Getting Over the Fear: 5 Tips on How to Become a Better Public Speaker

by Jassareth Alanis-Ponce

Most college students can agree that public speaking is what nightmares are made of. Efficiently commanding a room isn’t an easy task but with these tips, delivering a presentation won’t be as daunting.

1. Know Your Information
There’s nothing worse than conducting a presentation and not even having a clue regarding what it’s about. You can read notes but it won’t make a difference when you don’t actually understand the facts you present. If you do extensive research on your subject, you will not only be confident with the information you are putting out, but you’ll also be ready to answer any difficult questions.

2. Dress to Impress
Take some time out of your morning to pick out an outfit that makes you feel confident. You cannot effectively persuade others if you don’t first believe in yourself and your immediate impression. A nice outfit will help boost your confidence and if worst comes to worst you’ll at least look good while presenting.

3. Be Proud of your Content
No matter what you do in your life, always put your best work forward. If you’re putting your best work forward, I guarantee you will be excited to step up and show off everything you just spent time and effort working on. Your work will essentially speak for itself.

4. Remember Your Purpose
It’s easy to forget when all eyes are on you that the purpose of your presentation is to help the audience by sharing your insight on a particular subject. Don’t let your nerves let you forget your real purpose. You are in a position to inform others for a reason. It only makes sense to act like it.

5. Practice. Practice. Practice.
There’s a reason why the saying “practice makes perfect” is still around. I’m sorry to say this but the reality of the situation is that no one becomes a better public speaker overnight. Like everything in life, you’ll only get better if you put in the work to improve. Mistakes are bound to happen but they are learning opportunities that can positively shape your development. Practice anywhere and everywhere until public speaking is nothing short of a breeze.