Famous quip: “People are more afraid of speaking in front of a group of people rather than dying. In other words, most of us would rather be dead then speaking in front of you right now”
I always laugh when people tell me that I am naturally a good speaker. There is actually nothing natural about it.
Just like with any other skill it takes practice. Very very few people can walk on stage and talk spontaneously (except for maybe Bill Cosby). What may seem of the cuff is almost always practiced over and over again in front of the camera or a coach. I once saw a speaker at a National Speakers Association Conference who presented seated in a chair for over 30 minutes in front of 2000 people. It is hard to do this standing up, but sitting? Afterwards, I told him how much I admired this skill. He said that he had practiced it with a coach for over a year!
Speaking takes practice and letting go of the arrogance that you can just “wing it”. That attitude shows disrespect for your audience and for yourself. What you see on stage for most speakers has been practiced hundreds of times in minute detail.
When first starting to learn a presentation, you need to put a short outline together. What are the three main points (or one or two) you would like the audience to walk away with? The next step is to add stories and other minor points to the outline. Once this script is done, it is time to start learning the presentation. If you use Powerpoint slides, do not rely on them as a crutch.
Break the presentation down into 3-5 minute modules and learn them one at a time. It’s not about memorization, but learning what you want to say. Practice it out loud and in front of a camera. It’s painful but play it back. Next, use friendly and no penalty test audiences. The only way you get better is standing up and actually giving the presentation.
How did you learn to present in front of an audience?
You nailed the “practice” bit. When you have your own business there isn’t anybody to demand you rehearse–but yourself. It’s easy to listen to your biggest fans and skip over the practice that lets you grow, do it better, and contribute more with your ideas and impact.
Hi. I fully take your point but use different terminology…
I tell my clients to rehearse, rather than practice… don’t just do it over and over but treat it like a concert pianist would. They hardly work on the easy bits (once they’ve found them!!!) but spend A LOT of time on the harder parts.
Cheers…. Simon
I could not agree with you both more- this is what sets apart the professsional!
I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for putting up. “We seldom attribute common sense except to those who agree with us.” by La Rochefoucauld.