Public speaking is an art. It takes time to build and hone your skills. To learn it, you must do it. Doing it builds confidence – the key to effective speaking. These tips will help you:
10 TIPS For Public Speaking
- Know your material
• Know more about the topic than you include in your speech - Rehearse
• Rehearse out loud with all equipment/props as on the day
• Practice with a timer - Know the audience (diverse)
• Be careful with metaphors (appropriate vs offensive in one culture)
• Avoid slangs, jargons and idiomatic expressions - Know the room/virtual space
• In-person: Arrive early, walk around the speaking area
• Practice using the microphone and any visual aids - Relax
• Begin by addressing the audience.
• Pause, smile and count to three before saying anything - Visualize yourself giving your speech
• Visualize yourself giving your speech and the audience clapping - Realize that people want you to succeed
• Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining; they are rooting for you - Don’t apologize for any nervousness or problem
• The audience probably never noticed - Concentrate on the message – not the medium
• Concentrate on your message and your audience - Gain Experience
• Your speech should represent you — as an authority and as a person
• Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking
Public Speaking Resources – Click here for Public Speaking Tips
Shirley E Daley, EMBA/CLU
Branch Manager
Chancellor Insurance Agency
