Public Speaking and Your Career: 3 Tips to Improve Your Skills

Public speaking (or presentation skills) according to one survey is the biggest fear of many adult Americans. Many people are especially concerned about how this fear affects their chances of career growth. Their jobs require them to speak in meetings or other settings, and this is very difficult for them. The best way to overcome this fear is through a public speaking seminar, or other type of training. However, this is not feasible for some people due to time or financial constraints. In other cases, people are too nervous to even consider taking this step. Here are three tips to help overcome this concern. First, it is not possible to be both relaxed and nervous simultaneously. Slow, deep breathing before speaking calms people. (Obviously, do not do this into a telephone, which has a microphone, into a regular microphone, or while driving or using other power equipment.) Simply take a slow deep breath, hold it briefly, and exhale slowly. Do this several times. The extra oxygen taken in helps people to think more clearly, as well as to relax. Second, remember the message counts more than the speaker. Focus on making the message as clear as possible, not on yourself. Third, help listeners remember your message. Techniques such as using relevant examples (especially dramatic ones), alliteration (such as "delicious doughnuts") and emotion all increase memory. As one unknown sage phrased it, "be brief, be brilliant, be seated". In general, shorter is better. Plan your presentation and eliminate redundancies. Business Speech Improvement provides 3 ways to get help with public speaking skills. A one day small group open-enrollment seminar is offered occasionally. Individual coaching is an excellent choice for those who are busy. This is tailored to your level of skill and can be used to practice upcoming presentations. A tip-filled e-book, "Public Speaking:You Can Do It!" is excellent for those who need "help in a hurry©" or who live far away.

What are some easy ways to overcome a fear of public speaking?

Among American adults, at least one study reported that a fear of public speaking was greater than a fear of death. Public speaking is a skill that can be learned or improved with practice and coaching.

Think of yourself as a teacher, not an orator. You are sharing knowledge you have that your audience does not have, but needs.
What matters is not so much what you say, but what knowledge sticks between your listeners' ears; in other words, your information must be presented memorably, in a way that will make sense and be retrievable.

To overcome a fear of public speaking, realize that the information counts a lot more than the speaker. This can take the pressure off the speaker and put it on the information and presentation.

Techniques that can be helpful are the 3 P's: passion for your subject, excellent preparation and knowledge of both the material and your audience's level of understanding of the topic, and extensive practice of the speech. Passion, preparation and practice really count! Yes, visual aids and handouts are important as many people learn and remember better visually. However, an enthusiastic, prepared and practiced speaker can make a vital difference in how the material is received.

Other techniques include slow, deep breathing, exercise earlier in the day, having a friend in the audience who smiles and nods occasionally, and more.


Public Speaking: You Can Do It! is an economical, tip-filled e-book that can be accessed 24/7 and is filled with strategies for speaking more effectively. It is published by Business Speech Improvement, which also provides seminars and individual coaching on communication skills.

Stage fright: Tips for Coping while Giving Presentations

More than 40% of Americans say their worst fear is having to do public speaking; it is the number one fear among adults according to one survey.

Here are two tips on coping with this fear. First, realize that you know (or should know) more about your subject than your listeners do. You are the expert. Second,
take some quiet deep breaths before you talk to relax yourself. You cannot be both relaxed and scared simultaneously. (Naturally, don't take deep breaths into a microphone or a telephone.)

Public Speaking:You Can Do It! (http://businessspeechimprovement.com/enabler3/scripts/category.pl?EBooks) is an e-book with more tips on coping with stage fright, writing and delivering presentations. Diction Makes a Difference and Learn to Pronounce American English More Clearly are other e-books on related topics.

Business Speech Improvement provides intensive, targeted coaching and concise e-books on verbal communication skills. Great speech makes business sense!