How To Build Confidence In Public Speaking

Sweaty hands, cold palms, a tight throat, and an increased heartbeat. These are the common feelings people experience when facing an audience for public speaking. When facing these challenges, should one stop public speaking or giving presentations? No! Through simple steps, anyone can build confidence in public speaking. To achieve this, we need awareness, a proper plan, effective strategies, and continuous practice.

What causes fear in public speaking?

There could be many reasons for fear. It could be a lack of knowledge, experience, fear of judgment, or reactions from the audience. Identifying your fears  helps you tackle them with effective measures. 

How to overcome fear?

• Blur the faces and mark two points in the hall or room. Do not focus on the audience’s faces, as their changing expressions may influence the speaker.
• Set a particular aim in mind. The ultimate aim of speaking is to convey our point. Use your body, mind and voice to convey. Focusing on successfully conveying a message helps your mind to be engaged leaving no space for fear or unwanted thoughts.
• Only you know the full script. The audience has no idea what you will say next, so even if you forget something, just continue—they likely won’t notice. 

How to structure a winning speech or presentation?

• Know your audience 
• Include stories, experience, relatable real-life examples.
• Pointwise presentation 
• Create a flow 

The role of voice modulation and tone in public speaking 

• Giving a particular modulation and tone to speech helps the audience to get a complete picture of the idea enabling them to feel connected and familiar with the topic. 
• The tone of the speech prepares the audience for what is coming and keeps them engaged. 
• A lack of voice modulation makes the speech monotonous and dull, almost like listening to a lullaby.
• In order to prevent misunderstanding, it is essential to use voice modulation and varied tone as it helps the speaker to convey the message accurately. The same sentence, with different stress, pauses, and emotions, conveys different meanings.

Engaging the audience with stories and examples

• Stories have always proven to be the best way to convey a message effectively. 
• Stories help indirectly convey the message, prompting the audience to think.
• It also imparts a surprising element to the content.

Feeling nervous is completely normal, but if you’re serious about public speaking, keep going. Confidence takes time, practice, and patience. Follow these steps, keep practicing, and if you need expert help, Srishti Innovative is here for you!