“How can I improve how I speak on stage?” It’s dead simple. Here are 5 things that are guaranteed to help you improve.
𝟭. 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽.
This is the best way to tell how much experience someone has on stage.
100% of inexperienced speakers step randomly.
They shuffle.
They sway.
It takes away from their message.
Being deliberate in how you’re taking steps, and being able to stand still delivers a more impactful message.
𝟮. 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲
You don’t know it. But you’re monotonic.
It’s how we might talk naturally.
But on stage, try to be more deliberate about modulating your voice.
Varying your tone.
Raise your voice to rile up the crowd.
Soften it down to a whisper to tell them a secret.
Your voice is your weapon. Use it well.
𝟯. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀
Most likely, you are using too many gestures.
And they are all over the place.
Too many gestures distract from your message.
Control your hands. (Probably good advice in general).
Punctuate select words and phrases with clear, thought out gestures.
Win at expressing yourself.
𝟰. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝘁.
Slow down. Pause.
The audience isn’t going anywhere.
Your talk shouldn’t feel like you’re driving a train.
It should feel like you’re steering a boat. Sometimes you need to row. Sometimes it floats through build-up momentum.
Let your words sail and breathe.
𝟱. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀.
Great public speakers are listening while they speak.
They observe the audience.
They change and adapt on the fly.
That joke didn’t land? Let’s make fun of how poorly I delivered it.
That stat didn’t impress? Let’s talk about how I thought it would be more impressive than it was.
Public speaking is not you regurgitating a well rehearsed speech.
It’s you dancing with the audience through your words, your voice and your body.
What is YOUR biggest challenge speaking in public? I’d love to know.
