Public speaking is one of the most important skills you can learn. It’s also one of the most difficult, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be mastered! Here are some common mistakes that people make when they’re speaking in public.
9 Mistakes to Avoid While Public Speaking:
Here are some of the common mistakes most public speakers make & how these can be improved.
1. Starting off with low energy
Starting off with low energy is a mistake that many speakers make. You should never start your speech in this way because it will turn off the audience and they will not be able to get into it. Instead, try to get everyone involved before you speak so they can hear what you have to say.
If you don’t feel like talking about yourself or sharing personal information, then talk about something else instead!
For example, if there’s a topic that interests me but doesn’t interest my audience (such as public speaking), then I’ll go over some notes on how this might work for them before moving on to something more interesting (like how much fun I had at my friend’s wedding last weekend).
2. Speaking too fast
Speaking too fast can make you sound nervous. It’s important to slow down and pause for effect. If you feel like your speech is going too fast, don’t be afraid to repeat yourself!
You can also use your hands to add emphasis. This is a great way to make sure that people are paying attention and following your speech.
READ ALSO: 7 Secrets Ways to Prepare an Effective Speech!
3. Not speaking loud enough
Speaking loudly enough to be heard, but not so loud that you are annoying people.
If you’re speaking to a group of people, make sure they can hear and understand what you are saying.
Speak at an average volume rather than shouting into the microphone (unless it’s a public speaking class).
4. Using too many filler words
Filler words can be a good thing, but when you’re giving a speech or presentation, they can be disastrous.
Filler words are words that fill up the silence and make you sound more natural.
They are also used to avoid pauses in thought or speech. And this is especially important when giving public speeches or presentations. It helps keep the audience interested during those silences between thoughts.
However, filler words can become annoying if used too often by someone who wants his/her thoughts read out loud rather than having them digested silently by an audience member’s own brain. It might happen if he/she were speaking normally.
READ ALSO: How to Prepare a Speech for School Assembly?
5. Not maintaining eye contact
Maintain eye contact with your audience.
Eye contact is important in this situation because it shows that you are listening to what they have to say and that you care about their thoughts, feelings, and opinions.
It’s also a good way to show confidence in what you are saying.
However, if you don’t maintain consistent eye contact throughout the entirety of your speech or presentation.
It will be obvious that something is wrong with how much those around me are giving attention and focus during my speech!
6. Sounding monotone or robotic
Don’t read your speech word for word. Don’t use a robot voice (i.e., “this is my speech”). You might want to hear yourself speak it out loud. After you’ve written it down so that you can hear if there are any oddities or inconsistencies in the way you’re saying certain things.
Don’t actually try and copy exactly what’s on paper in order to get feedback from others.
READ ALSO: Learn Basic Communication Skills in 5 Minutes!
7. Fumbling through your notes
You’re probably not going to get through your speech without reading from your notes, but it’s important that you don’t do so word for word.
Instead, use them as a helpful reference tool. Don’t hesitate to look back at them if you need a little extra guidance.
And please don’t read them in a monotone either; moving your lips and speaking clearly will show off those skills that are most important for public speaking.
If you’re having trouble getting through something on the page, try rephrasing it or making changes based on what feels comfortable for you instead of trying to fit everything into one piece of paper!
8. Putting the audience to sleep
There are many reasons for this.
First, you want to make sure that people are paying attention and engaged throughout your speech.
Second, if they’re not, it’s likely because they’re bored or tired of listening to you talk about the same thing over and over again.
And thirdly: if there are any technical terms involved in what you’re saying (like “bibliography”), then it’s important for everyone who needs those terms explained by a handout or slideshows during breaks so they can refer back later when necessary!
READ ALSO: 7 Communication Mistakes You Should Avoid
9. Let nervousness show
When you’re nervous, it can be tempting to hold back and keep your emotions under control. But this only makes you look less confident and more nervous than you actually are.
Don’t be afraid to show emotion:
One of the best ways to overcome stage fright is by letting yourself feel what you’re feeling.
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes:
Remember not only how many times people have heard their own words before (and how many times they’ve said them wrong), but also think about all those people who have listened intently as they told stories out loud for years on end…and still made mistakes!
The Bottom Line
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes in public speaking. Everyone does it and no one is perfect. It’s okay to make mistakes and it can even be beneficial for you in the long run!
You’ll learn along the way what works best for your style of delivery – or maybe even discover something new altogether.
READ ALSO: These 10 Qualities will Make You a Leader!
