Public Speaking Tips for introverts

For almost every class I have ever taught on the college level, I have required a presentation; which is why I dub myself the #profwhomakesyoupresent. I would always include some presentation / report or what have you for either individuals or groups. It is something that would, without fail, cause the most uproar for every class.
 
I could have on a syllabus 10 tests and 4 papers and get less grousing than if you have “presentation – you will be required to stand up in front of the class and present this project…”.  I think in the almost 13 years I have been teaching at local colleges, I have had one student say, “Yeah, a presentation!” Everyone else is lined up waiting to talk to you after class to say, “I cannot speak in front of people.” Or some type of statement to that effect. I am not totally heartless; I know that not everyone is comfortable speaking in public but I also know how important a skill it is and that it can be learned (and by default, taught). I would allow certain students the courtesy of coming to class early to present without a crowd but everyone would show up for that, anyway, thus removing the benefit of “no crowds”.
 
Here are the lessons I tell my students as they prepare for a presentation and that are applicable to presenting at work or anywhere:

1. Watch your time - If I assign a 10 minute presentation, everyone cries and complains. And then, they get up there and will easily talk for 20-30 minutes or more (seriously, I had taken to bringing an oven timer with me before iPhones were common to keep people within the time limits). If you know you have your time requirement down pat, you can focus on what you are saying and how you want to say it. People always underestimate how much time it will take them to share what they need to share (some people do overestimate and will be done too quickly and that is another reason to watch your time). 
2. Practice, practice, practice – The time issue ties in most closely with practicing. Know what you want to say and have a loose outline handy for you to refer to; as needed and large enough font so you do not hide behind the paper for the presentation. Work on making eye contact (see number 3 for this) and on practicing your speech / presentation etc until you know it by heart. Record yourself so you can pick up on the verbal tics you may have - the "uhmmm"'s and the "like"'s. You truly do not realize you do this because no one ever realizes it. Also try to watch yourself present on video so you can see if you rock back and forth or otherwise show your nervousness with your body so you know to not do it. If you know you have this habit, it is easier to stop it from happening.
3. Eye contact – the trick for this is to learn how to make eye contact slowly and to not overdo it (so no one thinks you are proposing to someone in the audience -  yes my college speech professor asked me if I had a crush on this other student because he was the one person in the class I knew and I stared at him the entire time I gave my first speech)… Anyway, the tricks for eye contact are:

• Look evenly from the left, to the center and to the right. Do this slowly. Spend maybe two points / paragraphs looking to the left. Then wait and move to the center for two points /paragraphs and then to the right for the same. You must practice this or else you will look like Linda Blair from the Exorcist.
• Do not look directly in people’s eyes but instead at their forehead; no one can tell the difference so do not worry about that just make meaningful eye contact in pieces with your left, center, right process.

4.Smile warmly and genuinely – the biggest piece of advice I give to all of my students and clients is that no one knows how you feel inside. We do not know you are nervous and shaking unless you call attention to it – anything you feel is masked by everyone worrying about their turn so practicing public speaking, which is why practicing this skill non-stop at school truly is the best way to master it because everyone is scared to death. Even in real life, when you get up to speak, everyone is sitting in their seats thinking “That poor bastard; I am glad it’s not me…” as they watch you. People will be kind – you need to practice to hide your fear and even if a little bit shows, it makes you human and can help make people warm up to you, too. 

For people who are truly introverted (not that I know this personally as I have been speaking since before I left the womb), the best way to overcome your fears are to follow my lessons above and be kind to yourself.  Do not beat yourself up over how you are in public speaking situations. This is not often part of everyday life (unless you want to be a teacher or a famous person or some high level executive, you might rarely speak in public) but if you want these types of careers or if you just want to have this skill for yourself to say you faced your fear, review my lessons, practice and let me know how it goes! Happy Hunting!