Nobody would dispute the proposition that public speaking can be very intimidating, if not crippling to some. The fact remains, though, that with a bit of coaching and solid technique, everyone has the power to get better at it. The article below is intended to help that process go more smoothly.
Always face the audience consistently when speaking in public. Don’t allow anything to distract you, no matter what may be going on around the room or auditorium. You are trying to convince your audience of something, which means that it is very important for them to have your full attention.
Project your voice when you speak in front of an audience. This is particularly true if you do not have the benefit of a microphone. You want everyone in the room to be able to hear you, so do not be afraid to speak as loudly as necessary to accomplish that. There is no point in making a speech that most of the audience cannot hear.
When you know ahead of time that you will be speaking in public, dress appropriately. You can dress down if you are speaking to a group of children at a summer camp, but dress more formally if you are making remarks at a business luncheon. Avoid flashy colors and distracting accessories. You want the audience to pay attention to your message rather than to your clothing or jewelry.
Always be yourself when you are giving a speech and you will have better luck with the audience. Sincerity is a quality that many people respect and admire. If it is clear to the audience that you are not putting on a show when you are speaking to them, they will receive your message better.
Be sure to go out with a bang for a very memorable ending to your speech. This is what people are going to remember the most. A boring ending isn’t going to help your speech get remembered that long.
Note cards can be quite helpful. Though you ought to memorize your speech, it’s wise to have a copy of it as well. Having an outline on note cards can help refresh your memory of the main points you don’t want to accidentally forget.
Be sure to practice your speech well in advance. Practice often so that you can deliver your thoughts naturally and smoothly. Use a timer to perfect the length of your speech. In this way, you will neither leave your audience hanging with time to spare, nor force them to stay longer than they wish.
Do your best to deliver unique information to your audience instead of telling them things they could have easily gotten from someone else. You need to make it clear that it is you that they need to listen to. Do research to make sure that you are not giving them duplicated content.
It is impossible to deny the fact that public speaking makes many folks run away in fear. While it can certainly be nerve-wracking to speak in front of others, this is not a fear that is impossible to overcome. Use the advice in this article as necessary and get control of the situation today.
