Strong public speaking skills are a key asset in the business world, especially when building trust and expanding entrepreneurial networks. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs are still unfamiliar with how to become effective speakers capable of convincing investors and customers about the value of their business.
Producer and presenter at TVRI Yogyakarta, Ferry Anggara, shared tips on effective public speaking techniques. He explained that public speaking is structured speech using more formal language. Therefore, perseverance in learning and practicing is the key to becoming a good speaker.
At the Business Presentation and Business Networking training for MSMEs organized by the Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and MSMEs Study Division of the Faculty of Economics and Business at Gadjah Mada University (FEB UGM), in collaboration with Rumah BUMN, Ferry said that the first step in public speaking is determining the purpose of the speech: to convey information, entertain, or persuade the audience. After that, practicing regularly by speaking impromptu or speaking spontaneously is essential.
However, effective public speaking goes beyond fluency. Intonation, such as pitch, volume, and pace variations, must also be considered to avoid sounding monotonous or dull. Moreover, body language plays a significant role.
“Making eye contact with the audience, standing with good posture, and using gestures or other body movements to support the presentation can make you appear more confident and persuasive,” he said.
When starting a presentation, capturing the audience’s attention immediately is crucial. It can be achieved by using visual aids, reciting a rhyme, singing a brief song, or sharing an interesting fact related to the topic. For the central part of the presentation, Ferry introduced four public speaking techniques to help organize the content more clearly and logically. One is the 5W+1H technique (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How), an approach used to logically and comprehensively deliver information.
Another technique is the problem-solution approach, where a problem is first outlined and followed by a proposed solution as a response or call to action. There is also the versus technique, which compares two sides of a topic, pros and cons, to help the audience evaluate and make informed decisions. Lastly, the chronological technique presents the topic sequentially, starting from the past, moving to the present, and projecting into the future. This approach efficiently builds narrative flow and evokes emotional engagement from the audience.
Through this training, participants will understand the importance of building a strong business and how to present it convincingly to investors and potential customers. They will also develop networks with other business professionals. By doing so, companies become better positioned to secure funding and attract a broader market.
Reportage: Najwah Ariella Puteri
Editor: Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
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