Public speaking can be overwhelming for anyone, but introverts often find it especially challenging. Small talk with strangers or talking to large groups of people can feel like an insurmountable task for someone who has a social anxiety disorder. However, there are ways to build confidence and get started in public speaking if you’re an introvert.
This blog post will offer 10 tips on how to gain confidence in public speaking as an introvert.
Practice your speech beforehand
You may be thinking, “who has time to practice their speech beforehand?” The good news is that you have plenty of opportunities to do so. You can work on your public speaking in the car, at home, while walking around town–anytime and anywhere!
Practice rehearsing out loud until it sounds like a natural flow from start to finish.
Find a supportive friend or family member to listen to you practice and give feedback
You already know you can’t get over your fear of speaking in public on your own. You need a friend or family member to help you practice so they can give feedback and point out any mistakes you made during the speech.
Know that it is okay if you mess up - just keep going!
The first thing you should know is that it’s okay if you mess up. The most important thing in public speaking is to keep going – as long as what you say after the mistake has value, then no one will care too much about your previous error!
- It isn't a bad idea to have an "oops" plan beforehand for when things go wrong (have notes on index cards or remember where something was discussed).
A lot of people find public speaking nerve-wracking, and introverts are no exception. The first thing you should know is that it’s okay if you mess up – just keep going! It isn’t a bad idea to have an “oops” plan beforehand for when things go wrong (have a friend in the audience who will help or bring your speech on index cards).
Face the audience with confidence, even if you're not feeling confident inside
- Face the audience with confidence, even if you're not feeling confident inside. The more eye contact you make with your listeners or viewers, the more likely they'll be able to connect with what it is that you are saying and find common ground.
- Smile! When people see a smile (especially on camera), they feel happy too. And remember: everyone in the audience has been quietly sitting there for as long as 10 minutes waiting for you to speak, so don't rush through your presentation because of nerves; take all 10 minutes just like any other speaker would.
- If at all possible, stand up while speaking behind a podium--this way, your voice will project better throughout the room without relying solely upon mics which can cause feedback issues.
Smile Before, During And After Speaking; People Will Be More Receptive To What You Have To Say
A smile doesn’t just make someone feel good- it can also make you seem more confident! Smiling increases your self-esteem, putting you in a better mood which makes others like the things you say more. A study found that people who smiled during their presentations were perceived as more confident than those that did not.
When talking with an introvert, try smiling at them to help put them at ease when speaking to crowds or handling large groups of individuals.”
Speak from your heart, rather than reading off of notes or a script
When you write, your brain is scanning the page to find meaning. When you speak, it’s a direct connection from your mind to other people’s minds. When we read words aloud, our brains start looking for ways to make sense of them and often get distracted by what could be going on around us instead.
That means that when we attempt public speaking without using notes or a script, there are fewer distractions in their head.
- Speak with conviction
- Make eye contact
- Be passionate about what you're talking about
- Use pauses for emphasis
- Practice, practice, practice!
- Know your audience and speak to their needs. Speak in a way that will resonate with them.
- Put yourself out there without worrying about what other people may think of you. You're not making speeches in public; you are simply talking to people who want to listen (and, more importantly, need to hear) what you have to say!
Give yourself time in between public speeches so that when it's time for another one, they won't feel like the first one all over again
Give yourself time in between public speeches so that when it’s time for another one, they won’t feel like the first one all over again. This will also allow you to get your thoughts together and make any necessary changes before presenting them to an audience.
You’ll start feeling more confident with each speech because no matter how long of a break you take from speaking publicly, by the 10th or 15th speech, nerves should have dissipated substantially.
Tell yourself "I can do this"
The first way to gain confidence in public speaking for introverts is by telling yourself, “I can do this.” It’s important that you believe in yourself and your abilities before the day of your presentation. If you start feeling doubts or worries about the possibility of failing at some point during your speech, remember what got you here – YOU!
You have worked hard and are prepared for this moment; no one else has been through it like you have. The only person who knows how difficult it was to get where they are right now is them. So tell themselves, “I am going to kill it!” with conviction because if there’s anything an introvert needs when they speak publicly, it’s a little more self-confidence.
Talk about something that interests you
Now, when you’re talking about yourself and your interests to people, this is something that will make them more interested in you.
- You can do this by sharing pictures on social media of what interesting things are happening in your life (i.e., vacations, new purchases).
- Or talk with the person/people who want to know more about you for a long time before moving onto other topics or meeting someone else like they suggest - if it's possible!
Keep breathing! It helps calm down nerves
Public speaking is a form of performance art, and that means you’ll have to get in the zone before starting. One way to do this is by breathing deeply–it will help calm down your nerves.
Take deep breaths through your nose for at least 10 seconds each time, then exhale slowly through pursed lips or nostrils (whichever feels more comfortable) for another 10 seconds. Keep doing this until you feel relaxed enough to speak.
Before walking into the room
When waiting outside of the speech venue beforehand, take some deep breaths as well so that when it’s time to start speaking, you won’t be totally out of breath and find yourself gasping for air halfway through your talk!
Final Words
You may be surprised by how much you can accomplish with a little practice. So go ahead, get up there and speak! It’s worth it to make your voice heard. Be sure to subscribe for more tips on self-care as well.
