Public speaking is an essential skill for anyone who wishes to improve their status in life. Learning to be an effective public speaker will ensure you have enough confidence to face any situation; whether an employment opportunity, an opportunity to get funding for a new business idea or even the opportunity to obtain a promotion. Students are the most terrified when it comes to speaking in front of their audience. Their lack of experience usually gets in the way. However, there’s really no reason to panic. The following tips will ensure you become an excellent public speaker:
1. Professionalism - Get a personal feel of the audience
The first rule of public speaking is to know your audience. You should know the size of the group you are speaking to, their age range, their interest and knowledge in the subject of your speech and how much information they are likely to know about you. This information can be used to help you prepare your speech, it must be pitched at a level that will appeal to them, preferably keep their interest and actually teach them something new. Public speaking is all about forming a connection with the audience, if they trust and believe in you then your speech will automatically become interesting and relevant to them.
2. Proper preparation - Check the venue before the big speech
It is essential to know the room you are going to be giving your speech in. This may not be possible if you are attending a job interview. Knowing the venue means that you will know what equipment is on hand which can be used to help your speech; such as a projector. You should also become familiar with any obstacles when getting onto the stage or moving around the stage. Knowing this will help you to avoid any embarrassing trips and allow you to focus on giving your speech.
It can be difficult to go somewhere you have never been before and give a speech; you are open to a variety of issues and potential problems. Knowing what to expect will help you to feel relaxed and ready for anything; this will help you to deal with anything!
3. Charisma – Make a good first impression
Generally there will be someone who is going to introduce you to the audience. This is an excellent opportunity for the audience to recognize your authority on a subject and learn a little about you. Of course, the person doing the introduction may not know much about you. To ensure the introduction puts you in a good light, it is recommended that you provide a few key points to the introducer before the event. This will make their job easier and ensure you have the introduction you need.
4. Persuasion skills
The most important thing you can do when giving a speech is to get the audience on your side. The best way to achieve this is by starting your speech with a short, funny tale. Preferably this tale will include you and will relate to how your beat adversity to succeed. Ideally this success should be in a subject relevant to the speech and to the everyday lives of those who are in the audience. This will allow your audience to relate to you and will, automatically, ensure they are on your side.
5. Authority
Before you give a speech you should practice thoroughly as many tiles as possible. This will ensure you know your subject and can give your speech from a series of bulletin points. Adopting this approach will allow you to maintain eye contact with your audience and will make you seem both confident and knowledgeable. Both of these traits will help to ensure your audience is interested in what you have to say. Using notes excessively will show your audience that you do not know your subject properly and that you are very nervous about speaking. This will not help endear them to you.
Now that you know what to expect and what skills are needed to have confidence, it’s time to ward off your fears and get started. As a student you may not have much experience; but you have the drive to make others listen. Use that drive to your advantage.
1. Professionalism - Get a personal feel of the audience
The first rule of public speaking is to know your audience. You should know the size of the group you are speaking to, their age range, their interest and knowledge in the subject of your speech and how much information they are likely to know about you. This information can be used to help you prepare your speech, it must be pitched at a level that will appeal to them, preferably keep their interest and actually teach them something new. Public speaking is all about forming a connection with the audience, if they trust and believe in you then your speech will automatically become interesting and relevant to them.
2. Proper preparation - Check the venue before the big speech
It is essential to know the room you are going to be giving your speech in. This may not be possible if you are attending a job interview. Knowing the venue means that you will know what equipment is on hand which can be used to help your speech; such as a projector. You should also become familiar with any obstacles when getting onto the stage or moving around the stage. Knowing this will help you to avoid any embarrassing trips and allow you to focus on giving your speech.
It can be difficult to go somewhere you have never been before and give a speech; you are open to a variety of issues and potential problems. Knowing what to expect will help you to feel relaxed and ready for anything; this will help you to deal with anything!
3. Charisma – Make a good first impression
Generally there will be someone who is going to introduce you to the audience. This is an excellent opportunity for the audience to recognize your authority on a subject and learn a little about you. Of course, the person doing the introduction may not know much about you. To ensure the introduction puts you in a good light, it is recommended that you provide a few key points to the introducer before the event. This will make their job easier and ensure you have the introduction you need.
4. Persuasion skills
The most important thing you can do when giving a speech is to get the audience on your side. The best way to achieve this is by starting your speech with a short, funny tale. Preferably this tale will include you and will relate to how your beat adversity to succeed. Ideally this success should be in a subject relevant to the speech and to the everyday lives of those who are in the audience. This will allow your audience to relate to you and will, automatically, ensure they are on your side.
5. Authority
Before you give a speech you should practice thoroughly as many tiles as possible. This will ensure you know your subject and can give your speech from a series of bulletin points. Adopting this approach will allow you to maintain eye contact with your audience and will make you seem both confident and knowledgeable. Both of these traits will help to ensure your audience is interested in what you have to say. Using notes excessively will show your audience that you do not know your subject properly and that you are very nervous about speaking. This will not help endear them to you.
Now that you know what to expect and what skills are needed to have confidence, it’s time to ward off your fears and get started. As a student you may not have much experience; but you have the drive to make others listen. Use that drive to your advantage.