How To Be a Good Speaker in Public (Plus Benefits) from milaeryomina's blog

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People in many career paths speak in front of groups to share information, argue for a specific policy or motivate employees. The ability to speak well in public can help you advance in your career and gain personal satisfaction. Learning about speaking skills can help you make presentations that engage your audiences and ensure they understand your talking points. 

In this article, we discuss why speaking well is important and provide seven strategies you can use to become a good speaker in a public or professional setting.

Why is it important to be a good speaker?

Learning public speaking skills can be important for advancing your career. Some positions may require you to speak to large groups in daily management, at occasional meetings or in front of conference groups. Here are some key benefits to improving your speaking skills:

Keeps your audience engaged

You might use your speaking skills to present information to a wide range of audiences, including colleagues, managers, investors, vendors and customers. You might adapt your tone and language to suit your specific audience and the information you’re giving them. Presenting that information in an engaging or even entertaining way can keep your audience's attention. Speaking in an engaging way can be particularly important if you’re giving a long presentation, as it can ensure that your audience stays focused for the entire speech. 

Helps you transmit accurate information 

Depending on your job, you might present complex or highly technical information to a variety of audiences. Learning to speak clearly and confidently can ensure that your audience remembers your key points accurately, which can help them use the information later. For example, the principal of a high school might lead a parent meeting where they explain the county’s graduation requirements and describe the classes students might take each semester to graduate on time. Using a structured outline and clear talking points can help the principal present the information in a way that parents can remember.

Can improve collaboration 

Speaking well is important for team members as they collaborate on strategic projects. When a team communicates effectively, it can help build camaraderie and trust. For example, a customer service team might conduct a team-building exercise where team members roleplay common customer service situations and give each other feedback on their tactics. Good speaking skills can help you give your teammates advice while maintaining a positive relationship with them. Teammates might also use their speaking skills to present collaborative projects, brainstorm ideas and plan projects.

Can improve your management skills 

If you manage a team or department, you might lead meetings, make presentations to stakeholders or conduct training sessions. In these situations, the ability to speak clearly can ensure that your audience understands the information you’re sharing with them. For example, the manager of an IT team might lead training on a new software platform the company plans to adopt. Their ability to explain the product and the team’s role in the implementation process can help team members predict their workload during implementation.

Can motivate others

An effective speaker can use their tone and word choice to inspire certain emotions in their audience, like happiness or ambition. A manager or team leader might use their skills to encourage team members to meet or exceed their goals. Strong speaking skills can also let a manager present a confident image to their team members. When a manager is confident about their skills, it can increase their employees’ workplace satisfaction and improve their productivity. For example, a manager can use their speaking skills to lead a professional development session for sales representatives, motivating them to surpass their quotas. 

How to be a good speaker in public

Good public speaking is a skill you can learn through education and practice. Here are seven techniques you can use to improve your speaking skills:

1. Learn about your topic

Speakers who are very familiar with their topic are often more confident and can answer audience questions easily. Before a speaking engagement, research your topic to anticipate questions from your audience. You might use an internet search engine to identify common questions about your topic and incorporate the answers into your speech. Consider learning about the background and context of your topic, even if you don’t plan to directly address these areas in your speech. For example, if you’re making a presentation about a new tax law, you might learn about some other accounting and tax regulations that led to the new law.

2. Know your audience

When speaking publicly, it's helpful to understand who your audience is. By understanding your audience, you can determine how to best present your information in a way they find helpful and engaging. For instance, when presenting data to analysts, you might not need to interpret your findings for them. If presenting the same data to an audience unfamiliar with statistics, you might need to translate your findings in a way that helps them understand.

3. Practice in accurate conditions

Before you make a presentation to an audience, it's helpful to practice what you might say. This can help you find the areas you have the most confidence in and which parts need more work. By practicing, you can improve your speech and find the confidence to present it publicly. Once you finalize your speech content, consider presenting your speech in front of a small group of people, like colleagues or friends. That way, you can simulate the feeling of speaking in front of others and give your audience a chance to give you feedback.

4. Use notes during your speech

While strong speakers don’t memorize or read their speeches, they often use outlines, cue cards or other types of notes during their presentations. These aids can help you remember key points and keep your content in order. When you’re creating an aid for a presentation, include only the most important information and any facts, like dates or revenue numbers, that you plan to use in your speech. While speaking, you can glance down at your notes to remind yourself of key points. Otherwise, keep your eyes on your audience for maximum engagement.

5. Incorporate audio or visual aids 

Providing audio or visual aids can help your audience understand what you say more clearly. Using audio and video to enhance your speech can also show your audience that you firmly understand the material. When you choose material to include in your presentation, select pieces that enhance your speaking points. Then, use them at strategic points in your speech. For example, if you’re doing a presentation about a new brand campaign, you might use a video about the company’s history at the beginning of your speech to give your audience context for the presentation.

6. Pay attention to your body language

When practicing your speech, it's helpful to pay attention to the way you present yourself. You can practice your body language by speaking in front of a mirror or asking a friend to provide feedback on your eye contact, posture and gestures. For example, you might ask a colleague to watch your arm movements during the speech and tell you if they enhance your points or distract from them.

7. Record your speeches and watch them

Watching your speeches can help you identify areas for improvement, which can make your later speeches stronger. When you give a presentation, ask a colleague or classmate to record you if they’re allowed. After the speech, watch the video and take notes on your body language, speaking speed, speech structure and other aspects of your presentation. Then, work on a few targeted areas for each new presentation you do. For example, if you watch a work presentation and realize that you spoke faster than your audience can understand, you might focus on slowing your speech in the next presentation.