Tips on Public Speaking
Public speaking is a fantastic communication skill. If done correctly it can be an effective way of getting your message out there, so why not become a professional?
Following are some simple tips that will give you that public speaking edge.
Step 1: planning/preparation
Before you begin writing your speech, it is important that you know and understand all the practical details of the public speaking situation that you are about to enter.
Knowledge of the occasion
The content, tone and length of your speech should be shaped according to the nature of the occasion at which you will be speaking. So before you start writing it’s a good idea to think about things like:whether you are speaking at an academic, celebratory or solemn occasion;whether you are the only speaker at the event or whether you are one of several; andat what stage of the proceedings you will be speaking.Knowledge of your audience
Understanding your audience is an essential ingredient to writing a successful speech, as you need to communicate your message to this specific group of people. The type of speech that appeals to and is appropriate for one type of audience may not be the case for another. In light of this, understanding your audience will help you to decide the best way to deliver your message. Before you begin writing, it is a good idea to think about whether your audience is:young or oldHigh or low incomeeducated or uneducatedAustralian or foreign?Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Practice in front of the mirror, practice in front of friends and family, record your speech and play it back to yourself. Knowing your material is essential to public speaking success. Practice runs of your speech will be most beneficial if you make them as realistic as possible. You can do this by;dressing in what you plan to wear on the dayusing the speech aids and visual aids that you intend to use; andsticking to the time limit that you have been given.Arrive early
Arriving early to the occasion is a must for any public speaker. Allowing yourself this extra time, gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with both the audience and venue, and check up on significant details such as:the size and shape of the roomwhether or not there is a podiumwhether there is a microphonethe type of technical assistance that is available to you.By doing this you are not only taking some of the uncertainty out of your public speaking experience, but you are also reducing your chances of running in to any technical difficulties.
Step 2: delivery
As I mentioned before, the ultimate purpose of any speech – is to communicate your message to your audience. There is no use knowing all there is to know about a subject, if you don’t know how to communicate it effectively. As a result the success of your speech very much depends on how well it is delivered.
Language
The language you use should be comfortable for both you and the audience. It’s a good idea to avoid bookish language or technical jargon. Rather use words that are natural to you and phrases that are understood by all.
Get to the point
The expression ‘less is more’ is very relevant to public speaking. It is important not to tell the audience everything you know, rather tell the audience what it is that they need to know. Being able to select the best and most relevant information to include in your speech is an invaluable skill. However be careful—picking and choosing what is to be included in your speech does not mean that your speech should only deliver half the story. A good speech delivers the whole story but in a manner that is quick, clear and understandable.
Add variety
A great way to engage your audience and maintain their attention is by delivering information in a way that they can relate to. When writing your speech try to think of how you can bring your topic back to the everyday. By simply dropping in a few anecdotes and using practical examples to illustrate a point, you will make it easier for your audience to understand complex issues and to actually remember what it is that you have said!
Introducing a bit of humour is a sure way to win over an audience, but if you’re not a funny person you should probably give this a miss. There’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable silence after a punch line!
Tone
When delivering a speech,howyou say something can be just as important aswhatyou say. No matter how interesting your speech may be, speaking in a monotone is a sure way of putting your audience to sleep. In light of this, it is important that you vary the pitch and character of your voice so that it complements and emphasises what it is you are trying to say.
Pace
Sticking to a steady pace can be challenging for some speakers, especially if they are nervous. When delivering your speech, make a conscious effort to speak slowly and clearly.
Volume
Speaking at a good volume is another important factor. Your voice should be loud enough so that it carries to the back wall, but not too loud so you are shouting at the audience!
Body language & gestures
Much of communication comes through body language. How you hold yourself carries a very strong message, so when making a speech, it is important to be aware of it and use it to your advantage.
