Public speaking is something lots of people find terrifying. Do not worry if you are worried about speaking in public and influencing people from the lectern. You can do several things to diminish that fear. These ideas will help you to feel more at ease.
Always look at your audience when speaking. Do not let yourself become distracted by something else happening in the room. If you are distracted, your audience will be also.
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.
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.
If you must do a lot of extemporaneous speaking, be sure to keep up on current events and topics of interest. In this way, you will always have something new and interesting to say. Remember that it is usually best to choose a complimentary approach rather than a humorous one unless you are extremely sure of your ability to amuse people!
Eye contact is critical during public speaking engagements. Although you may not be able to make eye contact with every member of a large audience, your efforts will not go unnoticed. Before your speech, identify key members of the audience and their assigned seating, if possible. This enables you to make the greatest impact on the most important audience members.
Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages prior to making your speech even if they are available at the event at which you are speaking. While alcohol may relax you, you do not want to appear inebriated when you make your speech. You may forget what you want to say, slur your speech, inadvertently insult someone or even become sick in the midst of speaking if you drink too much. Save the liquor for your post-speech celebration.
Be certain you have visual aids that are not the main attraction. They should simply enhance your words. Avoid letting them overshadow your words. Use high quality visual aids to make key points. Make them appealing and colorful, but don't go overboard.
Be familiar with the environment in which you are speaking. Arrive early so that you can look over the room and set up and check any equipment you are using. Practice using any audio-visual aids so that you know how they work and you know they are in working order. This helps you avoid an embarrassing issues with equipment and provides you with more self confidence.
Videotape a couple of practice sessions of your public speaking engagements. When you can see yourself in action this way, you can easily see what you can improve upon. It may be the way you move your hands or the expression on your face. Seeing this on film gives you a more objective perspective.
Never just "wing it" when it comes to giving an important speech. It is not a good idea ever, no matter how well you know the subject. While your delivery may be okay, you want more than that. However, your speech as a whole probably won't be very coherent.
Avoid nervous gestures and mannerisms. Don't cross your arms or rattle your keys in your pocket. Use your hands to convey your points, but not too much. You don't want to distract or annoy your audience by waving your arms around. Get a friend to watch you rehearse your speech to identify any gestures or movements that may be problematic.
Ensure that you are thinking positively before making your speech. Being nervous before a speech is natural and normal. Most public speakers have some fear before approaching the podium. But, you do not want to descend into negative thoughts. When you tell yourself that you won't do well, that's probably what will happen as a result. Think positively and you will do well.
Prior to giving any speech, try to assess the audience. Each audience is bound to have different expectations with regards to your speech. For example, a group of students might want to be educated by your words. Family and friends will want to be entertained. Despite the audience, give them exactly what they want.
Be sure to practice public speaking out loud. It may sound simple, but a lot of people tend to practice in their head. They speak the words internally instead of speaking out loud. This can cause all sorts of issues the day of your speech. Get used to hearing your voice, so it doesn't throw you.
Don't let the audience know you're nervous. You'll speak with far more authority by leaving that confession out. Usually, the audience has no idea that you're nervous. Hold yourself as though you have pride in your presentation.
Be sure to stretch your body before doing any public speaking. It isn't just about your voice. Your entire body is on stage while speaking. Just five minutes of stretching can relieve a ton of tension and give you the appearance of being relaxed. That's a big thing, and it'll help make your speech a success.
When delivering a eulogy, talk about a few of the completely positive aspects of the deceased. Don't try to give a life history. Speak about two or three pleasant memories that you have of the person. Remember to comport yourself in a dignified way. Do not make large gestures or speak in a raucous manner.
Now that you've read this you should be better prepared to face your fears. Re-read this article before speaking in public. The more familiar you are with the tips, the more success you will have. Start practicing today!
Orignal From: Master The Art Of Speaking In Public
No comments:
Post a Comment