Are you being called upon to deliver a speech during a wedding celebration? Maybe you need to make an impassioned speech for class or you have a big pitch to make for work. No matter why you have to speak in public, you surely wish to come across strongly. The techniques below will help to improve your abilities.
After writing a speech, time yourself. If it is longer than you were expecting, take the opportunity to trim it down. If you need to fill in more time, look for more pertinent information on the topic. Also, don’t rush through your speech when it comes time to give it.
If you are preparing for a public speaking engagement in advance, memorize your speech first, before anything else. When you get to the point where you can give your speech at any moment, then you are ready to practice your overall delivery. Memorizing the speech itself also frees you up for improvisation later on.
Know as much about your material as possible. Regardless of whether you have the words memorized, it is still important to know random facts about the material. Depending on the type of audience and how receptive they are, you can weave in stories as you go along. This can also reinforce your speech when answering questions or providing follow up conversations.
Make eye contact with your audience as much as you can. Don’t get distracted by whatever else is happening. You are attempting to convince the audience of something, so they need your full attention.
Make sure you are acquainted with your audience. If possible, find out some of the individuals that will be in the crowd. If possible, greet a couple of them and find out what their names are. Having a personal familiarity with a few people in the crowd can make it a lot more friendly feeling.
Look at the room you need to make the speech in. If the room doesn’t have a microphone, figure out how far you can expect your voice to carry. Use whatever equipment is available and get familiar with it. Learn how you can use any of the visual aids if they are present. Look at how far away the entire audience will be.
Breathe calmly if you are afraid of public speaking. Prior to getting up on stage, engage in some deep breathing. Breath in and out very slowly, counting to four or five on each inhale and exhale. Repeat this six times and you will soon feel so much calmer.
Dress nicely, even if you are going to be at an event that is casual. Looking sharp can give off a confident image. Consider a tie because it draws the eye to your face and helps people focus on what you are saying.
Make sure to focus on getting your audience’s attention early on. Always smile as they approach and try to shake some hands. This helps you to appear positive and friendly, and it makes people interested in the contents of your speech.
Practice your speech as much as you possibly can. It’s best to practice while looking in the mirror. This way, you can figure out which facial expressions and gestures work best. Do a few practice presentations in front of friends to get some feedback. They will help with your weak spots.
There are many reasons why you must give a public speech. Sadly, speaking in public is not something that most people are comfortable with. Use the simple tips in this article to give a good speech on any occasion. Achieve your goals and master the art of public speaking!
