9 Ways To Ensure Success In Public Speaking
Good preparation enhances the prospect of success in public speaking just like any other activity. A skilled practitioner will give the impression of having delivered a speech without preparation but that chances are that a lot of work went into giving that impression of effortlessness. I assume that you are reading this because you would like to acquire those skills.
Here are 9 tips for preparing yourself to speak in public
Gain an understanding of who you are. This may sound like some rather hippy advice from the sixties generally given in a haze of smokable exotic substances. Quite the reverse. It is essential that you discover your own knowledge, capabilities, biases and potential. If you do this you will sound more natural and that you use your strengths to your advantage. Conversely do not try to be something you are not. You might yearn to be a barnstorming orator who can bring an audience to its feet with every other sentence that you utter. However, if your style is more thoughtful or discursive you can still be an outstanding speaker but you will not usually have your audience cheering you to the echo.
Gain an understanding of your venue. Consider how the setting of the place and other unforeseen factors could affect the way you deliver your speech. We all react differently to different surroundings. You will generally be more comfortable and therefore more confident in a venue you understand and know. It also allows you to overcome problems before you give your speech. Time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted.
Gain an understanding of your audience. Ponder upon what the audience wants to hear, what provokes their interest, what they believe in and what they want to know. It may seem rather weak but do you want to spend time persuading a hostile audience to believe something to which they are fundamentally opposed. That is laudable if you believe strongly in your message but most speeches are given for pleasure and profit.
Anticipate the response from the audience. This is a development of the point above. Make sure that you have a clear purpose in mind so that the audience will respond in the way you want them to.
Search for other sources of information. You should look upon your speech always as work in progress that can be constantly improved and polished. Your audience will relish interesting details and relevant facts. Conversely we react adversely if it seems the material that is being presented to us is just verbiage without content. There might be more materials available for you to make your speech more interesting and richer in its content. Look for them.
Come up with an argument that is reasonable. Ensure that your speech contains information that is correct and easy to understand which supports the basic premise that you are advocating.
Add structure to your message. This is the crucial first step in planning your speech. Organise your ideas so that the audience will not have a hard time following and digesting your ideas. If there is sequence of false logic or even a break in the chain of logic you will lose your audience even if they are sympathetic to your message.
Talk directly to your audience. Make sure the language you are using is appropriate for your audience. It is always harder to listen than to talk. What looks well in print may be harder for an audience to comprehend. Make it easy for them but do not "dumb down" or patronise. Ideally the content should slightly stretch your audience without leaving them behind completely.
Gain self confidence through practice. Public speaking is like all other human activity. The more you practice the better you become - which leads to further improvements owing to greater confidence. Repetition and practice will help you establish the rhythm and flow of your speech. You should be polishing all the time up to the point of delivery.
This list is not definitive but if you work on all these points your speech will be competent, fluent and well received.
About the Author
Tim Ross has over the years spoken to many different groups in a variety of locations including the Guildhall in the City of London. The lessons in public speaking from these experiences are detailed in his blogs and articles. For more information visit http://www.howtobeapublicspeaker.com/publicspeaking/
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