5 golden rules of public speaking

  • We experience our own public speaking very different to how our audience experiences it.

    Our body language might feel awkward to ourselves, but NOT to our audience.

    How to project confidence (even if you don't feel it):

    Stand still most of the time, with your feet wide, weight equally distributed, arms invisible basketball, standing tall and strong.

    If you move, you move with purpose. Take big steps, make big gestures that accompany your words, make eye contact. Your audience will love it.

  • This rule is foundational in improv classes.

    A good presentation is 80% technique and 20% content. And a lot of that techniques is being able to improvise.

    It was scary. And a lot of fun.

    In my courses, we often do PowerPoint Karaoke. It's a perfect way to train your improv skills. With the right guidance, you will do way better than you expected.

    Keep the 'Yes, and..' mindset.

    Remember that it doesn't have to be perfect or make complete sense.

    If you don't know what to say -> ask the audience a question -> to buy yourself time.

  • Why can Netflix shows hold your attention for hours, while a college professor loses you after a few minutes?

    A big part of the answer is flow (basically the opposite of monotony). Notice how all good Netflix always have variety between scenes. The pace, the characters, the setting, the emotions - they all alternate.

    As dr. Huberman often says: "Our brains are prediction machines, that strive to be energy efficient". Something monotonous isn't interesting because it becomes easy to predict, and is thus not worthy of our attention (energy).

    So how can we as speakers grab and hold our audience's attention?

    You must bring more variety.

    - Vocal -> silences, tone, speed.

    - Body language -> pull and push your audience with physical distance and emotions.

    - Content -> alternate visual and audio input.

    A golden rule that you must remind yourself of for any presentation:

    "Avoid monotony!"

  • After all these years, I still have to remind myself: PAUSES.

    - Take a deep breath in between your sentences.

    - Take a sip of water.

    - Ask them a question.

    - Announce a micro-break.

    It makes (y)our life so much easier.

  • Have you ever noticed that when comedians do not know how to respond to something, they start asking people in the audience questions?

    Asking your audience a question is the best improvisation technique, it offers 3 important benefits:

    1. Takes the pressure of you for a moment.

    2. Gives you time to regather yourself.

    3. Their response gives new input for you to improvise with.

    Besides improv, asking a question is also a great way to start your presentation or speech. It engages your audience immediately.

    3 types of questions:

    1. Open ended. -> When is the last time you took the train?

    2. Closed. -> Did you personally enjoy the experience?

    3. Rhetorical. -> Aren't most online meetings boring? If only there was a better way to do it?