Public Speaking 101: Presentation Skills

CHICAGO — Public speaking and presentation skills can be useful when considering career advancement. Speaking opportunities provide the opportunity to be viewed as a thought leader and expert on a specific topic and can open the door to additional opportunities and exposure.

It’s completely normal to feel some fear or anxiety when speaking in public (whether to an internal team or in front of a large group of people), and it can be overcome. In fact, it’s been reported that 75% of Americans are afraid of public speaking.

Discusses best practices for public speaking and overcoming common fears associated with it, trade show director Sit down with Chloe Richardson, content director, events coach and consultant at Events Leaders Exchange (ELX), to discuss her tips and tricks for nailing speaking engagements.

How Chloe started public speaking

Richardson performed on stage as a drama student as a child. She continued public speaking and communication at UK universities, and after university she began extensive training. She conducted virtual and in-person coaching sessions and then started being asked to speak at industry events.

“I’ve found that when you’re on stage, no matter what the topic is, the goal is exactly the same as if you were playing a role in a play, the goal is to get the audience involved and get something out of the performance. You’re sharing it with them,” Richardson said. “I developed the skills I learned as a drama student and began to enhance my knowledge in the subject area. Combining the two is truly the secret to becoming a successful public speaker.”

Chloe’s Five Tips for Public Speaking

1. Master your profile

“You want to grab something eye-catching that grabs the audience’s attention right away,” says Richardson. “It should be focused and it’s a great opportunity to build rapport and let the audience know who you are.”

2. Make sure you know who your audience is ahead of time

“Whenever you do anything, whether it’s a room with thousands of people or a room with 10 people, make sure you know who your audience is ahead of time,” says Richardson. “What is their role? What do they want to get out of this meeting? What is their demographic? Where are they coming from? These things are really important to not only allow you to tailor your message accordingly, but also allow you to serve them Be prepared for possible questions at the end.”

3. Harness the power of storytelling

“No matter what, make sure you have a beginning, middle and end. This may seem obvious, but sometimes you’ll see scripts that don’t make any sense. Don’t be afraid to hold back the climax a little,” advises Richardson. “That being said, every story should have some data points. Stories keep people engaged, and data points inspire them after the fact. You’re telling a story, but with some facts sprinkled in so you can Establish credibility.”

4. Pay attention to body language and vocal diversity

“I’ll admit, my weakest part on stage is that I use my hands too much. I’ve tried to quit, it’s a terrible habit, but some people don’t use them at all. There’s a middle ground, so I It’s recommended that everyone make the most of the space when you’re on stage, but don’t overdo it,” Richardson said. “The second part is vocal diversity. There are a lot of speakers and public speakers that go back to and use certain words often. When you start to notice it, it can get really jarring. I recommend making a list of 10 adjectives or Connect words to make sure you take turns when speaking.”

5. Be prepared, but stay flexible

“That pretty much says everything we talked about, but it’s being prepared, knowing your audience, knowing your story and goals, and knowing where you want to land,” Richardson said. “Just stay flexible so if something happens and you’re forced off track, you can get back on track.”

related. A Goal Guide for Young Professionals: Setting Up for Success

Overpreparation can do more harm than good

Richardson advises people not to over-practice, as being strictly scripted may appear inauthentic.

“Your most inspiring ideas come when you speak off the cuff,” Richardson says. “I recommend writing a script that contains a bullet point that represents a paragraph, and practice seeing that bullet point and being able to write a paragraph around it. Your paragraph will be different every time, which is what you want. You can’t rely on one point in your plan Word for word, because it’s untrue, and it can be dangerous because if you don’t follow the plan, you won’t be able to find your place again.”

Know your personal brand

Another point Richardson makes is that it’s important to understand your personal brand and what your niche is so you know when a speaking opportunity is right for you. Once you decide what your personal themes are, you need to make sure that everything you say and do reflects those themes. This helps people associate you with the topic you want to be seen as an expert on, and while it may take a little time, people will think you know what you’re talking about.

I have been a keynote speaker for M&IT and have spoken at several BTN and Confex events. I have spoken at non-event industry events and was a presenter and emcee at ELX events. I will be co-hosting the UFI Europe event this year. All of this was accomplished by me building my personal brand and people connecting me to core themes,” Richardson said.

She also advises professionals to know when to say no to a speaking engagement. If it’s not a topic you’re passionate about, you might struggle to attract an audience, and if you’re not an expert, you might not add anything new.

“You feel confident enough to say no if it doesn’t fit with the core theme you established at the outset,” says Richardson.

Looking for more help?

Richardson recommends seeking out a local chapter of Toastmasters for more opportunities to practice public speaking skills.

“They are a global community and probably have local chapters in every city. They meet regularly and are worth checking out. They are all about public speaking, with tabletop topics, keynotes, or you can be an evaluator,” Richardson explain. “The more you walk, the more you can practice.”