Voice of Influence: Project Confidence and Authority with Public Speaking
The most confident person can still have difficulties speaking in public. The same is true if you are giving a presentation on Zoom or Skype. Here are some proven methods for being perceived as an authority in your field. You will be seen as a confident public speaker who looks at ease and is comfortable in front of an audience by cultivating a voice of influence.
Dress for Confidence
Do you have a power suit? How about a silk scarf What is an article of clothing you wear that makes you feel confident and capable? That’s what you want to wear when you speak in public. You should dress appropriately for the situation but also wear clothes that make you feel in control and confident. When I began speaking publicly in 2007, I asked a close friend to go shopping with me. She had an eye for what would look best on me and I took all of her suggestions and advice. Yes, this made a huge difference in how I felt while I was speaking on stage and also throughout the events where I was speaking.
Ask Your Audience for Input Beforehand
Knowing what your listeners want to hear can lead to more confidence. You won’t get caught off guard with a question you aren’t prepared for. Ask your audience what questions they want answered in your presentation. Let them know you appreciate any input. This helps you feel more confident for a couple of reasons and helps you to become a voice of influence.
Your audience immediately respects you. You asked them for their help, and they will appreciate that. It also gives you a list of things you need to research or otherwise understand before giving your speech.
Have Someone Introduce You
Do you have any titles or accreditations relevant to the presentation you will be giving? What experiences do you know your audience will be interested in? People will perceive you as a more confident and capable speaker when someone they respect introduces you.
Your audience should be able to identify the person who welcomes you to the speaking event. It is all the better if the person who introduces you is famous or has succeeded in a way that relates to your audience or subject matter. You are seen as a person of achievement who commands respect when a respected authority introduces you to a relevant field.
Go Virtual with Your Presentation
Public speaking is tough. What if you took the whole “public” out of the experience? You are still communicating live with your audience. Except when you go virtual, you can do it from the stress-relieving comfort of your own home. You go virtual with your speech instead of standing before a group of people in a live, in-person environment. That can go a long way to making you feel comfortable.
Record Your Speech Instead of Going Live
How comfortable and at ease will you feel with an audience of zero? Record your speech, and you can repeat the process as many times as you need until you get it right. That doesn’t happen with an in-person presentation. You have only one chance for success, which can put much pressure on you. Record your presentation rather than giving it in a person-to-person format if that’s an option.
You should practice for perfection. Get to know your material inside and out. Then, you use these tips for a better public speaking experience and will be perceived as a confident authority figure in your field.
Speak with Impact: Techniques to Captivate Your Audience
A captivated audience is interested and engaged. They are happy to be in your presence, possibly even excited about the experience. The following tips make it possible to become a captivating speaker that mesmerizes your audience and keeps them coming back for more.
Ask Questions
One way to generate engagement is to ask questions. People love giving their opinions. Ask them what they think. When they respond, applaud them for the question they asked. Telling them it is a great question builds rapport.
The definition of captivation is a state of intense interest. Your audience will stay interested when you allow them to provide input. Asking questions is also a way to direct your listeners’ interest to a particular topic.
Compliment Your Audience
“Thank you for bringing up that point, Susan.”
“That’s a great question, Joe, and I am glad you asked it.”
“You must be a mind reader. That’s exactly what I was going to address next.”
Those are some compliments you can give your audience. Anything that makes a person feel good about the experience you offer will boost their interest in what you have to say. You can compliment their articles of clothing or recent achievements when you meet your audience members before your presentation or make some relevant, complimentary statement while you are speaking.
Announce an Unadvertised Bonus for Sticking around for the Entire Speech
Announce this at the beginning of your speech. Be very profuse with your thanks. Express genuine gratitude for everyone attending. Then, tell them you would like to show your gratitude by giving them a gift if they stick around until the end of your presentation.
Make this bonus relevant to what you’re speaking about. You can capture the attention of your audience when this reward is unadvertised. It is a pleasant surprise. Don’t discuss the details of the bonus; the imagination of your audience will keep them engaged throughout your presentation and beyond.
Paint a Picture with Powerful Emotions
The best salespeople will tell you to sell the sizzle, not the steak. You don’t talk about the features of the product. Instead, you focus the attention on the benefits of the product that trigger powerful emotions. This means creating an emotional experience as a speaker.
Tell your audience to imagine an amazing reality. Use words that evoke emotion. If you use a statistic to prove a point, follow it up with an explanation of how that information leads to a powerfully positive experience. Paint pictures with your words. Tell stories instead of just mindlessly chattering on. The more emotions you can stir up, the more captivated your audience will be.
Captivating speakers are not born. They are made. You can become an enthralling speaker if you work at it. These tips help you cast a spell over your audience so they stay fully engaged and interested in your words. Be sure to spend time with these 10 steps to develop your own unique voice of influence:
- Identify Your Audience: Define your target audience clearly. Understanding who you are speaking to will shape the content and delivery of your speeches.
- Craft a Compelling Message: Creating a message that resonates with your audience’s needs and interests is important. Focus on clarity, relevance, and authenticity in your message.
- Develop Strong Content: Do your research and gather information to support your message. This could include personal anecdotes, case studies, statistics, or industry insights that add value to your speech.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Remember the importance of practice in honing your speaking skills. Techniques such as rehearsing in front of a mirror, recording yourself, or seeking feedback from peers will make a difference in your growth and results, and give you confidence as a public speaker.
- Master Body Language: Nonverbal communication conveys confidence and authority. This includes maintaining good posture, making eye contact, and using gestures purposefully.
- Utilize Technology: Focus on learning more about online platforms and tools for public speaking, such as webinars, podcasts, or virtual conferences. Leverage these platforms to reach a wider audience and establish credibility in your industry and niche market.
- Engage with Your Audience: Creating a connection with the audience through interactive elements such as Q&A sessions, polls, or live chats is important and will set you apart from other public speakers. Listen actively and respond thoughtfully to audience feedback.
- Overcome Fear and Nervousness: Face the common fears associated with public speaking up front and develop strategies for overcoming them. This could include techniques for managing anxiety, visualization exercises, or reframing negative thoughts.
- Seek Opportunities for Growth: Actively seek speaking opportunities, both online and offline. This could involve pitching yourself as a speaker for industry events, guest appearances on podcasts, or hosting your own webinars.
- Evaluate and Iterate: The importance of self-reflection and continuous improvement in public speaking cannot be overstated. Seek feedback from their audience and peers, and to use this feedback to refine your speaking skills over time.
I hope you have found this post to be of value to you, whether you are new to public speaking as an entrepreneur and business owner or if you’ve been speaking with a voice of influence for many years. Understanding how to leverage public speaking as a tool for business growth will definitely make a difference in your bottom line. Challenge yourself to speak to others at least once each month, and build up your speaking skills over time as the voice of influence with your topic.
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I’m Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, independent publisher, and serial entrepreneur Connie Ragen Green and would love to connect with you. If you’re new to the world of online entrepreneurship please check out my training on how to make your first income online at 3 Day eBiz (Use Code: MAKEITHAPPEN to Save) and learn how to gain an unfair advantage when it comes to building a lucrative online business.
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