What It Takes To Be An Effective Professional Speaker

As a professional speaker, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to make presentations all over the world. This experience has taught me a few things about what it takes to be an effective professional speaker.

Many people think that if you are an expert in your field, then that qualifies you to share your knowledge with others in a group setting. While knowing your content is absolutely imperative, it is only part of the equation of being a sought after professional speaker.

The other key component is to have confidence. Not only must you know your subject matter well, but you must also deliver your content with poise and authority. When you step up to the mic, your personality and your message both need to shine through in order to engage your audience.

Having the confidence to get up in front of an audience isn’t always easy. The truth is that most public speakers get nervous. We all get butterflies from time to time. But that flutter in your gut will dissipate if you have confidence in what you are saying and how you are going to say it.

Here are a few tips on gaining confidence as a professional speaker:

• Be prepared. Practicing your speech several times can help you feel more comfortable with your content and your delivery. Know your material inside out, so you can be flexible if you happen to get sidetracked.
• Don’t rely on having your entire presentation outline written on your slides. It will appear you are merely reading, not presenting.
• If you need some pointers on making presentations, join organization that give you the opportunity to practice and get feedback, such as Toastmasters or Dale Carnegie courses.
• Watch successful speakers and pull some good ideas that work for you.
• Honor your audience. Look for friendly faces and people whose body language is reinforcing you. Your job is to make a difference. If you focus on giving instead of getting, you will relax, and your confidence will show through.
• Consider humor. Many speakers have one liners at the ready in the event that things fall off track or you see people getting distracted. Appropriate jokes are engaging, and people will respond.  Laughing also helps you relax and connect with your audience.
• Be real. Yes, you are the expert that everyone came to see. But your audience will relate to you much more if you show your human side.

Focusing on these confidence-building tips is the most important part of delivering your presentation. The preparation you do ahead of time will help to ensure greater success when it’s time to address your audience. Do your homework, and you will see how effective a professional speaker you can be.