Tips for Public Speaking

1. Learn 15 useful tips

1.1. No. 1 Know your audience.

     If you are speaking in front of an audience, there is usually a reason. Know who you are speaking to and what they want or need to take away. If it's friends and family, entertain them. If it's a corporate or school event, teach and inspire them.

     Knowing the type of the audience is important. Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

1.2. No. 2 Prepare and rehearse.

     Prepare the goals of your speech and the content well ahead of time. Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points.

     Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds. Grab attention at the beginning, and close with a dynamic end. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember. If you have your speech coming up, make time every day to practice.

1.3. No. 3 Find a style that works for you.

     Different events will often require a different approach or style. Sometimes reading a prepared speech is fine but you don't need to be staring down at the pages the whole time. Use some notes. Others prefer to be 100 percent scripted and memorized. If that's your style, memorize the content so well that you can go off script if needed and so you don't sound like you're reciting a poem.

     Use the proper approach for the appropriate event. Be yourself, don’t become a talking head. You will establish better credibility if you show your personality, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

1.4. No. 4 Know the environment.

     Know the venue where you will be speaking. Get there well ahead of time. Walk the room and check its size and acoustics. Walk the stage. Know the form your audience will be seated.

1.5. No. 5 Test all equipment.

     Nothing sucks more that last-minute technical difficulties. Avoid adding even more stress by testing all equipment and audiovisual functions ahead of time. And have backups.

     Use audiovisual aids wisely. Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your words or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

1.6. No. 6 Practice body language and movement.

     Remember, communication is much more about tone and body language than the words we say. The words of course matter, but emphasis comes with movement and body language. Use your voice and hands effectively. Omit nervous gestures.

     Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

1.7. No. 7 Slow down.

     If you want to impact the audience in a meaningful way, make sure they really hear what you are saying. Slow it down.

1.8. No. 8 Make eye contact.

     This one is very important, and it doesn't matter how big the audience is. Make eye contact with as many people as possible. It makes the audience members feel like you are speaking directly to them. And don't just stick to people in the first couple rows. Look at the people in the back too.

1.9. No. 9 Take pauses.

     It can have a great impact on emphasizing key points and emotionally connecting to the audience.

1.10. No. 10 Practice tone and projection.

     Don't deliver your speech using the same tone and volume. It has to be changed. Tone and projection add a layer of entertainment and help keep the audience fully engaged from start to finish. These too must be practiced continuously.

1.11. No. 11 Use humor and emotion.

     It doesn't matter what you are talking about. There is always a place for emotion or humor, or both. It can spice things up. Self-deprecating humor works the best.

     The audience may not remember everything you said, but they will remember how you made them feel. Listeners generally like a personal touch in a speech. Using humor and emotions you will certainly grab your audience’s attention.

1.12. No. 12 Be prepared mentally.

     Find time during the hour before your speech for some solitude. Get your mind right. Clear your head. If it's five minutes before, just relax.

1.13. No. 13 Exercise before you start.

     All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. You may not be able to subdue your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize it. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you ready to give your best performance. The best way to overcome anxiety is to be well prepared.

     It's almost impossible to feel stress and anxiety after a good workout. If you have the time, exercise. The closer to your speech, the better. It's also a good time to practice.

1.14. No. 14 Don't go over the allotted time.

     When in doubt, go under the allotted time. Less is sometimes more. But never go over. It's poor speaking etiquette and shows you are not prepared. It's also disrespectful to your audience.

1.15. No. 15 Watch and ask for feedback.

     Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering an affected speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

     Most of us don't like to ask for feedback, especially when we know the response may include some constructive criticism. Take it positively because it shows the way to be better.