Public speaking can be daunting for some. But like any skill, it can be perfected with time.
Manoj Vasudevan, the 2017 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, tells CNBC Make It that before giving a big speech it's normal to feel fear and anxiety.
However, he says you can easily overcome this fear. Here are his top three tips on public speaking:
1. Be a messenger (not just a speaker)
Vasudevan says that as a messenger, you are performing a service for your audience rather than speaking for your own validation.
"You seek to serve, to inspire without seeking validation or credit," he says. "You acknowledge your sources of wisdom, you expose your vulnerabilities, you become real and you connect better."
Vasudevan says this resonates well with audiences and inspires them to act. He points to Mahatma Gandhi, a great messenger, who wasn't a particularly great speaker.
"His presence, his body language, [and] voice were not masterful, but real," says Vasudevan. "He let his message speak louder than his mechanics, because he saw himself only as a messenger of hope, non-violence and courage. People connected better."
2. Determine the ultimate goal of the speech
When you have a presentation to give, don't rush to craft it or design your PowerPoint slides, says Vasudevan.
First, figure out the fundamentals of the presentation and your ultimate goal. Some questions you can ask yourself to determine this include: What do you want your audience to feel? What do you want to unveil? What can you let them discover? Perhaps, a new finding, research data, trend or an "aha" moment.
"Steve Jobs was a master in packing into his presentation moments of revelation," says Vasudevan.
When you do not know your fundamentals, he says, the result is too much information and no impact — only confusion and unanswered questions.
"As you craft your presentation, keep your eyes on your fundamentals and ensure that whatever you say is aligned with them," says Vasudevan.
3. Don't just tell — sell
There are three ways to communicate, but only one is the most effective, says the public speaker.
Vasudevan says that you can tell, which may sometimes work but needs repetition to successfully get a point across. You can yell, which has a negative outcome in the long run. Or you can sell, which has the best outcome with least resistance.
"Great leaders sell their ideas, vision and plan of action," says Vasudevan. This inspires others to follow their lead and act on their behalf.
Great leaders also know people won't buy their ideas unless they package it well. To do so, Vasudevan says you must "emotionally connect with your listeners and present information in a way that resonates with their needs, goals and agendas."
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See also:
The No. 1 way for introverts to become better at public speaking
A man who's interviewed Bill Gates and Richard Branson says you need this skill to be successful
