4 tips for your next talk
Public speaking is like driving a car full of people. They may have different reasons for being there, and varying levels of excitement about riding with you. But one thing is certain: for the next few minutes, you’re going to take them somewhere. How you do it matters.
Inexperienced public speakers often preface their talks by saying “I don’t usually do this, but here goes nothing—I’m just going to wing it today.” Even if they don’t say that, they stumble through introductions, awkward jokes, and meaningless asides before they get moving. When they make a phonetic mistake, they let out a nervous laugh.
Imagine if someone driving you in a car did all these things. Imagine if they told you they don’t usually drive, and they’re “just going to wing it.” Imagine if they stalled by showing you little features in the car (when you really had somewhere to be). Imagine if they said “oh gosh, oh gosh” whenever someone cut them off. You’d feel nervous about their ability, and you’d want to get out of the car quickly as you could (you might even be dreaming about how much better you’d be driving the car).
Showing confidence is important when driving and it’s important when you’re speaking. You’re taking people somewhere, and they need to feel like you’re a good choice to be taking them there.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind for your next talk:
Jump right in. Don’t stall, and don’t waste time on introductions. This gives people a feeling of momentum.
Tell people where you’re going, and how you’re going to get there. This is especially important for inexperienced speakers, because it gives your listeners a structure to view your talk, and helps them focus.
When you stumble over your words, do not mention it (notice I said “when”—everybody does it). Simply make the correction and move on. The only time people remember phonetic mix-ups is when you make a big deal out of it.
Think of the audience. Part of the reason public speaking makes people so nervous is because they’re worried about what people will think of them. They imagine themselves on a stage with a third-person angle, in front of a ton of people, looking like an idiot. Instead, imagine a first-person view of the audience. Imagine their faces as you speak. Imagine yourself helping them get somewhere they’ve always wanted to go.
Good luck out there!
