20 Ways to Become a Better Public Speaker

[zekecamusio]

Most public speakers think we’re great. Most people think most public speakers are really boring. If you’re a public speaker like me, I think it’s time we think about how we can make our talks better.

These are 20 ways to become a better public speaker.

Tell stories. You don’t need to tell them from beginning to end. If you start a story and tell your audience you’ll tell them the ending later, you’ll have their attention. If you can find a way to connect all your stories, this is extremely powerful. This is a great book on storytelling.
Be yourself. Don’t pretend to be “you, the public speaker”. Your audience will appreciate it.
Humor can be very powerful. Don’t put others on the spot. Laugh at yourself and all the stupid things you do every day.
If you screw up, laugh it off and move on. It’s only awkward if you make it awkward.
Use demonstrations. I saw a speaker pour three tablespoons of sugar into a transparent bottle to show parents how much sugar a soda has. It was shocking and very powerful.
Tell them what you’re going to tell them (set expectations), tell them (fulfill the expectations you set before) and finally tell them what you told them (wrap it up).
The only way to get better at it is to do it a lot. Speak at every event you have the opportunity to. Ask for feedback and use it to improve.
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “death by PowerPoint”. Avoid text in slides as much as possible. Use photos and infographics as much as you can. These are two awesome books every public speaker should read: Slidelogy and Resonate.
Watch Ted videos a few times a week. Some of the best presenters in the world speak at Ted events.
Engage your audience. Ask them questions, make them vote and ask them to share their experiences.
Customize your talk to your audience. If you speak to a group of insurance salespeople you should find examples that they can relate to.
Don’t tell them everything you think they need to know. It’s probably too much. Limit the scope of your content so they don’t get lost or feel overwhelmed. Your goal is not to teach them everything, but to make sure they understand what you teach.
Rehearse, rehearse and then rehearse some more. This makes all the difference.
Start strong and end strong. Rehearse your opening and closing more than anything else.
Make sure your audience gets one takeaway from your session. Notice that I didn’t say ten or even five. Just one. What’s the one thing they can do that will make the biggest impact in their lives?
Don’t give the handouts before you speak, or people will read them and stop paying attention to you.
Test everything before the talk. Sometimes technology fails.
Avoid reading off a paper or the screen.
Unless you’re presenting to a very small group, ask people to wait until the Q&A to ask their questions.
Have fun! Not many people have the opportunity to influence, teach and inspire others.

What are other things that public speakers should do better?

[HostingBee]

Here are 10 ways to improve public speaking:

1. The first way to improve your public speaking is by developing your voice. A high whiney voice is not perceived to be one of authority. In fact, a high soft voice can make you sound like prey to an aggressive co-worker who is out to make his/her career at the expense of anyone else. Begin doing exercises to lower the pitch of your voice.

2. The second way to better public speaking is to talk slowly. People will perceive you as nervous and unsure of yourself if you talk fast. However, be careful not to slow down to the point where people begin to finish your sentences just to help you finish.

3. The third way better public speaking is to animate your voice. Avoid a monotone. Use dynamics. Your pitch should raise and lower. Your volume should be soft and loud. Listen to your local TV news anchor; take note.

4. Fourth way better public speaking is enunciating your words. Speak clearly. Do not mumble. If people are always saying, "huh?" to you, you are mumbling.

5. Fifth way better public speaking is by using appropriate volume. Use a volume that is appropriate for the setting. Speak more softly when you are alone and close. Speak louder when you are speaking to larger groups or across larger spaces.

6. Sixth way to better public speaking is by pronouncing every word correctly. People will judge your competency through your vocabulary. If you are not sure how to say a word, do not use it.

7. Seventh way to better public speaking is by using the right word. If you are not sure of the meaning of a word, do not use it. Start a program of learning a new word a day. Use it sometime in your conversations during the day

8. Eighth way better public speaking is by making eye contact with the person you are talking to.

9. Ninth way to better public speaking is by using gestures while you speak Make your whole body talk. Use smaller gestures for individuals and small groups. The gestures should get larger as the group that one is addressing increase in size.

10. Last but not the least, tenth way to better public speaking is by not sending mixed messages. Make your words, gestures, facial expressions, tone, and message match. Disciplining an employee while smiling sends a mixed message and, therefore, is ineffective. If you have to deliver a negative message, make your words, facial expressions and tone match the message.

[SlimJim]

I definitely second the voice tips. Remember that a good % of the population experiences life with their hearing (auditory people, as opposed to visual or kinesthetic) - so poor voice quality will automatically devalue you to those people.

[Gary Barzel]

Do your homework beforehand. Don’t forget to also learn about who you are speaking to (i.e. what are their interests? Ages? Are they there voluntarily or are they forced to be there?) as well as when ( i.e. In the morning? At the end of a long day?) and where you are speaking (i.e. What is the size and layout of the room?). All of these factors should influence the way you will deliver your presentation.

[taiwanscooter]

A high whiney voice....that's so true. I've been to countless presentations where i've ducked out early because I was annoyed by some inexperienced speaker's squeaky inaudible noises.