Communication is the backbone of our society. It allows us to make contacts, influence decisions and motivate us to change. Without communication skills, the ability to progress in work and in life itself would be almost impossible.

When you raise your hand

Public speaking is one of the most important and terrifying forms of communication. Glossophobia, or fear of speaking, is the most common phobia felt by people around the world. However, in the world of work, public speaking is a key skill to possess and improve.

In and out of the workplace, persuasion can go a long way, and it all starts with improving your public speaking skills. Mastering public speaking results in increased self-confidence and, consequently, a better presentation. Of course, it is necessary to have knowledge of the topic that is being talked about, but furthermore, when giving any kind of speech, including an offer of sell to a client, you have to be prepared for polemics or even objections.

To make strong arguments, the ability to speak publicly is not only important but essential. For example, to express why a product or idea would be interesting, use sufficiently strong, persuasive language to arouse your curiosity. A great presentation will convince the consumer or the boss to want to know more. By addressing any audience with an idea or an argument for or against something, public speaking allows you to present your cause in a way that will captivate the crowd.

Breaking the boundaries

Overcoming your fear of public speaking requires a focused approach that includes several of the best practices. One of the best ways to overcome your fear of public speaking is to organize and deliver a speech effectively. It leads to positive feedback from your audience, and in turn it leads to greater self-confidence. This can be achieved by preparing, practicing, and taking public speaking classes. Some physical signs of stress, such as a rapid heartbeat, can be calmed down through targeted breathing exercises.

Frightened speakers tend to let negative thoughts derail their presentations before they even have a chance to develop. Going back and repeating previous speeches, they relive those moments when they failed to communicate with the audience or to reach a key point, or when their microphone got stuck. When anxiety conquers, we only think about what may go wrong, not what may go right.

One handy tip for overcoming your fear of public speaking is to write a new script. Replace negative words with positive dialogue. This is a process called cognitive restructuring. Instead of saying "I made a mistake," you say, "It was a lesson I learned." "Mistakes" are just steps to being a better speaker.

Being prepared is a matter of knowing the material and anticipating the logistical needs of public speaking. You build self-confidence from the very beginning by being well versed in your content. Then, whatever presentation method you choose, take the time to develop an interesting presentation.

Think of your audience as someone you already know, which can help you build a bond. If this proves difficult, you can do a quick mental exercise: focus on someone in your audience and think about their story. You could say to yourself, “I bet they wonder how they will get through the day today. So how can I make sure the next 45 minutes they spend with me matters? How can I help them get out of here today, confident that they have the knowledge and tools to implement strategies I proposed?"

Principles of Public Speaking

It's worth taking the time to put your speech together so that it is logical and make it more interesting using stories, examples and props. When you're ready, it's a good idea to practice your speech out loud.

Before creating your speaking sketch, think about what your audience wants to hear. What problem are they hoping to solve? What are their hopes? You have to give them what they want and need. The audience must have a reason to listen. So in the introduction there should be a reference to the audience, but also the reason why they need and should want to know something.

It is always a good idea to check the location where you will be speaking before. It helps you feel more comfortable and safe when the day comes. Another suggestion would be to include some supportive friends or family members in the audience who can give an encouraging look during the presentation.

The right outfit is a key part of a speech. Viewers initially judge by appearance only, so try to dress in a way that conveys the right impression. In addition, research has shown that smile - even a fake one - can make someone feel happier and more at ease. So, before starting your speech, it would be helpful to smile widely. Lots of people in the audience are likely to smile too.

Telling a story is a great way to start a speech. Not only it has the potential to generate initial interest, it can also help to set your audience in the right time, place, and mood. Emotions are the carrier of success in a speech. In addition, ending a speech with a reflection on the opening story is a good way to complete the circle of the experience while still providing a satisfying ending for your audience.

First pancake is always spoiled

The next step in preparation is to define the basic structure of your speech. All effective speeches contain a basic structure: introduction, content, and conclusion.

Introduction is a part where the main idea of your speech is established. An effective introductory section in a speech should first grab the attention of your audience. You can get attention by using an interesting quote from one of the sources or by telling a story that leads to the topic of your speech.

In addition to attracting the attention of the audience, introduction should also contain the basic idea or thesis of the speech. If this component is missing, audiences are likely to be confused and chances are that some of them will "turn off" and stop paying attention. The clearer and more direct you can be with stating your thesis, the easier it will be for your audience to understand your conclusion. A speech content is generally broken down into a number of major points that the speaker wishes to make. For a speech that lasts less than ten minutes, no more than two or three main points are generally recommended. Once you have two or three major subject areas, you can spend time developing those areas into segments.

After you have finished discussing two or three of the main points, it is time to conclude your speech. At this point, we re-present the thesis to put things in perspective and show how the three main points were used to help us understand it. After you finish your speech, it's a good idea to thank the audience for their attention, and the next day, calmly, analyze what went great and what needs improvement. The very first speech does not have to be ideal in order to be intriguing to the audience and become a developing experience for the speaker.