Public speaking has become something so terrifying that the mere mention of it can cause a person to grow sick. Even people who spoken several times can freeze up on stage or lose their train of thought due to dread. In order to become a more competent speaker, it is vital to follow several steps.

The first thing one can do is to get to know the audience. Is this a speaking engagement at a convention for young professionals, or a presentation for a management class? The audience should determine the tone used by the speaker. A speaker should always speak in a way that will be effective in reaching the audience. All jokes or slang should be sensitive to the type of audience present. What is said to the board of directors should be entirely different from what is said to a group of preschoolers.

Another aspect of knowing the audience is understanding the occasion and what that means when it comes to attire. Dressing in a way that the audience will see as refined is vital. As a speaker, it’s always better to be slightly overdressed, than underdressed. A speaker should not wear gaudy jewelry that will jingle with every gesture of the hand or draw attention away from what is being said. Women should dodge wearing low-cut blouses. Speakers should wear clothes that are flattering but will not draw attention. The audience should focus on the speaker’s face and concentrate on his words. This means if long hair or bangs are constantly falling into the eyes they should be pulled back. Tucking hair behind the ears every five minutes gives an unprofessional impression as well and will irritate the audience.

Perhaps one of the most vital things that can be done while speaking, is giving eye contact. A speaker that looks only at the floor or stares vacantly at the back of the room, and never looks anywhere else, gives the impression of a terrified and trapped animal. A speaker can place the audience at ease, and make them reflect she’s confident, by giving excellent eye contact. This does not mean staring at only two or three individuals. Eye contact should be distributed across the room evenly.

Public speaking can be a fun adventure. Practicing these tips will prepare one to speak in front of crowds without a problem. Touring America with speaking engagements will happen without the typical worry and anxiety. The next thing the new speaker will want to do is install a home security system to keep her house safe when she’s gone.

Looking to find the best deals from Dallas Alarm Companies, then visit smithmonitoring.com to find the best deals for both Dallas and Austin Home Security.

Tagged with: • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Filed under: Public Speaking

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!