7 Steps to Confident Public Speaking

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About 75% of the people suffer from a fear of public speaking. When we are under stress, various hormones are released and we may behave differently - very often we go blank, our voices become harder to control, we may visibly shake etc.

Even professional public speakers have to deal with the nervousness but they handle it skillfully. Let's discuss the ways of speaking with confidence in public.

1. Know your material: 

The more knowledgeable you are about the topic you're speaking about, the more confident you'll appear. Do thorough research on the topic, organize your thoughts, and prepare your material beforehand so that you are familiar with it. This will help you feel more confident in your ability to deliver the information accurately and effectively.

2. Practice: 

Practice your speech or presentation in advance. This will help you become more comfortable with the material and reduce nervousness. Practice in front of a mirror, a friend, or family member. Alternatively, you can record yourself and watch the playback to identify areas where you can improve.

3. Use Confident Body Language: 

Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in projecting confidence while speaking. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and avoid fidgeting or slouching. These simple actions can help you feel more self-assured and project confidence to your audience.


4. Speak Clearly and at a Moderate Pace:

Speaking too fast or too quietly can make you appear nervous or unsure of yourself. Speak clearly and at a moderate pace to help convey confidence. Remember to enunciate your words and take pauses when necessary to emphasize important points.

5. Eliminate filler words: 

Avoid words that serve no purpose except to fill the space between sentences. These are words like um, ah, like, and the dreaded, you know? Excessive filler words can be irritating to listeners, and make speakers sound unsure of themselves. Eliminating them is also one of the simplest habits to fix.

6. Take time to pause: 

Most people use filler words because they’re afraid of silence. It takes confidence to use dramatic pauses. A pause is like the period in a written sentence. It gives your audience a break between thoughts.


7. Engage Your Audience: 

Engaging your audience can help you feel more comfortable and confident while speaking. Connect with your audience by making eye contact, asking questions, and using interactive elements such as polls or quizzes. This will help create a sense of rapport with your audience and make the presentation more enjoyable for everyone involved.

In a nutshell, appearing confident while speaking is a matter of preparation, practice, and engagement. By knowing your material, practicing your speech, using confident body language, speaking clearly at a moderate pace, and engaging your audience, you can project confidence and appear more self-assured while speaking.

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