Public Speaking Skills: Present with Confidence (2023)

We all know that person who seems born to speak in public. Unfazed by the size of the audience, he or she speaks clearly and persuasively, making the best use of the language. So there you are: more than two pairs of eyes train in your direction and you feel yourself falling apart; Her voice cracks with nervousness and she loses track every time she looks up from her script, which now feels dull and uninspired. Aid!

The way you use your voice and use your public speaking skills such as rhetoric (more on that later) has a huge impact on how your audience perceives your presentation. If you're wrong, you can bore or irritate people.

If you do it right, you'll feel more invested, attached to your every word, understood your message, and interested in what you have to say. We're here to show you how to get it right every time: improve your speaking skills and present with confidence and control.

What are speaking skills? What is rhetoric? And how can they add value to your presentations?

The term "rhetoric" comes from ancient Greek and means to speak or eloquence. At its best, it's the art of persuasion: using your speaking skills to flow in the most effective way possible to engage and engage the audience.

Those who make business presentations must know how to use rhetoric. It has been around for centuries and has not lost any of its importance to this day.As a moderator, you have a fundamental responsibility: convince your audience and, ideally, inspire them; Because even the best content can't convince your audience if it's not presented effectively.

Politicians and public relations professionals have mastered the art of rhetoric (although they occasionally give it a bad name by using it in bad faith).There are some rules to make it easier for you, and we will review them below.Following these can make a big difference in how your presentation looks.

Unfortunately, if you don't know these rules, it's easy to make a mistake when filing. It happens every day, and you may have experienced it yourself. PowerPoint presentations can be graphically overloaded and uninteresting, or drag like gum on the sole of a shoe because the speaker's voice is so monotone.

We have all nearly fell asleep because a lecture was boring, even though we were there because we found the topic interesting.

So how to avoid doing the same? Well, the correct use of rhetoric can really help.Apply these proven techniques, tips and tricks and you can present your content in a vibrant and interesting way, captivating and entertaining your audience.

These techniques include pauses in speaking, body language, and the volume and tone of your voice. We're here to help with some proven techniques, tips, and tricks that will help you master public speaking and become a better public speaker than you ever dreamed possible.

So how do you improve your speaking skills?

The simple answer to that is:Practice creates teachers.These are not completely foreign concepts: in a way, we all use our speaking skills every day. There are many situations in life where you need to communicate with freedom, confidence, and confidence, whether in public or in private. So you probably already have a basic understanding of the required speaking skills.

this is your chanceGet a tremendous edge on the competition by learning and practicing this persuasive skill., maximize the impact of your content and engage your audience in the best possible way.

Communication:It's not just what you say that matters, but how you say it

Communications expert Paul Watzlawick explains: “you can't communicate". Even if you don't actually say a word, something is being expressed. Simply staying still is a form of communication and also conveys an intention.

An audience unconsciously interprets and evaluates not only your speech, but also your body language and behavior.You can gain a lot by learning and improving your own non-verbal communication. This article aims to cover many valuable aspects of your speaking skills.Asyou say what you say

Know your listeners

Rhetoric helps you convey your key messages as clearly as possible.Remember to always keep your audience in mind.Both your language and your rhetorical use must be adapted to the characteristics of your audience, such as age, level of knowledge and professional situation.

Your first step is to know your audience. When you use rhetorical devices such as metaphors (like "hitting the nail on the head" - finishing a project or task), your audience needs to be able to understand them.

However, it is not just about the content.you are also importantIf you are afraid of public speaking, the first thing you can do is try to change your own attitude. It sounds too simple, but repeating a mantra is similar"I have this!"over and over again before the presentation actually works.The more positive you are, the more confident you will be in your presentation.Try it!

There are courses where you can learn rhetoric. If you can find one, why not give it a try? You will learn the importance of brushing up your public speaking skills. But it is quite possible to do it yourself. Anyone can learn these skills with a little practice, so read on – we've got your back!

Speaking skills: the basics

With these 13 simple tips, you'll lay a solid foundation for using your language and your own body to give the best presentations. It must be said that it really pays to practice before approaching the audience!

1.drink enough.To prevent your vocal cords and mouth from drying out, drink extra fluids (for example, water or tea) well before your performance.

2.get enoughvoice rest.If you spend the night before your performance yelling at a soccer game or in a noisy bar, you're needlessly overloading your voice for the next day.

3.SStand up straight, with your weight evenly distributed on both feet. Make sure your chest is relaxed and open. If you allow it to wear off, you won't be able to use your voice to its full potential and may appear insecure.

4.Aspireand calm and deepFeel how your breath fills your chest up to your diaphragm. Before each long sentence, and definitely before the start of your presentation, practice long exhalations and deep breaths. This means you can speak freely without having to hold your breath mid-sentence.

5.Keep your voice natural and relaxed.Avoid raising your voice when you speak louder or when you are nervous. Deeper tones are usually more pleasant to listen to.

6.take note of yoursPresentation when you're rehearsing (yes, it's scary, but it's worth it!) and paying attention to the tone of your voice and how you express yourself. Do you speak too loud or too soft? Where can you improve? What looks confident? Are there places where you don't sound convincing?

