How to speak in front of a crowd

Public speaking is something that many people always fear, and this fear even has its own name, “glossophobia”. Fortunately, with the right preparation and application of a few methods of staying calm, you can overcome your feelings of anxiety and speak confidently in public about any number of reasons and topics. which topic.

Table of Contents

Prepare speech content

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Determine why you want or need to speak. Perhaps you have to give a speech or presentation at school or work, or you have been invited to speak on a topic of your expertise or passion. Keep in mind the rationale for public speaking as you prepare to help you focus on what you need to convey to your audience or what you hope to achieve through your speech. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you have to give a presentation to get grade points in class, be sure to review the headings and instructions carefully to make sure the presentation meets the requirements.

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Get to know your audience so you can tailor your content to their interests. To capture the attention of your listeners, it is important to provide information that is relevant to them. When possible, find out the age, background, and education of your audience. You should also know about their beliefs and values and attitudes towards the topic you are about to present so that you can tailor the content to make the speech more persuasive. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Talk to a wide variety of audiences before speaking to learn what’s important to them and why they’re in your presentation.
For example, when giving a speech to a group of high school students, you need to use simpler and more humorous language; But when you present in front of the military, you have to be more standard.

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Keep the goal in mind while you prepare your speech . Depending on the situation, you will need to research the topic before you start writing content. Next, you need to create an outline that includes all the main ideas you want to convey. Offer factual information and some numbers along with personal experiences, even a trivia or two if you think they will be well received. Write your entire speech on sticky notes so you can practice. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Always remember why you’re presenting on the topic, and make sure the entire piece of content focuses on your goal or call-to-action.
A catchy opening or introduction is important. Share stories, figures, or factual information to grab your audience’s attention and make them want to dig deeper.
Present your main points in a logical order so that your audience can grasp your argument. Use transition words/sentences to lead listeners to the next content.
End your speech with a thought-provoking story, factual information, or call-to-action to keep your listeners engaged after you’ve finished your presentation.

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Remember the allotted time, if any. If you attend a limited presentation event, be sure to present within the allotted time. You’ll practice your presentation at various speeds and record completion times to consider reducing content. In most cases, the shorter the content, the better! ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Typically, a 5-minute speech will have about 750 words, while a 20-minute speech will consist of 2,500 – 3,000 words.

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Practice speaking until you don’t need to see your notes. The important thing to do when speaking in public is to be prepared. While you can start practicing by reading what you’ve written, the goal is to memorize the speech or at least remember the main points, so that you don’t have to rely on sticky notes during your presentation. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Don’t just practice from the beginning of your speech. Try starting from different sections so that you know each section. That way, if you get lost or don’t remember where you’ve come from, you’ll get used to starting from a different part of your presentation.
You can practice speaking in front of a mirror, in a car, or while gardening, exercising, cleaning, shopping, or whatever. That way, you’ll remember the content better and have more time to practice.

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Prepare supporting images if you like or deem necessary. Supporting imagery will help in reducing anxiety. Besides, you and the viewer will also easily focus on the image. If you find the theme or event relevant, create a slideshow, bring aids, posters, or share supporting images that help clarify the main points. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Remember to prepare a backup plan in case the devices fail! If necessary, be prepared for a presentation without supporting images.

Use image aids. The visual assistant is your friend. Even if what you say doesn’t require the use of tools, it’s still a good idea to project something onto the screen next to or behind you. When the audience has something to look at other than you on stage, you feel more at ease. However, don’t look at the screen – look at your computer or memorize the presentation so that the information on it is like an extension of your thinking.

Repeat what was said. Repeating key phrases once or twice is a great way to emphasize main ideas, and repeating audience questions not only gives you more time to think, but also gives the impression that you are Pay attention to their questions.

Keep calm

Acknowledge that you are nervous. Don’t be afraid to let others know how you feel. Try clenching your hands, breathing deeply, and standing with confidence to manage your nervousness and anxiety; This method will also help you become calmer. It’s not a bad idea to admit to the crowd that you’re feeling nervous, as it will help you feel more empathetic and at ease.

