Strategies for Public Speaking (and Zoom Presentations)
Making a career change has got me thinking about upcoming interviews and presentations. In my previous work experience, I’ve given lots of presentations, often times to hundreds of people at a time. I am some who puts a lot of pressure on themselves, so prior to my work experience I was terrified of speaking in public. Overtime though, I picked up some strategies that help to quell some of my anxiety and perform better. While I am by no-means an expert, I do have some best practices that I’ve found to be useful over the years.
Before launching into advice on public speaking, I think a crucial topic needs to be addressed. I am a white, relatively young, cisgendered, able-bodied and able-minded, hearing and seeing, straight male from a middle class background. I usually give presentations in my first language, English, to an English-speaking audience. It was only during one 2-year period of my life that I gave presentations in another language. In most circumstances when I get in front of a group of people to speak, I don’t feel that any measure of my identity is challenged or questioned by the audience. While certain assumptions may be made based on my appearance and the way I speak, I often don’t have to encounter the pressure of speaking in front of people that are making assumptions about my abilities based off of a salient characteristic of my identity. So while I am giving what I think are helpful tips for public speaking, it is important to acknowledge that I come from a position of privilege. This means I am often given the benefit of the doubt when I make a mistake and, because I believe I am entitled to make mistakes (anyone should be), I feel less pressure when I present. In turn, without that pressure, I make fewer mistakes, my presentations tend to go better, and I am more confident going into my next presentation. This fact is not lost on me, especially in the context of doling out public speaking advice to a wide audience. And it should be kept in mind when critically evaluating my advice below.
Here is an anecdotal list of things that have worked for me in the past.
- Watch what you eat and drink 24hrs before speaking. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep.
If you are someone like me, the list of irritable foods is a long one. The last thing that you want is to be ill the night before a presentation and unable to sleep. And you need a good night sleep to stay sharp and attentive to your audience. On the day of, drink plenty of water, but be sure to use the bathroom before you go on stage. If you are a caffeine drinking, know your sweet spot. If you drink too much, you could come off as Don Jr at the RNC. You don’t want people wondering if you are on cocaine during your presentation, you want them listening to your words. The same goes for sugar and any medications that you might be taking. And if you get tired after a heavy meal, its best not to do that before you present to others.
2. Take a deep breath and stretch about 10 min before you go on.
This will get you limber and relaxed and will increase blood flow to the brain. Don’t overdo this. You don’t want to be sweating profusely or breathing heavily before going on stage. People will think that you are in duress and again be more concerned about that then your presentation.
3. Speak with someone beforehand about a topic that you are comfortable with.
This is all about getting your vocal cords loose and up-ing your confidence. It doesn’t need to be about the topic that you are touching on in your presentation, although that might help. It is just a small thing that will help warming you up beforehand.
4. Do vocal/lip exercises.
This is something that professional performers always do. Always. It might seem ridiculous for the casual presenter, but it really helps and it only takes a minute. There are a ton of these on the internet. Here is literally the first one I clicked on and it does a pretty good job.
5. Have your notes and water where you can reach them, if you need them.
This is usually a given. Make sure the text is easy enough to refer to (not read unless you are doing an actual reading or reciting an excerpt). Also don’t read your presentation if given on PPT or the like. If you don’t have a podium or notes, it goes without saying that you need to know your stuff.
Have a small glass of water within reach. I have definitely given a presentation where I’ve lost my voice and could not get out of it… soooo that presentation ended prematurely. Have water accessible for both in person and zoom presentations. In either case, and I cannot stress this enough, step away from the mic if you are in person or mute yourself if you are on zoom when you are drinking water. This is especially true if your mic is on a headset. I know its petty, but hearing you eat or drink can be an easy way to trigger someone and “turn them against you.” In the very least, it can be distracting. It is a common pet peeve and you want to be mindful of that.
6. Dress appropriately — whatever that means for you and your audience.
7. Be visible and mind your body language.
Face your audience, speak towards them, not down. Be sure that people can see you as best as possible. Usually some of the best speeches (ted talks for example) have zero barriers to the speaker. This means more engagement.
