Contest – Public Speaking – Are You Terrified or Confident
When it comes to public speaking, there are two extremes of the speaking spectrum – those who are terrified of presenting to a group and those who always jump at the chance to be in front of an audience. Most people fall somewhere between these two points depending on the size and make up of the audience. Where are you on the speaking spectrum?
In the business world, it is often our job to lead meetings, give presentations to clients and talk in front of rooms full of people. Being an effective communicator, both one-on-one and in front of a group, is necessary to inform, educate and persuade. The better you are able to express your ideas, the more success you will experience.
This month’s contest has two questions, one for each side of the spectrum, those that are tired of being terrified and one for those that already enjoy presenting to a group.
You can answer one or both of them to be eligible for a prize. Here they are:
Question #1 – What is your #1 question on how to be a better public speaker/presenter?
Question #2 – What advice would you give to someone that was nervous about giving a presentation to a large group of people?
Again, feel free to answer one or both of the questions. I will be picking two winners from each question AND giving my suggestions to the two most commonly asked questions on how to improve as a speaker.
Prizes:
First Place – Expect Success Book
Second Place – Freedom Personal Development Water Bottle
All winners will also get a “Be Free” Bumper Sticker.
Deadline to enter is Friday, August 27, 2010.
Winners will be emailed and announced on our blog Wednesday, September 1, 2010.
Be Free!
Tom Weber
Instructor (and Professional Speaker for over 10 years!)
QUESTION 1 – How can I better speak on a topic I have little time to prepare for?
QUESTION 2 – Interject Humor into your presentation. Do not let it be the overriding theme (no one will take your presentation seriously if you have too much humor), but use it intermittantly throughout your presentation. I enjoy presentations that are broken up by a bit of humor…it keeps me engaged in the presentation.
Comment by Kevin Lusk — August 5, 2010 @ 9:17 am
#1. How do you invoke emotion in a audience?
#2. A1 is just do it (BONUS tip: … Once you join a Toastmaster or
some other group to start speaking you’ll find that if you speak on
something your passionate about, prepare, present and repeat you’ll
see the fear be reduced to nervous energy which you can convert to
passion during your speech … Its like playing sports where you’ll
always be a little nervous otherwise your likely dead as in no pulse
and need to quit!).
Comment by Dale — August 5, 2010 @ 9:45 am
Stage time, stage time, and more stage time. That is how to build confidence.
Join a TOASTMASTERS club near you. Go to http://WWW.TOASTMASTERS.ORG and find a club near you.
Just show up at a meeting as a guest and see how you like it. The price is well within most budgets.
$27. every six months, plus club dues that vary, and the manuals are about $10. each.
The people are friendly, encouraging, and supportive.
You will have fun, learn lots, and gain public speeaking and leadership skills all the while.
The key to the fast track is to participate, participate and participate some more!
Comment by Lois Lynn — August 5, 2010 @ 10:07 am
Question # 2 – Prior Planning Prevents Pi– Poor Performance. Even on short notice, take a minute or two to plan what you message you want to deliver. Keep it simple and on target. Tell your audience what you are going to say, say it, then tell them what you said. Don’t be afraid to be done early.
Comment by Bruce Blayney — August 5, 2010 @ 10:35 am
Question #2 – What advice would you give to someone that was nervous about giving a presentation to a large group of people?
1. Present a confident image. I am internally terrified when speaking in public however am often told how confidently I present myself and my topic. I let my nerves have their time after the presentation is complete and have some down time.
2. If you have prep time, practice, practice, practice. Use a mirror to see how you look while speaking, gesturing, moving, and standing. Get someone to watch you and make recommendations.
3. If little notice is given, have a plan on how you would present ANY topic. i.e. A. research, B. outline key points, C. find a personal link. I have presented a 1 hour class with 2 hours notice and the presenter I replaced did not have their intended presentation outlined.
Comment by Tammy A — August 5, 2010 @ 10:48 am
My one advice is to Relax. Talk and look at the audiance as you would a group of your friends. The more relaxed and fun you are having, the more relaxed and fun your audiance will have as well.
