A lot of people have a fear of speaking to an audience. Most try to steer clear of it at all costs. But, it may not be something that can be avoided. This article contains lots of great advice that will help you to be a more confident speaker.
Make sure you look at your audience when giving a speech. Don’t get distracted by whatever else is happening. Your audience should have your complete and focused attention.
Telling the audience a true story is a great way to become good at public speaking. Outline your story before your speaking engagement. It is important that you lead into the story with an introduction and that you end with a conclusion. Be sure you use true life events in order to sound really authentic.
Try some deep breathing exercises to get over nerves when speaking in public. Breathing deliberately and deeply, followed by a complete exhale, can work to bring nervousness down. Use your nose to inhale to a count of four, and then exhale with your mouth to at least a count of five. Do this approximately five times to feel a difference in how calm you feel.
Practice is the only way to make sure that you are aware of what you want to convey. Practice before a mirror or even video yourself so that you see where you can improve. However, it is always best to prepare your speech in front of family and friends, since instant feedback is the best.
Wait until after your speech to enjoy a beer. You may be tempted to consume a little liquid courage, but it is not a good idea. Nothing is worse than getting up on the platform and forgetting what you are going to say because you have imbibed in alcoholic beverages before your speech.
Get the audience engaged and with you before you launch into your actual speech. As they come into the room, flash them a smile. If possible, try to shake the hand of some of the attendees. This helps you to appear positive and friendly, and it makes people interested in the contents of your speech.
Rehearse your presentation daily. This will give you confidence because you are very familiar with the material. No matter how well you know the speech, make sure to bring your notes with you. These notes may come in handy should you forget your speech.
Once your speech is prepared, practice it often to the point that you have it mostly memorized. Try practicing in the mirror and use different facial expressions and hand motions. Ask those closest to you to listen to your presentation as well. Their feedback will prove invaluable to improving your speech.
To have a truly memorable speech, work on a great ending. While all parts of your speech are important, the ending is what people will probably remember most. A boring ending isn’t going to help your speech get remembered that long.
Note Cards
Note cards really can be helpful. While you should have your speech memorized, you should carry a set of note cards with you to the podium. You need not have the entire speech written down word for word, but having the key points you wish to make written on note cards can help ensure that you do not leave out any important information.
When preparing to make a public speech, picture giving it in your mind. Visualize how your audience will react to your speech. Watch yourself speak and imagine a positive reaction for more confidence.
Never make listeners wait until the speech ends to ask their questions. People may likely forget the questions that they had. Give your audience the time they need for questions, and consider offering opportunities for them throughout your speech.
Ensure that you are thinking positively before making your speech. If you are nervous, that’s fine. There are so many other people who feel the same way before public speaking, too. But, you need to stop yourself from thinking negative thoughts. If you feel you are going to do poorly, then chances are you will. Instead, know that you will rock it.
If you want your speech to resonate with your audience, start it with a story. This story can be hypothetical, a news story, or a personal experience. This makes you more appealing to your audience. Just make sure that your story does not offend in any way.
You can learn to speak well in front of others. All you need to do is take the time to learn how to approach it best and then practice, practice, practice. The more practice you get, the better you’ll get at it. Keep in mind all this advice the next time you are required to speak in public. It’s not as terrible as you may fear.