“Public speaking” – sounds simple, but haven’t we all felt a bit nervous facing a crowd at least once? An old story tells that King Quang Trung once asked his generals, “How to defeat the enemy?” One general replied, “To defeat the enemy, you must win the hearts of the soldiers. To win their hearts, you must speak to them so they understand your heart. To make them understand your heart, you must know how to speak in public…” Public speaking is not just a skill; it’s a key to success in life.
Public Speaking Skills: From Ember to Flame
What is Public Speaking?
Public speaking skills, also known as presentation skills, are the ability to effectively convey messages to a large audience. It’s not just about talking; it’s a combination of voice, body language, non-verbal communication skills, and the ability to engage and captivate listeners.
Why Learn Public Speaking Skills?
1. Boost Confidence: You will feel more confident when facing a crowd, no longer shy or fearful. This helps you confidently express yourself in communication, negotiation, persuasion, presentation situations, and more.
2. Enhance Communication Skills: Public speaking skills help you use language effectively, conveying messages clearly, understandably, and engagingly.
3. Create a Positive Impact: You will easily inspire and attract listeners, building credibility and a positive influence in your work and life.
4. Unlock Opportunities for Success: This skill is an advantage in competitions, interviews, presentations, as well as in community and social activities.
5. Build Effective Relationships: Public speaking is one of the effective ways to build good relationships with people, helping you connect and create networks.
Common Mistakes in Public Speaking:
- Speaking too fast, too slow, or reading from notes: This makes it difficult for listeners to follow and lose focus.
- Lack of interaction with the audience: Failing to create connection leads to boring and unengaging presentations.
- Inappropriate body language: Lack of confidence, shyness, or excessive expressions can be off-putting to listeners.
- Lack of voice control: Weak voice, lack of vocal variety, or overuse of local dialects can make the presentation boring.
How to Overcome:
To overcome these mistakes, you need to:
- Practice speaking skills: Always maintain a confident, clear, and expressive tone, using engaging and easy-to-understand language.
- Connect with listeners: Create interaction by asking questions, making eye contact, using appropriate body language, and creating a joyful, engaging atmosphere.
- Prepare the presentation thoroughly: Master the content, use appropriate visual aids, plan a reasonable presentation time, and practice before presenting.
- Practice regularly: Join clubs, workshops, and speaking events to hone your skills.
Expert Advice:
“You don’t have to be a brilliant orator to speak effectively in public. The important thing is to know how to convey your message clearly, engagingly, and create a connection with the audience,” shared by soft skills training expert Professor Nguyen Van A, author of the book “Public Speaking Skills – From Ember to Flame”.
Practice Exercises:
You can try presenting in front of a mirror, recording your presentation and self-evaluating, practicing with friends, or participating in public speaking skill classes to improve your ability.
Spiritual Tip:
There’s an old saying: “Keep your word when you speak, don’t be like a bird singing and flying away.” Public speaking is not just about technique; it’s also about sincerity and passion in your words. When you speak with passion, your words will be attractive and have a great influence on listeners.
Learn More:
- Effective Communication Skills
- Telephone Sales Skills
- Persuading Customers via Email
- Communication Skills Lectures
- Presentation Skills Books
Contact Us:
Want to learn more about public speaking skills? Contact us via phone number 0372666666 or visit us at 55 To Tien Thanh, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer care team.