Speaking Loud and Clear

Public speaking, in the opinions of many, is one of the most difficult tasks ever – there is something about talking to crowds which makes knees weak and palms sweaty. However, public speaking is one of the skills which, if learned properly, can help you a lot in the long run. There have been instances of established speakers coming up on stage and fumbling, while, on the other hand, there are even more instances of introverts going up on stage and delivering fantastic addresses. So, here are a few tips and tricks which might help you with your fear of speaking to people:

Don’t start speaking immediately: While it may seem like a foolish idea to not begin speaking immediately after entering the stage, this actually makes you seem more in charge of what is happening. Come into the center of the stage, look at the audience, take a deep breath, then begin your speech – this will help lessen your stage fright a lot.
Say no to the naysayers: When you are talking on stage or giving a presentation, there will obviously be people who might disagree with you; therefore, you cannot concentrate on the people with folded arms or a frown on their faces, and instead, concentrate on those people who seem to be agreeing with you and engaging in the speech or the presentation. This will help boost your confidence in yourself and finish the speech smoothly.
Look at the audience, one person at a time: While you’re speaking on stage, you cannot, of course, look at the ceiling or the floor – the only choice you have is to look at the audience. While looking at them, you have to actually look at them, not pan over their heads. It is best to look at a particular member of the audience while you’re making a point and then move on to another member when you’ve finished the sentence. This really helps you to connect with the audience, and it becomes an interaction rather than a speech.
Slow down: There is nothing like speaking “too slow” on stage. When you’re speaking, the audience would be willing to oblige you if you’re going slowly – they will hang onto your every word as you’re saying it. However, if you go too fast instead, you’ll lose the attention of the audience because they cannot understand what you are talking about and this, in turn, will create disapproval.
Don’t panic: Panicking can be one of the worst things that can happen to someone who is speaking on stage. Known as the infamous “stage fright”, it is one of the worst nightmares of anyone. However, there is a way to overcome it. Instead of thinking that you’re panicking, you must think that you’re excited – weak knees, clammy hands can be signs of both. Thus, at the end of things, it all depends on your outlook and preparation about how well you are able to handle stage fright and deliver your point across to the audience.