One of people's top five fears is the act of public speaking. It is even scarier than death to some. Given how much people fear it, you'd be smart to take steps to handle it. Use these suggestions to help yourself become a better public speaker.
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.
The tone of your speech should depend on who you are giving it to. For instance, if your speech is work-related, your speech should be professional. On the other hand, if you are around friends and have to make a speech, you can be more personal. Base your whole speech on your audience.
Do not chew gum or eat when you are making a speech. The chewing is unprofessional and distracts your audience. It is permissible to sip from a glass of water occasionally so that your throat does not get dry. Keep that to a minimum too, as it serves as a distraction from your message.
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.
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.
Look your audience in the eye. People will trust you when you look them in the eye. This doesn't mean that you should stare intently at them; however, when delivering a speech, let your gaze wander around the room. This technique will help you engage the audience and make them feel comfortable.
Many people start a speech with a joke in order to grab the audience's attention, so keep this in mind as you are figuring out what to say. If you are going to tell a joke, make sure that it is tasteful and on topic. Otherwise, you risk alienated some of them.
If looking at an audience makes you nervous, try not to look at anyone in the eye. Instead, look above their heads. Your audience will not be able to tell, and you will not be distracted by anyone's expression. This will help you keep your focus on your message better.
You don't want the visual aids to be a distraction from your speech. They should simply enhance your words. But, they should not be too distracting where they take away from your message. Make sure they're high quality and focus in on your key points. Make them colorful but not too distracting.
When giving a public speech or presentation do not include too many pieces of information. Filling your speech with too much information will overload your audience and be perceived as boring. A helpful speech will include a few important pieces of information conveyed simply and clearly. So, always edit your speeches to a handful of key ideas for best effect.
Take a look at the venue where you are scheduled to give a speech prior to the event. This will give you a good idea of where the audience will be sitting and where you will be speaking. It will help set you at ease when you get there since the place will be a bit familiar.
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.
Try watching professional public speakers. You can learn a lot from people that are famous for their public speaking abilities. Take note of how they speak and how they engage the audience. Figure out what it is that makes them successful. Try incorporating some of their habits and styles in your own speeches.
Always know the audience you're speaking to before giving a speech. This will help you understand what they want. For instance, your colleagues will expect to learn something. Some of your friends may desire entertainment. Please your audience, no matter who they are.
To become a more skilled public speaker, you must omit certain words and phrases from your vocabulary. Starting a sentence with the word "actually" conveys surprise or submissiveness. Never use the phrase "I just think" in your speeches. This expression communicates weak authority, and audience members will perceive that you lack conviction.
Ask your friends to help you prepare for public speaking. Get four or five of them together, and present your speech as you would in front of the larger group you are preparing for. It's essential to get used to having other people in the room while you speak.
Avoid creating physical barriers between yourself and your audience. While you may feel more comfortable hiding behind a podium, this limits your effectiveness. Audience members may tire of keeping their eyes glued to one spot, and they are likely to lose interest. By moving around during your speech, you hold the audience's interest and appear more dynamic.
As previously mentioned, speaking in public is often among the top fears of most people, even surpassing the fear of dying. However, do not let your public speaking fear control you. Keep the tips shared here in mind to gain control over public speaking instead.
Orignal From: Easy Solutions To Public Speaking That Are Simple To Follow
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