Here's how you can master effective public speaking through self-confidence.

Ever had a million ideas rush to your mind in an instant or struggled with a mental block? Mindmap technique is your saviour! It is a visual thinking tool that helps structure information, allowing you to better comprehend, analyse, and generate new ideas. Grab a pen and paper, and try this fun exercise! - Begin by identifying a central concept – the agenda or topic on which you make a mindmap – and write it in the centre within a circle. - Identify the basic sub-topics or keywords you want to expand on further. Organise the ideas by writing them as branches stemming from the main idea. - Explore each subtopic by adding more branches until you are satisfied with the different ideas you have generated.

Knowing your topic well is key to feeling confident when you speak. Practice your material in different settings and ask for feedback to see where you can improve. Always have extra information ready in case you need to fill more time or answer unexpected questions. This preparation helps you stay calm and confident during your presentation.

Confidence comes from knowing yourself and the content itself. One common reason why people are afraid of presentation/public speaking is forgetting the content. This then can be avoided with knowing the content inside out with practice and preparation

- Thoroughly research and understand the topic you will be speaking about. - Organize your content in a logical and engaging manner to effectively convey your message. - Practice delivering your speech to ensure you are comfortable with the material.

No matter the content I present on, when I think I'm "done" with creating my presentation/message, I always run through it with the perspective as if I was an audience member. That way, I attempt to anticipate anything that may be confusing to someone who may not be as familiar with my content, questions that may come up, as well as insights they may have. This helps me find "gaps" in my content so that I can further pull threads throughout the presentation to improve flow and help listeners follow my message.

Use audience polls or surveys in advance, especially when speaking at larger events or conferences. This allows me to gather specific insights into their backgrounds, expectations, and knowledge levels. It also helps in fine-tuning my language and examples to match their needs, ensuring my message not only lands well but also engages them from start to finish.

Mastering public speaking begins with self-confidence, shaped deeply by understanding your audience. Drawing from my NFL experience and transition into public speaking, I've learned the power of tailoring presentations to the listener's interests and knowledge level. Start by analyzing who your audience is, what they know, and what they expect from your talk. This insight allows you to customize your content, tone, and language effectively. A well-received speech not only boosts your confidence but also enhances audience engagement, creating a powerful exchange of ideas and energy.

Whether you are giving a presentation or a speech, it is crucial to understand your audience. Each audience has its own unique perspective, but typically, only groups of like-minded individuals attend certain sessions. So, be mindful of your audience and present yourself with confidence.

I always like to work with the conference director to really understand the needs of their audience. What are their main painpoints, and how can my story help solve them? It also helps me to approach my keynote with a level of empathy, and shift my mindset to determining how I can best serve those in the audience.

Practicing your speech in different environments, like quiet rooms or open spaces, can really help. It lets you get used to various distractions and audience setups, improving how you adjust your delivery for any situation.

One way I used to practise public speaking was 'Explain Yourself'. Don’t worry, it’s not what you think! This simple yet exciting activity enhances your ability to articulate complex ideas into simple, understandable ones. Take any basic everyday object – like a stapler, a bottle, or a balloon – and try to explain it to someone without prior knowledge. Think about each granular characteristic that you would mention to explain the object. For example, explain a chair like this: 'It is a piece of furniture with a seat, backrest, and four legs. Its purpose is to provide a comfortable surface for people to sit on. It is used in homes, offices, schools, and public places whenever people need to rest their bodies while sitting.'

- Rehearse your speech multiple times to build confidence and familiarity with the material. - Record yourself practicing to identify areas for improvement in delivery and content. - Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your presentation skills.

There's a saying that practice makes perfect. Practice speaking either alone in front of a mirror or with a group of friends, family, or neighbors whenever possible. Gather their feedback, and by doing this repeatedly, you will become more confident and your speaking will become more effective.

It helps to focus just before your talk. Sometimes using anchoring techniques can be useful - bringing back moments of excellece, peace and calm through body anchors (points)and breathing. For those who experience very high levels of anxiety, 4-6-8 (breathe in, hold, exhale) technique may help to calm your heart rate down. Also cold water or ice on your palms and veins may help too. ✨

- Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization to calm nerves before speaking. - Focus on the message you want to convey rather than on your fear of public speaking. - Embrace nervous energy as a source of motivation and excitement rather than a hindrance.

Mastering public speaking starts with managing pre-presentation anxiety—a common challenge I faced as an NFL player and now as a public speaker and storyteller. Don't let nerves undermine your confidence. Techniques like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and focusing on your message rather than your fears can be incredibly effective. Embrace a bit of adrenaline; it can enhance alertness and energy. As a certified breath coach, I practice what I preach: before speaking, I often step aside for some box breathing or the 4-7-8 technique to calm my nerves. This preparation helps channel nervous energy into a passionate delivery. Remember, nerves are a normal part of the experience—use them to your advantage.

There's deep breathing and then there's diaphragmatic breathing. The latter is a relaxation technique. I use it often, not just for public speaking. When done correctly you feel the anxiety leaving with your exhale.

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was talk to a room full of people one at a time. For a small group engage each person directly at some point in the presentation with a simple eye contact. For large groups focus in blocks and move that focus throughout the room. A lot of people forget that there are people in a room when you present. That’s why you are there. The “presentation” itself is secondary. Engage with the people in the room.

While giving public speeches, body language is crucial. The audience judges speakers based on their body language; if they find the speaker inactive and lacking confidence, they will lose interest and may leave. So, don't be nervous. Engage with your audience, as interacting will help you understand their rhythm and go with the crowd's flow.

I love getting feedback from trusted peers in the audience (and quotes I can use for marketing). I also like to get feedback from individuals that I don't personally know from reach-out emails requesting feedback after the speaking engagement. Sending a thank you email with any attached resources and few follow-up questions to the group can help you with feedback on how to improve next time and learn about audience take-aways.

In addition to what has been discussed above, in order to master effective public speaking through self-confidence consider also: -Engaging your audience with questions and feedback -Use storytelling to illustrate points -Vary your voice modulation to maintain interest -Incorporate visual aids for better engagement -Handle Q&A with preparedness and grace -Be authentic to build trust -Seek constructive feedback for continuous improvement -Dress appropriately to boost confidence Finally, in your preparation leverage GenAI, it can be used from beginning all the way through practice and feedback. These strategies will help you deliver impactful and memorable speeches.