The ability to speak well in public can make you a more appealing and desirable person in many different ways. If you are scared of speaking in public, there are a few things you should know. Read on to learn how you can optimize your skills as a public speaker.
You cannot speak in public and believe that people will automatically follow what you are saying. You need to fight for their attention and respect. This is actually a type of performance, and that means that you must work hard to obtain the desired results.
A timer is useful to know exactly how long your speech is. This ensures your speech fills the time you have. If your speech needs to be longer, research the subject for more information to add. Never rush when delivering a speech.
Public speaking needs to be taken seriously. You can’t just get up and speak and expect that everyone will hang on to your every word automatically. Therefore, you must be very clear and to the point if you want to engage them. This is a performance, which means that you will have to work hard in order to get the results you want.
If you need to prepare for an upcoming public speaking engagement, make sure you commit your speech to memory before anything else. After you know the words, work on how it comes across. This also gives you the opportunity to ad lib if you need to.
When you speak in public, preparation is critical. Know what you intend to say. If you’re not sure of a particular fact, it’s best to do your research before stating it. Have some notes to refer to. Practice your speech until you know it by heart. This will boost your confidence and impress your audience too.
Take the time to really know the material in your speech. Even if your speech is memorized, knowing key facts and elements will help tremendously. If you have time, you can add in some of these things throughout your speech as needed. Your thorough knowledge about the subject is also great in the Q and A that follows up the speech.
Commit your speech to your memory as soon as you can. When you get to the point where you can give your speech at any moment, then you are ready to practice your overall delivery. If you have the speech down pat, it gives you an opportunity to add lib as you go through it in front of a crowd.
Practice your speech repeatedly. This will allow you time to tweak the speech if needed. Also master breathing and pace. You should pause every now and again to allow the audience to indicate their approval with applause. If at all possible, practice delivering your speech utilizing the actual equipment that will be available at the time you make the actual speech.
Make sure that you know your audience. Try to find out the names of individuals who will be listening. If possible, greet them as the enter the room and ask their names. Include some of the people in your speech, and this will give it a much more friendly tone.
An excellent way to calm nerves before public speaking is by breathing deeply. Controlling your breathing will reduce your level of stress. Use your nose to inhale to a count of four, and then exhale with your mouth to at least a count of five. You’ll feel yourself relaxing after you do this five or six times.
Always face your audience during your speech. Do not turn your attention to things going on behind you or elsewhere. It is important to pay attention to the audience if you expect their attention in return.
Dress to impress, even for casual speeches. If you feel and look sharply dressed, it will reflect in your speaking. Men should try wearing neckties to direct the audience to their faces so that they better focus on your speech.
Don’t drink alcohol before a speech. It’s always a bad idea, no matter how convinced you are that it will loosen you up and calm your nerves. You can forget things and appear haphazard when you are on stage.
Know your material to boost your public speaking confidence. Pick something to talk about that you have personally experienced and are truly interested in. Keep a conversational tone and your audience will be impressed with all your knowledge rather than be confused with all the complicated jargon.
Once you have your speech memorized, repeat it often. This will help you to become more comfortable with what you are saying. Consider your pace and breathing. Make sure there are pauses between key points so that people can react with applause. If you can, try to practice using the podium and other equipment you’ll be using when you make the real speech.
Begin by engaging the audience. Smile cordially at them when they are seating themselves, and shake hands with them if possible. The audience is sure to show more interest when you have a good attitude.
Go over your speech several times before you deliver it. This will give you confidence because it will make you feel prepared. Although you may have your speech memorized, you should always take your notes to the podium with you. If you forget something, you can quickly get the information from your notes.
Do not discuss your fears with your audience. Even if you are nervous, display confidence and your audience will feel confident in you. Should you make an error, simply correct it and continue on without apologizing.
Make sure you have a good understanding about your topic when you’re preparing your speech. Meticulously do your research so that you will have the ability to answer any questions you may be asked. Then develop your specific perspective and craft your remarks in a concise, easily followed manner. Your thorough preparation will pay off when your audience asks you questions.
Visual Aids
Don’t over do the visual aids. They should enhance your speech. You don’t want them to become the main attraction. Visual aids should be of good quality, and used only for specific points where needed. Make them colorful and pleasing to the eye while not distracting listeners from paying attention to what you are saying.
If you’ve got a speech coming up, picture it in your mind. Visualize how the audience reacts to your speech. If you think positive thoughts about the speech and imagine the audience engaged in the things you are saying, it can be a great confidence booster.
Understand the audience you are speaking to. Look to see if you know anyone in the audience. If possible, greet them as they enter and ask their name. Practice their names in your mind. Include some of the people in your speech, and this will give it a much more friendly tone.
You should know more about public speaking. Apply these tips as you hone your skills. Even when you are not called upon to speak in public, these pieces of advice can still be useful in helping you be more confident and assured in many situations.