Top Tips for Speaking Effectively at an Event

Nearly everyone gets nervous to some degree when it comes to public speaking, it's a natural anxiety response to doing something outside of one's comfort zone. However, with the right guidance and know-how, you can do plenty to help shake off those public speaking fears.

It's important to note that anyone can improve their public speaking skills. With enough practice, anyone can ace a speaking role, even in large events with hundreds of people. It's a skill like any other, and just like any other skill, it can be improved with enough time and effort.

Below we're going to take a look at Ribbon Works' top tips for speaking effectively at an event.

Practice Makes Progress
Most people aren't all that great at public speaking the first time they try it, most of the charismatic people you see making speeches on television actually had to practice to become as well-spoken as they are.

You can improve substantially by practicing your speaking. Try writing out what you plan on saying and read it out loud first by yourself, then in front of supportive friends and family. You'll soon find that you are more comfortable speaking in public because of this preparation and practice.

Mistakes are Completely Normal
Many charismatic and well-known people have made a mistake or felt embarrassed during public speaking, and while it's never pleasant, it's certainly not the end of the world. Strong people keep a level head when things go wrong, this applies to public speaking at events especially.

If you make a mistake during your speech, put it behind you and keep on going, it's only a setback for as long as you allow it to be.

Project Pure Confidence
Before you arrive at the event you are speaking at, do whatever makes you feel confident so that positivity carries on into your speech.

Be it wearing your very best clothes, getting your make-up just right, or listening to a powerful piece of music before arriving, anything that gets you into that positive state of mind is going to be very helpful.

Do What Makes You Comfortable
Find out what can help you feel more comfortable on stage. It could be something as small as having something like a clicker in your hand so that you feel you have something to do with your hands. It could also just be pacing little-by-little across the stage. Regardless, if it helps you feel comfortable and doesn't affect your presentation negatively, then go for it!

Don't worry about any of it being noted by your audience, they'll be too absorbed in what you are conveying during your speech to notice any quirks that may be helping you feel comfortable.

Be Slow & Steady
When it comes to your speech and breathing, try to keep a slow and audible rhythm. By doing this you will relax more easily and your audience will be able to keep up with what you're saying. This can be difficult to remember during a speech at first, but as you improve your speech and presentation skills, you will become more aware of your breathing and talking speed.

Remember that there is usually no rush to getting your message across as quickly as possible, your audience is there to take in everything you plan on presenting to them, take your time to do this well.

Improve With Every Event
By keeping our top tips for speaking effectively at events in mind, you will no doubt increase your proficiency in public speaking. Don't be disheartened by making mistakes, public speaking is a challenging skill to master, everyone makes mistakes every now and again.

Good luck speaking at your next event, from all of us at Ribbon Works, we're sure it'll be a great success.

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