Speaking publicly can be scary. If you have fears about talking to others and influencing them from the podium, take heart. There are many things to do to calm your nerves. These ideas will help you to feel more at ease.
Time your speech. This will allow you to edit your speech to keep it within the necessary time constraints. If you need more information, do some research and find helpful information. Finally, do not rush when giving your speech.
Keep your attention towards the audience. Don’t let yourself become distracted by other activity in the room. It is important that the audience has your undivided attention, in order for them to get the message that you would like them to get.
Time your speech. This way, you can cut it down or add to it if needed. If your speech isn’t long enough, you’ll have time to do some more research to lengthen it. Also, never rush through your speech.
Once your speech is memorized, practice it over and over again. This will allow you time to tweak the speech if needed. Learn to breath with ease and pace your delivery. Make sure that your speech time allows some open space for interruptions, which are hopefully rounds of applause. If you can, use the same equipment for practice that you will use when giving your actual speech.
Any time that you need to make a public speech, you must make sure that you thoroughly understand what you will be talking about before giving the speech. Do a lot of research so you have not only your point of view, but others as well. Then you can hone in and discover your personal point of view in order to prepare an effective speech. When questioned about your topic, you will find your good preparation invaluable.
Practice deep breathing if you’re nervous. Before you start to speak, breath deeply a few times and then exhale. Breath in and out very slowly, counting to four or five on each inhale and exhale. Do this several times to ease your nerves.
Memorize your speech before you do anything. Once you have the ability to make your speech without assistance at any time, you can then start working on delivery. Memorize it and you will feel more comfortable with it.
Dress well for the event. If you look and feel sharply dressed, your speaking will reflect it. Wear a necktie if you want to draw the audience’s attention towards your face.
Avoid alcohol at all costs. Though it may work to loosen you up, that might just be a bad idea. You don’t want to stand behind the podium feeling tipsy because you may forget what you want to say or your speech may be slurred.
Note Cards
When making a speech, always face the audience. Don’t get distracted by whatever else is happening. You are attempting to convince the audience of something, so they need your full attention.
Note cards can be quite helpful. You should know the bulk of your speech by memory, but having on note cards won’t hurt. You may not necessarily have the whole thing written out, but having your important points notated can help.
Never apologize, even if you feel nervous and like you are making mistakes. While it’s easy to feel like a fool in front of a large group, most of the time, the audience will be unaware of your internal feelings. If you happen to commit an error, just make a quick correction and keep moving without saying you’re sorry.
Speak with a clear, strong voice when speaking to a group. Bring some water to the podium if it’s allowed. When you know you have to give a public speech, stay away from dairy drinks and sodas on that day. These fluids are saliva-thickening and can even encourage mucous production. Have a nice mug of hot tea to ease your vocal chords.
Become familiar with the environment before giving a public speech. Learn how far your voice carries if there is not a microphone. Use the equipment to get used to it. Decide how to use visual aids for your speech. Get a good feel for the best ways to make and hold eye contact with your audience too.
Visual Aids
Be certain you have visual aids that are not the main attraction. Visual aids should enhance the information you are giving. But, they shouldn’t make your message overwhelming. Utilize visual aids of high quality to drive home important points. They need to be attractive and colorful without distracting from the rest of the speech.
If a speech is coming up on the horizon, use visualization techniques. Try to see yourself from the perspective of the audience. By visualizing a successful delivery, you will significantly boost your confidence.
If you have skipped some of the information in your speech, continue talking rather than getting yourself and the audience confused by an awkward flow of words. By stopping in the middle of your speech to go back to the missed sentence, you may blow the whole thing. If you just keep going, your audience will never know you made a mistake.
Don’t make people hold their questions until the conclusion of the speech. They may not be able to remember what they need to ask. Instead, allow people to ask questions throughout the speech. This will help them appreciate you as a speaker.
Warm up your audience before giving your speech. You don’t need to open up with a joke. You can talk about something from your life experience that you think is relevant to the topic. This will help you connect with the audience.
If you are filled with nerves before giving a speech, imagine yourself as being someone who is sitting in the audience. If the speaker makes a mistake, will you laugh? Would you judge him or her? You do not need to be overly critical of yourself.
Deep breathing can really help to calm your fears before a public speaking engagement. Deep breaths that are taken slowly in and out can calm you. Breathe in for a count of four, and then breathe out for a count of five. Do this six times, and you’ll start to become very calm.
Take your public speaking seriously. It is necessary for you to study the topic and learn what techniques make a public speaker successful. Keep in mind that it takes a great deal of practice before a speaker feels comfortable. Make a memorable speech by preparing thoroughly. Use what you learned in this article, and your speeches can be great.
Prepare to be a good public speaker by studying people who are good at it. There is much to be learned from watching people who give great speeches. What is it about them that draws people in? What habits do they have? Review their methods and try to learn more about them.
Now you should have a better idea of how to approach your public speaking fears. Refer back to this information every time you are going to speak in public. You will be more comfortable when you practice. Start practicing today!
Dress well, even if you are speaking at an event that is casual. If you feel confident, it’ll show in your speech. If you are a man, you may wish to wear a necktie. This directs people’s eyes to your face and head, which helps them focus on what you are saying.