6 tips on how to speak in public

Recommendations and tips on how to speak in public without getting nervous and communicating well.

Knowing how to speak in public is a set of skills increasingly required both in the context of training and in the professional context. Communication, in short, has come to be seen as a fundamental element of both learning and work, and that is why giving talks, exhibitions or conferences is the usual way to demonstrate that you are fluent in this domain.

In this article we will look at several tips on how to speak in public that go beyond the techniques to avoid getting too nervous when speaking in front of a crowd of people.

How to speak well in public: 6 tips

In the following lines you will find various techniques to make the most of your skills and knowledge when speaking in public, without letting the situation overcome you, and expressing yourself with the fluency and naturalness with which you would do it in front of a single individual. However, you should bear in mind that these key ideas must be adapted to your case.

1. Learn the ideas, not the text

When preparing the content of the talk you are going to give, a good way to avoid extreme nervousness is to rule out, from the beginning, the possibility of literally learning the entire script you have written.

Instead, read the text over and over again and remember the idea that you are implying in each line..

In practice, the way you will say it will be very similar to the formula with which you express yourself in the script (because you have chosen it as the best way to explain what you want to say), and also that way your attention will not be divided between the effort of remembering and the concern for the image you are giving.

2. Go for simplicity in the first few sentences

At the beginning of a public speaking session, one of the main objectives is to capture the audience's attention, and this is something that is achieved by using relatively simple, easy to understand, and not too long sentences.

This makes the session more bearable for the audience, but in fact it is also a good thing for you, as a speaker. is also a good thing for you as a speaker.. The reason for this is that you will find it less difficult to speak during the first few sentences, which will help to "warm up" the muscles you need to move to vocalize well, and gives you a lot of leverage in the frequent pauses you will encounter at the end of sentences.

In addition, this advice also serves as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of making a mistake during the first minute of speaking, something that in itself would not be catastrophic in the eyes of the audience, but that can have a very stressful psychological effect on you as a speaker, as you fear having made a bad first impression.

3. Do visualization exercises

Another tip on how to speak in public without getting nervous consists of mentally train yourself for the kind of experience the talk is going to be..

To do this, close your eyes and imagine yourself speaking in public, having a very positive impact on your audience. Don't stop to recreate the content of your speech; instead, focus on the details around you and people's reactions, focus on the details of your surroundings and people's reactions, how they laugh at the sound of your speech.how they laugh at the joke you use, how they follow you with their eyes because of their interest in your message, etc.

This tip serves to start thinking of the talk not only as a challenge, but also as a possible prize.

4. Don't be afraid of silences

Staying without talking for a while is not bad in itself, it is something that even if it is a that even if it is a consequence of having gone blank, it can be disguised..

Therefore, prepare a small protocol about what to do if you find it difficult to remember what you have to say next: drink from a water bottle, show an expression of reflection, etc. Something as simple as that gives us greater self-confidence, since it acts as a cushion that protects us if we stumble at some point.

5. Gesture to facilitate expressiveness

This tip has to do with not using the gestures of the arms and hands as an imposture when speaking, but as a way to enhance expressiveness.

It may seem silly, but make hand movements that are consistent with the tone and musicality of your speech, as well as giving visual clues to the meaning of your speech.In addition to giving visual clues to the meaning of what you are saying, it makes it easier to speak in a more expressive way.

So to speak, the muscles responsible for speech become synchronized with those you move with your arms, and both Muscle groups begin to work in a more fluid way, reinforcing each other.

6. Go to a specialist

A very good way to quickly improve your public speaking skills is to have a professional to design and supervise this type of training. a professional who designs and supervises this kind of training..

In the city of Valencia, Nacho Coller Porta is one of the most recommended psychologists offering this kind of services, based on training in public speaking techniques and supervision of real cases in which you have to speak in front of other people. Here you can see him on video:

Bibliographical references:

• McCornack, S. and Ortiz, J. (2017). Choices & Connections: An Introduction to Communication.
• Ridgley, S. K. (2012). The Complete Guide to Business School Presenting: What your professors don't tell you.... What you absolutely must know. Anthem Press.