In the previous blog about 10 Public Speaking Tips for People Who Hate Public Speaking, I provided the first 5 tips on how to make the process of public speaking smoother and less stressful. This week I have the final 5 tips that help with focus, audience engagement and more, enjoy!
6. Use slides as cues, not crutches.
If you rely on your slides as a script, you’ll lose the natural flow of conversation and appear less confident. Instead, focus on your main points and speak directly to your audience. Most of my slides are just a picture, nothing more. Bonus: if someone gets ahold of your slides, they can’t copy your speech because the slides have no context!
7. Focus on Connecting, Not Performing
When you focus on connecting with your audience, you become more relaxed and approachable. Before a presentation, I network with the audience. It makes me feel more supported when I walk on stage and see familiar faces. Take the pressure off yourself to be “flawless.” Remind yourself that after the first minute, it’s no longer about you – it’s about them and giving them what they need.
8. Stay Away from the Lectern
If you stay behind the lectern, you can seem more nervous, especially if you read from a script while gripping the sides of the lectern like there’s no tomorrow. If you absolutely need the lectern to feel safe or confident, then make sure you aren’t reading a script so you come across more engaging.
9. Open with a Joke, a Story, or a Shocking Statistic
The easiest one is the statistic. It grabs their attention, takes the focus off of you, and makes you look smart!
10. Make the Audience Part of Your Presentation
Engaging the audience as early as possible will calm your nerves, raise their energy, and keep them off their phones. Pose a question and have them simply talk to their table mates. Ask people how long they’ve been in the industry, or coming to the conference. Start low and go up in increments of five years. Ask the audience to give a round of applause to the group with the most longevity.
Remember: If the thought of public speaking makes you break out in a sweat, you’re not alone—but you can still deliver an effective presentation without feeling overwhelmed. Remember, it’s not about being a perfect speaker—it’s about communicating your message clearly and confidently. And with these tips, you’re well on your way to doing just that. Trust me, it gets easier the more you do it!
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