Public speaking is a big fear that people have today. Some people feel they would rather die. While it is scary, many people find that they can’t avoid it. Advance preparation is key. Implement these advice and ideas in order to solve your problems with public speaking.
If you want to give a good public speech it is very important that you adequately prepare in advance. First of all, you must clearly have in mind the message you want to convey. Make sure you can back up your point of view with facts. Write down everything you are going to say. Practice your speech until you know it by heart. Sound preparation lets you feel comfortable when the time happens that you must speak.
Be as familiar as possible with your material. Have a broad general knowledge of the topic including statistics, facts and anecdotes. You can work these things into your speech to add time, engage the audience, and make yourself sound like a real professional. They can also help you when it comes time for the audience to ask questions.
Always face your audience. Do not let yourself get distracted by things in the area. Since you want the audience to engage in what you are saying, you need to get their attention.
It is important to have your main, broad concept clear in mind before writing your speech. Researching well lets you see all parts of the subject. Make certain that your speech addresses the questions that other points of view are concerned about. This kind of preparation is bound to pay off handsomely as your audience asks questions.
If you want to feel confident in your speech, you need to practice it. Try giving your speech while looking in a mirror, or record it and play it back to find out how to make it better. But practicing in front of friends and family is the best way because they can give constructive advice.
Avoid alcohol before you deliver your speech. It’s always a bad idea, no matter how convinced you are that it will loosen you up and calm your nerves. It would be pretty awful to be all set to make your speech and then realize you forgot everything you were going to talk about because the alcohol has clouded your thinking.
After you have written the speech, practice it over and over until it is committed to your memory. Do it in front of the bathroom mirror and watch yourself. Ask those closest to you to listen to your presentation as well. They can help you make improvements to the content and delivery of your remarks.
A great way to close your speech and have people remember it, is to have a good ending. Of course your whole speech is important, but your ending is what will help make it memorable. Ending on a boring note isn’t going to lodge your speech into long-term memories.
Note Cards
Prepare with note cards if you need to. You should certainly memorize your speech, but it is helpful to have notes with you as well. You don’t need the whole thing written down, but having your main points on note cards can help you avoid leaving out the important points in your speech.
Your voice must be strong and clear when you speak. Bring some water to the podium if it’s allowed. Do not drink milk or soda on the day on which you are making your speech. These fluids can produce mucous or thicken saliva. Some hot tea before a speech can soothe your vocal cords.
As previously indicated, public speaking is usually cited as a top fear for many people, sometimes viewed as more fearful than death itself. Public speaking is a vital life skill, so don’t let fear get in your way. Utilize the information and advice contained in this article, and gain control of yourself in order to speak confidently in public.