Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina works as a public speaker and presenter. In the following article, Bryson provides the top strategies for effective public speaking and connecting with an audience.
In a world where death by PowerPoint is a real danger, learning how to deliver effective presentations is a must-have skill for anyone looking to make an impact. Roughly
90% of hiring managers and 80% of executives have stated that public speaking skills are essential for new hires.
Fear not, dear presenter, for this guide provides expert tips to get the main points across, present confidently, and connect with the audience in a way they’ll surely remember.
Strategies for Effective Public Speaking
Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina says that the fear of public speaking is called Glossophobia, and many
studies have shown that it is more feared than death itself. For those who want to ramp up their presentation skills to others who fear their first public presentation, these following actions will help connect any speaker to their audience memorably and positively.
Tailor the Talk
Every presentation gears toward a specific audience. Whether it be a pitch to a group of businessmen or an hour-long TED Talk to Millennials, the information given is meant for a certain set of ears and should aim to transform their audience’s feelings – not just inform them.
It’s vital to outline the message and who it needs to reach to tailor the presentation to the right audience. Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina explains that speakers should edit the following to match the language, interests, and style of their audience:
- Speech/vocabulary
- Anecdotes
- Visuals
Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina says that this could include warming up the crowd, curating a strong opening, allowing for crowd interaction if appropriate, using crowd-appropriate vocabulary, asking the right questions, and using customized humor.
Make It Personal
An audience will rarely be any more or less engaged with the material than the presenter; the speaker must find a way to personalize the presentation.
Personalization works well when the presenter:
- Shares a story of why this topic is relevant to them or how they got to be on stage that day
- Shares personal stories throughout the presentation
- Creates a beginning-to-end story that weaves through the covered topics
Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina says that these effects will make the presenter more relatable to the audience, expanding the presentation to a shared storytelling experience.
Work On Body Language
Albert Mehrabian, an infamous body language researcher, once broke down the components of face-to-face conversations. He found that
more than half of communication is nonverbal and since then, most experts have agreed that upwards of 70% of communication tends to be not what is said, but how it’s said.
Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina explains that when practicing a presentation and during its delivery, keep in mind the following body language tips:
• Periodically smile
• Look the audience in the eye
• Use the space available and walk around
• Nod and use natural hand gestures, otherwise keeping arms relaxed at one’s sides
• Draw the audience’s attention to elements of the presentation by pointing
Use the Right Visuals
Visuals are great presentation resources, but they should be well-chosen and limited to avoid distractions. The five visual elements most commonly used are:
• Photos
• Diagrams
• Data
• Text
• Video
Keep it simple, according to Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina. Consider limiting the text and bullet points, use high-quality graphics, and reflect the audience’s culture within the visuals.
Slow It Down
As a general rule of thumb, experts recommend presentations rounding to 20 minutes, using about ten slides for such a duration.
The ideal speaking speed should be 150 words per minute. It's also recommended to sprinkle in pauses for emphasis, such as:
- Before, during, or after an impactful point or statement
- To transition between two topics
- When drawing a blank
- To replace filler words (e.g., like, um, so, and, etc.)
Don’t Forget the Prep Work
Nicolette Bryson from North Carolina suggests that once the presentation is primed and ready to go, it’s time to prepare for its delivery. Go through and practice the presentation multiple times beforehand.
If possible, the speaker should also familiarize themselves with the room before the presentation and make sure all technical aspects are covered. Come with backup plans in mind, and be prepared for any interruptions requiring adaptability and quick thinking.
With some guts and a bit of prep work, anyone can transform their presentation skills from a PowerPoint graveyard to a presentation wonderland – the most important step is to try!
