Five Techniques To Transform Your Speaking Style

Every day brings opportunities to present or speak, whether to colleagues, customers or an entire boardroom. Add in the hours we now spend on camera with Teams or Zoom, and we’re in the spotlight more than ever. For many, this can be a scary experience.

Glossophobia, fear of public speaking, comes in many forms. From mild anxiety and sweaty palms to full blown dread. And yet, it is possible for everyone to speak and present well, to overcome their nerves and develop their own natural and authentic style. Here are five techniques to help you move from nervous to natural.

#1. Structure and preparation

Don’t be fooled by those effortless speakers who appear to just wing it, those TED talks that feel like fireside conversations. They’re usually the result of years of practise and countless rehearsals.

As you prepare, and before you even consider any slides, focus on two things

• Who are you speaking to and what are they like
• What you want your audience to go away thinking, feeling, saying, doing or knowing and write it down.

Imagine presenting at an interview or promotion panel. Your desired outcomes might be:

I want you (the interviewers) to:

• Think I am the best candidate for the role
• Feel good about supporting my application
• Say I have what you’re looking for
• Do recommend my application, or better still, hire me
• Know I have the drive to succeed

#2. Know and nail your introduction

Most nerves peak at the start. But if you can get your audience’s attention, show them that you have their best interests at heart, demonstrate your credentials and help them relax knowing what the outcome will be, you will you come across as a natural and engaging speaker.

Your introduction, the first minute, will set you up for success and it’s as simple as ABCD.

We need to get our audiences’ Attention. We must demonstrate what they will gain and why it Benefits them. Only then should we say why we’re qualified to speak on this topic and share our Credentials explaining what Direction this will take and the call to action. Here’s an introduction I might use to talk about how to present with presence:

A- Attention: ‘Over 75% of people suffer from glossophobia – a fear of public speaking.’ Pause.

B – Benefit: ‘If you get even slightly anxious when you speak or present, this is for you. I’m going to show you how you can create a powerful introduction that will help you nail every presentation, face to face or online.’

C- Credentials: ‘My name’s Isobel Rimmer, founder of Masterclass Training. I’ve coached hundreds of business leaders and well-known politicians to present with impact on TV, and I’m a regular contributor on Sky News as a presentation skills pundit.’

D -Direction ‘Over the next fifteen minutes, I’ll show you how to build your introduction using my ABCD method so that whenever you present, you will engage with your audience, be confident in your message, share what makes you the expert and have presence. Not only will you know exactly where you’re going, but your audience will, too.’

Timed aloud, that’s just 51 seconds

#3. Voicework

If you want to have a beautiful, natural speaking voice, then start with your breathing. When we’re nervous we tend to breath from our upper respiratory tract, not from our diaphragm. Our voice becomes ‘breathy’ and we struggle to finish sentences.

My go-to technique is 4 x 4 breathing. Before you start, exhale through your mouth to empty your lungs. Then calmly:

1. Inhale through your nose for a count of four
2. Hold your breath for a count of four
3. Exhale through your mouth for a count of four
4. Hold your breath for a count of four

Repeat several times. I find three or four rounds enough to calm me, but even just one round will reduce anxiety and clear your mind.

The beauty of this technique is that nobody will know you’re doing it. Politicians I’ve coached use this on live TV and no one notices. Practice until it’s second nature. It even works during a root canal!

#4. Posture

Nerves can affect our physical posture – we make ourselves smaller, women often cross their legs when standing, we bring our elbows into our sides to protect ourselves. To come across as a natural and confident speaker when standing try this:

• Feet hip-width apart, slightly turned out (‘five to one’ on a clock)
• Tighten your buttocks very slightly. This will bring your bottom underneath you and your tummy in
• Imagine a thread lifting your spine pulling you gently taller.
• Take your elbows out to the side creating a little gap under your armpits, bring your hands together as though you are about to clap and rest them gently in front of you.

If you’re presenting virtually, seated, try this:

• Move your bottom as far back in your chair as you can whilst keeping your feet flat on the floor.
• Draw yourself up through your spine, lean slightly forward, elbows to the side (remember that gap under the armpits) and place your wrists on the desk.
• Look straight to camera – this is essential – and smile. This is exactly what newsreaders are taught to do.

#5 Believe in yourself

Everyone has a voice worth hearing. When you start using these techniques, something remarkable happens – feelings follow behaviour. Stand tall with confident posture, and you begin to feel more natural and confident. Breathe well and your voice, and message, sound stronger and more authentic. If you are clear on your direction and desired outcomes, everything improves – for you and your audience.

Isobel Rimmer is founder of international training and development consultancy, Masterclass Training, and author of Present with Presence: Everything you need to plan, prepare and deliver with impact in any situation published by Rethink Publishing.