5 Tips to Make Public Speaking Easier

Public speaking, even just the thought of it, can raise your anxiety level. Many people panic at the thought of the crowd, the lights and the dreaded Q&A session. It can be a lot to deal with. Studies have shown that 75% of the population has some level of anxiety regarding public speaking.

But allowing these worries to silence you can be crippling to the future of your business. As a small business owner, you need to be seen as a smart and articulate professional. You can sound smart when presenting, even if you feel butterflies in your stomach.

Here are five tips to help you come across as smart and eloquent when presenting.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practice your speech in front of family and friends. This type of repeated practice will help you become more comfortable in your delivery and you can revise it and work out any kinks before the actual presentation day.

Posture

Work on your posture. Your spine should be relaxed, whether you are standing or sitting. Your body will project an image of confidence and comfort.

Speak Loudly

Project your voice. Speaking loudly is different from speaking forcefully. Speaking loudly takes practice but being heard in the far corners of the room is an asset. Speaking forcefully, or shouting, can wreak havoc on your voice and will put your audience on edge.

Don’t be Afraid of Silence

Pausing can add thoughtfulness to your presentation so don’t be afraid of silence. Keep some notes on index cards in your hands to put you back on track if you lose your train of thought.

Look for a Friendly Face

Look for the smiling face in the audience. This kind of positive reinforcement can eliminate some of your nervousness. Have a friend or colleague sit up front so you can make eye contact with them.

As you move on in your speech, don’t forget to look around the room and make eye contact with others. As your comfort level grows, this eye contact will make you look sincere and comfortable and increase your likeability with the audience.

Public speaking gets easier the more you do it. Public speaking is a great way to promote you small business, so use these tips for your next speaking engagement and you’ll see that it is much easier than you thought.