7.Do not rushtus ideas!After each set, take a deep breath and take a short break (see below). This keeps you focused and calm.

8.WAdjust your speaking speed.If you speak too fast, your audience will not understand what you are saying. The key is to be heard and understood. Your message takes center stage, and it's really a shame that your speech hides it.

9.Speak clearly.It sounds obvious, but it's easy to babble or babble when you're nervous. A fun exercise is to practice tongue twisters from time to time and say them as clearly as possible.

10To useshort sentences.The shorter the sentence, the easier it will be to understand. Our brains are designed to focus on a central concept when we listen, and longer sentences can affect that focus. Put the most important statements right at the beginning of a sentence and emphasize them (for example, "We generated 3.5 million euros this year. 3.5 million!").

11try not to use itto the manand foreign words: You may seem demanding when writing your speech, but it quickly turns many listeners off. The average attention span is only 20 minutes, so it's important to time your presentation.

12The sum!You can practice finding your optimal volume and pitch by humming a few times and then saying a sentence directly. This will help you use the most comfortable and persuasive tone of voice.

13. Find your rhythm.Detain youpresentationFeelingso freeand easyas possible.

Try to implement all of these tips when rehearsing your presentation. You'll quickly notice how much more confident you seem. You have already started to learn excellent speaking skills!

Use rhetoric with confidence

You've covered the basics. Now is the time to focus on refining the content of your presentation.You really need to get your audience involved from the beginning. A clumsy start makes a bad impression, and that's hard to salvage.Here are a few things you can use to create the perfect introduction, engage your audience, and move on with confidence. They include:

SSurprise!!Starting with a surprise will captivate your audience from the first moment. Everyone expects the usual lines (“Thank you for coming today”). So if you do something completely unexpected, your audience will stand up and listen. It can help to engage your audience by asking an unexpected or funny question, such as "What does it take to get everyone to pay attention during my presentation?"

Tell stories:The human brain is programmed to pay attention to narration. There is a direct connection with the audience. Personal anecdotes provide variety and are a great way to start a presentation. When mixed with humor or self-mockery, you can really captivate your audience ("You won't believe what just happened to me...").

This presentation technique makes you appear approachable and personable, at the level of the audience. Some anecdotes throughout the presentation will keep that feeling alive.

Questions, questions, questions!As mentioned above, starting with a question can be very effective. Questions can also be helpful as the presentation progresses. This makes your audience feel much more connected to you and your content.

Try to include different types of questions in your presentation, e.g. B. a key question ("Are you tired of...?") or an opinion poll ("Who prefers...?"). Try starting and ending your presentation with a question, and listen carefully to how your audience responds.

Exaggeration:It's natural to start with your core message. But if you drop it and move on, it may get lost. An interesting tactic is to take things to the extreme ("If you don't network, you don't get project assignments").

This can polarize your audience, but it ensures maximum interest, which means that your audience is now curious about where you are going and has both their attention and a great space for a discussion.

Use the rhetoric:Rhetorical devices (discussed below) can be great right at the start of a presentation! Comparisons, similes, and metaphors make the audience think (eg, “bullish and bearish”: rising or falling stock prices).

Your audience is first presented with vivid mental images and needs to think about how to apply them. Figuring this out will give attendees a sense of accomplishment that will get your presentation off to a positive start.

You can find more helpful tips and tricks for the perfect start to your presentation here.Here.

Linguistic Skills: Rhetoric can give you a huge advantage

Our last point above shows that the use of rhetoric can captivate your audience right from the start, which means your presentation is much more likely to be a success. But it's not just the introduction that can benefit;Spice up your presentation from time to time with rhetorical devices to add flavor and interest to the presentation.you can help with that tooTransform a complicated concept into something simpler and easier for your audience to understand.

But don't overdo it; If you use too much rhetoric in your presentation, it can come across as pompous and standoffish.

There are many elements of rhetoric to consider. Here are some of the best:

Alliteration:Two or more words that begin with the same sound are used. It's a great way to get people's attention (for example, "Possible benefits of PowerPoint...").

Anaphora:Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of consecutive sentences, phrases, or parts of a sentence. This underscores your point while adding a nice rhythm to your speech. A good example of this is Winston Churchill's speech, which begins with "We'll fight them on the beaches." He repeated "We will" and "We will fight" to great effect.

antithesis:This is an idiom that juxtaposes two opposing or opposing ideas. It is a powerful technique for stimulating discussion (eg, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." - Neil Armstrong).

Hyperbel:The goal is to gain attention through exaggeration (for example, "If you don't network, you won't work").

Climax:an idiom in which consecutive words, phrases, phrases, or sentences are arranged in increasing order of importance (for example, "What started as a glitch turned into a product that turned out to be a bestseller").

Metaphor:This is an idiom used to make a comparison between two things that are not the same but still have something in common. They produce powerful images that can leave a lasting impression (eg, "Making PowerPoint presentations is so easy!"). You can find more information and examples of metaphors here.

