CHAMPION STRATEGIES – PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOP – JUNE 29, 2021
Tips for Mastering the Art of Public Speaking (PT.2)
2. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
Nothing becomes muscle memory unless you practice relentlessly. If you have a big speech coming up, make time every day to practice. Prepare your goals and the content well ahead of time. This can be done while driving, exercising, in the car, on a plane…anywhere.
3. Practice with distractions.
Once I know the content, I like to add a little bit of distraction to test how well prepared I really am. Turn on the TV or rehearse while pushing your child in the swing. Anything that adds a little more challenge.
4. Find a style that works for you.
Different events will often require a different approach or style. Sometimes reading a prepared speech is fine. But know it backward are forward so you’re not staring down at the pages the whole time. Some use notes. Others prefer to be 100 percent scripted and memorized. If that’s your style, memorize the content so well that you can go off script if needed — and so you don’t sound like you’re reciting a poem. Use the proper approach for the appropriate event.
5. Know the environment.
Know the venue where you will be speaking. Get there well ahead of time. Walk the room. Walk the stage. Get a feel for the vibe of the environment so you are more comfortable when its “go time.”
6. Test all equipment.
Nothing sucks more that last-minute technical difficulties. Avoid adding even more stress by testing any and all equipment and audio visual functions ahead of time. And have backups.
7. Practice in front of a mirror.
Practicing in front of a mirror is a good way to learn the proper amount of body motion, hand usage and facial expressions.
8. Take every opportunity to speak.
The only way to get better at anything is to do it all the time. Rehearsing is good, but nothing compares to actually getting up in front of an audience and doing it for real.
9. Practice body language and movement.
Remember, communication is much more about tone and body language than the words we say. The words of course matter, but emphasis comes with movement and body language.
10. Slow down.
We have some great sayings in the SEAL teams: “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast, ” and “don’t run to your death.” Nothing shows nerves more than racing through your presentation. If you want to impact the audience in a meaningful way, make sure they actually hear what you are saying. Slow it down.