Public Speaking - Overcoming Fear by Questioning the Audience

Stage fright is the term used to describe that tingling, burning, scratching,bubbling, semi-nauseating bubble of fear that attacks you right before you present. It is as natural as flowers in spring time. It is as obvious as white shoes with a dark suit. It is as common as gas pumps at a gas station.

It's also unnecessary.

Involving the audience in your presentation or speech is a great way to eliminate this fear from the beginning. You dictate the mood when addressing an audience. Showing signs of distress will cause your audience to lose interest. An easy way to show comfort is to engage and involve the audience from the word go.

This article will discuss 2 types of questions that will ease your pain.

Broad Questions

Questions are always a good way to start a presentation or speech. Whenever someone hears a question their natural inclination is drop their guard and think of an answer.

Think about this for a second. We've all been in conversations where someone has asked a thought provoking question like:

* What is the meaning of life?

* What will you be doing in 5 or 10 years?

* If you won the lottery what would you do with the money?

* Why do you support the Democrats/Republicans?

* Is green investing a good idea?

Each of these are broad questions with no right or wrong answer. Each and every one of these questions forces you to free your mind and begin to think.

Wouldn't you like an audience of open minded thinkers in your audience?

Direct Questions

The same theory applies to direct questions. Anytime someone is asked a question they begin to think of an answer. Direct questions invoke a stronger response. By answering these questions the right way you can quickly establish rapport with your audience.

The object here is to select someone from the crowd and ask them a question. You don't want to embarrass someone or make them look incompetent. You want to show your audience that you are a warm and knowledgeable person worthy of their attention. If the person is wrong then acknowledge their error and elaborate.

Let's walk through the best way of addressing a question when it is answered incorrectly.

Scenario 1 - The Wrong Way

You: "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?"

Audience Member: "You know, its interesting that you asked me that. I had a tootsie pop yesterday and I counted. The last official lick was 654. So it takes 654 licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop!"

You as the presenter have several options at this point.

You can sound an alarm, scream at the top of your lungs, or display a flashing ride neon sign reading "WRONG". This approach alienates your audience and sends sliding towards the door.

Scenario 2 - The Right Way

You: "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?"

Audience Member: ""You know, its interesting that you asked me that. I had a tootsie pop yesterday and I counted. The last official lick was 654. So it takes 654 licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop!"

You: "That's very scientific and exact. I've never had someone answer that question with such razor sharp precision. I'd love to tell you that you are right but I can't. Think back to the old tootsie pop commercial. The owl proved without a doubt that it takes 3 (and only 3) licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop."

That answer was diplomatic, fun, and informative. It sets the tone for your presentation. If you want your presentation to take a different route then you can answer the question differently. You can choose to be serious, mysterious, fun, intriguing, or scientific. No matter the route you still need to be diplomatic and informative. Do that and the audience becomes your property.

Conclusion

Questions are a fantastic way to drum up interest in what you're saying. Questions force us to think of an answer (right, wrong, or indifferent).

There are 2 ways to use questions as a lever to dilute public speaking fear:

1. Broad- Broad questions are large scale and they involve your entire audience. You ask this type of question to wake up the entire audience and get their gears turning.

2. Direct - Pointed questions are directed at one member in the audience. You ask this type of question when you want to set the tone for what is in store. Answer this question right and the red sea will part.

Don't be afraid to involve your audience when you speak to the public. Getting them involved early is a way to make sure they are interested and engaged. Engaging the audience makes everyone in the room comfortable. When the audience is comfortable you can put your fear to the side and deliver the incredible presentation you were meant to give!

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Exceptional Public Speaking - How to Ignite an Audience

One of the most thrilling, challenging (and for many people) frightening opportunities is that of public speaking. Whether your job requires it, or you find yourself in a position where you have to give a public presentation, you may be overcome with nerves at the thought of standing in front of a group.

