8 tips to help you with public speaking at all times

diipo adeusi

March 22, 2016 1:54 PM

Public speaking is an important tool to learn, no matter what your job description is. Even if you’re not working as a salesperson, it’s vital to learn these tips that’ll help you pitch yourself

Barack Obama delivering a speech

Always practice:

It is obvious and important to practice your presentation. The higher the stakes, the more you should practice. Also, practice in front of strangers so you can get a fresh views and response. You need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, because when you get in front of an audience of strangers, you most likely won’t be in your comfort zone.

Know your topic:

It’s also very important to be an expert on the issue you’re discussing. No matter what you’re talking about, be well acquainted with it. It helps you to be more confident, and it will show forth in your presentation and If you make a mistake in your presentation, it will be easier for you to bounce back.

Get some rest:

Don’t drink the night before a big speaking event. You don’t want to take the risk of waking up with a headache. If you’re nervous the night before, do something chill that will keep your mind rested, like watching a good movie. Also try your best to get 8 hours of sleep. You need to be well hydrated and rested before your presentation.

Vocal exercises:

If possible, try to find an empty room to exercise your vocals within 30 minutes of your presentation. The purpose of you getting warmed up is to get your voice warmed up and you mentally prepared. Doing this, warms up your entire body. You want to make sure your body is well warmed up in order to maintain good posture throughout your presentation.

Dress the part:

When you feel good about what you’re wearing, you feel more confident. Dressing nice permits you to demand better treatment. When you’re dressed like a bag of money, you walk and talk more confidently. Audiences may initially judge you based solely on your appearance, so try to dress in a way that passes your message across.

Drink water:

Don’t let your mouth dry up because when your mouth dries up, you will have a more difficult time articulating your thoughts. Drink plenty of water both before and during your presentation. If you will be on stage for a while, be careful not to drink so much water, or else you’ll have to go to the bathroom at some point during your presentation.

Take your time:

When you are nervous when presenting, you will speak fast. It happens to everyone and it is something to watch out for. People speak faster in their head than out loud. Speaking quickly can ruin a presentation. You come off as a novice, and your audience will have a hard time understanding what you’re saying. Speak quite slower than what you think is normal because that’s probably the right pace.

Positive declaration:

Before you climb on stage, do your best to stay positive. Psych yourself. Tell yourself positive things. See yourself going on the stage and having a great time. You’re allowed to get a bit cocky. It may seem stupid, but positive affirmation and visualization have worked for tons of people. When we imagine a positive outcome to a scenario in our mind, it's more likely to play out the way we visualize. Transform that nervous energy into enthusiasm.

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