Emma Taylor | Master Public Speaking with These Pro Techniques

Public speaking is often cited as a top fear, but according to Emma Taylor, a public speaking coach with 21 years of experience, it is a skill that can be shopped for and improved just like any other. In last week's episode of the Beyond the Boardroom podcast, Emma breaks down the barriers to effective communication.

The Gift Mindset

One of the most powerful shifts in perspective Emma offers is treating a speech or presentation like a gift. When you give a gift, you consider the recipient to ensure it feels pertinent to them. Emma explains that if you just grab a bottle of vodka from the shelf without knowing if the person drinks, you haven't considered them; the same applies to rolling out a standard sales presentation without tweaking it for the specific audience. The focus must shift from how you look or sound to whether the audience’s needs are being met.

The Power of Eye Contact

If you only have seconds to transform your speaking, Emma advises working on eye contact. Many speakers look at their notes, the screen, or fade out, which breaks the connection. Instead, she suggests that you must let the audience know you have seen them. For smaller groups, this means one-to-one eye contact; for larger rooms, it involves addressing different pockets of the room, including the awkward angles.

Structuring for Impact

To avoid rambling, Emma suggests a simple structure: the message sandwich.

• Open with a Statement: Start with a clear headline, such as "Tipping in restaurants needs abolishing".

• The Filling: Illustrate the point with a story or detail.

• Close with the Statement: Round off neatly by repeating the initial message to signal the end.

Breathing and Managing Nerves

Nerves often manifest as tension in the neck and shoulders, which affects the voice. Emma recommends a specific breathing technique where the exhalation is longer than the inhalation. For example, breathe in for four counts and out for six. She pairs this with a mental mantra: on the inhale, think "I have done my preparation," and on the exhale, think "I am prepared".

Warm-Up Your Instrument

Even for a Zoom call, warming up is beneficial. Emma suggests humming to music or using tongue twisters like "Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry" to exercise the articulators. This ensures your mouth can physically form the shapes required for clear speech without stumbling.

With these tools in hand—a gift mindset, strong eye contact, a solid structure, and calming breathwork—you are now equipped to step into your next meeting or onto a stage with renewed confidence. You are ready to go out and use your newfound skills to make an impact. Interested in developing your public speaking skills? Read our article on Emma Taylor and her business Emma Taylor Presents to discover more about the brand and what they offer.

Published by Aleksandra Media