5 Tips to Successfully Master the Art of Public Speaking by R. E. Smith

Face Your Fears 

It is a very difficult task to stand in front of an audience or group of people and deliver a speech. For some, it is even terrifying to utter a word in a social setting. The fear of speaking in public is very common and is quite traumatic for many individuals. In this lesson, we will define public speaking, outline the common indicators of fearing speaking in public, and outline five tips that will assist you to master public speaking.

What is Public Speaking? 

Public speaking is an art that many professionals try their best to master and develop. Some individuals also seek professional assistance to develop the competencies needed to overcome the challenges relating to public speaking. Public Speaking is often referred to as Oratory which is a skill that requires excellent communication, enthusiasm, and the ability to grab the attention of an audience and take them on a journey by using your words, facial expressions, and body language.

Fear of Public Speaking 

Are you always nervous around a group or crowd? Are you terrified of speaking in public? Have you ever held a microphone and you feel like you are blocking out? If this scenario describes you then you are suffering from Glossophobia which is fear of public speaking. This fear is actually very common and it is estimated that about 70-75% of individuals suffer from this fear which makes them Glossophobic. 

The most common indicators of this phobia are: 

• Sweaty Palms
• Dry mouth
• Tension in the neck and back
• Increase blood pressure
• Nausea

• Shaking of the limbs

Five Tips for Mastering Public Speaking

1. Know your content - To overcome the fear of speaking in public you must become familiar with your content. Whenever you are given the opportunity to share you must prepare and get to know your content. To achieve this you must do research on the topic that you are required to speak on. Start writing down ACTION POINTS or SPEAKING POINTS this is a great way to reinforce your information and make it stick. Put yourself in the audience seat and anticipate their questions. Write down these questions and prepare responses to them.

2. Practice- Practice your presentation thoroughly and make adjustments. Tweak your presentation to better suit your style of delivery and audience. Practice your speech in the mirror and then share it with your family and friends. Find a small group, share your information, and get feedback. Remember REPETITION and PRACTICE are keys to success. There is a proverb that states " Practice makes Perfect". This is so true the more you prepare the better the presentation will be and you will deliver the content with poise and grace.

3. Be confident- Fears will take you over once self-doubt is evident. It is important that you develop confidence in yourself, try to relax, make yourself comfortable, and have fun delivering the content. Chances are you may be putting too much pressure on yourself. Lighten up a bit and give yourself a small tap on the shoulder and tell yourself " I AM A STAR". Listen to videos and presentations from other speakers on your topic. Lean into your natural strengths and develop your weaknesses. Be confident in who you are and believe that your presentation will go as planned. Visualize your outcome and make the most of the situation, use it as an opportunity to network and expand your influence. 

4. Be Engaging- It is important that you practice some deep breathing exercises before your presentation to help reducing stress and anxiety. Additionally, you must pause during your presentation take a breath and enjoy the moment. Make your presentation a journey and engage your audience with your tone, range, eye contact, and body language. Let your audience buy into what you are presenting. Do not worry about the room going silent or erupting into laughter. Focus on the positives and observe your audience get to know them, develop a rapport, refer to them by name, get familiar. Remember you are the presenter hence they are following your lead. A presenter is a tour guide so guide your audience on a journey.

5. Seek Professional Help- It is important that you seek professional help to get better at speaking in public. We are all speakers in our own right but there are some soft skills that we need to learn and master to become proficient. There are many organizations that offer training in the Art of Public Speaking. Also, many professions and colleges integrate these soft skills into their programs. Therefore it is necessary to do some amount of training and development to become comfortable at speaking in public.

The outcome

To master public speaking you must be willing to speak to the public. Use every opportunity to practice and share your knowledge on various topics. Be willing to take on more opportunities to present and speak in public. The more you present the better you will become at speaking in public. Reach out to community groups and organizations that offer programs or opportunities to share and develop individuals' skills and competency. Remember consistency is a key to success. Join a youth empowerment program or mentorship organization. Doing outreach is a great way to increase your confidence and expand your influence. Remember you are your own brand, therefore you must spend time developing your brand.

Fear is a friend of Failure, Confidence is a friend of Success. ( R. Smith 2020)