Posture—if there is a podium, do not use it to lean forward, this can be intimidating to an audience, however it is equally as important not to lean backwards either. It is best to maintain a relaxed but upright posture. Keep your feet firmly grounded with your legs shoulder width apart, this will help you to keep your balance.Make an effort to be aware of what you do with your hands. Hands are prone to fidgeting and have a tendency to take on a life of their own, so it is important that you keep them under control. Exactly where they should be placed is another consideration; for starters do not put your hands in your pockets—you’ll sound like a change machine and look like you have a bad attitude. Don’t place them behind your back either—you will look too formal as well as feeling unnatural. It is best to leave your arms comfortably by your side allowing them the freedom to gesture.Gesturing with your head and arms is part and parcel of communicating. It is the way in which we add life and emphasis to the spoken word, so it is only natural that they play an important role in public speaking. While gestures can be useful to emphasise a particular point, it is important that they be kept natural/spontaneous. Over-exaggerated or forced gestures can work to your disadvantage, for you are in danger of distracting the audience and therefore detracting from what you are saying.Dress—your physical appearance can shape first impressions and so should be an important consideration before making your speech. Be sure that you are wearing something that is comfortable for both you and the audience. It is not a good idea to be standing in front of an audience dressed in a pair of jeans that are painfully small or in a hot pink tank top that is painful to look at. When it comes to clothing, simplicity is the key. Opt for neutral tones and simple cuts. After all, your audience should be focused on what you are saying not on what you are wearing.Eye contact—ask any expert and they’ll guarantee that making and maintaining eye contact with your audience is an essential element of good public speaking. This simple tool works wonders on the audience—by engaging their attention at the start of the speech and securing their interest and respect throughout.Speech aids
A definite “don’t” for public speaking is to read from a script of your entire speech. No matter how well you know it, or how many times you have practiced, when standing in front of an audience the temptation to read it out word for word is very powerful. It is also very likely to result in a loss of eye-contact with your audience and therefore loss of their attention.
If you require a speech aid, the best option is to write a skeleton of your thoughts on 3 x 5 palm cards. These cards should be filled with key points or topic sentences that jog/stimulate your memory and help to guide you through your speech.
Visual aids
A picture speaks a thousand words, so the use of visual aids such as projectors or power point can be a great technique to help you convey your message more powerfully. However a few words of caution:make sure you speak to your audience and not to your slidesdo not swamp your audience with images, remember, the slides are there to support your speech and not the other way aroundbefore you begin, make sure the slides can be seen clearly from every seat in the room.Controlling nerves
So far as fears go, public speaking ranks right up there with the worst of them. Some people go so far as to say they would rather die than give a speech in public. If you are someone that suffers from nerves, focusing on these anxieties is unproductive. For you, the best way forward is to think up strategies to control those nerves, so that they don’t control you. It is important that you find the relaxation technique that works best for you such as positive visualisation or deep breathing.
Some quick tips
Don’t drink too much caffeine before giving your speech—it tends to give people the shakes and nerves will make this worse.Preparation prevents panic—knowing your material well will really boost your confidenceIf you make a mistake don’t worry. The chances are the audience didn’t notice. If it is obvious, don’t apologise, simply make the correction and continue with the rest of your speech.Remember—no matter how large an audience seems—it is made up of individuals
Following are some simple tips that will give you that public speaking edge.
Step 1: planning/preparation
Before you begin writing your speech, it is important that you know and understand all the practical details of the public speaking situation that you are about to enter.
Knowledge of the occasion
The content, tone and length of your speech should be shaped according to the nature of the occasion at which you will be speaking. So before you start writing it’s a good idea to think about things like:whether you are speaking at an academic, celebratory or solemn occasion;whether you are the only speaker at the event or whether you are one of several; andat what stage of the proceedings you will be speaking.Knowledge of your audience
Understanding your audience is an essential ingredient to writing a successful speech, as you need to communicate your message to this specific group of people. The type of speech that appeals to and is appropriate for one type of audience may not be the case for another. In light of this, understanding your audience will help you to decide the best way to deliver your message. Before you begin writing, it is a good idea to think about whether your audience is:young or oldHigh or low incomeeducated or uneducatedAustralian or foreign?Practice
Practice, practice, practice! Practice in front of the mirror, practice in front of friends and family, record your speech and play it back to yourself. Knowing your material is essential to public speaking success. Practice runs of your speech will be most beneficial if you make them as realistic as possible. You can do this by;dressing in what you plan to wear on the dayusing the speech aids and visual aids that you intend to use; andsticking to the time limit that you have been given.Arrive early
Arriving early to the occasion is a must for any public speaker. Allowing yourself this extra time, gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with both the audience and venue, and check up on significant details such as:the size and shape of the roomwhether or not there is a podiumwhether there is a microphonethe type of technical assistance that is available to you.By doing this you are not only taking some of the uncertainty out of your public speaking experience, but you are also reducing your chances of running in to any technical difficulties.
Step 2: delivery
As I mentioned before, the ultimate purpose of any speech – is to communicate your message to your audience. There is no use knowing all there is to know about a subject, if you don’t know how to communicate it effectively. As a result the success of your speech very much depends on how well it is delivered.
Language
The language you use should be comfortable for both you and the audience. It’s a good idea to avoid bookish language or technical jargon. Rather use words that are natural to you and phrases that are understood by all.
Get to the point
The expression ‘less is more’ is very relevant to public speaking. It is important not to tell the audience everything you know, rather tell the audience what it is that they need to know. Being able to select the best and most relevant information to include in your speech is an invaluable skill. However be careful—picking and choosing what is to be included in your speech does not mean that your speech should only deliver half the story. A good speech delivers the whole story but in a manner that is quick, clear and understandable.