This is also a huge benefit when you are on a Zoom meeting. There is usually no barrier to the audience (except, you know, not being in person). With that said, if you can talk into the camera, this is a huge plus. It’s awkward as hell the first few times, but it pays off because people feel like you are talking to them, instead of looking slightly down (or up). When you are on Zoom, you and the audience should be free of distractions. Good light that shines on your face (and doesn’t shine behind you) is also helpful. If you can stand, I find not only does it put you in more powerful posture than sitting, but it also allows you to be a little more naturally animated with arm and body movements. This can really set you apart from the typical zoom meeting.
Acknowledge that body language matters. And try to be mindful of it, although sometimes things are a bit inadvertent. Some experts will tell you not to be animated at all. I think there is absolutely a time and place for it (think of a comedic vs. a eulogy).
8. Find those people that are rooting you on.
Whenever I speak to a large audience, I always find the 3 or 4 people who are engaged and attentive with their body language. If you do a lot of presentations, these folks are easy to pick out. I usually cycle through them especially if they are spaced out well.They help keep my energy up and make me feel confident while I am speaking. Be sure to look, but don’t stare. Staring is a little too invasive for a speech, if you are the speaker. And people can see that you are staring somewhere, which might make them feel excluded.
9. Don’t be afraid to be authentic, but be mindful of your tone.
I find polite with a bit of light self-deprecation is the sweet spot. But that doesn’t work for everyone, so it is essential to…
10. Know your audience.
Probably one of, if not the most important things to keep in mind while speaking. Don’t use big words if you are talking to a class of 1st graders. Maybe veer away from sardonic humor if you are speaking at a wake.
I find that people typically like attentive and empathic speakers. I like to check in with my audience in the middle of a long speech to make sure they understand where I am going. And obviously you want to be mindful of your cadence, volume, and speed depending on who you are speaking to.
11. Begin a speech by explaining who you are if people don’t know who you are and by asking questions.
The first part is absolutely necessary: people need to know why you’re here and why you are imparting information to them.
The second part is optional, but I often find it helpful to mix-in questions to the audience at the beginning of a speech so that we start on the same page and so they feel more engaged. This exercise tells the audience that we are engaging in a dialogue, an exchange. They feel like we are doing this thing together.
12. Leave time for questions.
Like I noted above, engaging your audience is crucial. Questions are an obvious way to do that. Setting the norms for questions, especially with a large group and especially in a format like Zoom is really important. Know that it’s ok to say “I don’t know”, but assure that audience member that you will help them find out.
And really listen to those questions. These people are putting themselves out there. Respect that. Always repeat the question if you are speaking to a large audience and the person asking is not mic’d up or if you have trouble understanding the question (don’t be condescending). This is for everyone’s benefit. In the rare event that you get hostility (sometimes this happens), try to de-escalate as much as possible. Usually people just want to feel felt, so provide the space for that. If you are dealing with a grievance that concerns one person or a small group of people, allot space for that after the Q&A session. If its the whole group, well you may have had a misstep with number 10. This is an information exchange, so try your best to provide information, but obviously if things become overly hostile, then its time for intervention.
13. Wish your audience well.
Despite how I left the last point, this is some of the best advice I’ve received when it comes to public speaking. Don’t follow that old adage of picturing your audience nude. That’s weird. Speaking in public almost never is meant to be combative. People are there to hear what you have to say and hopefully gain some information in the process. Empathy makes you a good speaker, not disdain for your audience. Ill-will will almost certainly come through to your audience. Even if you don’t overtly display your ill-will, it will make itself known through micro expressions and body language. Remember, speaking in public should be treated as a collaborative experience.
15. Get feedback.
If you really want to improve as a public speaker, you need to get feedback. Getting and asking feedback is a skill in and of itself. You need a good sample size and you need it to be as objective as possible. It also needs to happen soon after your presentation so that the feedback is fresh.
16. Be a good audience member yourself.
Golden rule, folks.
I am sure there is plenty more I could have covered, but these are the ones that come to mind and have really helped me out. Am I an expert on each item? Hellllllllll no. Public speaking is a craft that requires practice. Sometimes you’re good, sometimes you’re bad. And sometimes its out of your control how well you do. And that’s ok.
