The National Social Anxiety Center states, “The fear of public speaking is the most common phobia ahead of death, spiders, or heights”.

Public Speaking to Give Amazing Talks

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 comes from worrying about being judged! But the truth is that the way we present ourselves is changing. It is no longer just about standing on a stage or speaking in a conference room. Today we have video calls, online meetings, and a variety of modern presentation tools that help us connect with our audience more effectively.

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. Also, keep track of your timing to see whether you need to make the presentation shorter or longer. If you can, share it with a friend or family member and ask them for honest feedback. Practicing will not only make your presentation better but also help you feel more confident and less nervous.

Know now your audience

Always remember what could be called the Eleventh Commandment, which is to truly understand your audience. Think about what they care about and what matters most to them. When you know what resonates with the people you are speaking to, you can create content that reaches them on a deeper level. A message that feels powerful to one group may not work for another, so make sure what you present feels relevant and welcome to the people who receive 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 clear audio make a big difference because they help you look professional and confident instead of inexperienced. If you’re using a webinar platform, consider creating a branded background. Before going live, make sure everything is working well and confirm that your internet connection is stable. The right tools make all the difference for a successful online presentation.

Leverage your voice

Harness the power of your voice! It is the way you share your unique perspective on any topic. The way you speak, including the pace, volume, tone, and pitch of your voice, has a strong effect on your listeners. That is why it is important to pay attention to how you sound. If you want to make your speaking voice better, try using an app such as Orai or listen to my friend John Duffin’s podcast called Your Message Received. He works as a voice artist and shares a lot of great advice there!

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. At first, this might seem a little unusual. However, looking at the camera works just like making eye contact when you are speaking on stage, and sometimes it can be even more powerful. When you focus your attention on the camera, your audience will feel that you are looking directly at them in a friendly and engaging way.

Be authentic

This final tip applies to both in-person and online situations. People are more alert to nonsense than ever before, and even the smallest sign of fakeness or insincerity can make them lose interest. In contrast, when you present yourself honestly, you build trust with your audience, which is an essential part of helping them accept your message in a positive way. People will connect with you and engage more deeply when you speak with confidence and real enthusiasm about your topic. As Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself, because everyone else is already 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.

Final words

In conclusion, remember that the digital stage offers not only convenience but also a special chance to connect, inspire, and engage in ways that are different from speaking to a live audience. When you plan your presentation with clarity, practice with sincerity, and build a clear structure that includes a beginning, a middle, and an end, you create a strong foundation for your message.

Use visuals to keep your audience’s attention, choose simple language so your ideas are easier to remember, and share stories that inspire real emotions. When presenting online, focus on good audio and lighting, and make sure your background looks clean so you appear professional instead of distracting.

Encourage participation by inviting people to use the chat and polls, and try to look into the camera to create genuine eye contact. When you do these things, you turn the online environment into a place of real connection and trust.

In the end, this approach goes far beyond simply giving an online presentation because it turns into a memorable and human-centered experience that stays with your audience long after the screen goes dark, public speaking.

FAQ