When it comes to public speaking, does practice make perfect?

No.

Practice makes permanent. Practicing reinforces behavior patterns—right or wrong.

A few ill-advised, but common practice methods:

●  Repetitively reading a presentation, trying to memorize exact wording.

Attempting to memorize the exact wording of your speech not only is very time-consuming, but also can lead to the dreaded “blank-out.” I blanked-out once several years ago in the middle of a speech contest speech, with about 200 pairs of eyeballs staring at me, anticipating my next words, almost as much as I was. I spent several seconds that seemed like an eternity, anxiously trying retrieve the next line from my memory. I learned then that memorizing a speech is like driving in a deep rut. If you get thrown out of the rut, by new circumstances, it’s hard to find that single path again. Better to have practiced alternate paths (by allowing yourself to say things a little differently during practice).

● Visualizing yourself speaking, without ever practicing out loud.

Visualization is a supporting technique to practicing out loud. You need to get out of your head and practice verbalizing and using body language. If you don’t practice out loud, you may never discover awkward phrasing and you risk going greatly over- or under-time.

● Cramming all your practice into the night before your presentation, so it will be “fresh.”

Some speakers fear that too much practice will make them sound inauthentic. If you are memorizing your speech word for word, this is true. However, if you focus on internalizing your material, you have more freedom to be fully present with your audience. The best way to internalize your speech is to space out your practices over at least several days, if not weeks.

As Peter Drucker said, “Spontaneity is an infinite number of rehearsed possibilities.”

The other problem with waiting until shortly before your presentation to practice it is that you might run out of time to practice at all. And then you are forced into winging it.

●  Not practicing at all. “I’ll just wing it.”

Very few presenters can “wing it” well. The ones that can usually are highly familiar with their topic, and have spoken on it before.

8 Guidelines to Practicing Your Speech Like a Pro

1. Start with a well-crafted speech. It will be easier to internalize your speech if:

a. You use a logical construction, with smooth transitions and not too many points (3 points seem to be ideal in a topical structure). See my Template for a Killer Keynote.

b. You have a strong opening and closing that you practice frequently.

c. You include memory enhancing stories, examples, and visuals.

2. Chunk your practice. It is less daunting to practice in bite-size chunks of 10 or fewer minutes, if you have a longer presentation. Then, put it all together with transitions.

3. Practice out loud from an outline or key words. If you have completely written out your speech, reduce it to one page of keyword notes in at least 14 point font (you can even use pictures or symbols).

4. Do a complete run-through at least once. Practice as closely as possible to your actual presentation conditions. Stand if you will be standing. Practice with your slides, if you will be using slides.

5.  Record yourself. And watch the recording to see where you might improve.

6. Pay attention to your timing. Aim for slightly less time than you are allotted, if you anticipate  potential questions or have audience interactions planned.

7. If you anticipate a Q&A time, practice responses to likely questions.

8.  Rehearse with an audience, if the presentation is critically important. Ideally you can find a rehearsal audience like your “real” audience, but friends, coworkers and fellow Toastmasters also can provide feedback. Several years ago, I coached a 16 year-old girl on her TEDx presentation. As part of the coaching, we held a rehearsal event at a local library for friends and family. The rehearsal not only gave her confidence, it also revealed some awkward areas to work on. Her TEDx presentation was a success!

“Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”—Vince Lombardi

Learn to be a Confident Speaker! Take Diane’s Online Course, No Fear Public Speaking: Look, Sound and Feel Confident!