Comment by Eve — August 5, 2010 @ 10:48 am
Best advice I ever got and it works: First of all, practice your speech beforehand. That goes without saying and isn’t my top. Here’s my tip: DO NOT simply scan the audience with your eyes while you’re speaking. Instead, be very deliberate and pick out a person and make strong and deliberate eye contact with only that person until you have completed a thought, but no shorter than 15 seconds. Then move with your next thought to a new person and make a deliberate move with your eye contact and maybe even the way your head or body is pointing to look at the new person and complete your thought looking only at that person. Then move on to the next. The effect of this is that each person you zero in on (without pulling your eyes away to scan the audience) feels personally drawn in and begins to nod — they can’t help it, they feel compelled to show you their attention. When you see their nod it immediately builds up your self-confidence. Then you move to the next person and get their nod and so on, getting more and more affirmation as you continue. It’s very powerful and will dramatically distinguish the way your speech is received and will boost your own confidence going forwards.
Comment by Robin Williams — August 5, 2010 @ 11:20 am
5.Question #2 – What advice would you give to someone that was nervous about giving a presentation to a large group of people?
I like to arrive early and personally meet some of the people who will be in the audience to find out a little about them and what brought them in today. This allows me to have a few people to make eye contact with or engage during the presentation and helps keep it friendly and on point.
Comment by Karla Pinato — August 5, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Answer to Question #2:
Approach your presentation as if you are telling a story. People always come across much more natural and confident when they tell a story as compared to a presentation. Why? Because they know the story and just tell it. I always try and structure my presentations as a series of stories that are linked together. This keeps me from worrying about whether or not I tell it exactly the same way twice. It leaves me free to just talk to the audience naturally.
Comment by Scott Stolz — August 5, 2010 @ 11:24 am
Hi Tom, great questions…
Answer to #2
Know your audience, the presentation has to be on target so you must know the target.
Know your material, don’t just memorize it…internalize it.
Make sure you give the audience not just information but a big piece of yourself.
Practice in from of someone your trust and whose opinion you value for feed back
Most importantly…HAVE FUN!!!
Comment by Jim Longo — August 5, 2010 @ 11:49 am
Question #1 – What always goes through my mind: “How will this change the audience’s life for the better?” If I cannot come up with a good answer, what’s the point of the speech?
Question #2 – Remember that the audience doesn’t know what you’re going to say. If you goof, keep going. They may not even notice. Remember, if you’re nervous, your focus is backwards – the speech is all about THEM, not you.
Comment by Bruce Decker — August 5, 2010 @ 11:51 am
#1. Use your room files.
#2 remember your audience has the same fears and remember we all put our pants on the same way.
Comment by Becky — August 5, 2010 @ 11:55 am
First, you can’t underestimate preparation when you stand before an audience. Know your material well enough that you won’t get additionally nervous by getting off-track or ad libbing a bit. Second, if possibe, stand at the podium or speaker’s position in the venue ahead of time. Even if the room is empty it will give you an idea of what you’ll be seeing when you stand up to present. Test the mic – hear your voice – and visualize yourself in front of the audience making your speech. Third, think about a point in your presentation that when you hit it you’ll let all your tension go away. Maybe it’s after you’ve successfully given your intro, made your first full point, etc. But give your brain a trigger to say, I’m doing great, the hard part’s over and now I’m going to have fun!
Comment by Susan Patt — August 5, 2010 @ 11:58 am
Question number one answer: ENGAGE with your audience. Why do they want to listen to what you have to say? Are you presenting a topic that they need to know about for their career? For their family? Know why your audience is there and you can RELATE to that and it will become conversational. What if they only need the time there to meet some requirement of their job like clock hours. That’s ok, find the humor in that they are your ‘captive’ audience and you can play on that theme for fun.
Q2 answer: You were selected to speak because you are the expert on the topic you are delivering. Keep in mind that 95% of the audience would be TERRIFIED to be in your position. You don’t have to feel like you are a know-it-all, you don’t even have to be afraid of making a mistake, just impart what you know because you are confident you will give someone in that room an extra edge by teaching them something meaningful to take away…even if it is just reinforcing for them why they never want to stand and deliver! ALWAYS find the humor, because that is one thing that connects us all.
Comment by Lee Hauser — August 5, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
Question #1: (response) How can I inject humor into my presentations without it seeming forced or a cheap gimmick to get audience attention?
Question #2: (response) Focus on communicating your message. Once you’ve prepared your speech with your intended audience needs in mind, focus on delivering it without getting distracted with extraneous worries and insecurities about yourself or how you will be perceived or judged. It’s not about you. It’s about the message. Don’t try to remember your speech word-for-word. Focus on the big picture, the main message, the emotion in your words.