Add variety
A great way to engage your audience and maintain their attention is by delivering information in a way that they can relate to. When writing your speech try to think of how you can bring your topic back to the everyday. By simply dropping in a few anecdotes and using practical examples to illustrate a point, you will make it easier for your audience to understand complex issues and to actually remember what it is that you have said!
Introducing a bit of humour is a sure way to win over an audience, but if you’re not a funny person you should probably give this a miss. There’s nothing worse than an uncomfortable silence after a punch line!
Tone
When delivering a speech,howyou say something can be just as important aswhatyou say. No matter how interesting your speech may be, speaking in a monotone is a sure way of putting your audience to sleep. In light of this, it is important that you vary the pitch and character of your voice so that it complements and emphasises what it is you are trying to say.
Pace
Sticking to a steady pace can be challenging for some speakers, especially if they are nervous. When delivering your speech, make a conscious effort to speak slowly and clearly.
Volume
Speaking at a good volume is another important factor. Your voice should be loud enough so that it carries to the back wall, but not too loud so you are shouting at the audience!
Body language & gestures
Much of communication comes through body language. How you hold yourself carries a very strong message, so when making a speech, it is important to be aware of it and use it to your advantage.
Posture—if there is a podium, do not use it to lean forward, this can be intimidating to an audience, however it is equally as important not to lean backwards either. It is best to maintain a relaxed but upright posture. Keep your feet firmly grounded with your legs shoulder width apart, this will help you to keep your balance.Make an effort to be aware of what you do with your hands. Hands are prone to fidgeting and have a tendency to take on a life of their own, so it is important that you keep them under control. Exactly where they should be placed is another consideration; for starters do not put your hands in your pockets—you’ll sound like a change machine and look like you have a bad attitude. Don’t place them behind your back either—you will look too formal as well as feeling unnatural. It is best to leave your arms comfortably by your side allowing them the freedom to gesture.Gesturing with your head and arms is part and parcel of communicating. It is the way in which we add life and emphasis to the spoken word, so it is only natural that they play an important role in public speaking. While gestures can be useful to emphasise a particular point, it is important that they be kept natural/spontaneous. Over-exaggerated or forced gestures can work to your disadvantage, for you are in danger of distracting the audience and therefore detracting from what you are saying.Dress—your physical appearance can shape first impressions and so should be an important consideration before making your speech. Be sure that you are wearing something that is comfortable for both you and the audience. It is not a good idea to be standing in front of an audience dressed in a pair of jeans that are painfully small or in a hot pink tank top that is painful to look at. When it comes to clothing, simplicity is the key. Opt for neutral tones and simple cuts. After all, your audience should be focused on what you are saying not on what you are wearing.Eye contact—ask any expert and they’ll guarantee that making and maintaining eye contact with your audience is an essential element of good public speaking. This simple tool works wonders on the audience—by engaging their attention at the start of the speech and securing their interest and respect throughout.Speech aids
A definite “don’t” for public speaking is to read from a script of your entire speech. No matter how well you know it, or how many times you have practiced, when standing in front of an audience the temptation to read it out word for word is very powerful. It is also very likely to result in a loss of eye-contact with your audience and therefore loss of their attention.
If you require a speech aid, the best option is to write a skeleton of your thoughts on 3 x 5 palm cards. These cards should be filled with key points or topic sentences that jog/stimulate your memory and help to guide you through your speech.
Visual aids
A picture speaks a thousand words, so the use of visual aids such as projectors or power point can be a great technique to help you convey your message more powerfully. However a few words of caution:make sure you speak to your audience and not to your slidesdo not swamp your audience with images, remember, the slides are there to support your speech and not the other way aroundbefore you begin, make sure the slides can be seen clearly from every seat in the room.Controlling nerves
So far as fears go, public speaking ranks right up there with the worst of them. Some people go so far as to say they would rather die than give a speech in public. If you are someone that suffers from nerves, focusing on these anxieties is unproductive. For you, the best way forward is to think up strategies to control those nerves, so that they don’t control you. It is important that you find the relaxation technique that works best for you such as positive visualisation or deep breathing.
Some quick tips
Don’t drink too much caffeine before giving your speech—it tends to give people the shakes and nerves will make this worse.Preparation prevents panic—knowing your material well will really boost your confidenceIf you make a mistake don’t worry. The chances are the audience didn’t notice. If it is obvious, don’t apologise, simply make the correction and continue with the rest of your speech.Remember—no matter how large an audience seems—it is made up of individuals
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