We have all heard of the statement “don’t beat around the bush” this applies when giving effective speeches. The first thing you can do is review your own speech. Go over what you have written and underline anything which may detract from the main topic or point your are trying to make. Many people with an obvious fear of public speaking do this, often driveling on, or going off topic – don’t make that mistake! Also be weary of repeating yourself, sometimes it is okay to repeat a specific phrase or word – if you are doing it to emphasise a point. But in most occasions repetition should be avoided as it will dilute your speeches importance and make the audience lose interest.

Another way you can better your speech is to insure you use evidence to back up your points. It’s often good to make a short, concise statement, then follow it up with relevant evidence to support it. By doing this you will keep the audience engaged in the topics and re-enforce the point you are trying to make.

It is okay to tell the audience exactly what you want them to get out of the speech. By being direct and taking the initiative, you are planting a seed in their mind as what you want them to come out with after the talk.

Eye contact plays a major part in the effectiveness of your speech. Those with a fear of public speaking will often give away tell-tale signs by either looking at the ground, or letting their eyes dart around the room. Eye contact should remain steady, always look up, never down. Try and keep focused and don’t let your eyes wander around the room aimlessly. If you feel uncomfortable looking at people in the eyes then pick a spot in the centre at the back of the room and pretend you are talking to someone there.

Another effective public speaking tip is to insure your speech has a beginning, middle and end and flows together properly. This will allow you to get your information across to your audience.

If you combine the various principles explained in this article then you will be well on your way to producing a great speech and should have the tools you need to speak with ease and confidence, no matter how big the audience.

Do the following to put at ease when delivering a speech:

1. Your speech needs a beginning, middle, and end. You must grab your audience’s attention in the first minute…so begin with a starting comment, question, story, or humor. End your speech on a strong note by asking a question, providing a quote, tell a story or leave them laughing.

2. Every 5-7 minutes, back up your facts with signature (about you or others) stories. Stories are out there – everywhere. Find them in the stores, at restaurants, on the airplane, at home. People retain information better when hearing a story.

3. Practice your speech out load. Record it on to a tape recorder and/or video camera. Also do this when giving a program to a live audience. Do it every time!

4. Practice pausing before and after important points. Don’t be afraid to leave open space. The use of silence is a key requirement to becoming an effective speaker.

5. Use direct eye contact. You can focus on one person when making a point…and everyone else in the audience will think you are speaking to them also.

6. Don’t just stand behind the lectern: move around, gesture. Be animated. (Fifty-five percent of how people perceive you is by body language; 38 percent by your voice;
7 percent by your words)

7. Smile a lot. Be enthusiastic about what you are saying. And have fun.