
(source: http://engineeringcareerdevelopment.com/
public-speaking-skills-for-engineers-101-
the-more-you-speak-the-better-you-get)

One of the best and worst experiences in improving your speaking skills is a presentation in front of a group. It is the best opportunity because now you can show off your skills and practice your speaking. But for a lot of people it is one of the worst experiences because they are afraid of speaking in public.

This is why I want to help you now.

Before you speak in public you, of course, have to prepare everything. Think about the following questions:

• What do I want to present (topic, arguments)?
• How do I want to present myself and my presentation (power point, pictures)?
• What is my intention (convince, inform, inspire the audience)?
• What is my audience’s background?

After answering all these questions and preparing your presentation, you can now practice your speech. BUT, do not script your speech. This will sound very unnatural in your presentation and this does not help your speaking skills at all. Prepare some cards with notes and also think about possible questions from the audience.

If you have graphs or pictures in your presentation, you need to prepare them. It is most likely impossible that you will be able to explain the pictures spontaneously. You should practice this part a couple of times.

Here are some tips when you are actually in front of a group:

Look nice. If you dress adequate, it will reflect positive on you. This also means that you are prepared. You do not have to wear a suit or black dress, but it good to wear something appropriate.

Greet everyone. Before you start your presentation or speech, introduce yourself and your topic. You can also start with a story or a joke to loosen up a little. This helps also to reduce the tension between you and the audience.

Look people in the eye. You cannot look everyone in the eye of course, but it is not very good when you look out the window or at the ceiling when you talk. Look for 2 or 3 faces in the room, which smile or look friendly. The people should sit on different sites of the rooms so you can move your view.

Play with your voice. You have so many opportunities to keep the attention of your audience. Speak in a lower voice if you want to emphasis something for example. You should stress important points and ideas. Here a quick tip from the radio: Presenters from the radio always try to smile while presenting something on the radio. Their voices sound different when they smile while talking. 

If you smile at your audience, they will smile back!
(source: http://www.gingerpublicspeaking.com/speak-large-audience)

Use your body. When you talk to a friend, you usually use your hands and body to communicate in a non-verbal way. Try to establish this behaviour in a presentation, too. Try to stand straight, but natural. Use your hands, but do not "over"-gesticulate.

Be positive. You should obtain a positive attitude because you sell a product: You! If you are negative about your own presentation, the audience will not really listen to you and pay attention on something else. They also will be disappointed because they were looking forward listening to your presentation.

Interact with your audience. While you speak in front of a group, you also need to pay attention to your audience. Usually you can tell, if they can follow you or if they have problems understanding your point. At this moment you can repeat yourself or ask the audience, if they have trouble following you. You can also give short summaries at the end of an idea and ask if everyone understood what you have just presented.

Summarise. At the end of your presentation give a short conclusion, prospect view or your final opinion. Afterwards, thank your audience and ask for questions or comments. Appreciate the comments because usually people just try to help you.

Everone can become a confident speaker!
(source: http://publicspeakingsuperpowers.com/
217/why-bother-improving-public-speaking-skills/)

Here are some helpful tips, if you are very nervous in front of a group:

• Be friendly to your audience, then they will be friendly to you.
• Do not worry about making mistakes, this makes you human. Everyone understands if you make a mistake or if you lose your train of thought.
• Before your presentation, take deep breaths. This will calm you. I always take a very small walk through the building, to calm me down.
• If you are organised and prepared, nothing will happen. The audience will believe what you are presenting.
• The best tip: Before your presentation and during your introduction, tell the audience that you are nervous. Usually the audience will smile and may laugh, because they know how you feel!