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The Public Speaking Tips No One Talks About

Public Speaking Tips

The internet is rife with advice on how to deliver a flawless presentation. Plenty of this advice is useful. Yes, you should breathe. Yes, you should practice. But even the most polished presentation may not be what wins over your audience. 

The missing factor? Audiences don’t crave perfection. They crave autheniticity.

Over the last couple of decades, social media and the internet have provided us with an unusual window into each other’s lives. 

This access feeds a contradiction: you can learn all kinds of things about a person on the internet, but we each get to choose how we present ourselves online. So what’s really real? 

This mindset is so pervasive that it extends beyond the internet into our daily lives. Now, more than ever, people want to know that they are connecting with a real person, not a robot or a character that a real person hides behind. 

If you’re delivering a presentation, audiences are going to be much more interested in the figurative man behind the curtain than any elaborate smoke and mirrors. 

So how do you achieve authenticity?

The good news is: authenticity is always there for you. The challenge isn’t in being yourself, it’s learning to be yourself in front of an audience. Here are a few public speaking tips:

Shift your mindset

A presentation suggests one-way communication, but a connection requires two or more participating parties. 

Rather than presenting a script, shift your mindset to having a conversation. Invite your audience in by asking them questions, sharing personal stories, and responding to their reactions. 

Think of it like a story. Most people want to cast themselves as the hero, but that isn’t the case when you’re speaking to an audience. 

If you’re the hero and the audience is the villain, they will feel alienated. If you’re the hero and the audience needs rescuing, they will feel victimised. 

The audience should be the hero, with you acting as a mentor: the Gandalf to their Frodo or the Dumbledore to their Harry Potter.

This establishes a dynamic that allows you to provide the audience with the tools and the guidance they need on their hero’s journey. If your audience members feel like active participants, they will be more receptive to the message that you are delivering.

Communicate honestly

Inviting audience members into conversation can be vulnerable. What if they don’t agree with what you say, and this leads to conflict? What if they ask a question that you don’t know the answer to? What if you make a mistake? 

These what-ifs may bring up fear, but no need to worry. They are also opportunities for deeper connection. 

If conflict arises, it may feel unpleasant in the moment, but conflict can provide a path to communicate more effectively, achieve a better understanding of each other, and ultimately build stronger, healthier relationships. 

At Body Talk, we know how intimidating facing conflict can be, which is why we’ve developed an entire course around conflict resolution. 

If you don’t have an answer to a question, this can be an opportunity for both learning and connecting. A simple, “I’m not sure. Let me check in with my team and get back to you,” will instill more trust than not providing an answer or, worse, giving an incorrect response. Plus, a promise to get back to someone creates another opportunity for a conversation. 

If you make a mistake, don’t panic! Remember when Jennifer Lawrence tripped and fell on her way to accept her Oscar for Best Actress? It was a human moment that inspired empathy, and the audience gave her a standing ovation when she arrived at the podium unhurt. 

Don’t be afraid to communicate honestly from where you are. Your audience will appreciate it.

Let go of perfectionism

While many speakers focus on delivering flawless presentations, audiences are eager to connect with a real, authentic person. 

Ask questions, react to answers, and engage with your listeners. Every audience is different, which means every interaction with them will be unique. This approach will make your delivery feel more natural, and you will establish yourself as a trusted resource for your audience. 

Letting go of perfectionism will improve your relationship with both your listeners and yourself. While perfectionism is often seen as a desirable trait, it can take a deep psychological toll and lead to anxiety and burnout. 

For some perfectionists, they set their expectations so high that they miss opportunities due to fear of failure. 

If you’ve spent a lifetime striving for perfection, it can be confusing and vulnerable to release those expectations, especially in front of an audience. Shift your focus from perfection to connection. 

For more, check out our blog, “The Perfectionism Trap.”

Authenticity doesn’t replace hard work and preparation

Authenticity is another tool to add to your public speaking toolbox. When paired with a strong message and a compelling story, your audience will be eager to connect with you. Aligning your body language, gestures, and voice with your authenticity will elevate your presentation to the next level.

Authenticity can only strengthen the work you’ve already done.