It's normal to be scared. After all, most people in your audience would be just as nervous in front of a crowd. The great Jerry Seinfeld noted that public speaking is the #1 fear among people, higher than the fear of death. As he creatively put it, "that means more people would rather be in the casket than actually giving the eulogy."   If this describes you, don't worry. There's hope. You don't have to be a professional speaker to give a good public speech. You can not only survive in giving your talk, but you can thrive in it. Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to not only keeping your audience awake, but you will be able to ignite and move them to action.   Here are some public speaking tips for conquering your fear and becoming an exceptional speaker:

1.   Remember that anything worth doing is worth doing well.  If it's worth your time, and especially if you're getting paid to make the speech, then it is worth doing it well. This is a great life lesson: Do your best, or don't do it at all. Try your hardest. Don't just phone it in. Your audience deserves better. So what's the best way to do your best? Practice! There's an old saying that goes like this: "Practice makes perfect." Wrong! Practice only makes perfect if you know how to practice. So you have to learn how to practice the right way. Read some books on speaking. Take a course (like the one we offer at Inspire Coaching), hire a speaker's coach. Learn how to practice right, and then do it. Know your talk inside and out.  

2.    Make sure you know your topic. Even if you don't know everything about your topic, you should know enough about it to make it through your speech. But not only that, do your best to learn everything you can about that topic. If you have a Q & A time, or if people approach you afterward to ask questions, you will want to know more than what was in your talk. If not, you will regret it, and you will look like a phony. So do your homework, and know your topic.  

3.    Speak with enthusiasm.  Passion is a powerful thing, and when we let it show (notably as enthusiasm), great things can happen. An enthusiastic speaker is compelling. You can have nothing to say, but if you say it with great enthusiasm, you can keep your audience's attention. No one wants to listen to a "ho-hum", apathetic, monotone speaker. But we will listen to an enthusiastic speaker.   

Not convinced? Consider our newly elected President. Whether or not you like or support President Obama, his passionate and enthusiastic style of speaking captivated people and consequently...led to his election. (If you go back and track Obama's rise in the democratic race, the moments that his popularity grew were times immediately following major speeches he made! That's not a coincidence.)

4.    Maintain eye contact. Glance around the room and use the 3-second rule while looking directly into someone's eyes. Doing so will make your audience feelmore involved.  

5.    Use humor in your speech. Even if you're speaking about a dry topic, draw something funny into your speech. Not all of us are born comedians, so don't go overboard on this if it isn't natural. Why is this important? Laughter does a few things for us:

It relaxes us (speaker and audience)
It brings people back to a point of attention. Zig Ziglar, who gets paid thousands of dollars per speech, intentionally plans humor into his speech in certain spots because he knows the power humor has on a presentation.  If you can make your audience laugh, you can make them listen! 
It can be used to make points memorable.  Again, what makes us laugh makes us listen.

6.    Use personal stories to illustrate your point. Personal stories can be used to drive home your point. Stories compel people to listen, and are very effective at moving people to action. Using personal stories is one of the most powerful ways to ignite your audience. They may never remember your point, but they will remember the story. Anything that moves you emotionally (makes you cry, makes you angry, makes you think, makes you laugh, etc.) can be used. Search your life and stay on the lookout for these illustrations because they are like gold. 

7.    Don't be afraid of silence. Pause periodically.This gives your audience time to reflect and think about what you have said. A speak who is not afraid of short moments of silence will recognize the power of silence. When used properly, planned pauses can create dramatic moments.  

8.    Memorize your speech.  Delivering your talk without notes makes you look more professional and shows your audience that you have prepared. It also gives you more freedom to look into the eyes of your audience. But the most important thing is that it actually can help you speak with more conviction. Why? Because you have already prepared what to say, you can now have the freedom to say it without looking down at your notes. It actually makes you better because when you know you'll be speaking without notes, you'll be more likely to prepare yourself well. Plus, it makes it easier to keep your audience's attention if you're speaking without notes. 

9.    Own the stage. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time, so don't worry about being perfect.  Focus on speaking with great enthusiasm and getting your point across. When you're the speaker, you have to own the stage. Realize that this is where you belong and you are the right person for this moment.

When I first began speaking around the country, I was asked to go speak at a couple of public high school assemblies. I was nervous, having not done this before. I spoke to one of my mentors, a speaker named, Lori Salierno. I told her I was nervous about this, and she had great advice for me: "Have fun. They're just kids that need the message you're bringing. You're the right one for this job." So, that is what I did. I had a blast, gave it my best, and spoke with a lot of energy.  

