Every one of us has a unique presenting style.
That is a wonderful thing. One of the key ingredients for a super-successful presentation is that the speaker conveys his message with individuality and style.
To be a successful speaker, you must discover and cultivate your own unique style. Copying someone else’s style will not work for you – your presentation will be lacking in authenticity, and you will miss the vital connection with your audience.
So how can you discover and cultivate your own unique style? Here are three tips.
1. Observe yourself daily
In your everyday interactions with family, friends and colleagues, what is your most relaxed way of communicating with people? Your answer will hint at your most natural presenting style. For example, if you tend to prefer a more laid back, conversational and interactive approach, chances are that you would find yourself very much at ease in panel discussions, or in a workshop-type setting. However, if you are more likely to ‘hold forth’ with your views, even in a relaxed setting, you may find yourself more suited to structured speaking engagements, such as speeches and lectures.
This is, however, just a rule of thumb. Some people, when speaking in public, take on a completely different persona from their normal, everyday one. I am one such, actually. My energetic presenting style is completely different from my everyday soft spoken manner. Both styles are entirely mine, however, and merely reflect different parts of my character. The key thing is authenticity. As long as you are speaking from your true self, you will connect with your audience.
This brings us neatly to our next point.
2. Rehearse
How can you know your ‘true self’ as a presenter?
The answer is simple: rehearse!
It is very good practice to rehearse your presentation. I do it every single time I have a speaking engagement. Of course, there are circumstances (for example, interviews and panel discussions) which call for a greater degree of spontaneity, but my focus here is on lectures and other structured presentations.
It is vital to rehearse. Rehearsals afford you a safe environment to discover your natural presenting style, and to assess whether and how your style conveys the message you wish to send. In rehearsal, you are free to experiment with your voice, your tone, your arms, your gait, your steps. Here you learn what works best for you. Feel a bit silly standing on one spot? Than move around and see how that feels. Think you’re moving too much? Slow down and match your movements to the tempo of your speech. Everything is possible. Everything is testable.
Through rehearsal, you will begin to discover what works best for you. Experimenting in a safe place will do wonders for your public speaking.
3. Gain experience
The more experience you gain as a presenter, the better you come to know your own style. Even with so many years’ experience as a public speaker, I learn something new about myself every single time I give a presentation. The things that I have learnt include the following: rather than stand behind the lectern, I prefer to move and ‘claim’ my space; I would rather wear a mike than hold one; and I prefer questions to come at the end. I have also learnt that I need some quiet time immediately before my presentation. It helps me to ‘internalise’ my material, and to centre myself in the zone from which I need to operate.
A lot of these things I learnt through rehearsal and experience. The great thing about public speaking is that you can always revise as you go along. If, while speaking, you discover that something is not working out for you, there is almost always a way to fix it. For example, if you suddenly discover the lectern too limiting, step out from behind it! Or, if the acoustics are poor, – and the circumstances permit, – move closer to the audience. With experience, you become attuned to yourself, your audience and your environment. Experience will also teach you how best to respond.
Conclusion
Your presenting style is unique to you. Don’t waste any more time trying to conform to a particular template, or trying to copy someone else. You have a story to tell, and no-one else can tell it in the way that you do. That is the key to authenticity and authority as a public speaker, and this key is in your own hands. Once again: observe yourself, rehearse often, and gain solid experience. You will discover your own style, and excel as a presenter.
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