Reshape the audience. Don’t imagine everyone in front of you being naked or just friendly pigs, because this is just too silly. Instead, you should change the way you see them: think of them as students your age and just as nervous as you because they are about to give a presentation when it’s their turn, or see them as a bunch of old friends with good examples. familiar face and supporting you.

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Visit the venue before the event. If you’ve never been to the place where you’re going to give a presentation, trying to visualize what the place might look like can make you nervous. So do your research beforehand so you are familiar with the place and know where the restrooms, emergency exits, etc. ^{are located [7] X Research Source}

It also helps you plan your travel route in advance and know how long it will take to get to the venue on the day of the event.

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Take care of your appearance. Looking good will help you feel more confident, so take the time to work on your appearance before giving a presentation. Choose clothes that are flattering but still appropriate for the event. Get a haircut or manicure if you need to boost your confidence. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

In most cases, casual pants and a shirt are appropriate for presentations. Or, you can also wear a suit and tie or pencil skirt and blazer jacket. Make sure your clothes are clean and wrinkle-free.

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Acknowledge your fear so you can overcome it. Don’t feel embarrassed when you’re afraid of public speaking. Admit that you’re scared and accept that feeling. You may think, “My heart is pounding, my mind is blank, and I am so nervous.” Next, you’ll tell yourself this is normal and that the adrenaline that causes these symptoms shows that you care about what you do. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Turning adrenaline into passion helps you communicate to your audience why what you say matters.
Visualizing yourself succeeding with your presentation can help you perform better; so take a moment to imagine things are going well.

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Let go of the panic before you go on stage. The hormone adrenaline can flood you with anxious energy. Before your presentation, try jumping jack a few times, shaking hands, or bouncing along to your favorite song. You will feel calmer and more in control when facing an audience. ^{[10] X Research Source}

You can also exercise on the morning of your presentation to dispel anxiety and release energy.

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Breathe deeply to stay calm. You’ve probably heard this advice a million times, but it’s the truth: deep, controlled breathing can really help you regain your composure. Inhale for 4 counts, hold the breath for 4 counts, then exhale for 4 counts. Repeat until you feel your pulse no longer beating fast and everything is under control. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Avoid talking too fast, panting as this leads to hyperventilation.

Presentation of speech

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Face the audience. While it may feel like you want to avoid the eyes of those who are staring at you, facing your audience and talking directly to them makes you look more confident. Stand up straight and stretch. Surely you can do this! ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Act as if you were chatting with friends. Thinking about the entire audience and their reactions can make you even more nervous. Instead, pretend you’re talking to someone you know and trust. This is a way to help you stay calm and feel more confident. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Many people even suggest imagining the audience in pajamas, but this can make you feel more anxious or uncomfortable. However, if you think this is a way to reduce anxiety or fear, go ahead and do it.

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Speak at a moderate speed. Many people often speak very quickly when they are nervous or want to quickly complete a task. However, speaking quickly will make it difficult for the audience to grasp what you are saying. On the other hand, you also shouldn’t speak so slowly that your audience will feel bored or think you’re looking down on them. Speak at the rate you normally use when talking to someone. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Specifically, you should aim to speak 190 words per minute when delivering your speech.

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Speak loud and clear so everyone can hear your content. When speaking in public, it’s important to make sure your entire audience can understand what you’re saying. Speak loud and clear with a strong voice. Use the microphone when you are equipped. Otherwise, you should speak louder in a casual conversation, but avoid shouting. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Practice saying a few tongue twisters to warm up before your presentation. For example, repeat the sentence “Glutinous rice is village sticky rice. Rice in class, her heart is lightheaded” or “At noon, eat sour grapefruit”. If you are speaking in English, you can practice saying “Sally sells seashells by the seashore” or “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”.

Advice

Join a group like Toastmaster to improve your public speaking skills.
Join speaking activities to learn what makes a great speech and what to avoid.
Don’t think you have to pretend to be someone else when speaking in public. Let your listeners know who you are and why your opinion matters.

Warning

Avoid reading from notes or slides when possible.
Don’t lower yourself. Even if things don’t go as planned, this is not the end of the world.

Steps

Prepare speech content

Keep calm

Presentation of speech

Advice

Warning

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