Public speaking can be a very scary thing for people. If you are afraid about speaking to groups, do not lose hope. There are many things that can be done to help lower your fears. Keep this advice in mind the next time you need to make a speech.
Time yourself to find out how long your speech is. You can then edit your speech so it does not extend past the time allowed. If you find your presentation is short, get some more material by doing more research. Also remember, you never want to rush through your speech; remember to pace yourself.
Know your material inside and out. If you have your speech committed to memory, it is still very important to understand the topic completely so you can tell stories or jokes related to it. Use them when needed to bolster your persuasiveness. They are also useful while answering questions from the audience on in follow up conversations.
You cannot speak in public and believe that people will automatically follow what you are saying. Getting the attention of an audience isn’t always easy and keeping it can be even harder. To get results, you must work for it.
Pay Attention
While delivering your speech, look at your audience. Do not become distracted by other things that may be happening nearby. You want your audience to pay attention to you, so you need to pay attention to them as well.
Practice your speech frequently once you have it memorized. This will allow you time to tweak the speech if needed. Yoiu can also practice good breathing techniques as you speak. Remember to incorporate time into your speech for possible interruptions. Hopefully, some of these interruptions will be for applause. If you can, practice your speech with the exact equipment you will have available at the time of your speech.
Know your material as best you can. Even when memorizing a speech, you should know the figures, facts, stories, and jokes that relate to your topic. Find a way to put them in your presentation. They are also useful while answering questions from the audience on in follow up conversations.
Make sure you understand your topic before preparing your speech. Have a broad understanding of the topic, so you can cover it from every angle. Identify the points you want to make and draw up careful notes that you can follow. The time spent preparing will pay dividends once you start receiving questions.
If you skip a sentence during your speech, keep on going. If you stop and backtrack and try to correct your error, you will end up with a big mess. Additionally, backing up will just make it abundantly clear to your audience that you messed up.
Practice is the single best way to make sure you know exactly what to say. Try recording yourself giving the speech. Listen back to the tape to identify any areas of weakness. However, it is best to practice before loved ones, so they can give you constructive advice.
You can become better at public speaking by telling a story that is true. Outline your overall story prior to speaking in public. Make sure that your story has discernible chapters, like beginning, a middle and an end. Base your story on an actual event to make your words seem natural and real.
Always dress to impress. If you feel that you look good, you’ll tend to talk better, as well. Men should wear ties if possible, as ties help to direct eyes towards your face as you speak.
Know the ins and outs of what your speech will be about. Choose a subject that interests you. Make sure that you have a carefree, conversational tone.
The conclusion of your speech should really pack a punch. Your conclusion should not fall short of keeping their attention. If you end in a boring manner, people will not remember your speech for very long.
Familiarize yourself with the room you will be speaking in. See the distance that your voice will carry without a microphone. Get a better feel by using equipment. Try learning to use visual aids, if they’re available. Get a good handle on the eye-contact range you will need to make.
Note Cards
Note cards really can be helpful. Though you should know your content well, having notes can be beneficial if you lose track of where you are. Having an outline on note cards can help refresh your memory of the main points you don’t want to accidentally forget.
Never apologize, even if you feel nervous and like you are making mistakes. You may think your audience knows you are nervous; however, most of the time the audience will not even realize it. Do not apologize if you realize you made a mistake, but correct is promptly and continue on.
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. If you stop in the middle, your mind will become confused. In addition, others are unlikely to recognize the omission if you don’t draw attention to the issue.
Visual Aids
You want your visual aids to be attractive, but not distracting. They should simply enhance your words. They shouldn’t overwhelm your message. Visual aids that are made well and emphasizes key points are ideal. They need to be appealing and bright, but not distracting.
Make your audience feel comfortable when you are about to speak. You don’t have to tell a joke. You can mention that something happened on the way to the event if you think the audience will connect with it. That way, you can establish a rapport right away.
Breathe calmly if you are afraid of public speaking. Take several breaths and exhale before you start to calm your nerves. Inhale and count to four, then exhale and count to five. Do this about 6 times to calm yourself down.
Make sure you are in a good mental state. If you are nervous, that’s fine. Most people are nervous before speaking in public. But, thinking negatively isn’t fine. If you lack confidence, your speech will reflect it. Instead, know that you will rock it.
If you feel nervous in advance of a speech, pretend you are an audience member. Would you laugh a speaker who makes a mistake? Would you lambaste the speaker? Mistakes happen. They aren’t that big of a deal. Remember, you are likely to be your own biggest critic.
Public Speaking
Dress appropriately for any speech you’re giving. Looking sharp can give off a confident image. 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.
Now that you’ve read this article, you know a thing or two about public speaking. Keep this page bookmarked and come back whenever you have another public speaking event coming up. You will be more comfortable when you practice. Begin using them right now!