13 techniques for public speaking (and succeeding)

Successful public speaking is a matter of practice, perseverance and strategy.

Surely, throughout your life, you have encountered - or will encounter - the situation of having to speak in public, either to present a paper at university, a thesis, a presentation or a work conference, etc.

Do you get nervous when facing such situations, or do you feel satisfied with your public speaking? Whether you want to improve, learn or mitigate your fears, in this article we propose 13 techniques to improve your public speaking skills, in this article we propose 13 techniques for effective public speaking..

• Recommended article: "Public speaking and overcoming stage fright, in 8 steps".

13 great techniques for public speaking

The 13 techniques for public speaking, as we will see, have to do with different aspects of oneself and one's own speech: verbal language, non-verbal language, attitude, etc. Let's see what each technique consists of and how to apply it properly:

1. Deep breathing

The first of the techniques for public speaking that we propose you is to breathe deeply before the talk, inhaling and exhaling slowly several times in a row.. This technique will help you feel more relaxed and will also bring oxygen to your brain to increase your concentration.

When we breathe deeply, our abdomen swells; you can try putting your hand on it during the inhalations and see how it fills with air, and then release it progressively. In addition to applying this technique before the talk, you can also do it during the talk; the important thing is to control your breathing and be aware of it.

2. Maintain eye contact

It is important to maintain eye contact (look into the eyes) with the attendees of your talk or presentation.. You do not need to look at them penetratingly and constantly; it is about looking at their faces as you speak.

As we will see throughout the article, non-verbal language is very important in this type of situation, as it accompanies the speech and enriches it.

3. Control your voice

When speaking in public, the voice should be moderate-loud (depending on the size of the room and the size of the audience). (depending on the size of the room and the number of attendees); the important thing, however, is that the voice reaches the entire audience (from the first row to the last).

Thus, the volume of the voice is a very important aspect, but also the tone. Think of your voice as your main tool to convey your message, and it can give it intensity and conviction.

In this way, your voice has to change pitch, intoning the key points of your speech.

4. Control the speed of the speech

The speech should be neither too slow nor too fast.The speed should be moderate. This is important so that the speech is understood and the listeners do not lose the thread of the explanations.

5. Vocalize

Another technique for public speaking is to vocalize.. This will allow you to transmit a clear message that reaches the audience and is clearly understood. Failure to vocalize may result in the message not being understood.

6. Keep a positive attitude

As we can see, "how you speak" is as or more important than "what you say". So, keep a positive attitude during your speech, keeping a positive attitude during your speech, will make the message "soaked" with this positivity.. In this way, the message that will come through will have more strength and vitality, and the listeners will be able to catch this energy through your words.

In addition, negative thoughts (for example: "I am not doing well", or "they are getting bored") will not help you, but on the contrary, they will make you more nervous and will transmit an image of insecurity (and this is very noticeable when you speak in public).

7. Be confident

The next of the techniques for public speaking is to have confidence in yourself.. Confidence is key to transmit personal security and for the audience to believe in your message and support it. Also, in line with the previous technique, having positive thoughts will help you to continue speaking with confidence.

Think that you are probably an expert on the topic you are going to talk about; you should think "no one knows it better than me, I can do it".

8. Be sincere

Another technique for public speaking is simply to be honest.. Sincerity, even if we don't know it, is often transmitted, it is noticeable. Your goal should be to deliver a message that has some value, and that you believe in. To do this effectively, your attitude and your words must reflect authenticity and transparency.

9. Focus

Try not to lose the thread of your speech, concentrating on each and every word you utter, as well as on your gestures and gestures.as well as your gestures and non-verbal language. You have to focus on the present moment, on the "here and now", since being aware of other things can be detrimental to your speech.

In this way, being more aware of the audience than of your message can cause you to deviate from the topic without realizing it, or you may lose your concentration and lose the thread. This is why it is important to stay focused and not get distracted.

10. Control fear

The next of the techniques for public speaking refers to controlling fear or embarrassment.. All of this is probably achieved through the previous techniques, and with lots and lots of practice. When you are in control of your fear or embarrassment, you will be in control of the situation and your message will come across effectively.

In addition, you can try to have positive thoughts that help you remember that nothing bad is going to happen to you in this situation, and that your fears are irrational.

11. Control your body posture

As we said, non-verbal language is very important when we speak in public, since it is a tool that enhances and accompanies our message. Thus, within this non-verbal language we find the body posture, within this non-verbal language we find the body posture; this should be neither too rigid nor too stooped..

We must be straight, with our shoulders relaxed and modulating our posture and our body according to our words.

12. Take care of your non-verbal language

This technique summarizes some of the previous techniques for public speaking.. Thus, taking care of gestures, voice, posture, tone, speed, eye contact, etc., will help us to transmit a powerful, convincing and real message, so that our body is coherent with our words.

13. Practice

To conclude the public speaking techniques that will allow you to make an effective presentation, we propose the last technique: practice, practice, practice. You can do it at home alone or in front of a family member or friend, and then include more people.

The important thing is that you expose yourself to the situation that distresses you (or simply that you gain experience in your speech). The more you practice, the more likely it is that you will lose your embarrassment and that your explanation will be complete and clear.

Bibliographic references:

• Gottesman, D., Mauro, B., Piñero, L. and Andreu, C. (2008). Técnicas para hablar en público. Ediciones Urano.

• Morales, C. (2007). Guide to public speaking. Complete and practical method for the most diverse situations. Madrid: Alianza Editorial.

• Puchol, L. (2008). Hablar en público: nuevas técnicas y recursos para influir a una audiencia en cualquier circunstancia. Editorial Díaz de Santos (4th Ed.).