How To Build Public Speaking Confidence

How To Build Public Speaking Confidence

Most people think public speaking relates solely to speaking on stage in front of a crowd. However, public speaking can be so many other things. For example, public speaking could be giving a virtual presentation to your team, answering a question during a meeting, or even introducing a speaker at a conference. 

No matter the type of public speaking you are preparing for, building confidence will help you communicate your message effectively.

There are several ways you can build your public speaking confidence. Below are three strategies you can implement right now.

As a VIP Communications Pass holder, this article is packed with extra tips and tools to show you how to be a more confident communicator, including videos, downloadable tips, step-by-step instructions, and more! 

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/700936022

VIP Communications Pass Video: Communication Barriers

 

1. Remove Mental Barriers

Mental barriers are those negative things you say to and about yourself. These mental barriers can come from past experiences or self-doubts. When you remove mental barriers, you boost your confidence from the inside out. The trick is to turn these negative thoughts into positive statements.

Consider the following:

• High Expectations - Everyone wants to do their best. High expectations aren't a bad thing. However, if high expectations prevent you from trying, or shake your confidence, they can become a mental barrier. For example, the pressure you put on yourself to give a flawless presentation may make you decide to ask someone else to give the presentation. You've given away an opportunity to gain visibility because of your mental barrier. Instead, you can say to yourself, "I want to do the best I possibly can. However, I know I am human. I may make a mistake, and that's okay." When you take the pressure off of yourself to be perfect, you will be more relaxed and confident.
• Previous Experiences - You may have had a negative public speaking experience. If this is the case, you may have told yourself your previous experience is the way it will be for you again. However, this isn't true. To remove this mental barrier, you have to tell yourself the future isn't the past. For example, instead of listening to the mental barrier telling you, "I messed up in my last presentation, I will mess up in my next one." You can say, "I made a mistake in my last presentation, but that doesn't mean I will make a mistake in my next one. I can give a great presentation."  You can also remind yourself about all of the work you've done to improve. You may have taken courses, read books, and practiced to prepare for your next presentation. All of these things will boost your confidence. 
• Negative Feedback - You may have raised your hand in a meeting to comment, and the feedback you received was negative. Or, maybe you gave a presentation, and the audience didn't respond the way you had hoped. In this case, the fear of negative feedback can be a mental barrier. To remove this mental barrier, you need to reframe how you think about the next time you speak up during a meeting or when you are in charge of a presentation. For example, you can tell yourself, "I didn't get the feedback I was hoping for in my last presentation. However, that doesn't mean I will get negative feedback in future presentations." Or you can say something like, "The comment I gave in the meeting had value. Whether the other people in the room recognized the value doesn't matter. I know my experience holds value, despite anyone's reaction." Negative feedback shouldn't stop you from trying again.

When you remove mental barriers from your mind, you boost your communications confidence. 

 

2. Analyze Yourself

To build public speaking confidence, you will want to prepare as much as possible. This means analyzing yourself to find areas you can improve. You can do this by recording yourself and paying attention to your gestures, body language, tone of voice, and pacing. 

Consider the following:

• Gestures - A common worry people have when giving a public speech is they don't know what to do with their hands. Practicing your gestures will help you build public speaking confidence. For example, you can use gestures to emphasize points. When making your first point, you can use your finger to showcase this point. It would be best if you incorporated gestures when appropriate. If your arms are stiff, you will come across as nervous. Try to let your arms hang loosely at your sides with a slight bend. Recording yourself will help you see where you can use gestures.

• Body Language - Your overall body language can boost your public speaking confidence. When you showcase confident body language, you will feel more confident, even if you are nervous. When analyzing yourself, pay attention to your posture, eye contact, and shoulders. For example, you should stand up tall with your shoulders relaxed. When your shoulders creep up near your head, you come across as nervous and unsure. Make eye contact with your audience. Shifty eyes make your audience feel uneasy. Practicing your body language will help build your public speaking confidence.
• Tone + Pace - When you are confident, your tone and pace match your message. As you analyze yourself, pay attention to your tone of voice and the pacing of your message. For example, when people are nervous, their tone of voice often gets higher. Focus on taking deep breaths and speaking from your lower register. As you analyze your pace, look for times when you talk too quickly or too slowly. Speaking too fast can come across as nervous, and is more difficult for the audience to understand. Speaking too slowly can indicate you've forgotten your message. Try to maintain an even pace throughout. 

Analyzing yourself is an excellent way to prepare for public speaking. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel. 

 

3. Focus On Your Message

Focusing on your message can help you build public speaking confidence. When you believe in the value of what you are saying, you will be more self-assured when you speak.

Consider the following:

• Value - Your message has value. The value of your message should give you confidence. For example, when you give a presentation, your audience needs to know the information you are presenting. You can go into your presentation with confidence because your message has value. Or, if you want to speak up during a meeting, think about your comment. Ask yourself if the other people in the room need to hear what you have to say. If they do, you can be confident when speaking up. When you focus on the value of your message, you will be less likely to focus on the things that make you nervous.
• Action - The presentation you are giving will make the audience take action. This is also true when speaking up in a meeting. Your message will be the driving force for change. This is why you can build your public speaking confidence when you focus on the importance of your message. For example, if you speak to your team about the next steps in a project, you know your message has value, and they need to hear it to move forward. Recognizing the importance of your message to others will build your public speaking confidence. 
• Purpose - Your message has a purpose. The goal may be to inform or inspire. Focusing on the purpose will help build public speaking confidence. For example, as you prepare for your public speech, you can remind yourself of this purpose. You can say something like, "My team worked really hard on this project; I need to showcase their hard work with my upcoming presentation." When you remind yourself of the purpose behind your message, you will feel more confident as your present it.

Focusing on your message reminds you of why you are giving your public speech. This reminder will help you build public speaking confidence.

Being a confident public speaker will help you advance your career and build career success. Removing mental barriers, preparing, and focusing on your message will increase your confidence. 

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