With live events coming back on the horizon (learn how to get conference alerts here), now is the time to start sharpening your public speaking skills so you can deliver a presentation that people remember.
Speaking in public is an exercise that requires taking into account many parameters. Expressing yourself in front of a camera is just as demanding. Even if the audience is not physically present, speaking in front of an object can quickly become a source of stress or hesitation.
Here are 5 keys that can help you familiarize yourself with this exercise and make it fun.
- “It all starts before speaking in front of the camera with a mental preparation,” says John Rogan of MotivationalSpeakerz.com. Take a few moments for yourself and ask yourself powerful questions:
- Why is it important for you to speak in front of a camera at this precise moment? What are the challenges of your speaking out?
- What image of yourself do you want to convey?
- Who are you going to talk to? In what tone would you like to express yourself? (enthusiasm, dynamism, calm,… ..).
Recall your memories and recall times when you felt comfortable speaking. What state of mind were you in that day? What resources did you mobilize? In what ways could you use these resources today? Body and mind being linked, then take a few minutes to get your body moving: relax your shoulders, your arms, your hands, your legs, … Finally, before positioning yourself in front of the camera, take a deep breath and breathe out with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Stay focused for a few minutes until your breathing is calm and even.
- “Repeat your text beforehand and learn it by heart, it will help you greatly and make your expression much more fluid” suggests Dan Smith of KeynoteSpeakers.info. Once memorized, pronounce it in one go then take the remote control and have fun pressing the keys by imagining that one button is for the slow rhythm, the other for the fast rhythm, the other enthusiasm,… and repeat your text again, taking these variations into account. You can also speak to someone you trust and give them this “remote control”.
- You are now facing the camera. From now on, the essential parameter to take into account is your gaze. When you speak in front of an audience, there is a natural distance between you and your audience. In front of the camera, this distance is considerably reduced. To avoid having a frozen look when you go to speak in front of the camera, imagine in front of you a person, even an audience! This will humanize the context and make your intervention more lively. If someone is already behind the camera, you can observe them beyond the lens.
- Watch your tests and take stock of your performance: is it what you imagined? What are the positives? What are the points you would like to improve? Be critical of yourself but benevolent. Accept the points for improvement. Quality service requires training and patience. Ask for the point of view from an outside perspective. Repeat your performance facing the camera until you are satisfied with the result!
- Stay natural. It is most important to ensure you sound confident. No need to make a mountain of gestures or adopt a posture that does not suit you. The simpler you are, the fairer you will be. Be yourself, it is your authenticity and sincerity that will be felt by those who watch your video. Finally, the last size criterion: take PLEASURE! See this speech as a game!
