Have you ever attended a presentation and found yourself struggling to hear what the speaker was actually saying? He or she was probably very nervous about their speech.
With public speaking skills being a necessary part of nearly all job positions in the world of business, how can you help boost your confidence levels when giving a presentation? Although it may not seem like it, voice projection is actually one of the most powerful presentation skills to learn.
Voice projection is not only needed so that your audience can understand and hear what you are saying, but it is more than just speaking loudly. Projecting your voice correctly can help hold the attention of your audience and help your message better resonate with them while helping to boost your confidence as a speaker.
The next time that you have to give a presentation, remember these important tips for projecting your voice and boosting your confidence:
- Straighten your posture. Did you know that how you stand can actually have a major effect on how you breathe? Bad posture can inhibit your ability to project your voice, so check yourself when you get in front of the audience. Take a second to make sure that you are standing in a comfortable neutral position with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Also, keep your shoulders back and do not slouch so that you can take deep breaths. This will also help you control your diaphragm, thus assisting with controlling of the speed and power at which the air is released as you speak. If sitting, sit back, keep your head and neck straight, and avoid crossing your legs to reduce the risk of compromised breathing.
- Take deep breaths. Voice projection is dependent upon your breathing. If you are taking quick shallow breaths, the amount of power you can put into your voice and words will be limited. Instead, you should try to keep your breathing in mind as you speak and take deep breaths using your diaphragm. This will help you pull as much air into your lungs as possible so that you can generate power to expel your words at a slower rate so that your audience can really understand what you are saying. Deep breathing also helps reduce anxiety while calming nerves and alleviating stress.
- Enunciate your words. Without proper enunciation, your audience is going to mishear words and may misunderstand what you are trying to say in general. Be sure to articulate each syllable to help every word sounds audible and clear while also avoiding filler words such as “um” or “uh.”
These tips may seem simple, but they can make a big difference in your confidence as a speaker and the impact that you make on your audience. Keep them in mind when you step onto the stage to give your next presentation.