Public Speaking
by Jennifer Luna, MSSW
Regardless of what type of social work you practice, professional presentation skills are a must. Yet, 75% of people are afraid of public speaking. For most people, public speaking is an acquired skill, not an innate gift. Developing your presentation skills can increase opportunities for you to share your expertise, enhance your leadership ability, and increase the positive influence you can have on others. The following tips will help you prepare for a great presentation and give you more confidence in the process.
First, define the objectives of the presentation. This could be to teach a practice skill, present a theory, or describe a research finding. If you are presenting a workshop for CEU credit, make sure that your objectives align with those of the continuing education provider. Once you have defined the objective, assess your audience and tailor your presentation to the audience’s specific needs. Often, you can ask for the participant list before your presentation, to gain more information about your audience.
Next, you will want to set up an outline for your presentation. This outline will include your introduction, a brief summary of the points you will touch on, housekeeping items (such as turning off cell phones, location of bathrooms, times of breaks), and the conclusion of your presentation (identifying take-aways, or an evaluation of the presentation).
After you have finished your outline, review each item and determine how much time each section will take. This will allow you to anticipate breaks, allot sufficient time for questions, and ensure you have enough time for an effective ending to the workshop.
If you are presenting a training workshop, include activities in which participants can brainstorm, practice a skill, or work on a team building activity that produces useful information to share with the entire group. If you are facilitating an activity for the first time, practice it with colleagues to get a good estimate of the time needed. Always explain the activity thoroughly to the participants, and be clear about the amount of time allowed for the activity. It is also wise to provide handouts to your audience, so they have a visual of the information you want to convey. This allows them to listen to you rather than scurrying to write down all of your words.
Use visual aids to help maintain interest in your material or explain the concepts you are presenting more coherently. Most adult learners have an attention span of 10-15 minutes. With this in mind, visual aids such as charts, pictures, or short video clips are necessary to make the information interesting and add variety to your presentation. If you are integrating technology into your presentation, it is critical that you check your presentation ahead of time. You risk losing your audience’s attention if the technology is slow or doesn’t work. It also helps to have a backup plan for malfunctioning technology, just in case!
Practicing your presentation involves more than just rehearsing in front of a crowd. Although rehearsal is important, choosing your rehearsal audience carefully will ensure that you receive valuable and pertinent feedback. Choose a group of colleagues whose opinions you value. As you practice your presentation, note their facial expressions. Take notes when you notice a mistake or a piece of information that may need a visual example or more time to explain. Don’t hesitate to make changes based on the feedback you receive—this is why you are practicing in the first place! If you feel that your words sound awkward or uninteresting, experiment with different words, a funny story, or a joke or two. Humor is an excellent tool to break the ice and settle your nerves. To further engage the audience, you might ask questions that all participants can relate to.
If you really want to put yourself in the audience’s shoes, record yourself. By seeing and hearing yourself speak, you will be able to judge the inflection, speed, and enunciation of your voice. And remember, timing is everything! Make sure you time your rehearsal and make adjustments to your delivery speed or length of your presentation when necessary.
On the day of your presentation, always arrive early to your venue, so you can familiarize yourself with the room or stage where you will be speaking. You should also use this time to test your technology by checking every slide and any other visual aids you are using. Set the room up in a style (organize tables and chairs) that will lend itself to the activities you will be facilitating. Place any necessary handouts in a spot that will not be distracting if participants arrive late. As a bonus, arriving early allows you more time to relax and greet the participants as they walk in, which helps you to establish a great rapport with your audience before you even begin speaking.
Start strong. The best way to do this is to begin with a bold statement, such as, “Many people are more afraid of public speaking than dying!” Another attention-getting option is to contradict their expectations about the topic you are going to speak about. An example of this might be, “No one here really cares about how much social workers earn, right?” These techniques will stimulate the audience’s curiosity.
Storytelling is also an excellent tool for captivating an audience. Choose impactful stories from your own experience or the lived experiences of others. Select stories that the audience can identify with, or a story that connects to a common interest or concern. This is another reason to know your audience before you construct your presentation. Practice telling your stories to many different people beforehand, to check for clarity and conciseness. Remember, authenticity is key, and the story must relate clearly to the point you are trying to make.
End stronger! Find a way to leave your audience inspired. Try not to end with a question and answer session. If you do get questions at the end, try to follow the final question with concluding key points, a quote, a call to action, or perhaps a vision for the audience to leave with. Often, inexperienced presenters will simply stop their presentation rather than ending it properly. A strong finish will make a lasting impression on your audience.
Remember, most audiences want you to succeed! They are there to see and hear you and to learn from you, and they are sympathetic. Relax!
Jennifer Luna, MSSW, is a social worker, career coach, and trainer. She serves as Director of the DiNitto Center for Career Services at the University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks School of Social Work. Jennifer utilizes a collaborative yet strategic coaching approach to assist social workers in identifying their strongest skills, areas of knowledge, key strengths, and leadership characteristics.