Public speaking is one of the most common fears that people have. Even experienced business professionals often struggle when it's time for them to speak up in meetings, and the rise of remote work during the COVID pandemic didn't help matters. As difficult as public speaking can be, it's also a valuable skill to have. If you've ever struggled to speak up during a meeting or you're afraid you're not sounding professional enough, consider some of these tips.
Public Speaking in Meetings: Expert Tips & Tricks
1. Prepare in Advance
It's important to prepare what you're going to say in advance during your meeting. Think about what you wish to discuss with your colleagues, what kinds of questions you're going to ask, and think about what people might ask of you. If you're anxious about speaking in public or you have trouble remembering what you're going to say, there's nothing wrong with having notes on hand that you can refer to during your meeting.
2. Compose Yourself First
If you're one of the keynote speakers for a meeting or conference, take some time to compose yourself before you start speaking. Take a deep breath, smile at the audience, and wait a few seconds before you begin speaking. It will feel like a long time for you, but it really is just a couple of seconds, and it will help you feel a little more relaxed.
3. Slow Down
Everyone tends to talk too fast when they're nervous, and few things make someone more nervous than public speaking. This is why speeches are often much shorter than anyone expects them to be, especially when they are delivered by someone who isn't used to public speaking. If you want to get your point across and sound professional, try to slow down when you're speaking. You don't want to go too slow and risk dragging your speech out longer than it needs to be, but take a deep breath in between sentences. It will force you to slow down and make it easier to understand.
4. Practice Your Speech
If you want to make sure that your speech will be the right length and won't sound too rambling, practice it ahead of time. You don't need to have your entire presentation memorized, but you should be able to speak comfortably without looking down at a podium the entire time. Have a colleague you trust to listen to your speech, and time it so you know how long you want it to be.
5. Don't Censor Yourself
People are asking you to speak at meetings for a reason. You have valuable insight and opinions, and your colleagues think it will be worth it to share them. This means that you need to stop censoring and second-guessing yourself when you're speaking. Not everyone will agree with you, but you know what you're talking about.
6. Keep It Moving
It's easy to dwell on one or two topics during a speech, and that can grind a meeting to a halt. When you're preparing what you're going to say, try to keep things moving. Give enough time and attention to the right topics, but be prepared to move on to something else once you've covered them, especially if you notice your audience getting bored.
7. Ask Questions
If you're at a meeting and you're not the main speaker, be prepared to ask questions. It's a great way to keep a meeting moving forward, and it shows your colleagues that you're fully engaged. Try to think of some questions to ask before the meeting, but don't hesitate to come up with new questions based on what is being discussed during the meeting.
Final Thoughts
Public speaking is never easy, and worrying about sounding professional during a meeting can make things even harder. However, as long as you try to relax and keep these tips in mind, you should do just fine during your next business meeting, whether you're the main speaker or you're one of many professionals in the room.
