Butterflies in the stomach, trembling, trembling voice and excessive sweating are some of the many manifestations that the body releases when you are about to speak in public. The fear, or rather, the fear of speaking to other people accompanies individuals from the student period, when they need to participate in debates and seminars in the classroom and/or present works and later a monograph, thesis and so on.
Public speaking for some is normal and simple, but for many others it is a somewhat difficult task. For this reason, here are some tips for those who feel like disappearing when it’s their turn to speak:
• It is important to know the environment in which you are going to speak and become familiar with it;
• Getting some listeners to try to get familiar with your audience is also worth it;
• If you know the audience, try not to focus on the jokes and teasing they make;
• Be natural, not trying to show yourself to be better or worse than you actually are;
• Do not show nervousness, as this problem can “steal” the public’s attention;
• Knowing the topic to be reported, the purpose of the speech, the target audience, the duration of the speech and the existing resources for a good presentation;
• Speak calmly and slowly to facilitate the correct pronunciation of words;
• Perform relaxation exercises avoiding drinking too much liquid (since nervousness can make you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the presentation);
• Moderate the height and intensity of the voice;
• Focus on what will be said and not on the audience.
It is possible to highlight three key points for successful public speaking: mastering the technique, the practice and the subject. Such tips above make the objective of the presentation to be achieved and, in addition, it improves the self-confidence of individuals who need to speak and feel afraid.
Don’t stop now… There’s more after the publicity 😉
By Gabriela Cabral
Team