77% of the American population has some anxiety about public speaking, so it’s very likely that you hate this task too. Even if you live for giving presentations, it’s still very possible that you’re not doing it right.
Captivating your audience’s attention and keeping it isn’t easy. And if you want to be a good public speaker, you’ve got to know what you’re doing wrong first.
Want to get better? Then read on for four characteristics of bad public speakers with advice on how to improve.
1. Lack of Preparation
Bad public speaking begins with a lack of preparation. Think about it: if you’re winging it and have no clue what you’ll say next, much less how you’ll wrap things up, wouldn’t that make your anxiety even worse?
The easiest way to make improvements is to create a clear outline or structure. Not only will this prevent you from having a disorganized and confusing speech, but it’ll also help you manage your time better. That way, you won’t be rushed or have an incomplete presentation.
2. Poor Body Language
Body language is vital for getting your point across. Fidgeting, pacing excessively, and avoiding eye contact can all be distracting for your audience, and it can create a disconnect between you and them. On the other hand, if you stand on stage with your arms tightly against your side, that can be distracting as well.
To fix this, practice your speech at home and see how your natural cadence falls. For example, if there’s a point you want to emphasize, you might want to bounce on your toes while outstretching your arms on certain words.
3. Monotone Voice
You probably couldn’t sit through a speech where the person didn’t vary their pitch or tone. So why should you subject people to a flat speech? This can come off as disinterest or lack of enthusiasm on your part too.
One of our best public speaking tips is to pretend like the audience is your best friend. You want them to be as excited about the subject as you are, so change up your speech to keep the audience engaged. If you’re not sure how to, then going through public speaking training can help as well.
4. Ineffective Use of Visuals
Visuals are fantastic for reinforcing the points you’re making, but you have to use them in the correct way. Often, bad public speakers rely too heavily on slides or props. For instance, slides might be so overcrowded with text or irrelevant visuals that the audience gets confused or distracted.
To be a better public speaker, realize that less is more. The visual aids should be just that: aids.
Get Out of the Ranks of Bad Public Speakers
There’s no denying that there are bad public speakers out there, and you may be one of them. However, that’s not a “forever” thing.
If you take the right steps to improve your skills, then you’ll soon become an engaging speaker that people are enthralled with. And by following our advice, you can achieve that!
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