Comment by Lori — August 5, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
It’s much easier to speak to a crowd when you are knowledeable about the subject you are presenting. Use words appropriate for the audience and be sure you can pronounce every word. Memorize the speech or use note cards with bullet points to make the speech more conversational so it doesn’t sound staged or rehearsed.
Comment by Dedra Blakley — August 5, 2010 @ 12:35 pm
#2. For someone who is terrified about public speaking, I have a few quick things to say. First, the audience wants you to succeed and they are glad it’s you and not them who is up there giving the presentation. Take comfort in the fact that they are silently cheering you on. Second, prepare everyday for presentations and the anxiety will diminish. Just like a professional athlete who first visualizes the shot or the swing a thousand times before they take it, visualize yourself giving a presentation about any topic; preferrably one that you are passionate about. When I’m reading an article, a report or a white paper, I like to imagine that I will be presenting this topic to a group of people later that day or the next. This does two things for me; the first is that it helps me retain and understand the information since I’m creating the false pressure of giving an imaginary presentation and second, I’m giving myself the mental practice of giving the presentation. I may even practice it out loud while driving in my car. This helps me to ease the butterflies when a real presentation is given. I’ve practiced it so many times that I can’t hardly wait to share my knowledge and perspectives with the audience! Third, keep it short. If you are given 30 minutes to present, do it in 15 or 20 and leave the rest for questions and ad hoc dialog. Everyone is crunched for time so a brief and concise presentation makes a better impression than a long and detailed one. The shorter ones are easier to prepare for, too!
Comment by Stephen LaFrance — August 5, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
How do I get rid of the physical nervous characteristics?
The advise I would give is to prepare, practice and pretend you are in the room alone. Right?
Comment by Denise Alvinito — August 5, 2010 @ 12:46 pm
Question #1 – What is your #1 question on how to be a better public speaker/presenter? Even though I have the knowledge of the subject, my mouth is so tensed up and before I know it, I freeze. I listen to others, I get tips and each time & try new ways, and it always seems the same outcome. A 20 min presentation takes me 2 mins and I am done. Small groups are a breeze but the large groups I simple fail at.
Question #2 – What advice would you give to someone that was nervous about giving a presentation to a large group of people? Just simply say “No thank-you” but I will be there to listen and encourage you. ;o)
Comment by Susan Alsted — August 5, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
When I have to get up infront of an audience of any size I imagine a firing squad and then say to myself “Hey, these folks dont have any guns so what’s the big deal!” Usually puts in all in perspective.
Comment by Linda Cargiuolo — August 5, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
When asked to prepare to speak in front of a group of people who I do not share their passion for that particular cause. . . what should my focus be on?
Comment by Jerry C — August 5, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
Best advice I can give is to know your presentation cold. That means knowing your product, company, potential questions, and outline of the presentation. Don’t try to memorize the entire presentation – know the general topics, and then just talk about what you know. Don;t focus on any one person or section, kepp moving around and try blurring your focus so you;re not looking directly at anyone.
But if you know your stuff insdide out, upside down, back and forth, it becomes much easier to just talk about what you know, since you;re not trying to pay attention to a script, prompter, outline, at the same time worrying about how well you’re presenting and worrying about confidence or lack thereof.
Comment by Eric Heinrich, CRMS — August 5, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
To the new speaker I would say “They do not know you are a new public speaker, go knock their socks off!”
Comment by Jerry C — August 5, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
Question #2 – What advice would you give to someone that was nervous about giving a presentation to a large group of people?
I am fortunate to have taken several years of public speaking in high school and so I recommend that to all young people. It will bring value in many different aspects in your adult life and career.
If it’s too late to start there you can ‘practice’ to being a public speaker. Take an event from your day and write a speech after-the-fact. Outline the topics you would have addressed had you been presenting and then give the speech to yourself. It will build confidence in you. After doing that several times stop writing your presentation and have an extemporaneous presentation to yourself in the shower or while driving. Graduate to a point where you give yourself the speech in front of a mirror. You might wish to critique your posture, hand movement, delivery, etc. Many times the fear of public speaking is not a fear of being in front of people but rather in a lack of confidence in your knowledge of a certain subject.
