The ability to be a good public speaker is important regardless of what your job is. No matter the type of crowd you are speaking to, it is key that you speak with confidence and are able to get the important points across. Here are some great ideas to help get you started.
Your audience will not remain attentive unless you work to keep them listening. You have to get their attention and hold on to it. This performance requires working hard for your desired results.
Use a timer to know how long your written speech is. You’ll be able to add or subtract content to keep it in your time limit. If you find that your speech is very short, consider beefing it up with a little research. Finally, don’t rush when speaking.
Time your speech. This way, you can cut it down or add to it if needed. If you find your speech is lacking length, add a little extra information to help fill time. Also, never rush through your speech.
When you speak in public, preparation is critical. First of all, you must clearly have in mind the message you want to convey. You may want to research to make sure your statement are factual. Write down the things you plan on saying. Practice the remarks as many times as needed, until you can say them by heart. Being prepared will boost your confidence while delivering your speech.
Always face your 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.
After you have committed the speech to memory, make sure you keep practicing. Repeated practice sessions can help you make key adjustments. Be sure to master your pace and breathing. Leave time for any interruptions, such as applause or laughter. Whenever possible, practice your speech on the very equipment you will use.
Face you audience at all times when you are giving a speech. Keep your focus on what you are doing and not allow yourself to get distracted. If you want to engage your audience, you need to give them all of your attention.
Make sure that you know your audience. Look to see if you know anyone in the audience. Prior to the speech, even say hello to some of them at the door. This will help you relax and make it more like you are speaking to friends than strangers.
Take a look at the environment you are about to speak in. Find out how far your voice goes in the room without amplification. Get a good feel for the room’s acoustics however you can. Learn how you can use any of the visual aids if they are present. Practice making eye contact as well.
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. The whole speech might be messed up if you feel like you have to go back and correct something. This will make it very difficult for you to keep going.
Practice makes perfect. Try practicing tweaking your speech when you can. Practice your pace and breathing. Insert spaces into your speech that allow for interruptions, such as applause. If you can, try to practice using the podium and other equipment you’ll be using when you make the real speech.
Try dressing nice, even if it is a casual event. If you feel and look sharply dressed, it will reflect in your speaking. When possible, men should wear a tie since it leads an audience to look at their face and head making them focus on your speech.
Avoid alcohol before you deliver your speech. It may appear to be a good idea, but it really isn’t. There is nothing more frightening than being on stage in front of people and forgetting your words because of alchol intake.
You should know your speech to become comfortable with it. Choose a subject that is close to your heart. Use a conversational tone, and you will convey your knowledge to the audience without confusing them with technical jargon.
Be aware of who your audience really is. Look to see if you know anyone in the audience. Prior to the speech, even say hello to some of them at the door. This will give the event a more personal atmosphere.
Practice your speech daily. This will help build your confidence when it comes time to deliver your speech. Even though you might think you know your speech by heart, remember to take your speech notes with you to the podium. You’ll want to be able to glance down at the main points if nerves make you forget a main point.
Do not apologize to your audience when you are on stage. Even though you might feel as if the audience thinks you are saying something stupid, chances are they don’t even realize it. Just correct any mistake and don’t apologize.
A strong, clear voice is critical when speaking to large groups. If you can manage it, try to keep a water glass nearby while you speak. Avoid drinking sodas or dairy beverages the day of your speech. Beverages such as these cause your saliva to thicken and can cause your body to produce excess mucous. Try drinking hot tea before you speak to get your vocal cords to relax.
Practice deep breathing exercises if you are the type who is anxious when you speak in public. You can gain control of your nerves by taking several deep breaths before you go onstage. 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.
Before you deliver the speech, visualize you successfully delivering your speech. Visualization will help you to keep a positive mindset. Watch yourself speak and imagine a positive reaction for more confidence.
Be sure to warm your audience up before speaking. You don’t have to start out by telling a joke. Try to mention something that the audience can relate to. They will be drawn into your anecdote almost immediately.
Open your speech by telling a story. You can use something personal to you or a popular news story. By adding this human element, your audience will be much more engaged and will have more of a desire to listen and understand. When preparing your story, don’t incorporate inappropriate or offensive material.
Try dressing nice, even if it is a casual event. You will speak more confidently, if you are dressed nicely. Men should consider wearing a necktie when possible, as it does direct audience eyes to the face and head so they focus on your speaking.
Speaking in public is an important part of almost any career. You are trying to persuade the audience to get what you need from them. Take the tips in the above article to simplify the process of creating your next public speech.