10. Use handouts when appropriate. This serves two main purposes: First, it helps your audience follow along and pay attention better. Second, it gives them something to take home with them for later use or reference. (Here's a tip: Put your name and contact information on the handout in case they want to use you again, or in case they want to tell someone else about you.)   

11. Keep your speech within the time you have been given. Event planners will love you for this, especially if they are running behind schedule. Know how much time you have to speak, and stop when your time is up. When you practice ahead of time, you'll get good at keeping within the time limits.  

12. Start strong. You only have a few moments to grab your audience and convince them that they need to listen to you. Before you've made your first point, your audience is already determining whether or not they're going to give you their attention. With this knowledge at your disposal, use it to captivate them from the first word. Don't start off with some joke your uncle told you, find a creative, dramatic or energetic way to capture their attention from the start.  

13. Take a class or find a coach. Always be learning and growing. Stretch yourself. Take a class on speaking, or find a speaker's coach who can help you grow into the communicator you need to be. 

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Public Speaking - Tips on How to Master Speaking in Front of an Audience

Many people still fear speaking in public. Even adults that have spoken several times in public still become anxious once they have to face speaking in front of an unfamiliar audience again.

But what can you do to improve your skills? How can you become a better public speaker?

Practicing is Essential

Practice is one of the few things that is truly essential in order to become a better public speaker. Without practice you will never be able to deliver a great presentation.

So go ahead and practice a lot. Use every opportunity to practice when you can. It will ultimately help you to become a better public speaker.

Get a Coach

A coach can be extremely effective in order to get better in public speaking. You can't really rely on yourself to judge how you performed. It will always be subjective and thus will stop you from developing.

In order to get further you need to have a coach. A coach will see things you don't see. And he will truly be able to help you.

Understand Your Audience

Mastering the art of understanding your audience is mastering the art of public speaking. In order to deliver a successful presentation you need to understand what your listeners are all about.

How old are they? What ethnicity do they have? How are they dressed? How do they behave?

All these things will give you clues as to what to expect from the audience. Once you understand them you can refine your speech to win them over.

Develop Your Voice

Developing your voice is an truly important step whenever you speak in front of people. You need to be able to appear confidently and to appear safe. You can achieve both through your voice.

You have to vary your tone in order to successfully deliver speeches. But you also need to use pauses. Stop from time to time to give your listeners some time to think about what you have just said.

Master Body Language

Body language is so important whenever your are in public or talking to other people. Becoming a better public speaker has to do with becoming better at controlling your body language and being able to interpret the body language of others.

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Don't Talk to Strangers - How Caring For Your Audience Helps Stage Fright & Fear of Public Speaking

So often, speakers feel that they are getting up in front of strangers. And worse, they expect that the strangers in their audience will be unacceptable or disapproving of what they have to say. The thought that they might not like you or agree with you triggers a terrifying reaction in your body and mind. The result is stage fright and fear of public speaking.

I tell my speaking students to focus on loving their listeners rather than worrying about whether they will like you or not. The latter holds no power. There is no power in being concerned about whether they will like you. The only power is in choosing to like them, care for them, be there for them.

So what if you changed your perception of the audience and chose to see them as friends? In doing so, your relationship with listeners changes to a positive connection. Since what you focus on expands and what you give out is what you get back, why not focus on caring for your listeners, audiences and groups?

The next time you have to speak to a group, look at them as friends who you are just getting to know. Take a little time at the beginning of your talk to get to know them. Maybe even ask some questions about what they know, think or feel about your topic so you understand where they are with the subject matter. Make speaking about listening to your audience and being with them in a friendly way.

As you engage them in conversation, talk to one person at a time. Hold a one to one conversation so that at all times you are just talking to one person. Then talk with another person. The magic of this is that when you are having a real conversation with one person, everyone in the audience feels connected with because there is a real connection happening in the room.

Finally, be genuine with them. Share the ideas and expertise and stories that have helped you. In the same way you would share new ideas with friends at a party, share your ideas, insights and expertise with listeners. Realize that you have no idea how much you might be helping someone with your speaking.

