The first two parts of this series were Becoming a Better Communicator and The 3P’s Of Preparing to Communicate. In this post I want to finish this series by talking about ways to effectively communicate to an audience. I believe the best way to conquer the fear of public speaking and become an effective presenter, is through experience. It is true that the more you do it the better you will become.
Speaking to an audience gives you the opportunity to learn from yourself. What you did well and what needs to be worked on or changed. I also have found the more you speak in front of a audience the more comfortable you will become. This does not mean fear or nervousness will be gone, but it does mean you will be able to handle it better. Each time I speak in front of an audience I feel more comfortable and walk away learning what I can do next time to be more effective. Below are some things I have learned.
Keys to effectively speaking to an audience:
Be yourself.
Engage the audience from the very beginning.
Focus on the audience not your notes.
Use body language and visual demonstrations.
Connect on an emotional level.
Talk about things people can easily apply into their life.
The shorter the talk is the more it will be retained. (Stay in the time frame)
Leave the audience with an action step or challenge.
These are things I have learned while on the journey to becoming a better communicator. I hope this series has helped you become a better leader and communicator.
What have you learned while communicating to an audience?
