Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: Strategies for Success

ElevatEd
Public-Speaking
May 25, 2022

Public speaking is the art of conveying your ideas to a wide audience in front of you. Modern day public speaking is, however, much more than just that. It has boiled down to the regular one on one conversation with a stranger as well. Are you speaking clearly to the person in front of you or in front of the screen? Whether it is online or offline, public speaking has become crucial to succeeding in any field. Can you converse effectively with your teachers, peers, or strangers without going blank? If you can speak well and are looking to get some knowledge on how to get better at your existing craft then continue reading this blog.

how to improve public speaking skills

Let us see how you can refine the art of public speaking and get better at it -

Show up with an attitude to give
Tell a story, express your idea, communicate your thoughts, and share a solution because you want to give rather than take. When you have the mindset to give you will always receive it back. If you want to be a better speaker develop the attitude of giving without expecting that you would receive back applause or gain recognition for your idea or story. When you are speaking the audience is receptive to your ideas. They have the mentality to be open and to receive. So, the audience will naturally be more attentive to your words. Just remember that showing up with an attitude that caters to the audience will leave them happy.
Be authentic
Be authentic while speaking with the audience. Authenticity is the tool to engage with your audience. When you are your true self, you will automatically exude confidence. True confidence always lies in being authentic and bringing in that authenticity while speaking. It is always inter-related, as you can’t fake authenticity and confidence. Shadowing the idea of somebody else while presenting a topic or speaking can set the audience off.
Have the audacity to bring out the core message
Do you want your speech to have a long-lasting effect on the audience? Then be bold about the message that you deliver. Own the message that you want to put out. For instance, if you want to advocate for animals' rights, you would want to be bold about your core message as to why you want to advocate for animals' rights. The audacity to be heard and seen does not make you rude if it stems from authenticity.
Speak with the audience, not at
Most speakers make the mistake of speaking to the audience and not with the audience. Read that again because this subtle difference has a substantial impact on the way you speak. Use the language of inclusiveness and always make your audience feel like they belong in the room. Always ask questions and take feedback from the audience. It not only makes them feel included but also makes room for effective communication.
Have a good knowledge of situation awareness
Public speaking is no cakewalk. Sometimes things might not go as planned, so be flexible to rock any situation. What if you are called to the podium at your school function to give an introductory speech on the event that is going on? You are unprepared, but the knowledge of situation awareness can save you big time. You know what the event is about and you know how to speak, then you can conjure up a speech. That’s why public speaking is more of a natural art that you develop after practice.

Summary

Effective strategies and practice can help you improve your public speaking skills. Some pointers include arriving with a giving attitude, being authentic and audacious, speaking with the audience rather than speaking at them, and navigating unexpected situations. Finally, never forget to thank you at the end of a speech.

I hope you have found this article helpful and going further if you wish to enroll in the Public Speaking Course by 98thPercentile . Then simply you can click on this link and get yourself registered for the free demo class. Happy Reading.