3 Techniques For Public Speaking

Techniques focused on acquiring public speaking skills and losing stage fright are developed based on several factors that must be worked together.

The anxiety response is usually the most common. These programs work the physiological, cognitive and motor aspects. They do this through deep breathing, training in self-instruction, and developing verbal, non-verbal, and vocal skills.

Both deep breathing training and self-instruction are exposure techniques for the motor component. In addition, breathing techniques help to neutralize the effect of anxiety and also facilitate speech.

Self-instruction techniques consist of introducing changes in self-verbalizations. In this way, the level of self-control increases and behavior becomes more adaptive.

The third technique focuses on developing verbal skills that increase self-confidence and confidence.

Public Speaking Techniques Worth Knowing

Controlled breathing

It is convenient to train and deal with diaphragmatic breathing. It is a type of breathing that, in addition to helping to reduce the level of anxiety, gives the speaker a greater reserve of air while speaking and allows him to speak louder. This provides greater self-confidence.

Chest breathing (to the lungs) increases the stress level. On the contrary,  breathing from the diaphragm favors the parasympathetic response and aids relaxation.

This diaphragmatic breathing, also called deep breathing, brings more air to the lower area of ​​the lungs. This area has a greater capacity, so breathing from it ensures better oxygenation and lung clearing.

It is not a difficult technique, although it should be properly trained with a specialized therapist so as not to make mistakes and get the best results.

Meichenbaum self-instruction training

The main idea of ​​this method is the gradual introduction of self-verbalizations, internal verbalizations, thoughts and self-instructions. This change in internal dialogue influences the individual and ends up modifying their behavior.

This method was created in the 1960s by Dr. Donald Meichenbaum for aggressive and hyperactive children. To frame it, he drew on studies by Vygotsky and Piaget on the importance of language in controlling motor behavior.

Furthermore, it has proved to be a method whose techniques are very positive in solving problems in general.

In the case of public speaking fear, these techniques have proven to be a valuable help in overcoming stage fright. By shaping thoughts through self-verbalizations, we are able to modify internal dialogue and control behavior.

This method consists of five phases. In the first two, the therapist acts as a role model to be imitated; in the other three phases, it is the individual who practices the self-instructions, first out loud, then very softly (masked), and finally the self-verbalizations become secret thoughts or self-instructions.

Verbal, non-verbal and vocal skills

Public speaking training requires the management of adequate linguistic resources, as well as a good structure of ideas to be presented and an adequate record of the language to be used. Training in these points gives the speaker self-confidence and security.

Likewise, non-verbal language says as much as before, from facial expression to body movements, eye contact and the management of physical spaces. Good body language training is essential when developing public speaking skills.

Working on the vocal elements and learning to manage the voice is another key point. It is so important that the human being unconsciously tends to relate the voice to the personality type.

The most important vocal elements to be worked on are voice, tone, emphasis, speed, rhythm, projection and resonance. It is the voice that reaffirms or destroys the first image of a speaker.

However, it is very important that the verbal, non-verbal and voice elements are consistent and reflect balance. As with almost everything, the important thing is that, in the end, what is seen and what is said is maintained in a coherent balance.