Public Speaking-Few Important Things You Must know

In this fast paced hi-tech world, public speaking has become an essential aspect. In fact, speaking skills are mandatory in fields like journalism, management, public relations, and sales and marketing. Public speaking does not always mean that you speak in front of large crowd, it also includes any activity where you are addressing a group of people on a specific topic which can be a message or even sharing anything you know. Do you think that you can choose your career so that you can eliminate all the chances of you stepping in front of crowd? Well, what about a job interview? Being able to speak well on a job interview may mean the difference between getting hired or not. Few people call public speaking an art and it has to come naturally. But, I think anyone can crack that public speaking or presentation anxiety by practicing few public speaking skills. Here is a list of things, which can really help you in order to overcome public speaking anxiety

1. You must remember that you are not the only person in this world who is giving a seminar or a presentation. Even the most experienced people often feel nerves in initial stages of their speech; everyone understands that you are feeling nerves, so no need to be panic.

2. Before delivering a speech, you must understand the knowledge level of your audience. Each type of audience poses a different challenge. As a speaker, you should design your speech content and deliver accurate information to the audience.

 3. You must know how to outline your speech. Outline it so that your audience can easily follow your points. If you don’t have proper content your speech can be meandering and off topic. Try to gather as much information as you can on your given topic, research extensively and prepare valid points, which can reach your audience easily. This will really makes your task much easier because you content is easily understandable.

 4. Try to explain your points with the help of with numbers or stats. People tend to observe stats rather than plain speech. Please do not use them for sake, but do use them appropriately to complement your points.

5. Practice, practice, practice! Practice in front of the mirror, practice in front friends and family, record your speech and play it back to yourself. Knowing your material is essential to your public speaking success.

6. If you do find yourself becoming overcome with anxiety during a speech, all is not lost. Take a brief moment to collect your thoughts. Drink a sip of water. You might even ‘admit’ your case of nerves to the audience, in an off-handed and humorous way. Most of the audience members have the same fears of speaking that you do, and may empathize with a polite round of applause or words of encouragement. Above all, try not to abandon your well-rehearsed plans. Find a logical re-starting point in your speech and start from there. Having an audience fully behind you and your words of wisdom can be the best cure of all for anxiety and stage fright.

 7. Speaking with 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.

 8. One of the worst mistakes you can make as a public speaker is talking too long. Not only will you send some folks to never, never land, you will make some of them downright mad. It doesn’t matter if your entire speech was brilliant and the audience came away with information that will change their lives. If you talk too long, they will leave saying, “That speaker just wouldn’t quit.” Don’t let this happen to you! Say what you have to say and sit down. Before you do, give them a well thought out closing.

                                                                                                                                                                                image courtsey: www. irwan.net

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