One fear ranks higher than death: the fear of public speaking. And even though many fear it, a great presentation can establish your reputation and personal brand like nothing else. Even a presentation on Zoom or Google Meet can still create anxiety, fear, and self-doubt for the presenter.
Yet, those who can speak in front of a group and share their ideas are often promoted to leadership positions. It’s no wonder. Clearly and confidently communicating a vision and inspiring others to action is a critical factor in career growth.
Whether you’ve given a few presentations or just getting started with your first professional speech, there are some key mistakes to avoid. And more than anything, you must tap into your authentic self and confidently portray your unique capabilities to truly be memorable.
Mistakes new speakers often make
There are some common mistakes new speakers make, whether it’s nerves or a lack of confidence. In a nutshell, they focus more on the content rather than the experience. These mistakes look minor, but they’re a sign of a speaker crafting a presentation from fear rather than confidence.
Overloading slides with too much information
New speakers often try to cram too much text or data onto their slides. This can overwhelm the audience and tempt the speaker to read from the slides rather than engage with listeners.
Failing to practice enough
Many new speakers underestimate the importance of thorough rehearsal. They may stumble over words without sufficient practice, lose their place, or run overtime. You’re not looking to speak each work the same on stage as you did in rehearsal. Instead, you’re practicing to ensure your message is clear.
Speaking too quickly
Nervousness can cause new speakers to rush through their material, making it difficult for the audience to follow and absorb the content.
Avoiding eye contact with the audience
New speakers sometimes fixate on their notes or slides, failing to make eye contact with their audience. This can make the presentation feel impersonal and less engaging.
Neglecting body language
Inexperienced speakers may forget about their stage presence and body language, standing stiffly or making nervous gestures that distract from their message.
When you’re a new speaker, your confidence comes from your material. When you become a seasoned speaker, your confidence comes from knowing yourself on stage. This comes with time, but when you know yourself better, you can shortcut the time to confidence as a respected speaker.
Crafting your message
When you’re starting to craft your message, ensure that you ask yourself a few initial questions.
- What do you want your audience to walk away knowing?
- What action do you want your audience to take?
- What do you want your audience to remember?
When you know these three things, it will help you craft your message into a simple one. The people in your talk are there to learn from your experience, stories, and insights. But they won’t be able to remember everything. Choose three things and craft your stories around these takeaways.
In essence, you’ll be able to have three main points in any talk. Choose those and support them with memorable stories. And as an old speech coach once told me:
- Tell them in your intro what you are going to tell them
- Tell them what you want to tell them in your talk
- Tell them what you just told them
By simplifying your message and mission, you simplify your objectives and set yourself up to succeed.
Know yourself and lean into who you are
Understanding and leveraging your Motivational Dimensions allows you to transform your public speaking experience from nerve-wracking to natural.
Achiever
If you’re an Achiever, your drive for excellence is your superpower. Set clear, ambitious goals for your presentation and visualize success. In live events, challenge yourself to engage with audience members during Q&A sessions. On Zoom, aim to master the platform’s features to deliver a flawless virtual experience. Remember, your high standards will push you to prepare thoroughly, boosting your confidence.
Driver
Drivers thrive on overcoming challenges. Reframe your nerves as an obstacle to conquer. For in-person events, arrive early to familiarize yourself with the venue and equipment. On Zoom, do tech run-throughs to ensure smooth sailing. Your natural tenacity will shine through as you gracefully navigate any unexpected hiccups.
Influencer
As an Influencer, you have a natural gift for connecting with others. Use this to your advantage by focusing on the impact you’ll have on your audience. In live settings, make eye contact and use expressive body language. Look directly into the camera on Zoom and use your persuasive skills to keep viewers engaged. Your charisma will naturally draw people in, both in-person and virtually.
Learner
Embrace your love for knowledge by thoroughly researching your topic, as this deep understanding will fuel your confidence. For live events, prepare interesting anecdotes or facts to share. On Zoom, consider using interactive polls or Q&A features to satisfy your curiosity about your audience’s perspectives. A Learner’s passion for learning will make presentations both informative and engaging.
Optimizer
Channel your drive for efficiency into creating a well-structured presentation. For live events, an Optimizer should plan movements on stage for maximum impact. On Zoom, streamline your virtual background and lighting setup. Your attention to detail will ensure a polished performance, boosting your confidence.
Orchestrator
Your talent for organizing and directing is perfect for public speaking. Take charge of your presentation by creating a detailed plan. In live settings, an Orchestrator must coordinate with event organizers to ensure everything runs smoothly. On Zoom, manage breakout rooms or coordinate with co-presenters effortlessly. Your natural leadership will inspire confidence in both yourself and your audience.
Relator
Use your interpersonal skills to connect with your audience on a personal level. In live events, Relators will feel right at home when they arrive early to mingle with attendees. On Zoom, use the chat feature to greet participants by name. Your ability to foster connections will create a warm, receptive atmosphere, easing your nerves.
Visionary
Let your creative, forward-thinking nature shine through your content. For in-person events, use compelling visuals or props to illustrate your ideas. On Zoom, leverage screen sharing to present innovative concepts or future scenarios. A Visionary’s unique perspective will captivate your audience, shifting your focus from nerves to excitement about sharing your vision.
Guidance for new speakers
Practice, practice, practice
Rehearse your presentation multiple times, both alone and in front of trusted friends or family. If you’re speaking online, practice making eye contact with the camera instead of looking at the audience. This will give your viewers an experience of connection when you’re speaking.
Breathe and center yourself
Take deep breaths before and during your presentation to calm your nerves. Visualize a scene of success to calm yourself before your talk.
Be authentic
Let your personality shine through. Your audience will appreciate your genuine approach. Remember, they’re there for both knowledge and experience. Your unique personality is key to creating an experience that your audience remembers.
Lean into your Motivational Dimensions to highlight your authentic strengths.
Engage with your audience
Whether in person or virtual, find ways to interact and build rapport. If you’re speaking after another speaker who was well received or after opening remarks, tie your first statements to the previous message to create an immediate connection and transition into your message.
If you can arrive early, say hello to a few people at the event to ensure you have a friendly audience.
At the end of your presentation, be sure to invite your audience to continue the connection on social media or an email list. Thank them for their attention and warm welcome.
Be technology aware
For virtual presentations, familiarize yourself with the platform’s features to enhance delivery. Do a “tech check” the day before your talk to ensure your microphone works well and your camera’s settings are perfected. Practice your screen share and make sure you’re aware of what to do to advance your slides. Do a minor tech check a few minutes before to ensure that your software hasn’t somehow changed its settings.
If you’re presenting in person, ensure you have the right connectors for the event’s projectors to your device or laptop. If the event provides a clicker tool to advance slides, practice with it, or bring your own.
Motivation Code helps you tap into who you are
By tapping into your unique Motivational Dimensions, you’ll gain confidence and deliver presentations that are indeed “you.” Remember, your Motivations are your unique competitive advantage. Use them to transform your public speaking from a source of anxiety into an opportunity to showcase your authentic self.
So go ahead, take that stage, or log into that Zoom call with the confidence that comes from knowing you’re leveraging your innate strengths. Your audience is waiting to experience the unique perspective only you can bring!
If you haven’t yet taken the Motivation Code assessment, now is the perfect time to find your authentic voice and share that with the world.
