If you want to improve your communication skills, you might have heard of two terms: public speaking and presenting. But what do they mean? And what’s the difference between them?
Public speaking and presenting are both forms of oral communication that involve delivering a message to an audience. However, they are not the same. They have different purposes, styles, and techniques.
In this article, I’ll explain the main differences between public speaking and presenting and how you can master both skills. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the definitions and characteristics of public speaking and presenting
- Identify the situations and contexts where each skill is appropriate and useful
- Apply the best practices and tips for effective public speaking and presenting
- Choose the right skill for your communication goals and objectives
Let’s get started.
What is Public Speaking?
Public speaking is the art of delivering a speech or a talk to a large, diverse, and often unfamiliar audience. The purpose of public speaking is to inform, persuade, or entertain the audience on a specific topic or issue.
Public speaking requires a high level of preparation, confidence, and charisma. You need to craft a compelling and persuasive message that captures your audience’s attention and interest. You also need to deliver your message with clarity, enthusiasm, and authority.
Some examples of public speaking are:
- Giving a keynote speech at a conference or an event
- Delivering a TED talk or a motivational speech
- Speaking at a graduation ceremony or a wedding
- Participating in a debate or a panel discussion
- Hosting a podcast or a webinar
You might also like: 5 Surprising Benefits of Public Speaking (Even if You Hate It)
What is Presenting?
Presenting is the skill of delivering a presentation or a report to a small, specific, and often familiar audience. The purpose of presenting is to share information, data, or findings on a particular subject or project.
Presenting requires a clear and concise message that conveys your main points and takeaways. You also need to use visual aids, such as slides, charts, or graphs, to support your message and enhance your audience’s understanding.
Some examples of presenting are:
- Presenting a business proposal or a pitch to a client or an investor
- Presenting a research paper or a case study to a professor or a peer
- Presenting a progress report or a feedback session to a manager or a team
- Presenting a product demo or a tutorial to a customer or a user
- Presenting a portfolio or a resume to a recruiter or an employer
What are the Differences Between Public Speaking and Presenting?
Now that you know the definitions of public speaking and presenting, let’s look at some of the key differences between them.
1. Audience Size and Composition
One of the main differences between public speaking and presenting is the size and composition of the audience. Public speaking usually involves a large, diverse, and often unfamiliar audience. You might not know who your audience is, what they know, or what they expect from you. You need to adapt your message and style to suit a general audience and appeal to their emotions, logic, and credibility.
Presenting, on the other hand, usually involves a small, specific, and often familiar audience. You might know who your audience is, what they know, or what they expect from you. You need to tailor your message and style to suit a particular audience and address their needs and interests.
2. Message Content and Structure
Another difference between public speaking and presenting is the content and structure of the message. Public speaking usually requires a more complex and elaborate message that covers a broad topic or issue. You need to craft a captivating and persuasive message that hooks your audience’s attention and interest. You also need to use a clear and effective structure, such as the problem-solution, the cause-effect, or the compare-contrast, to organize your points and transitions.
Presenting, on the other hand, usually requires a more simple message that focuses on a specific subject or project. You need to create a clear and concise message that conveys your main points and takeaways. You also need to use visual aids, such as slides, charts, or graphs, to support your message and enhance your audience’s understanding.
3. Delivery Style and Technique
A third difference between public speaking and presenting is the style and technique of the delivery. Public speaking usually requires a more dynamic and expressive delivery that showcases your personality and charisma. You need to deliver your message with clarity, enthusiasm, and authority. You also need to use nonverbal cues, such as eye contact, gestures, and facial expressions, to connect with your audience and win them over.
Presenting, on the other hand, usually requires a more calm and professional delivery that demonstrates your competence and credibility. You need to deliver your message with accuracy, confidence, and poise. You also need to use verbal cues, such as pauses, emphasis, and questions, to engage your audience and invite feedback.
How to Master Both Public Speaking and Presenting Skills
As you can see, public speaking and presenting are different skills that require different approaches and strategies. However, they are not mutually exclusive. You can master both skills and use them interchangeably depending on the situation and context.
Here are some tips on how to master both public speaking and presenting skills:
- Know your purpose and audience: Before you start preparing your message, you need to know why you’re speaking and who you’re speaking to. This will help you tailor your message and style to suit your purpose and audience.
- Plan and structure your message: After you know your purpose and audience, you need to plan and structure your message. This will help you organize your ideas and deliver them logically and coherently.
- Practice and rehearse your delivery: Once you have your message ready, you need to practice and rehearse your delivery. This will help you polish your performance and boost your confidence and comfort.
- Hire a professional public speaking coach: If you want to take your public speaking and presenting skills to the next level, you might want to consider hiring a professional public speaking coach. A public speaking coach can help you:
- Identify and overcome your public speaking fears and challenges
- Develop and improve your public speaking and presenting skills and techniques
- Create and deliver powerful and effective messages
- Achieve your specific public speaking and presenting goals and objectives
You can also see: Public Speaking Tips for Beginners: Your Essential Guide
At Iccomipe, I’ve helped countless individuals like you overcome their fears and develop the skills to become confident, persuasive speakers. Here’s what you can achieve with my personalized coaching:
- Conquer stage fright and nervous habits: Learn effective techniques to manage anxiety and deliver your message with poise.
- Craft compelling and persuasive messages: Master the art of storytelling, structure, and audience engagement.
- Develop a powerful and authentic voice: Find your unique communication style and project confidence with clarity.
- Connect with your audience and win them over: Learn to use nonverbal and verbal cues, language, and storytelling to move hearts and minds.
- Achieve your specific goals: Whether it’s landing your dream job, leading impactful meetings, or inspiring others, I’ll tailor your training to get you there.
My Approach:
- Personalized coaching: we assess your individual needs and challenges to design a training program that fits you perfectly.
- Evidence-based methods: we use proven techniques and strategies that have helped hundreds of people overcome public speaking and presenting hurdles.
- Supportive and encouraging environment: we provide a safe space for you to practice, experiment, and grow your confidence.
- Actionable steps and feedback: You’ll walk away with concrete skills and exercises to put into practice immediately.
Ready to transform your public speaking and presenting skills and unlock your full potential? Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your goals and how we can help you achieve them.
I hope this article has given you some useful insights into the differences between public speaking and presenting and how you can master both skills. Remember, public speaking and presenting are both valuable skills that can help you communicate effectively and persuasively in any situation. You have what it takes to become a captivating speaker and presenter. All you need is a little help from a coach.
