Be Direct-Essential Public Speaking Tips

There are many factors that make a public speech effective and successful. From tone of voice, confidence of the speaker, to subject matter and delivery. But one of the most important factors is making sure your speech is direct in order to engage the audience and make sure your point is put across. Here are some suggested essential public speaking tips, that will help you improve the quality of your speech.

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.

Why You Shouldn’t be Ashamed of Your Public Speaking Phobia

So the thought of having to give a large speech in front of so many eyes staring at you makes you feel uneasy. But you should never feel ashamed or embarrassed of this phobia. Why? Because it is in fact one of the most common phobias to have. A survey in America showed that it was the number 2 all time phobia – just being beaten by the fear of spiders. And roughly 75% of the American public say they have felt this fear in their lifetime. So you are definitely not the only one who has to deal with it.

In fact far more people have this problem then you may think. Even professionals get nerves too. Did you know that Donny Osmond suffered from stage fright, and had several panic attacks throughout his career? Even the world famous Barbara Streisand had such a deep social phobia it prevented her from singing live for over 27 years! Luckily she overcame this and look where she is now. Other people include Laurence Olivier , Kim Basinger even Winston Churchill! Would you ever have dreamed that famous people like that have those phobias? Well they are just like me and you and they are living evidence that it can be overcome. If they can do it so can you!

It’s completely normal to suffer from this. Just think when you learned to swim, you first had a slight fear of the water and fear of the unknown, once you learned how to do it it became second nature. That’s exactly the same for driving. Can you remember the first time you got into a car, how difficult it was learning to check all your mirrors and use all the right pedals at the right time. Then once you passed and have been driving for a while it’s easy, you don’t even have to think about it. That’s exactly the same for public speaking, the fear of doing it is often is much greater then then the problem itself. Once you face up to it, like many have before you, you will find that public speaking becomes an easy and often enjoyable task.

So stop worrying about your phobia and start feeling exited knowing that so many people have rid their fears, and you can too!

9 Tips To Keep Your Audience In Attention

In almost all gatherings (conventions, alumni homecomings, commencement exercises, fund raising or awarding ceremonies), guest speakers are usually invited to highlight the occasion.

To make the gathering memorable, guest speakers are selected for a certain reason, some according to their popularity and accomplishments.

As much as possible, the speaker’s profession or line of achievement must be in some way related to the occasion.

Let’s say the occasion is a convention of home developers. The likely guest speaker to grace it could be a famous housing czar well known and respected by the city and state.

To impart a lasting impression to the audience, a speaker must find ways to keep the attention glued to his speech.

If it so happens that you are the invited guest speaker of a gathering, the suggestions below may help to keep your audience listening instead of walking around or doing something else.

1. Speak in a clear, crisp, comprehensible voice with an enthusiastic tone. Avoid mumbling. Try not to eat the words as if there’s a gum in your mouth.

2. Your speech should be in consonance with the aim of the gathering, touching on issues relevant to its objective and applicable to current needs for the benefit of the majority.

3. More speakers prepare a list of the issues they want to touch on instead of a speech prepared and read (or memorized) word for word. A spontaneous speech aligned on the ideas prepared or written on the list is projected more naturally.

4. Inject humor into your speech to keep the audience attentive and waiting for more. Studies reveal that, when humor is involved, audiences find the speaker interesting to listen to. But be aware not to go beyond the line of humor because this may unintentionally embarrass others or be misunderstood by them. This might raise comments that criticize your speech. Try your best to avoid criticism.

5. When you raise an issue, one of the best ways to project it is by citing instances or examples. Correlate the example and the issue clearly.

6. Suppose the gathering was organized to save an industry or boost the morale of those that will be directly and indirectly affected by it. Try your best to deliver an inspiring speech. A speech filled with positive thoughts, like projecting a bright tomorrow, can turn a depressive mood into an enthusiastic one. If you are well versed on the industry with a solution to offer to suppress its downtrend, then say it.

7. Audience participation may seem to turn your speech into a discussion, but it is one way to confirm effectiveness of what you are saying or offering.

8. Image how the industry will look like 5 or 10 years from now on a positive flight. Be specific and realistic in your projection. If hard work is called for, say so.

9. Leave a lasting, meaningful message as you wrap up your speech.

A speech that leaves the audience thinking long after the speech has been made will also leave the audience remembering the speaker for a long time.