Talking to a group of people can be terrifying in any situation. Fear of public speaking is one of the most common things entrepreneurs say is holding them back from promoting their business.
Public speaking isn’t just standing in-front of your audience, it could also be introducing yourself at a networking group, attending a virtual meeting, or presenting to your prospects.
In this article, we’re going to talk about 5 Kickass Public Speaking Tips for any setting.
- Prepare Your TopicYou don’t have to be the ultimate authority on a topic to give a great presentation, but you do need to know what you’re going to say. Build your presentation around solid facts and success stories. Always practice giving your presentation so you can prefect your timing.
- Write NotecardsWrite your notes as an outline on small notecards you can reference throughout your presentation. Each card should include 2 or 3 main points that are comfortable to read at a reasonable distance, such as glancing down at a podium. The purpose of your note cards isn’t to script your presentation but help you remember which part of your presentation is coming up.
- Get to Know Your AudienceWhen possible, arrive at your speaking event early just as you would for any other networking event. Your goal is to connect with as many people in your audience as possible. Meeting your audience prior to presenting will help build a stronger connection and turns your presentation into a conversation with friends.
- Don’t Rely on VisualsVisuals such as PowerPoint can add value to a presentation but are often distracting when relied on too much. Only use visuals in a way that supports your presentation, not as an option for your audience to tune you out. Just like writing your notecards, your slides should only include key points to help keep your presentation on-track.
- Build Variation Into Your PresentationYour presentation should always be customized for your audience. Keep in mind that you may have someone in the audience who has heard your presentation before, so you should always look for ways to add variation into your presentation.
Before Your Presentation
Giving a great presentation in any setting starts with confidence. Make sure you’ve gotten enough sleep the night before and spend time relaxing prior to your presentation. Relax, take a deep breath, and remember that you’ll do a great job!
