10 tips and tricks to boost your public speaking.
If you have ever delivered a speech in your lifetime you must know how nerve-wracking it gets sometimes. And there definitely must have been a moment in one of your speeches where you must have felt that you’ve completely messed it.
It’s very easy for things to get out of control when you are out there and everyone in the room is looking at you with expectant eyes. The thing that will save you from their horrifying stares is you putting yourself in their shoes.
We have all been in the audience numerous times and we all know how easy it is to get bored when it’s not us who is doing the speaking. For this very reason when you are delivering a speech your sole objective should be to attract your listeners. Once you have their attention, believe me, things get a lot easier.
Below is a list that I always refer to when preparing for a speech. Hope you find it helpful too.
1. Speak loudly
This I feel is the most important rule for speaking. Your audience must be able to hear you well. Believe me, if they are not able to hear what you are speaking then no matter how good your content is, no one will make an effort to listen to you. If you have a microphone, then well and good but one must be prepared for all circumstances. You never know when a technical fault in the microphone may cause your ship to sink.
2. Study your audience
Know who your audience is. How relevant your topic is to them. How much do they already know? How much you will have to elaborate on things? All these will help you to prepare your content well. Always keep in mind, since you are speaking to them, their point of view matters too.
3. Add data and numbers.
Data and numbers help add proof to what you are trying to convey. It gives the audience a sense of reliability. It also shows that you really took some efforts to prepare your speech before you came in front of everybody.
4. Add stories, metaphors and analogies
Try finding an interesting story related to your topic. It may be about how the stuff came into origin or maybe your personal experience with that thing. I, as an audience, love to listen to stories. Metaphor helps people remember things. Analogies give a better understanding of concepts.
5. Be clear and concise
This means that whatever you speak should assimilate in the minds of your listeners with ease. You don’t necessarily have to use aristocrat vocabulary in your speech. Conveying your message to your audience is the objective. The less the ambiguity, the better.
6. Gestures and Tone
Use your body language to convey your message. This attracts the listeners attention. Use appropriate expressions for each line you speak, but keep in mind not be overdramatic as this will distract the listener from the actual topic. Don’t keep a monotone. Change your voice pitch from time to time depending on the content. Your gestures must go hand in hand with your content. This really is the cherry on the cake.
7. Make eye contact
As a speaker, it is very important for you to look at your audience. This develops a kind of connection between you and them. Remember eyes play a major role in communication. This will also give a feeling to your audience that you are actually having a conversation with them and not just speaking for the sake of doing so.
8. Speak with an average speed
Don’t rush. Know where you need to emphasize. Give people time to think about what you are saying. Take dramatic pauses if necessary. You may go fast for sections where you are sure that the audience is already aware about it and you are just making sure they have a gist of it.
9. Practise your content in advance
The moment you are delivering the speech shouldn’t be the first time you are speaking on that topic unless and until you are an expert on it and you have confidence on what you have planned to speak about. Practising gives a sense of confidence. It makes us more aware about our content. We become aware of any loopholes or showstoppers that may be present.
10. Follow your heart
There may be experts in every field telling your that theirs is the right way to do things. It is always wise to listen to them. But follow you heart if you have a strong feeling about something. Listen to your gut instinct.
The sixth sense is at the core of our experiences. It is what makes experiences out of events.
-Henry reed.
Thank you for reading!!!
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