As entrepreneurs, public speaking is a requirement that must be met. From pitching to an audience of investors to networking events and training, there is a significant amount of public speaking that needs to be done. For many entrepreneurs though, public speaking doesn’t come easy; language constraints, personality types, presentation style etc. all play a critical role in defining the success of a public speaking event.
We asked our members what were some of the struggles they face when presenting and here’s what they had to share.
1. Initiating the Speaking with a Strong Opening
The first minute of your speech will set the pace of your speech for the rest of the event. In fact, it will also be the most crucial time to grasp (and keep) the audience’s attention. To tackle this challenge, Smriti Modi recommends that you diligently prepare a good opening that uses the first 30 seconds to gain the audience’s attention.
I diligently prepare a good opening. If I have connected with the audience in the first 30 secs, I am more confident through out and they are more likely to pay attention to the rest of my talk.
2. Using Slides to Stay on Point
PPT slides have always been an important part of a public speaking event; however, is PPT still an effective tool to capture the audience’s attention? Kevin Schultz and Mouna Aouri do not agree that the use of slides may be effective as they take the audience’s attention away from the speaker by forcing them to focus on the content on the slide. So do you completely abandon using slides? Well, not really. The trick is to use minimal words and having a smooth transition from slide to slide as suggested by Steve Dana.
A good presentation turns great with smooth, practiced transitions from slide to slide. Subconsciously, the audience begins to connect and trust you. — Steve Dana
3. Getting the Perfect Trigger to Close a Speech
A great talk is only effective if you have a fantastic closing because it’s really important for the audience to leave with a final thought and derive some learning value. If you’ve ever struggled with a closing, it is recommended that you create a ‘closer’ while preparing for your speech and practice it with friends or family, asking them to give their feedback on the closing.
You need the perfect trigger to close the topic, either a question or a statement, giving the audience a reason to pursue the topic and learn for themselves. — Frederic Moraillon
Public speaking can be a daunting experience if you’re new to it or if you’re returning after a long time. However, if you put in the effort to diligently practice, you’ll eventually get the hang of it. Remember though, that you don’t have to be perfect – you just have to know the purpose of your message, the end goal of the event & what you want your audience to take home.
P.S – For those of you new to public speaking, we have an amazing Public Speaking course created by Alvin Chiang, a communications and presentation skills trainer.
Now, it’s your turn:
Do *you* have some additional tips to share? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below! 🤗