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“I think I will forget my speech”
“Everyone is going to judge me”
“Will they listen to my message?”
These are some of the feelings around 15 million people go through on a daily basis.
Yes, that many people deal with a fear of public speaking daily. The data says 75% of the population has glossophobia (fear of public speaking).
If you are one of them, now you know how common this fear is.
But then, how do great leaders, CEOs, and executives deliver killer presentations so often?
Don’t they have glossophobia?
No, many great speakers admitted their stage fright publicly.
Then what is their secret to powerful, effective public speaking?
Well, their secret lies in the five important principles of public speaking their speeches or presentations follow.
In this blog, we will look at 5 golden principles of effective presentation so that you face the stage with the confidence of master public speakers.
So, let’s dive in!
Public speaking is the act of communicating information or ideas to a group of people for a variety of reasons, such as to inform, persuade, motivate, or entertain.
It can take place in a wide range of settings, including classrooms, boardrooms, conference halls, and even on stage.
Public speaking can take many different forms, depending on the context and the purpose of the communication, such as:
Public speaking is an important tool for conveying your message and making a positive impact on your audience.
Public speaking is no longer just an option but a necessity in today's world.
With the rise of technology, people can easily share their thoughts and ideas with others through various platforms like social media. So, effective speaking skills have become essential to get noticed and make a positive impact.
Here are some reasons why public speaking is important:
Whether it's for professional or personal reasons, the ability to communicate effectively is crucial for success and growth in various aspects of life.
Fear of public speaking is a complex phenomenon that can be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, and psychology.
Understanding the root causes of this fear can help individuals overcome it and become more confident public speakers.
Here are some reasons why you may have a fear of public speaking:
However, it's important to note that the fear of public speaking is not necessarily a sign of a clinical anxiety disorder, and many people are able to overcome their fear through practice and preparation.
📎 5 Principles of Effective Public Speaking.
1. Be Relatable To The Audience.
2. Don’t Run After the Perfection.
3. Visualize Your Success
4. Aim to Inspire People
5. Discipline is the Secret To Excellency
To be a successful public speaker, it's essential to be relatable to your audience. When you can connect with your audience on a personal level, they will be more likely to engage with you and remember what you said.
Don't try to be someone else or adopt a false persona to impress your audience. Your audience wants to listen to someone they can relate to - someone with an attractive, calm, and pleasing personality.
To be relatable, you should tailor your speech to the specific audience you are speaking to. When preparing your speech, take some time to research your audience and understand their interests, concerns, and needs.
Consider their age, gender, occupation, cultural background, and other factors that may influence how they receive your message. (Learn how to nail audience analysis.)
Speak in a language that they can understand. Use examples and stories that they can relate to.
For example, if you are giving a speech to a group of college students, you might use more informal language and pop culture references to connect with them.
Think of it as having an informal conversation with a group of friends, and you'll be well on your way to delivering a successful public speech.
An effective speech requires no perfection. Many speakers tend to put an excessive amount of pressure on themselves to deliver a perfect performance.
And striving for perfection creates more anxiety and pressure, making the experience more challenging.
Even the most experienced and famous speakers sometimes make mistakes while speaking. It is more important to acknowledge your mistake and keep moving forward.
Remember that mistakes are forgivable, and the audience can be supportive.
In fact, the audience often loves to support a speaker who is honest and vulnerable.
If you make a mistake or stumble over your words, don't panic or get too hard on yourself. Take a deep breath, pause, and calmly correct yourself. This shows the audience that you are human and relatable, and they will appreciate your honesty.
Instead of trying to be perfect, focus on the message you want to convey and connect with the audience. Because to be an extraordinary presenter, being authentic and connecting with the audience is more important than being flawless.
“If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it – then I can achieve it” - Muhammad Ali
Visualizing your success is a powerful component of public speaking.
Creating a clear mental image of yourself succeeding in your speech or presentation helps to reduce anxiety and build confidence.
This technique has been used by many successful individuals (including Virat Kohli) throughout history as a way to achieve their goals.
Studies have shown that athletes performed better practicing visualization.
To use visualization, you can try closing your eyes and imagining yourself giving your speech in front of a receptive audience. Picture yourself speaking clearly and confidently, engaging the audience, and delivering your message with passion and conviction.
As you continue to visualize your success, your mind will begin to accept this new image of yourself as a capable and confident speaker. And with practice, you will begin to see these changes reflected in your actual performance.
Visualization will help you prepare for a successful public speaking experience.
TED talks are the gold standard of public presentations today.
The reason they are so successful is that TED talks are designed to inspire positive action.
Whether it's encouraging people to think differently about a topic or motivating them to take action in their own lives, TED speakers are skilled at inspiring their audience to make positive changes.
You may want to check out 7 tips to present like a TED speaker.
TED Talks Aim to Inspire People
When you are delivering a speech, it is important to have a clear goal in mind. Your speech should be focused on improving your audience's insight and understanding.
You should strive to connect with your audience on a deeper level by delivering a message that motivates them to take action.
To truly inspire your audience, it is important to speak from the heart and be authentic. If you are passionate about your topic and genuinely care about your audience, your enthusiasm will be contagious.
By sharing your own experiences, knowledge, and expertise, you can help your audience gain a new perspective on their own lives and challenges. You can use storytelling, humor, and other techniques to engage your audience.
By aiming to inspire their audience, you will create a lasting impact and leave a positive impression on their listeners. You may help them to overcome obstacles, achieve their dreams, and reach their full potential.
This is the true power of public speaking.
The 3 P's of public speaking are preparation, practice, and performance. They involve researching, organizing, and rehearsing your speech, focusing on your delivery, and engaging with your audience.
And it takes discipline to achieve these three things. You need to be disciplined in every aspect of your presentation, from your speech content to mastering your body language.
Practice your speech over and over again until you feel comfortable and confident with your delivery. Pay attention to your vocal variety, nonverbal communication, and the timing of your words.
Being disciplined also means taking the time to reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement. Use your mistakes as an opportunity to develop your public speaking skills.
Remember, discipline is not a one-time effort but a continuous process.
Steve Jobs' commitment to discipline is a great example of how hard work pays off in public speaking. He would spend a great deal of time preparing for his EVERY presentation.
He would work tirelessly to perfect every aspect of his presentation, from the slides to the delivery.
Steve Jobs presented great lessons in public speaking through his iconic keynote presentations where he would unveil the latest Apple products.
In conclusion, the principles of public speaking are not just about delivering a good speech but about connecting with your audience and leaving a lasting impact. It's about being relatable, authentic, and inspiring.
And while it may seem daunting at first, with practice, determination, and discipline, anyone can become an effective public speaker.
Additionally, effective communication is at the core of all the principles of public speaking. It's not just about what you say but how you say it and how well you can communicate your message to others.
Therefore, if you want to become a great public speaker, focus on improving your communication skills. Take classes, read books, practice your listening skills, and work on articulating your thoughts and ideas clearly.
One effective way to improve your communication skills is to practice with a personal coach. If you are looking to learn from a communication expert, BBR English is the right place.
We offer live 1:1 sessions on public speaking with an expert.
In these interactive sessions, you’ll discover techniques to improve your delivery, body language, vocal variety, structure, and much more. With feedback from corporate experts, you’ll master your public speaking skills in no time.
Book a counseling session now and start becoming a better presenter today.
To get a peek into our results, you may want to check out how a chief financial officer overcame his Public Speaking Phobia with BBR LIVE English In JUST 10 Weeks!
Happy speaking!
