Public speaking skills can be of great benefit to you in your life. If you are intimidated by public speaking, you just need to know some basics. Read on to learn how to become a better public speaker.
Prepare in advance the best that you can before a speech. Understand exactly what you are planning to say. You should do some research so you can do a better job supporting your statements. Take notes of whatever you have to say. Also, remember to memorize your words so you look professional while speaking. Being prepared can raise your confidence level.
Do your homework on the topic you are presenting on. Research it from various angles so you have a good understanding of the topic. Narrow down exactly what you are going to say, and what specific topics you want to address, making sure that notes are kept with all the key points. A thorough presentation can pay off when you’ve got the audience asking questions.
One method to improve your effectiveness when speaking in public is to relate a true story. Outline your story before your speaking engagement. Make sure that your story has a specific beginning, middle and ending so that your ideas are related better. If your speech is based on your real-life events, then you will seem more authentic and natural.
Familiarize yourself with the venue where you will speak. Learn how loud you need speak before the event. Try out any equipment you will be using. See how you can use visual aids to your advantage. Figure out how much eye contact should be made.
Learning how to breathe properly can help you relax before speaking in public. Doing some deep breathing and full exhalation prior to speaking helps calm you down. Use a count of four to breathe through the nose, and then a five count to breathe through the mouth. Repeat this until you feel your breathing and heart rate calm down.
Dress nice, even if the public speaking is to be at a casual event. If you look and feel sharply dressed, your speaking will reflect it. Men should consider wearing a necktie when possible, as it does direct audience eyes to the face and head so they focus on your speaking.
Go over your speech several times before you deliver it. This will really bolster your confidence because you will know your material inside and out. Have your notes with you as you stand at the podium, even if you’ve done a good job of memorizing your speech. That way, if there’s a point you forget, you can make a quick glance at your notes to jog your memory.
Practice your speech over and over until you can give it without looking at your notes. Try practicing in front of mirrors, using hand gestures, and facial expressions for making points. Ask family and friends for feedback as well. It will allow you to make adjustments to the errors that you find too.
Note Cards
Note cards can be quite helpful. You should know the bulk of your speech by memory, but having on note cards won’t hurt. You don’t need all of it, but having the main points will help make sure you don’t leave anything out.
Do not apologize to your audience when you are on stage. While it’s easy to feel like a fool in front of a large group, most of the time, the audience will be unaware of your internal feelings. When mistakes arise, simply correct them and continue moving on.
This article will share some useful information about public speaking. You can apply these tips in many different situations. This will help you become more and more confident when the time comes to deliver.
Onaolapo Adeyemi is a travel and technology writer. If he’s not on tour, you’ll find him in New York with his wife, and pet parrot hanging out at Starbucks.
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