Surveys about our fears commonly show fear of public speaking at the top of the list. Our fear of standing up in front of a group and talking is so great that it is greater than death, in surveys at least. On one hand, I understand, having sweated myself about getting up in front of a group. On the other hand, it seems odd that we’re so afraid – what are we afraid of, anyway? What do we think will happen to us? We’re unlikely to suffer any real or lasting harm — or are we?
In his recent book, Nine Public Speaking Lessons from the World’s Greatest TED Talks, author and communication coach Carmine Gallo discusses the ways you can be most successful as a speaker. In fact, he melts the whole art of public speaking down to a science, giving nine important tips to ensure that you won’t fear it more than death itself!
Present your expertise. If you want to inspire others, you need to be inspired yourself. And, if you have mastered the subject and are truly an expert in the field, you will be better able to present an extraordinary speech. When you are wholeheartedly connected to a topic, your audience can’t help but be connected as well!
Get particular. Tell three stories that speak to people’s emotions. If you only present facts, you won’t reach people’s hearts and minds. Therefore, include stories that will engage your audience and help you connect to them.
Practice makes perfect. It’s important to be natural when you speak publicly and not look as if you are reading off a paper. The more you practice, the more you comfortable you will be on stage. Rehearse your speech enough times so that you can deliver it as if you were speaking to a friend or colleague.
Be innovative. People like to learn new things. When something is unusual, we pay attention. When you teach something new, your audience instantly has a new way of looking at the world and will automatically be intrigued by what you are saying.
Grab their attention. Aside from the new things that you teach the audience, you should also deliver “jaw-dropping” moments or moments that produce a strong emotional response like fear, joy, or surprise. These moments are important for long-term retention of the information that you are presenting as the audience will hold onto them long after the speech is over. Of course, these moments should also be related to your topic of expertise and should not simply be there for the shock effect!
Be funny, but don’t tell jokes. In other words, incorporate humor into your speech through offhand remarks, self-deprecating lines, and subtle allusions. When you are funny, people will be less defensive which will allow them to be more receptive to the message that you are trying to get across. On the converse, if you take your (very important) topic too seriously, people might be turned off by your gravitas and choose to shut down and ignore what you have to say. It’s important to note though, that you don’t have to tell jokes to be funny – in fact – jokes might detract from your overall message.
Keep it the right length. TED talks are not allowed to be more than 18 minutes long. Depending on how long you are allotted, you might consider how much time you will spend orating and how much time you will engage the group in activities around the topic. Research has discovered that anything more than 18 minutes long can lead to a “cognitive backlog” or too much information! So, make sure your speech is long enough to make your point, but not too long that people go into cognitive overload.
Visuals, visuals, visuals. If you are going to include a visual presentation, put pictures up on the screen, not words! The reality is that you are saying the words and people don’t need to see them on the screen behind you. Instead, put pictures and animation, things that can add a layer of subtext and enrich the words that you are saying.
Speak about what you know. This goes back to tip #1, present your expertise, but it’s a bit more than that. The best public speakers are those who are open about their own experiences and struggles. If you are presenting on a topic about which you are both an expert and a target, share those vulnerabilities. The more authentic the speech, the more likely people will be to perk up and listen.
Still scared to death to speak in public? Unless your job requires it, there is really no reason why you have to. On the other hand, if you have something that you’ve mastered and would like to share with others, why not use the tips above to ensure that your message is heard – loud and clear!