How to improve your public speaking?
Walking on stage in front of a large audience and delivering an engaging speech is a skill that takes practice and dedication to master. While having industry knowledge and a visually appealing PowerPoint presentation is important, it is not the only thing that matters when it comes to public speaking. In this post, we will discuss some ways to improve your presentation skills and deliver a confident, composed, and engaging speech.
One of the main issues that many speakers face is the ability to move naturally on stage in a tense environment. Many industry professionals fall into two categories: the “Block of Wood” or the “Caged Tiger.” Both of these types of movements emphasize a speaker’s lack of confidence and anxiousness. A “wood-like” character would be highlighted through a motionless performance, an unchanging stance, and awkward eye contact. To avoid this, it is important to focus on natural movements and positive audience interaction to build a connection between the speaker and the audience.
On the other hand, the “Caged Tiger” metaphor describes a speaker who is restlessly moving around the stage, which underlines anxiety and nerves. This can be a side effect of high-pressure situations, but finding the balance between frequent movement and no movement at all will help deliver a much more composed speech.
Ways to improve your presentation
One way to improve your movements on stage is to use them to reinforce your message. This can be done by:
- Demonstrating a timeline and expressing a series of events. For example, how your business was built, showing the progression of your business by talking about its establishment on the left of the stage, moving to the center to talk about the present, and finally moving to the right to talk about the future.
- Using anecdotes and selective movement to enhance the idea of your business advancing forward.
- Reiterating your objective and the idea behind your speech to leave a lasting impression.
- Increasing the proximity between you and the audience when repeating your main point to grab their attention and make it more memorable.
In addition to movement, it’s essential to prepare your speech and separate different points into different areas to deliver a precise and collective presentation. Having individual points reflected through movement to a different area on the stage can help the audience identify new sections of your speech, and remind you to move around the stage and not stick to a static position.
Adding a lectern
It’s important to note that speeches will improve with experience. However, investing in a quality lectern can also help to enhance your presentation.
First, a lectern provides a physical location for the speaker to place their notes or microphone, which can help them to stay organised and on track during the presentation. This can be especially helpful for speakers who are prone to getting nervous or anxious, as having a lectern can serve as a physical anchor and remind them to stay focused.
Second, a lectern can also be used as a visual cue for the audience. The presence of a lectern on stage can signal to the audience that the speaker is going to give a formal presentation or speech, which can help to set the right tone and expectation. Additionally, a lectern can also provide an anchor point for the audience’s attention, helping them to stay focused on the speaker.
Third, using a lectern also provide a sense of professionalism, it can make the speaker look more official and organised. Also it make the speech look more polished, and that can improve the perception of the speaker and the speech among the audience.
Finally, some lecterns offer additional features such as built-in lighting or sound systems, which can be used to enhance the presentation or speech. Some also designed with logos or illumination, which can also help to create a more personalised and engaging experience for the audience.
Lecterns are a good investment for speaker and event organiser, it can improve the quality of the speech and help to create a more professional and engaging experience for the audience.
We offer a wide selection of lecterns and bespoke designs including logos and illumination, which can help you stand out. Their lecterns have even been featured on the BBC show “The Apprentice.” For more information on lecterns and their bespoke services, please visit their website or call them at 01752 698720.
