Many people feel shy or fear public speaking, but they can use several approaches to help overcome these emotions. Beginning with organization, outlines, practice and more practice, a strong voice, and confidence will help create a clear and well presented speech.
Public speakers should start with a few basics steps. Focusing on a topic, assessing how much time is allotted, what props are needed, and any other details are important in the planning phase. There will be a big difference between a speech that is 2 minutes in length and in front of 8 peers and a speech that is at least 20 minutes and requires a slide show and written materials to be handed out to the audience. The location of the presentation is an important consideration, as well as if there will be a podium, a microphone, and how many people will attend.
Those in attendance, the audience, are central to the presentation, and their expectations should be considered with great attention. Discovering who the audience is will direct the presentation to them and create a relationship with them that will give value to the presentation. This relationship will also help turn the presentation into more of a conversation between friends than an overwhelming speech among strangers.
The organization of the speech and attention given to the audience will build a foundation on which an outline for the speech can be created. A very simple format of Introduction, Points A, B, C, and more, as well as a Conclusion can be used, similar to formats used to write research reports. This outline keeps the presenter focused on each smaller, specific topic, and helps to diminish the sense that this is one large, overwhelming presentation.
It can sometimes actually be more effective for shy speakers not to memorize a speech word for word because it can be too easy to forget just one word, and that can undo everything and make the speaker feel completely lost. Using the outline approach helps to break the speech down into smaller sections that are easier to remember. Speakers should also not write the speech down and then read it aloud. The audience usually finds nothing more boring than a speech that is read to them as if they are listening to a book in audio form. There is little room for a connection to be made between the presenter and the audience this way, and a good connection can make the presenter feel more at ease when he has established a relationship with the audience.
The volume and tone of the speaker is another important aspect for the presentation. When people speak too softly, it often makes them sound even more nervous. When creating that basic plan, the speaker should find out if there are any audio devices used and how sound works in the room. Shy public speakers should practice sounding confident, even when that is not the true case. Trying out varieties of different volume levels and tones can help the speaker feel more in control and build confidence. Adding excitement and enthusiasm to the presentation is likely to create authority for the presentation and increase the value of the information presented.
While there is no one easy strategy for overcoming shyness, there are several things people can do to alleviate some of the stress and make the experience more rewarding. Planning, preparing, connecting with the audience, and rehearsing in confident vocal varieties will help move a presenter from a quiet, read speech to a confident, conversational presentation.
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