Public Speaking Tips - Part VI

Public Speaking Tips - Part VI

Posture and Comport

How to start a speech

How to calm your nerves before going on stage

The "Five S" framework for public speaking physical presence consists of Setup, Space, Stand, Stride, and Smile. [1]

The Five S Framework

Setup: Prepare your physical environment and mental state before you step up. Check your notes, adjust the microphone sound, and take a slow, deep breath for three seconds and breathe out for six, to center yourself. [1]
Space: Own the stage or room. Know where you can walk safely and map out the boundaries of your speaking area so you feel comfortable moving. [1]
Stand: Plant your feet shoulder-width apart with a balanced, strong posture. Keep your knees relaxed and your shoulders back to project confidence and help your breathing. [1, 2].  Let your hands hang loosely either at your side or on your belly - not any lower!
Stride: Move across the stage with deliberate purpose rather than pacing nervously. Take purposeful steps to transition between different points or sections of your talk. [1]
Smile: Greet your audience with a warm, genuine expression. Smiling relaxes your facial muscles, calms your nerves by releasing endorphins, and builds an immediate positive connection with the room.
Be yourself - do not try to emulate someone else!
Use your hands (and - if required, yuor legs . . .) to emphasise a point
During a lull, give yourself feedback and use this feedback to improve (or improvise, if you think you did poorly until now . . .)
Try this: Record yourself delivering the speech and then improve where it is required.  Review, practice, repeat: As long as you're fully confident that you know the speech verbatim or even by heart so you do not have to look at your notes.
Use bullet points to jog your memory during your presentation or speech.
Share ideas from one attendee with the whole audience

The PREP framework (Point, Reason, Example, Point) is a quick mental structure used to organize your thoughts when speaking spontaneously or answering a question. [1]

The PREP Structure

Point: State your main idea or answer clearly and directly right at the beginning.
Reason: Explain why you hold this view or why your point is true.
Example: Share a specific story, fact, or piece of evidence to back up your reason.
Point: Restate your core message to wrap up your response strongly. [1]

For a great public speaking presentation on a Zoom meeting, look directly into your camera lens rather than at the screen. [1]

• Camera & Head: Place your camera at or slightly above eye level so your head is framed naturally and fills no more than one-third of the screen. Sit 20 to 24 inches away from the lens. [1, 2]
Eyes: Keep your eyes focused on the camera lens when speaking to create direct virtual eye contact with your audience. Avoid staring down at participant videos or floating around the screen. [1, 2]
Chin: Keep your chin up and level to project confidence and maintain proper vocal projection. Keep any hand gestures controlled between your breastbone and chin level. [1, 2]
Notes: Keep your notes positioned right next to or directly under the camera lens rather than flat on your desk. This stops you from looking completely down away from your audience when glancing at reminders.