Neologism:This basically means coming up with a new word that can amuse and interest your audience! An example could be "PowerPointer", which contains tips on how to get the most out of this Microsoft application. Make sure they are not too abstract. Your new word still doesn't make sense.

Paralelismo:This means weighing two or more ideas or arguments that are equally important (for example, "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, and feed him for life"). It makes his speech livelier and therefore more memorable.

They areVoice: An important elementyour presentation

Your voice is a very important part of your speaking skills.Studies show that the sound of a person's voice is up to three times more important than what that person is actually saying!Learning how to use your voice to the best of your ability will greatly improve your speaking skills and greatly increase the impact of your presentations.

The use of language includes various aspects such as pitch, pitch, volume, and resistance.Working on all these points can give you a great advantage when presenting. Again, there are courses you can take to improve your vocal skills, but it's quite possible to work on them yourself. Here are some tips:

Varythe rhythm of your voiceOne of the worst mistakes you can make is speaking in a monotone and rhythm. Your audience will soon fall asleep (or wish they would). Varying the speed of your words to complement what is being said maintains interest in your content. This allows you to draw attention to particularly important concepts.

Don't babble.Most people tend to speak too fast when they're nervous, which means your audience can pick up half of what's being said. Taking a deep breath before speaking and noticing the tempo of your voice should solve the problem.

Pay attention to the field.Our voices have a natural pitch (for example, how loud or soft we speak). This is determined by our individual physiology. We are naturally more persuasive and perceived as more honest when we find it. The social pressures and nervousness we can feel when speaking in public often force our voice to a higher pitch, making our voice sound inauthentic and awkward.

It helps to be aware of this and find a more natural tone of voice. This is nice and oozes competence. By breathing deeper and speaking slower and more deliberately, you can prevent your voice from becoming too high-pitched. Again, listening to a recording can really help.

Main emphasis.In introductions, often only nouns are stressed. Why not try stressing the verbs more often? They naturally stimulate the brain and make your speech more interesting.

Bbreathe.Excitement or nervousness can make you gasp. The solution is to take a deep breath and take your time. If you run out of breath, take a short break, take a deep breath, and then continue.

the power of rest

Breaks are a simple but extremely effective way to build suspense and keep presentations lively and interesting.However, doing it wrong can make you appear insecure or nervous. Here are some ways to use breaks correctly:

pause for emphasis.When you pause after an important statement or fact, you underline the importance of what you just said and allow your audience to focus and remember the most important points. It is important not to pause the flow of speech for too long, as this can be very distracting and uncomfortable for the audience.

This type of pause should be used sparingly (three or four times per presentation maximum), otherwise it will lose its effectiveness.

Take a confidence break.If at any point you feel like your confidence is slipping or your presentation isn't going well, take a short break to regain your composure. This gives you a chance to reorganize your thoughts and move forward with renewed vigor.

These breaks should be brief so as not to disturb the audience or express one's own insecurity. But remember that presentation time feels different; It is invaluable to plan breaks during rehearsal and listen to the playback.

Pause to absorb the information.When giving presentations, your audience may get disconnected from time to time. That doesn't mean they aren't interested in what you have to say. When you've presented a lot of information, sometimes your audience needs a moment of silence to process new facts or ideas.

Taking a short break gives your audience a chance to process what they just said and refocus on your presentation.

How to avoid filler words

There are those who can speak fluently and eloquently in public, seemingly at ease, who are able to improvise and adapt easily. However, this is not the case for most of us!One thing most of us do is use useless "noise": theem, DieAh, Dieyea.

Occasionally, they can help cover a moment when you're thinking about what to say, but using them too much makes you seem nervous and insecure. A well-thought-out, professional speech doesn't need filler words.

How to avoid them?Preparation is key.Practice your speech, warm up your voice beforehand and breathe consciously, slowly and deeply. For more great tips on how to avoid filler words and deliver a smooth and confident presentation, click here.HereYHere.

Use your speaking skills to the end.

With the help of the above points, you can start your presentation off strong and deliver the content to great effect. But don't drop the ball into the goal!Oral skills can help you bring your presentation to a successful conclusion. Your audience will remember it for a long time.

If you started with a question, review it again at the end.You can answer the question yourself, or better yet, let your audience answer. This direct engagement with your content creates a strong connection to your main messages. You can also try using therhetorical meanupstairs to take your presentation therea surprising and refreshing conclusion.

For more helpful tips on how to wrap up a presentation effectively, click here.Here.

Hebottom line:Use great speaking skills toat the moment self-confidentAnd effective!

When giving a presentation, proper oral skills are invaluable.As effective and challenging as your PowerPoint slides are, without the right presentation, they will fail.

Use our tips to improve your speaking skills, get your key messages across every time, and make your presentations livelier and more effective.Consider using some of the rhetorical devices we've covered to subtly make your presentations more persuasive. Find your natural voice with our helpful suggestions. And remember, the more you practice before your presentation, the better these tips will work. The time you spend preparing is never wasted and will serve you well in future presentations.

If you have questions about specific speaking skills or anything PowerPoint related, feel free to contact us.[email protected]. We are here to help!