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Successful Public Speaking: Interact With Your Audience

One of the things that public speakers fear the most is losing the attention of the audience. When the audience drifts off into daydreams, it can be difficult to bring them back. How do you keep them from drifting off in the first place?

The key to grabbing and keeping the attention of your attendees is to involve them - to make your presentation interactive. Your purpose may be to market your business, to persuade them to buy your product, to persuade them to save the world. But if you're not involving them, paying attention to their needs and interests, you're going to lose them, and they won't come back.

Here are some pointers for incorporating interaction into your presentation, and keeping the audience focused on your message.

Pointer #1: Start with a question

You may or may not have had the opportunity to gather information on your audience in advance. Whether or not you've researched your attendees, it's always effective to start off with a question or series of questions. Some questions I've asked of past groups include:

"How many people in the room exercise every day? How many people would like to exercise every day?" I made a note of the people who said they exercised every day and came back to them later to have them share how they fit exercise into their lives.

"How many of you have ever felt so angry you wanted to hit someone? How many of you actually did hit someone when you were angry?" This question was used to illustrate the point during a domestic violence presentation that, even though we sometimes may feel angry enough to hit someone, most of us don't.

"On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how many of you rank your public speaking skills between 10 and 7; how many between 6 and 4; how many between 3 and 1?" This one helps me get an idea of how the audience members perceive themselves as speakers and whether my content should lean toward basic or advanced.

Your question can also be humorous, to start off the seminar with a giggle. The important thing is to get the audience involved from the start. There is also a benefit to you in asking questions; you learn more about your audience, their interests and their needs.

Pointer #2: Use icebreakers and energizers

The purpose of icebreakers is to warm up the group, help them get to know each other and to create a bond and a positive atmosphere within the group. Energizers are to get people moving, thinking and re-energized, especially after lunch!

If you think back to some of the icebreakers you've done at seminars and conferences, you might be rolling your eyes right now. After all, not everyone wants to interact with her or his neighbor, and some icebreakers are intrusive and even embarrassing. The last thing you want to do is to make your audience members feel uncomfortable.

However, icebreakers done well are useful and fun. In addition to helping the audience members get to know each other, it also helps you get to know them. This is a great boost at an event where there is networking scheduled, or where part of the purpose is for the audience members to learn more about each other. Depending on the size of the group and the purpose of the seminar/training/workshop, different icebreakers will be effective.

Easy icebreakers can involve nothing more than one audience member turning to a neighbor and sharing a piece of information. I keep a tin filled with questions on strips of paper to be handed out in smaller groups. Some of the questions: "If you could choose a new name for yourself, what would it be?" "What did you eat for breakfast this morning and who prepared it?" "What is your favorite time of day, and why?" More complicated icebreakers involve games, scavenger hunts, and physical activities like the "human knot" that probably everyone on the planet has had to disentangle at least once!

Here's a site with a great list of icebreaker games and websites.

Pointer #3: Break the audience into pairs or groups

At some point, you may require the audience to do an activity that requires more dialogue. Breaking the larger group into pairs (also called dyads) or small groups allows them to have a private discussion, which then can be shared with the larger group.

Some people are not comfortable talking in a large group. Some people talk more than everyone else, monopolizing the speaker. Breaking into groups encourages your audience to dig deeper into the topic while giving everyone a fair shake at participating.

Pointer #4: Ask for input

This is a great way for you to learn from your audience, and for the audience to learn from each other. Adults have a lifetime of experience and knowledge to share, and in a learning situation, it's especially important for adults to contribute to the learning process. Personal relevance and the ability to apply learning to real-life situations are more important to adults than someone else telling them what's important to know.

Bring a flip chart or overhead projector and ask the audience for their input. Write down their words and use them in your presentation. Make sure to note new ideas or concepts that might fit into a future presentation.

Allowing audience members to share some of their own experiences and expertise makes the process more relevant for them, and creates a richer experience for everyone involved. Incorporate interaction into your talks, and you're unlikely ever again to lose an audience member to daydreams.

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