Taking these steps should eventually lead to a point where you can present to a small gathering of people.
The old adage that speaking top a group of people in their underwear never worked for me. Either it made me laugh insanely or the visual made me sort of nauseous!
Good luck.
Comment by Vickie Hill — August 5, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
#1 – how do I develop the skill that will help me speak in front of an audience to an impromptu question whether it if for a 2-3 minute response or a 10-15 minute overview of something.
#2 – Practice, Practice, Practice. People are good at what they do because they practice all the time.
- Write out the speech/presentation, edit, rewrite.
- Know how much time you have to present. Know how many words you can say in the time limit.
- Rehearse the speech in front of a mirror. Video tape yourself. Rework the speech/presentation based on watching yourself.
- Listen to your Ah’s/Um’s or slang words. Listen for pauses. They are necessary and effective.
- Know your material better then any audience member.
- Use the butterflies in your stomach to remind yourself that you will give an awesome speech.
Comment by Jerry Stone — August 5, 2010 @ 6:44 pm
How can you make sure the speaker is not just droning on on in that put to sleep monotone that drives the listener nuts?
Know your subject matter inside and out. If you know what your talking about and
have done the work involved you can speak to a group about it. It is great to run through your presentation to someone who does this same type of work and knows as much as you before hand so they can hear all the talking points, give you feedback as to anything you may have forgotten and also give you practice to get the feel of talking to someone anyone who is alive and you live through one person you know. You just have to believe the ones you don’t will not eat you alive. They may behave like sharks but they are just people.
Comment by Maggie Liwski — August 5, 2010 @ 6:46 pm
How do you keep your nerves under wraps while speaking? Sometimes I’m shaking so much I can hardly stammer the words out of my mouth. Thank you for the answer. Gina Gulliford
Comment by Gina Gulliford — August 5, 2010 @ 7:04 pm
Without a doubt, the best advice I could give would be to join Toastmasters. In the two years that I’ve been a member, my speaking skills have improved immeasurably; I’m more aware of those little idiosyncracies that can become irritations to listeners; and I’m overall much more confident about my abilities. Now, give me a crowd of 2 or 200 – it doesn’t matter: I’m game to talk to anyone.
Comment by John Steinbach — August 5, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
Imagine that they are all sheep siting there!
Comment by ali vossoughi — August 6, 2010 @ 12:37 am
To be a good speaker you must practice, practice, practice in front of the mirror, mirror, mirror!
Watch your movements, your delivery, your smile. Think about what your audience wants and needs to see and hear. If speaking to a new “crowd” call ahead and do your homework. Find out about logisitcs of the space, find out the who’s who of the company/organization and make a friend ahead of time so when on location you have an ally.
Knowing how you appear is a very important part of the entire package of being an excellent speaker.
Comment by Katina Asbell — August 6, 2010 @ 12:44 pm
I get so nervous when speaking, that I often forget some of the things I’d like to say. I feel that having notecards looks unprofessional. When I simply memorize a speech, it comes out very monotone and boring. I get so flustered while speaking that I can barely breathe, which makes it harder to speak.
Comment by Marie — August 6, 2010 @ 1:09 pm
bob hope, one of the most prolific and beloved public speakers of all time threw up before every appearance even when he was 100 years old. it’s OK to be nervous. Laugh at yourself, distract yourself with exaggerated physical movements and decide to share your best and yourself with people who will appreciate authenticity and value. Then do it for them and you.
Comment by ernie palmer — August 7, 2010 @ 10:04 am
I would advise the speaker to get some friends or family together and run through the presentation with them. The speaker should work on making eye contact with the group and establishing a link and rapport with his/her audience.
Comment by Karen LoPucki — August 8, 2010 @ 10:42 pm
What events in your life (outside of public speaking), have led you to be a better public speaker? For instance, was there an event that made you love being in the spotlight? Was there an event that helped you overcome fear? Was there an event that made you extremely confident? What steps (outside of public speaking) could one take to become a more competent public speaker?
Comment by David — August 9, 2010 @ 5:46 am
Tips for gaining greater comfort in giving presentations:
1. Prepare your general speaking points and practice your presentation out loud in front of a mirror. You can even videotape yourself.
2. You can use index cards but only write key points on them; or use your room files from the Memory workshop to trigger key topics.
