When giving a presentation or public speech, it is not always easy to engage the audience. Here are five tips that will help even the most nervous individuals to become engaging speakers. Moreover, they may also prove useful in daily communication with colleagues and subordinates at the workplace.

Dress well

As The Balance states, dressing well not only makes a good impression on an audience but also positively affects your self-esteem and thus your whole performance. Try to stand out with your attire, but without being too extravagant. The old saying "Clothes make the man" also applies to public appearances.

Tell stories

Illustration through stories is an ideal package for any presentation: it serves as a clear example, engages the emotions and imagination of the listeners, and at the same time entertains. Use a story that preferably involves you personally, but which the audience can relate to easily and quickly understand its point.

Do not confine yourself to the stage

You should make a naturally casual impression. One way to achieve this is not to be limited by traditional restrictions of the given situation and instead disrupt the standard division of roles in public speaking. You might, for example, leave the stage, go among the audience, interact with the listeners or bring along some object to illustrate your point.

Compliment the audience

People will listen to your presentation more and pay better attention if you say something nice about them. Everyone likes to feel special, and if you can come up with a suitable compliment that addresses some specific of the group you are talking to, you will definitely earn extra brownie points.

Humour

Tell a few jokes to reduce the tension. Your humour should not attract too much attention and always be casually integrated into the topic of your presentation. Try to avoid jokes just for the sake of it. Humour is an effective means of breaking any tension in the room and drawing the audience closer to the speaker.

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