Over the past few months, our team here at 45 Inc Birmingham has used Zoom to communicate more than ever. Although we are thankful for technology and the role that it has played in helping our business stay alive, speaking to an audience in-person is challenging, let alone through a computer. The fear of public speaking affects 73% of the U.S population, and unfortunately, this fear is only amplified when forced to do it in a different environment. We have gained a bit of experience, since quarantining began, speaking with our team members, colleagues, and industry leaders over Zoom. Today, we would like to share some advice on how you can master public speaking in today’s pandemic-era!
Your first step should be to familiarize yourself with Zoom. Before your meeting, play around on the platform and get used to all of its settings. The last thing you want is to delay your speech because you are unsure how to unmute yourself or get your screen share working. If you are new to Zoom, finding out all of its secrets is as simple as doing a quick search on YouTube. Luckily, the platform is very self-explanatory and easy to use.
When speaking in front of an audience, it can be challenging to hold their attention. These difficulties are made even more aware when you are conducting your meeting online instead of face-to-face; this is why you need to be engaging. Ask open-ended questions that will intrigue your audience and elicit a conversation. Remember, this is your meeting, and you are in charge. Lead the discussion and take control of its pace. One fun trick that Zoom offers is the ability to mute your audience. You have the power to end arguments and run-on tangents. What more could a speaker ask for?
Even though your speaking engagement is taking place online and your audience can only see a portion of you does not mean that you don’t have to dress like a professional. Wear a full suit and be conscious of how your background looks. If your home does not have an office or a suitable space, you can create a background in Zoom. See, didn’t we say that it would be beneficial to understand the technology you are using?
Lastly, we want to encourage you to practice! Speaking in front of an audience is scary, and if you allow your fear to consume you, your listeners will think that you are ill-prepared, boring and that your meeting was a waste of time. Instead, it would help if you stood in front of a mirror or recorded yourself online practicing your speech (Zoom also has a record feature!).
2020 is looking a lot different than our team here at 45 Inc Birmingham could have ever imagined. However, these challenging times have forced us out of our comfort zones and have made us better leaders. When we thought that we had mastered public speaking, we were forced into quarantine and had to learn a whole new way of teaching and engaging with our team members. Although difficult, we have to admit that we are thankful. By following the tips listed above, we have been able to prosper throughout this pandemic and have gained confidence in the idea that this year may be our best yet!
