Kyle Norris, a skilled reporter, and Lauren Dominguez-Chan, a seasoned speechwriter, tackle the common fear of public speaking. They share powerful techniques to capture your audience's attention and recover gracefully from mistakes. Personal stories illustrate how joining groups like Toastmasters can transform anxious speakers into confident communicators. They emphasize the importance of a core message and authenticity, encouraging listeners to embrace their imperfections while engaging effectively with their audience.
Focusing on eliminating filler words and expecting imperfections can help speakers become more comfortable and confident in public speaking.
Challenging societal expectations and embracing individuality is key to becoming a confident public speaker.
Deep dives
Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking
Many people struggle with public speaking, experiencing anxiety and nervousness. Toastmasters is an organization that helps individuals practice public speaking and improve their confidence. By focusing on eliminating filler words and expecting imperfections, speakers can become more comfortable in their own skin. A good speaker doesn't need to adhere to traditional standards, but rather should embrace their authentic voice and connect with their audience. To prepare for a speech, it is crucial to identify the core message and incorporate sticky stories that engage the audience. Writing for the ear and practicing with others are essential steps towards becoming a better public speaker.
Embracing Your Authentic Voice
The notion of a 'good speaker' often perpetuates biased and discriminatory ideas. It is crucial to challenge societal expectations and acknowledge the diverse ways people speak. Accepting and appreciating one's own voice is key to becoming a confident public speaker. Rather than striving for perfection, focus on delivering a genuine and meaningful message. By letting go of internal gatekeepers and embracing individuality, speakers can connect with their audience on a deeper level.
Preparing and Practicing for Success
Preparation is crucial for a successful public speech. Starting with a brain dump of logistical details and identifying the core message provide a foundation for building the speech. Incorporating sticky stories that resonate with the core message help engage and captivate the audience. Creating an outline and experimenting with structure can aid in organizing and delivering the speech effectively. When writing, keeping sentences and words simple and conversational is key. Practicing with others and receiving feedback, whether from friends or supportive groups like Toastmasters, allows for improvement and reduces anxiety when speaking in front of others.
It can be anxiety-inducing to deliver a speech in front of an audience. How do you capture people's attention? What do you do if you stumble? A speechwriter and a speech coach share their best tips.