One of the greatest fears people have isn’t some cataclysmic disaster, but public speaking. The prospect of giving a speech can lead to a racing heartbeat, hives and high anxiety, while a gifted few feel in their element when speaking in front of an audience. Whether you love or loathe speaking in public, chances are, if you have a leadership role of any kind, you will have to make a speech sooner or later. Incorporate the following tips on speaking in public to make sure you get your message across.
First of all, in addition to preparing the right kind of speech, make sure you rehearse it well. You may feel like the speech was written straight from the heart or with compelling arguments, but you might not notice awkward constructions until you read it aloud. Don’t just check the speech, but rehearse it to ensure that everything rolls of the tongue smoothly and ideas are expressed clearly. When it comes to the actual speech, you may feel ready to jump right in after being introduced, but remember to express gratitude and make sure it sounds sincere. If you are not fond of public speaking, you may not really feel thankful for the opportunity, but make sure it looks and sounds that way.
Before you even start working on the speech, get to know your audience. Think in terms of demographics, and depending on the topic of the speech, think about their buying habits or what they like to do in their spare time. This can influence the diction of the speech as well as how you intend to raise issues and points. Start out your speech on a strong point to command attention. Once you have the audience’s attention, you can try to hold it throughout, but his can be difficult if you lose them in the first sentence.
Public speaking is not just giving a speech, but interacting with your audience. You may be asking merely rhetorical questions, but keep the listeners engaged in the speech. While you don’t have to seem like you are bulletproof, don’t appear too vulnerable. Many people like to start off a speech to break the ice by talking about how complicated their trip was or how tired they are, but this is often a mistake, and these stories are best shared with traveling companions who can relate. By the same token, avoid too many apologies, especially apologies about the length of the speech. If you feel the speech is too long, cut it.
Finally, finish off a great speech with a powerful conclusion. Make sure it is the kind of conclusion that lets the audience know you have made your point. Public speaking is about creating a strong beginning, middle and end and leaving a positive impression. If you have accomplished this, the speech was a success.