Four Steps to Becoming a Confident Speaker

By Mary Hemlepp, APR · Columnist - PR · Back to Resources

It's been said that people fear public speaking more than death. So why is it that some seem so comfortable in front of a crowd?

Although the finest speakers make it look easy, most know the secret to a great speech is practice, practice, practice. Here are a few easy steps to help you become a better speaker by incorporating secrets used by the best.

Step 1 - Determining the topic and understanding the audience

Make the topic as specific as possible. This will help you develop a compelling, concise script that doesn't ramble.

Then, think about your audience. The topic, objective and content must be appropriate to your audience and will be determined by whether you are speaking to clients, co-workers, investors or customers. Another item for consideration is the objective of the speech. Are you trying to teach, inform, persuade, entertain or motivate?

After you have determined the topic and the objective, it's time to think about a theme or title. Developing a theme helps pull the presentation together. For example, your title might be "Unlocking the Secrets of Becoming a Great Speaker." Then, your main points could be broken out into Key 1, Key 2, etc. This helps people remember your points, because you've developed a theme that calls attention to them.

Step 2 - Developing the script

There is a good formula for developing the content of a speech. Starting with an outline of how the presentation will flow is a good first step. The following is one example.

Part I: The opening
A compelling opening is important, so it must grab your audience. That's why many people open with a joke or story. Sometimes jokes bomb, so unless you are known for your sense of humor and ability to tell a joke, dont do it. However, you can find other ways to grab attention such as using a startling statistic or opening with a dramatic video presentation.
Part II: What's in it for the listener?
Now that you have their attention, tell the audience what's in it for them. Be specific. Tell them what is important and why.
Part III: Key points
What two or three key points do you want to make? As you make each point, be sure to acknowledge it. For example, you can say, "The first point I want you to remember is..." For emphasis, hold up one finger to reinforce that this is point number one. You also might consider using a prop that illustrates a point.
Part IV: Sub points
Each key message will have sub points, which can be demonstrated by what author Sue Gaulke calls "steak and sizzle" - "steak" being the facts, or meat, of the presentation and the "sizzle" being something that wakes up the audience. Sizzle could be an interactive exercise or a personal story inserted between the steak. Gaulke's book 101 Ways to Captivate a Business Audience says you should insert sizzle every six minutes.
If you choose to tell a story, use it as an opportunity to show how much you have in common with the audience. Listeners want to feel a bond with the presenter. Use more emotion and fewer statistics in storytelling and make sure the story has a lesson or moral that fits with the presentation.
Part V: The conclusion
Summarize the key points, remind listeners what's in it for them and end with another attention grabber that relates to your opening.

Step 3 - Creating the visuals

When developing a PowerPoint presentation, keep the words on each slide to a minimum. Remember the 6 x 6 rule: No more than six words per line and no more than six lines per slide.

Keep the fonts large and readable. Make sure all slides are consistent and simple. Use color sparingly. Don't let the visuals overwhelm the listeners or draw their attention away from what you are saying.

Step 4 - Practicing!

This is truly the secret to good speaking. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with the material. Do not memorize the speech. It's appropriate to use notes, but never read your speech.

When practicing, think about what you are doing with your hands, how you are standing and where to look. Look around the room and hold eye contact with people for a few seconds. Stand straight with your arms at your sides, not with hands clasped in front or behind your body. It's fine to gesture and use your hands to make a point. Avoid jingling change in your pocket, wringing your hands, playing with jewelry and shifting from one foot to the other. For more tips on this, read The Exceptional Presenter by Timothy J. Keogel. He has coached CEOs and world leaders, so his book can help you, too.

One last thing to remember - The audience is on your side. They've invested their time, and sometimes their money, to hear your presentation. They want you to succeed.

So, develop your speech and practice it until you're comfortable. Then take a deep breath, take the stage and wow your audience.

Mary Hemlepp, APR, is co-owner of the Lexington-based public relations firm Wiser, Hemlepp & Associates.