The 5 P’s of confident public speaking

by the EAB Briefing Team 

Picture this scenario: There’s a big presentation coming up, and you happen to be the lucky one chosen to be the main speaker. Already feeling nervous? You’re not alone—according to the National Social Anxiety Center, the fear of public speaking affects approximately 40% of the population and is more common than the fear of heights or spiders.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to ensure your public speaking career goes off without a hitch. Whether lecturing to students or providing essential information to higher-ed peers, here are five steps to get through your presentation successfully.

Follow the 5 P’s

Step 1: Plan out your presentation

One way to calm those public speaking nerves is to plan and prepare accordingly. Understand the material and audience you’ll be presenting to. Research and anticipate potential questions that may come up during your speech. Set the desired objectives of your presentation and structure your speech in a way that flows organically and makes sense to the topic at hand.

Step 2: Be practical

So, you’ve successfully planned out your speech, but your fears are still running rampant. While you’re structuring your presentation, this is also an excellent opportunity to sort through what’s most likely to happen versus what may be a product of an anxious imagination. For example, there’s a chance you may run out of time, but it’s less likely your audience will start booing or laughing at you. Taking time to write down possible scenarios that may come up during your presentation is a helpful step in quelling some of your fears.

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Step 3: Practice

Everyone’s heard the term “practice makes perfect”, and speaking in front of an audience is no exception. To help you gain confidence, practice your speech by rehearsing it – speak in front of friends and colleagues or record yourself as you speak. Practicing in a low-stakes environment allows you to examine what works—and what doesn’t—and how you can tweak your timing and pace.

Step 4: Stay in the present

You’ve properly prepared and practiced; now it’s time to think about how to stay in the present while you’re speaking. If you find yourself getting lost or distracted by your worries mid-speech, take a moment to breathe and re-establish your connection with the audience. Find a friendly face or something in the crowd (in-person or virtually) to focus on to help you stay calm and grounded in the moment.

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Step 5: Perform with passion

Lastly, at the end of the day, if you aren’t engaged in your presentation, your audience won’t be either. Let your personality shine through the material, speaking in a loud, clear, and authoritative voice. If time permits, don’t be afraid to add an anecdote or two that will resonate with your audience and further draw them in. Remember that you’re speaking for a reason and delivering your speech in a passionate manner will help engage your listeners throughout your presentation.

Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience, but by following the steps listed above, you’ll be in much better shape to speak to an audience and win them over with your knowledge, dedication, and confidence.

Sources:

National Social Anxiety Center, Public Speaking Anxiety; Skillabilly, 4/9/23 What are the 7 P’s of public speaking; Speak and Conquer, 4/25/23,  The 5 P’s of public speaking,; Frantically Speaking, Understanding the 5 Ps of public speaking and how they can help you