Speak Effectively

To conquer the fear of public speaking, start by acknowledging your anxiety. Accepting that you are afraid can prevent that fear from spiraling out of control. Get yourself out of the way. Remember that a little anxiety can provide energy for your speech.

Don’t worry about how your speech will be received. When we obsess over potential outcomes, it often increases our anxiety. Instead, concentrate on the present moment. Pay attention to your surroundings. By focusing on the nuances of your audience, you can avoid the self-absorption that heightens anxiety.

Never expect perfection. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Understand that you will make mistakes, and that’s perfectly fine. Making a few mistakes can endear you to your audience; it reminds them that you are human.

To boost your self-assurance on the way to your speech, adopt a confident posture. Stand with your hands on your hips and your legs slightly apart. Listen to music. 

Before speaking, warm up your voice. Arms up—breathe out. Gently vibrate your lips together. Use the familiar major scale—Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do. Say wee, wee, wee all the way home from low to high pitch. Use tongue twisters: I sat on a sheet. On the sheet, I sat. I sat on a slitted sheet.

When you approach the podium, walk briskly with your posture upright and your chin high.

At the podium, fake confidence by imagining yourself as your favorite action hero or heroin. Assume a confident posture. Arms folded, hands in the pocket, a fig leaf posture, fiddling, and nervous gestures increase anxiety. A confident posture decreases anxiety.

When beginning your speech, speak slowly and deliberately. Avoid mumbling. Speak in a conversational tone. As you proceed, you can change the tone, speed, and other aspects of your voice. Avoid jokes. If they fall flat, your anxiety will soar. 

Asking your audience a question is an excellent way to begin a speech. Of course, the question should summarize your talking points. For example, when giving a speech about beekeeping, you could ask, “Are you afraid of bees? Or “How many of you have been stung by a bee?

Structure your speech by using the problem-solution-benefit technique, or you can use the what-so what-now what model.

Excellent speakers  demonstrate these four characteristics:

1. Authenticity—be yourself. Let your unique light shine.  

2. Honesty— to paraphrase Jim Croce, don’t give the audience a steadily deceivin’, low-down mind messin’ lying at the podium blues. Mark Twain wrote, “When in doubt, tell the truth. It will confound your enemies and astound your friends.  Of course, there is no doubt about it—always tell the truth. The truth is the remedy for a poor memory.

3. Integrity—provide above and beyond the value expected.

4. Respect and love your audience by wishing the best for them.

The way you use your voice draws attention to what you are saying:

• Change the pitch of your voice by moving up and down your speaking range. For gravitas, lower the pitch of your voice.
• Use rhythm and sing-song patterns of sound to prevent a monotonous voice.
• Change the pace of your voice—speak quickly, then slowly.
• Use pauses and silence to add power to your words.
• Change the volume of your voice from loud to soft. A quiet, soft voice grabs attention. A loud voice commands.
• Add a warm timber to your voice with diaphragmatic breathing. Fill your lungs by expanding your belly, not your chest. Relax your throat by visualizing a ball of energy moving up from your diaphragm and out your mouth. 

Brevity is the soul of wit. Leave your audience wanting more.

Always conclude your speech with a call to action. A good speech becomes excellent only if the audience knows what to do afterward.

In conclusion, practice is the key to transforming a good speech into an excellent one. If you aspire to be an exceptional speaker, practice, practice, practice.