5 Easy and Super Effective Ways to Improve Your Impromptu Speaking Skills
Do you often feel nervous and struggle to articulate your thoughts when asked to speak on a topic without prior notice? This can be a common occurrence, but speaking confidently and coherently in impromptu situations is a useful skill.
These tips will help you speak impromptu confidently and deliver on-the-spot speeches that will appear as if you were already well prepared.
Tip 1: Calm Yourself
Pause and take a deep breath. A common mistake many people make is starting to speak before they have gathered their thoughts.
While you probably can’t ask for a five-minute recess while you get your thoughts in order, close your eyes momentarily and take a deep breath before you begin; it slows down your heart rate, relaxes you, and makes you appear more in control of the situation. And most likely, no one will know what you are doing.
Then, think silently about your introduction and a few key points. Although you don’t have to know your whole speech when you start speaking, just getting started, say something. And then the momentum will carry you forward.
Tip 2: Sit or Stand Up as Tall as Possible and Address Your Audience
Don’t forget about positive non-verbal. Nonverbal communication IS communication; it conveys the meaning behind what you are saying. Do a quick mentality and posture check?
Are you slouching or sitting, or standing up straight?
Are you facing and looking at the audience?
Are you smiling?
What are you doing with your hands?
Don’t hide behind the lectern unless, of course, it is needed for support. If you are presenting online, turn your video on, if possible. You can be more credible and easily understandable because the audience can watch your facial expressions.
Smiling comes across more powerfully than not being seen at all. Smiling also triggers your central nervous system, helping to relax you, and you will appear more confident and approachable. Correct posture also makes it easier to speak and articulate well. Smiling relaxes you and your audience.
Tip 3: Speak up
Even if you feel otherwise, speak as confidently as possible. Dialup your voice energy by articulating keywords and speaking loud enough (don’t shout). Consider the purpose of your message (what do I want my audience to know). Remember this as you speak to avoid allowing negative emotions to affect the voice poorly.
Even if you don’t feel confident, say it with conviction no matter what you say.
Speaking confidently helps boost your credibility. Avoid speaking quietly and mumbling your words. You may more likely use filler words diminishing the quality of your message, especially if your audience can’t hear you or understand it.
Tip 4: Anticipate Impromptu
Anticipate situations where you may be called upon to speak. For example, if you will be attending an award party for a close friend or family member, there’s a reasonable chance you might be asked to speak about that person. Before the event, consider what you might say about that person, what experiences you had together, their accomplishments, how they helped others, the company, and so on. Do any background research needed relating to the event and person. You may not be asked to speak, but if you have done your homework, it will be easier to discuss that topic.
Mark Twain said, “It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” which is typically the case. The more you prepare, the easier it becomes, and it’s less likely that you will have that fear factor and not know what to say and get tongue-tied.
Tip 5: Speak at the Audience’s Level
Speak at the audience’s level. If you use acronyms or terminology, your audience doesn’t understand or dummy down your message to an audience who is knowledgeable about the topic – you can quickly bore or frustrate them.
You wouldn’t go up to your best friend, whom you’ve known for decades, and formally talk to them. And this applies to any presentation for any audience. It should feel almost like a conversation. It should at least feel comfortable. Learn as much as you can about that audience. Consider their interests, knowledge of the topic, motivation, or issues they might feel emotional about, and then adjust your wording and tone.
Go easy on yourself. Impromptu speaking can be challenging. Most likely, everyone in the audience thinks, “Well, glad I’m not giving that impromptu speech!”
If it doesn’t go well, your audience will likely understand. And if it goes well, you’ll impress them more, possibly by your ability to pull off a good impromptu speech. If you approach it with poise, an impromptu speech will probably not make or break your career or reputation.
Don’t complain or roll your eyes when asked to give an impromptu talk. Remember that you oversee this time. It’s your time to share your message. Being asked to speak on the spot doesn’t have to be awful. It can be a fantastic opportunity to take control and make it your own.