Time management is an important factor in all aspects of our life. From our personal work to professional work, knowing how to balance time is a skill we all must acquire.
What is Time Management in Public Speaking
When we talk about managing the time during a presentation or a public speech, we take into account the fact that our speech must cover all the important points within the provided time frame. Nervousness, mind blanks, technical issues, audience disturbances, even turning the page or switching the slides of a PowerPoint presentation can delay or hasten your speech.
Why is it Important
Often seen, orators fail to conclude their speeches in the specified time. This leads to the audience losing interest in the presentation. Or a person might conclude their presentation beforehand, disrupting the whole schedule of the event. Hence, it is crucial to be critical of the time limit while delivering a speech or taking part in a public presentation.
Tips for Efficient Time Management in Public Speaking
Podium Blog brings you 7 tips that will help you manage your public speaking time efficiently
Know Your Time Limit
The first and foremost task before even preparing your speech is to know how much time you have been provided with to deliver your speech. Inquire your supervisor or coordinator about it.
Although the time is already allocated to the orators, yet in case you have been given the liberty to speak as long as you want, try not to exceed 30 minutes. The audience starts to lose interest if the speech is too lengthy. Keep the speech short and simple.
Compose Your Presentation Accordingly
Once you are aware of how long you are supposed to speak, you can compose your speech according to the specified time limit. Without knowing the time limit, you might prepare a presentation that might be short of words, or exceed the limit.
Schedule Your Speech Time
Split up your presentation in time stamps. Say if you have to deliver a speech of 20 minutes, you can give 5 minutes to the introduction, 10 minutes to the body, and then 5 minutes in concluding the topic. Or if there is a specific topic you want to draw more attention to, you may allot comparatively more time to it than the other topics. This division of time will vary based on the time limit you have been provided.
If Needed, Know What to Edit
You must always be prepared to edit your content on spot. Often so, you have to wrap up your presentation earlier than the specified time because the limit is reduced due to unforeseen circumstances, and
Sometimes it is a technical issue — the mic or the speakers don’t work properly — and about 5 minutes are wasted in dealing with it. Or maybe the previous speaker took more time than provided, and you are left with much less time.
You’ll have to improvise your speech based on such circumstances. Mark the points which are less relevant as compared to others. You can completely cut out that part or summarise it in fewer words — whichever alternative suits you best!
In some cases, you might have extra time and you’ll expand your points. Jot down extra points as well which will help you elaborate on your topic.
Account Time for Questions
We usually ask questions at the end of a presentation. Answer those questions within the time frame provided. The time-to-time feedback by asking questions — ‘Am I audible?’ or “Are you all getting what I am saying?’ — should also be accounted for in the time limit.
Alter Your Pace
People who are not accustomed to public speaking often speak a little too fast or too slow due to their nervousness. Not only does this cause difficulty in understanding the content, but it also disrupts your time management.
Try to slow down or hasten your speech pace accordingly. But do so gradually. A sudden increase or decrease in your speech will sound absurd.
Practice with a Timer
Well, we all know practice makes a man perfect. To polish your time management in public speaking, practicing with a timer must be considered an obligation. You cannot fit your entire speech within the provided time span until you practice your speech with a timer. By using a timer, you will know if you have to increase or decrease your content or your pace
Other Tips
- Practice in front of a mirror. This will help you get rid of stage fear.
- Wear a watch so that you may keep track of time
- Confirm your time limit in case there are last minute changes
- Arrive early. Getting familiar with your surroundings as well as the audience will help you in overcoming nervousness.
- Drink water before you start your speech.
More Tips to Ace a Public Speech?
Having fluency in public speaking can enhance your personality drastically. It is a learned trait that you can hone with precise tips and practice.
The Public Speaking Blog of Podium School brings you the ultimate guide to the fine art of public speaking. Here are 10 steps to improve public speaking skills. From persuasive speech to demonstrative speech, from debating to extempore, we have the tips and tricks that will help you excel in all forms of public presentations.
Want to be the master of public speaking? Tap here to learn how to prepare a speech in a mute or less.
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