Would you rather die
than give a eulogy? You're not alone. Public speaking is rated as the number
one fear by over 40 percent of people in the world. Calm your nerves and
capture the attention of your audience by following these effective tips and
tricks.
27 Tips, Tricks, and
Tutorials
1.
Know your
audience and occasion: Long before you set foot on the stage,
lay the groundwork for your speech. The first step is to learn something about
the audience that you will face. Prepare an address that is understood and
appreciated by those listening. Consider the occasion: should you be casual or
serious?
2.
Choose
the right topic: Pick something you are comfortable with. If
you have to speak on an unfamiliar subject, do your homework and research it
thoroughly. You'll want to be informed and able to answer questions from the
audience.
3.
Don’t
memorize: Being familiar with your speech is a necessity, but
memorizing or reading from written material is not. It’s easy to lose your
place and very difficult to get back on track after a lapse. Instead,
concentrate on modulating your tone and voice to the response of your audience.
4.
Personalize
your speech: Pepper your material with small personal anecdotes
or other stories that will hold the attention of the audience. Everyone loves a
good story. Most people will relate and respond better to your speech when you
combine the facts with a collection of interesting tales and examples.
5.
Practice
'til you’re perfect: Practice at home in front of a mirror.
Record and time yourself: do whatever it takes to become comfortable with what
you have to say. Fine-tune your mannerisms and body language. Repeated trials
will help make you less nervous on stage.
6. Stick to time limits: Nothing
is worse than having to stop your speech short. Make allowances for occurrences
such as audience interaction or technical difficulties. If you find yourself
running late, know beforehand what you can afford to omit. In case you run
short, be prepared with additional material that goes with the flow of your
speech.
7.
Relax
before you get on stage: It’s easier said than done, but make
an attempt to relax before your speech. Practice breathing techniques and
think positive thoughts.
8.
Rely on
mnemonics: Instead of keeping your whole speech on the podium
with you, make a list of points that will remind you of each subject that you
plan to cover. Your list should consist of one or two-word phrases that jog
your memory for each part of your speech. This method is more visually
appealing than rifling through sheets of paper.
9.
Make a
strong start: Start off on the right foot with your very first
words and you’ll find that it’s easy to hold on to your audience’s attention
for the rest of the speech. Raise your listeners’ curiosity, provoke their
interests, even be a little controversial. Do whatever it takes to grab their
attention from the beginning.
10.
Watch
your body language: It’s what you don’t say that tells the most
about you. The way you stand and what you do with your hands can give away more
than you care to reveal. Nervousness is easily read if you fidget or avoid eye
contact.
11.
Maintain
eye contact: Look at your audience, not through or beyond them
when you talk. If you’re nervous, focus on a friendly face for a while. Move on
to others once you’re comfortable. Remember that all eyes are on you, so return
that contact with as many people as you can.
12.
Pace
yourself: Speak slowly and steadily so that you are understood.
When speech is hurried, there is a tendency to scramble words and overlap one
with the next. Speed does not bode well here: your audience will sense that
you’re nervous and trying to get the speech over with.
13.
Interact
with the audience: The best way to get your audience involved
in your speech is to interact with them. Ask them questions and invite them to
ask some of you. Make them feel they’re a part of your address.
14.
Be
prepared for the audience: An interactive audience is great,
but be prepared for what they will ask of you. Anticipate common questions and
have answers ready. If you’re caught off guard, try to answer confidently with
the best of your ability. It’s not wise to bluff, however. Know when to refer
to someone with more knowledge than yourself.
15. Don’t lecture: Talk, don’t instruct. Use language that the audience will understand instead of trying to sound important with jargon and fancy words.
15. Don’t lecture: Talk, don’t instruct. Use language that the audience will understand instead of trying to sound important with jargon and fancy words.
16.
Don’t
waste time arguing: If there’s a troublemaker in the crowd
who’s bent on arguing with you, don’t get sucked in. Arguing with one
individual to make a point is a waste of time. The others in the audience will
become restless and your speech will lose its effectiveness. Ask the
troublemaker for a discussion after the speech is over.
17.
Use
peripherals effectively: PowerPoint presentations and other
visual effects should augment your words, not overpower them. A speech that
relies completely on visual aids turns attention away from the speaker and
reduces the impact of the spoken word. Use them for technical details or things
you cannot explain easily with words.
18. Keep it short: You
want your speech to wow your audience, not have them checking the time. Gauge
their reaction: if they’re restless, wind it up.
19.
Don’t
apologize for mistakes: It’s alright to slip up or mispronounce
a few words. Pick up promptly after such lapses and continue with your speech
without further distracting the audience. A quick “sorry” or "excuse
me" will suffice.
20.
A few
moments of silence is not a crime: You don’t have to fill every
second with words. It’s acceptable to pause and gather your thoughts or sip
water before you resume speaking.
21. Don’t shout: Make
sure that you are audible to the farthest person in the room, but don't hurt
your audience's ears. If it’s a large hall, you’re sure to be provided with a
microphone. Speak softly and clearly, taking into account the echo
characteristics of the hall. If possible, test your voice before your audience
gets in so you can see how it carries.
22.
Work on
your tone and delivery: The key to a powerful speech lies in
the modulation of your voice. Know when to raise and lower your tone as well as
which words to stress. Your energy is infectious and your audience will react
to it. Use the tone of your voice to grab their attention and hold it.
23.
Regain
attention midway: Murmurs in the audience and members talking
amongst themselves are signs that your speech is lagging. Be flexible enough to
throw in an attention-grabbing story or joke.
24.
Focus on
your positives: Don’t attempt to be a master at public
speaking. Concentrate on your strengths and divert attention away from your
negatives. If comedy is your strong point, play it up. If body language is your
weakness, stay behind the podium and use the power of your voice to captivate
your audience.
25.
Finish
well: Work on a good closing; a perfect finish should not be
abrupt or leave the audience wondering if there’s more to come. Try to end on a
high note so that the crowd will remember you long after the room is empty.
26.
Look
good: Dressing well gives you an added dose of confidence. When
you know you look good, you feel as if you can take on the world. You don’t
have to wear expensive clothes or a designer outfit; it’s enough to dress
neatly and feel comfortable.
27.
Get more
exposure: The best way to get over your fear of public speaking
is to get more exposure. Every mistake makes you realize your weak points and
helps you avoid them for next time. Remember, practice makes perfect.
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