The National Social Anxiety Center states, “The fear of public speaking is the most common phobia ahead of death, spiders, or heights”. According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, a whopping 73% of the population is affected by this anxiety.

We all know that fear of public speaking — the worry of being judged! But here’s the thing: how we present is changing! It’s not all about stages and conference rooms anymore. We’ve got video calls, online meetings, and new presentation tools to help us connect with our audience.

Public Speaking To Give Amazing Talks

In a world of webinars, online meetings, YouTube, Clubhouse and podcasts, is public speaking still a trigger for inducing people’s anxiety? If so, how can we use some of the fundamental elements of presenting well and leveraging the new platforms’ mechanics to deliver more effective communication?

Let’s break it down into two areas. First, let’s review some of the general tips for effective public speaking. Second, let’s look at how to apply and tweak these for new distribution channels and some of the particulars of particular platforms.

Effective public speaking

Plan before you present

There are some that may claim they can “wing it” or are “good on their feet,” etc. However, for most of us, mere mortals and most master professional speakers, having a clear plan for your presentation is necessary. Planning means understanding what you are trying to communicate and how you intend to deliver it. As you will see from another tip below, using a three-act structure with a beginning, middle and end is a good best practice to keep yourself on track.

Practice makes perfect

Planning is essential, but so is practice! The more you rehearse, the better your presentation will be. Try practicing out loud and even recording yourself. It might feel awkward to watch it back, but you’ll likely spot ways to improve your delivery. Time yourself, too — do you need to shorten or lengthen the presentation? If possible, run it by a friend or family member and ask for honest feedback. Practice doesn’t just improve the presentation. It will build your confidence and reduce those nerves!

Know now your audience

Remember the 11th Commandment — Know The Audience. What do they care about? What matters to them? By understanding what resonates with your audience, you can craft content that will connect with them. A message might seem powerful to one group and may fall flat to another. Ensure what you are presenting will be welcomed by those receiving it.

Tell a story

Human beings are hardwired to want and engage with stories. It dates back to the early Chauvet Cave drawings and persists today. Consider how our brains behave. When your audience hears a story, unlike simply listening to factual information, their brains light up, and the parts of their brain that light up are those they would use if they were experiencing the action of the story. Find stories to convey the message you want to share.

K.I.S.S. — Keep It Super Simple

While the original acronym may have stated it slightly differently, the point is the same. Avoid complexity, or you risk losing your audience. Avoid industry jargon or flowery prose (unless you present your latest poem). A simple and easy-to-digest message will have great potential to be understood and remembered.

Use powerful visuals

While this would certainly be a challenge for audio-only platforms, if you have the opportunity to share images or videos during your presentation, it will boost the delivery. We are visual creatures, with 65% of the general population being visual learners, meaning that for people to retain a message, they need to see it. Also, visual communication trumps both written and verbal due to its speed. Our brains process visual content 60,000 times faster than text. This is why the trend toward video and corporate animation is so high.

Public speaking online

All of the above tips apply when you are presenting online. Whether recording a YouTube video or delivering a message via a webinar platform, these general tips will keep you in good stead. That being said, public speaking online presents some unique challenges. The below tips will help you be an online public speaker pro.

Lights, camera … audio

Public speaking online is different from presenting onstage. You should turn your home or office into a mini-studio. Having the right equipment is vital to looking professional. Good lighting and audio make a big difference — they’ll help you come across as an authority, not an amateur. If you’re using a webinar platform, consider creating a branded background. Before going live, double-check that everything is working smoothly — especially your internet connection. The right tools make all the difference for a successful online presentation.

Leverage your voice

Harness the power of your voice! It’s how you share your unique perspective on any topic. Your delivery — your voice’s pace, volume, tone, and pitch — significantly impacts listeners. So, be mindful of how you sound. If you want to improve your speaking voice, try an app like Orai or check out my friend John Duffin’s podcast, Your Message Received. He’s a voice artist and has tons of great tips!

Make it interactive

Being on a webinar platform instead of onstage offers the advantage of easily interacting with your audience. Encourage using the chat tool by posing questions that participants can answer directly in the chat. If possible, have a trusted person monitor the chat during the session. While polls are effective, they do require some preparation beforehand. Keep in mind that your audience might have already attended other web conferences on the same day. “Zoom fatigue” is a real challenge; recognize it and actively look for ways to keep your audience engaged.

Be ready for your close-up

While framing yourself on stage is important, it may be more important when people look at you on a screen. Ensure your distance and placement is such that there is room around you. Being too close to the screen could crop your face and make your audience uncomfortable. Practice your speech or presentation looking at the camera and NOT the screen. This may feel abnormal at first — but looking at the camera is the same as having eye contact when on stage (maybe even more so). When you focus your attention on the camera, the audience will feel as if you are looking at them (in a good way).

Be authentic

This last tip applies equally to in-person and online. People’s B.S. radar is higher than ever. Any hint of phoniness or insincerity will turn people off. On the other hand, being genuine in your presentation will build trust with your audience — a critical part of having them receive your message positively. People will relate to you and engage deeper if you speak with confidence and genuine passion about your topic. As Oscar Wilde said, “Be Yourself, everyone else is taken.”

We are sure you will succeed, and the MyOwnConference webinar and video conferencing service is an excellent event platform for your ideal webinar or virtual conference.