3. It’s helpful to know your audience – add items of importance or interest to them to customize your presentation.
4. Get some audience participation early on (example – show of hands on a question). It can calm your nerves.
5. Wear an outfit you’re comfartable & confident in.
6. Visit the venue beforehand & mentally run through the presentation there, if poosible. Plan ahead for success!
Comment by Jennifer Rogers — August 9, 2010 @ 9:37 am
Question 1
It is so very important when conducting a presentation that you are prepared. Know what you are talking about. If you don’t people will see that very quickly. Personalize the presentation with whatever your are passionate about. My son loves sports and when he presents in school he always finds a way to relate the topic to sports and the presentations are wonderful. Also, slow down when you speak, relax and don’t speak fast.
Question 2
Focus on one person in the large group. Keep eye contact with one person at a time. I always find that if I focus on one person at time I do not feel like i am speaking to a large group.
Comment by Rhondalynn Richards — August 9, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
Question #2: “What advice would I give?” What are the most critical points to tell someone who might be nervous about getting up to speak in front of a group of people? Well…
- First and foremost, take some some really deep breaths before getting getting up to speak. This will help the speaker be more aware of their rythym.
- Secondly, keep in mind you’re not talking to your audience bur rather with your audience. Don’t think of a memorized speech that you have to remember word for word but an exciting, inner-active discussion with your audience. Include the audience by asking questions, throwing out ideas, etc.
- Third, make sure your speech has a point – and stick with it!
- Finlly, just have fun. If you mess-up on a word just keep going! The audience isn’t going to remember why you fumbled but rather how well you recovered.
Brett
Comment by Brett Heffern — August 11, 2010 @ 10:56 pm
Know the content of what you are speaking about. Use notes only as an outline of speaking points. Don’t worry if you go out of order of those points. Think of the audience as one person and not lots. Realize that they do not know as much as you do and that you are why they came.
Comment by Helen Herbie Hartman — August 12, 2010 @ 9:42 am
Question #2: Advice to give to make public speaking better/easier:
1. Go in with the attitude that you are going to have fun doing this presentation. And then have fun! (People are very generous with speakers for the most part I believe.)
2. Prepare – Prepare – Prepare! Practice your talk/presentation out loud. Do it over and over again. Imagine what it will look like. Be prepared in every sense of the word; what questions will they have? How can I address those so they will better understand? Know your topic. Practice without anyone around; then practice in front of someone; practice in front of a mirror.
3. At the actual speech/presentation even if you are NOT comfortable – fake it. Be mindful of your body language. Keep your hands at your sides; smile; look people in the eyes; move slowly; speak slowly. Tell yourself that you KNOW the material; and then present it confidently with courage.
4. Realize too that you do know your “stuff’. You’ve researched what you are going to talk about or present; you believe it; you know that if people do what you are telling them that their lives will be better for it.
Comment by Sandi Cather — August 12, 2010 @ 10:51 am
no your topic/ practice and internalize what you are going to say before hand
Comment by ken day — August 12, 2010 @ 1:26 pm
Go to the poduim, look at the audience and picture all of them sitting on the toilet and that they are in first grade. You will then be a great speaker. Of course you must know the subject you are speaking on.
Comment by Zenda Morris — August 12, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
The number one reason why people get nevious, and do not know what to say when they are in front of a group is because they “do not master the subject they are talking about”.
Comment by Nicolas — August 12, 2010 @ 5:58 pm
When you are preparing to go up to the podium and you’re nervous and shaky, take a moment and remind yourself that it’s not about you. You’re nervous because you are focused on yourself doing a good job, but it’s not about you. It’s about those in the audience. They are the ones that want to learn and grow from your message. Remember that it’s about them and not you.
Comment by Gala Payne — August 12, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
2. The reason you were asked to present to a group of people is because you are knowledgeable about a particular topic. Therefore, you know more about the topic than your audience. So, Act like it. To them, you are the expert.
Comment by Lori Fuller — August 13, 2010 @ 9:19 am
Such great comments! I’m having a hard time picking the winners, so nice job to everyone who commented. The winners will be announced soon, so stay tuned. And if you haven’t read through all of the responses, I would encourage you to do so. I was reminded of a couple of things that are always good to do, and you may find some reminders as well.
Comment by Tom Weber — August 26, 2010 @ 10:07 am