By It is impossible to dispute the fact that public speaking is something many fear and even dread. The nervousness and rapid heart beat that accompany the task make countless individuals dodge the task whenever possible. However, by using the advice found below, it is easy for anyone to conquer their concerns once and for all.
Know your surroundings. Take a few moments when you arrive to acquaint yourself with your surroundings. If you can arrive early, go to the podium and do a soundcheck before your audience arrives. If you have visual aids, practice using them while you are orientating yourself with your surroundings.
Know the crowd makeup before you give the speech. If there is a way, find things out about some individuals in the audience. If possible, greet them as the enter the room and ask their names. Having a feeling of familiarity with some audience members can make the whole presentation or speech feel more friendly.
Telling the audience a true story is a great way to become good at public speaking. Give a brief description of your story beforehand. Your story should sound very credible. Be sure you use true life events in order to sound really authentic.
Take a look at the environment you are about to speak in. How far will your voice carry or is there a microphone? Use the equipment to see how it works. Visual aids can be very important in your speech. Determine how much eye contact you’ll be able to make.
Some people prepare their notes for speaking in public by using a tablet or other device; however, this is not necessarily a good idea. Murphy’s law is sure to strike and leave you with a dead battery, a stolen device or some other catastrophe. Be safe and write your remarks on index cards as well as keeping them on your mobile device.
One key to a successful speech is to make it an appropriate length. Basically, when a speech is too short, you may not be giving all the information the audience is looking for. On the other hand, if your speech is too long, your audience may become bored and you may lose their attention.
Always wear comfortable clothes for a speaking engagement. Even if you must wear a suit or formal dress, be sure your clothing fits properly and does not make you feel too hot. Choose modest clothing for speaking in public, and make sure all fasteners and buttons hold securely so that you do not experience wardrobe malfunction.
Take a look at the venue before you make your speech. See how big the room is, how many seats there are, and what the lighting is like. You will feel less nervous when you know what environment you will be dealing with. Also, try standing at the podium to get a feel of the stage.
When asked to speak at a wedding, you may be tempted to try some sort of funny patter or to poke fun at the participants. Even when your intentions are good, this can be hurtful. It is better to speak in a friendly, caring and supportive way at this important event.
After your speech is written, practice it often. You want to know the speech inside and out. Watch yourself in the mirror to fine tune your facial expressions and gestures for the greatest effect. Also, give the speech to your loved ones. They could offer suggestions for content improvement, or for how it is delivered.
Note cards are great tools for speeches. While it it good to memorize your speech, a hard copy can come in handy. Though you don’t have to write out the whole speech on note cards, you should have important parts of it written out to avoid forgetting anything.
One of the best ways to learn is to watch. Do a little research. Think about the best public speakers in history, then watch videos of them making speeches. You can learn a lot when you focus on their mannerisms and the way they address the audience. Try to emulate those skills.
If you can, look over the room and environment where you will be making a speech. Check how big it is, how good the acoustics are and get comfortable in the front of the room. The more familiar you are with room, the more at ease you will be when you have to make your speech.
Reconsider having a few drinks to loosen yourself up. You may be so nervous before the speech or at such a fun event that you drink a little too much. Some of the most embarrassing speeches are the fault of having a little too much to drink before making the speech.
Don’t let the audience know that the speech you are about to give makes you nervous. Your speech will usually hold more weight without that confession. It often seems our nervousness must be easy to see, but that really isn’t true. It is best to allow the audience to believe that you are fully in command and confident, even if you feel like butterflies are battling it out in your stomach.
If you must give a eulogy for a loved one, be sure to prepare well. This will help you keep your own grief under control as you speak. Keep it brief and memorable with a few key points about the deceased. Remember that, no matter how much you may be grieving, the event is not about you!
Once you finish the speech, prepare yourself for questions from listeners. You always want to leave time for questions, so make sure your speech is short enough. In order to allow enough time for all questions, keep your answers as concise as you can.
Public speaking is something that many enjoy, but innumerable others truly hate doing. The best way to overcome the worry that washes over so many is to apply some time-tested techniques. By heeding the guidance presented above, there is no reason to avoid public speaking ever again because it can be lots of fun.