It is not unusual for people to feel anxious when they have to get up and talk in front of others. They tend to avoid these engagements. Unfortunately, not every situation is avoidable. If you aren't comfortable with your current public speaking skill set and want some advice on how to do it better, then keep reading.
When you are speaking in public, there is usually a time frame that you need to stick to. Make sure that you get to your key points before your time is up. Otherwise, you will have wasted all of our time since the audience will not have received the message you were trying to deliver.
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.
Get to know your surroundings before your speech. If the room doesn't have a microphone, figure out how far you can expect your voice to carry. Use whatever equipment is available and get familiar with it. Make sure you know the right way to use visual aids or any relevant equipment. Make eye contact with the audience as much as you can.
Make eye contact with your audience members. Doing so makes them feel as if you are speaking directly to them and helps keep them engaged. It also makes you appear confident and poised. Look at various members of the audience as you speak to help engage as many of them as possible.
Never tell the audience that you're sorry for being nervous or any other issue that comes up. Chances are they didn't even notice in the first place. Even if they do, coming across as lacking in confidence detracts from your position of authority on your speech that you are making.
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.
Avoid drinking alcohol before your speech. While it may appear to be a solution for low self-confidence, it will most likely backfire on you. Your speech will be ruined if you're drunk and forget what you wanted to say.
If you will be speaking for a long time, be sure to have a glass of water handy on the podium. It is also a good idea to have a stool behind the podium so you can perch occasionally if you get too tired. Wear comfortable shoes so that you will be able to concentrate on your speech rather than your feet.
To increase your effectiveness as a public speaker, maintain good posture when you speak. To inspire confidence you should stand comfortably upright and avoid common posture problems such as slouching or leaning to one side during the presentation. If you don't intend to use gestures keep your hands in a neutral position, either straight down at your sides or in front of the body with one hand over the other at about navel height. Hold the attention of your audience by adopting a calm and upright demeanor.
Tell a joke to break the ice. A joke can help calm your jittery nerves. Additionally, a well timed joke will allow your audience to relax and see you for who your really are. However, be aware that telling too many jokes can make your audience not believe anything you say.
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.
Don't beat yourself up if you make a mistake during your presentation. Unless the information given wrongly is important do not correct your mistake. Instead, continue on with your speech like nothing has happened. If you need to correct the mistake you made, apologize and correct the mistake and continue on.
If you have to give a speech in front of an audience, practice in front of a mirror. Certain hand gestures and expressions can emphasize on a point that you are trying to make. Watching yourself in a mirror can also help you see things about your appearance that you can improve.
When you are making eye contact with your audience, try not to let your eyes dance around too much. Make eye contact with one person while you finish a sentence. You can engage your audience better this way. It will also make your points seem more forceful when you direct it to an individual.
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!
When you're speaking publicly, be conscious about pacing yourself. Nerves can cause people to speak too rapidly when behind the podium. Your speech cannot be understood if you speak at a fast pace. Pace your speech so that people can keep up with the information that you are sharing.
Lessen your anxiety about public speaking by thinking of your audience as a single entity. Don't focus on the fact that there are 50 people in the room. Instead, visualize yourself speaking with only one or two people. This strategy is most effective when the audience is comprised of members with similar backgrounds, expectations, and understanding of the subject matter.
Everyone has the ability to speak well before crowds. All it takes is time, practice and a little knowledge. Continue to practice and get better and better. Keep these tips in mind when speaking in front of groups. They will help you immensely.
Orignal From: Excellent Article With Many Great Tips About Public Speaking
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