5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Boost Public Speaking Skills

As an entrepreneur, you’ve already done the hard part: built a successful business, dreamt goals into fruition, and rallied people toward a common goal. Now is the time to refine your skills to boost your brand, drive leads, and deliver signature talks that move audiences to action.

Here are five tips I use to get leaders started:

1. Be Fluent in Body Language

If I can emphasize nothing else, let it be that your audience must feel you as friendly and knowledgeable. Much of that feeling comes from your body language.

Public speaking is as much an art as a science. Body language is an easy element to improve. The wrong body language can distract, but done right – it captivates.

Placing your hands in front of yourself or in your pockets creates a sense of security for you but alienates your audience. So does pointing at your audience.

Mentally divide the stage into three sections. Then, address the entire audience equally as you move across each section. Don’t pace or walk quickly. And never (ever!) turn your back on your audience.

An “open” and relaxed posture, with feet shoulder-width apart, keeps an audience engaged – and more emotionally and intellectually open, too.

Put yourself in the audience’s place – literally. Get your butt in that seat. Learn firsthand what it’s like to stare up at that stage so you can figure out the nuances, the power dynamic at play, and exactly how to connect.

2. One-word Notecards​

Use notecards, but resist the urge to fill them with paragraphs or bullet points.

Downward glances and notecard-reading distances your audience and signals a lack of professionalism. The more perfect your cadence, the more jarring it becomes if you lose your place.

Memorize transitions, not an entire script. Write those transitions on one-word notecards. When you aren’t worried about every word, your focus shifts to the next “mile marker.” Transitions serve as your compass.

Number your notecards and attach them together. As I learned the hard way, it’s nearly impossible to recover after dropping loose notecards onto a stage mid-talk.

Thousands of words flowing through your mind can easily get scrambled. Focusing instead on just a few gives you the confidence to improvise and still sound compelling.

3. Use Slides – For the Audience

Slide decks are entirely meant for the audience, not for you as a speaker. Slides can add impact – but the busier the slides, the less impact they create.

Reading your own slides can get distracting. Have very few words on the slides: make sure your audience doesn’t get caught up reading them instead of listening to you.

Not sure how to best design slides? Use the “Boardroom or Ballroom” technique:

• A “Boardroom” slide deck is a sales presentation, perfect for small groups where you need to show data, such as internal or tactical presentations like investor pitches.
• A “Ballroom” slide deck is designed for impact, drama, and emotion. It’s ideal for inspirational or motivational presentations to large groups where visually appealing slides can emphasize what you’re saying.

4. Ace the Q&A

The Q&A can be challenging for new speakers because it can’t be planned or controlled. I’ve been blindsided before – but the experience helped me develop a secret weapon:

Plant questions in the audience beforehand.

That way, you can be certain of a few questions that you are prepared to answer without awkward silences. Plus, the first question always breaks the ice.

If you can’t plant questions, offer up your own by saying, “One question I am often asked is this.” Answering it can trigger a fascinating discussion on a topic that the audience is indeed likely thinking about.

Let your personality shine during the Q&A. If you don’t have a “perfect” answer, you can laugh, tell a story, and humanize yourself. Your audience will remember that you are an expert and someone they can relate to.

5. Practice with Intention

Even the most confident and experienced speakers need practice. Practice, practice, practice – until you know your material well enough that you dream about it at night.

If the stakes are high, and you’re nervous beyond belief, practice any chance you get. I’ve practiced in front of the mirror, my pets, and small children. Record yourself and watch it back. Eventually, graduate to practicing in front of someone you trust to provide helpful feedback.

When you finally claim your stage, you’ll be a natural.

Cc: entrepreneur organization

Source: Incafrica.com