Public speaking is often viewed as being drawn like a bad tooth, and in recent years, it’s been labeled as an elective. This perception is unfortunate and a mistake because public speaking leads to wealth. Public speaking will make you money, and the best part about public speaking is the numerous advantages to your personal and professional life. Public speaking is one of the best ways to develop your brand and connect with others.
Stephen Gleave is a confident public speaker and a great lawyer with over three decades of experience in Canadian Labor and Employment Law. Thus, feel free to learn from him.
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Learn Everything About Your Topic
When you’re a public speaker, it pays to know your topic inside and out so that you can convince your audience. If you don’t know what you’re talking about—no problem—just memorize all the relevant aspects of your subject, including insightful quotes and interesting stories, and be prepared to tell them when called upon. You’ll feel comfortable delivering your message because you already know it so well.
Stephen Gleave Ancaster is now a well-known public speaker because of his ability to study his subject thoroughly and talk confidently to his audience.
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Getting Ready by Practicing
The best speakers are prepared. Some went as far as practicing for hours in front of mirrors and a few select friends or delivering speeches in an empty room. The next time you’re about to deliver a speech, practice your delivery by imagining yourself presenting your subject before an audience of hundreds (repeat out loud what you want your listeners to hear). Visualizing you delivering an inspiring speech will give you more confidence during the actual presentation.
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The book
Check one of the best communication books: Speak with Confidence: Overcome Self-Doubt, Communicate Clearly, and Inspire Your Audience by Mike Acker, a keynote speaker, author, executive, and communication coach with over twenty years of speaking, leadership development, and organizational management experience. The author explains how to uncover your identity, define your message, and develop your skills and techniques to become a master communicator. From overcoming imposter syndrome to eliminating a victim mentality, you’ll explore concrete methods for improving your presence and ability to take command of a room.
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Make Use of Visuals and Strong Language
No matter how dynamic a speaker you think you are, powerful imagery can improve your presentation. The audience wants you to inspire, inform, and entertain them by delivering a high-energy message. The best way to deliver a dramatic and compelling presentation is to pepper your speech with power verbs. But first, it requires strict planning that includes as much rehearsal time as possible. Confidence is contagious. Show that you know your stuff by adding bold statements and humor, like “Act like you’ve been there before“ or “Be a magician with your content.”
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Enter with Confidence and Determination
Here’s an interesting fact: if you are bold and confident when speaking, you will be perceived as being bigger and more interesting. If, however, you are timid on stage, you will be perceived as smaller. Why? It’s related to what psychologists call the “shadow effect.”
We all know that first impressions are the most important ones, but let’s face it — we are all scared of making a first impression. Part of this fear is driven by our insecurities and the fact that we have no idea what to do or say.
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To Say More, Speak Less
Public speakers use words economically to make an impression. They avoid hesitating unless they want the audience to reflect on some point. They particularly refrain from adding points off-the-cuff.
You have the great opportunity to speak in public, and you don’t want to let it go to waste. You have something important to say, and you know how to say it. Yet speaking in public comes with fears that may prevent you from speaking freely and confidently. A great skill to have is effectively communicating your thoughts, ideas, mission, and vision. But speakers often feel the need to fill up the cracks in their speech with useless banter that has no purpose other than to fill up time.
