Public speaking is one of the most intimidating things for a person to learn how to do well. If you need to learn the art, this article has some great ideas to help you get started. Once you have read it, you should be well on your way to becoming a confident public speaker.
Feeling nervous before speaking in public is very common. To help overcome the fear of speaking in front of others practice the speech you will be giving several times in front of your family. This will allow you to work out any kinks in your speech. Additionally, this will give you the chance to speak in front of others.
When making a speech, know the concepts of your topics to start with. Research it from various angles so you have a good understanding of the topic. Narrow down exactly what you are going to say, and what specific topics you want to address, making sure that notes are kept with all the key points. The time spent preparing will pay dividends once you start receiving questions.
You will win your audience over if you add a little humor to your speech. There is nothing wrong with trowing in a joke or two and putting a smile on your audience’s faces. However, do not go overboard on the jokes, as your audience will not take you serious.
One key to a successful speech is to make it an appropriate length. Basically, when a speech is too short, you may not be giving all the information the audience is looking for. On the other hand, if your speech is too long, your audience may become bored and you may lose their attention.
The more public speaking you do, the more comfortable you will become. To help you gain the experience you need, offer to go to your local high school to share your knowledge with others. Most teachers are happy to have executives visit their class to give their students a chance to hear about different careers.
When you know ahead of time that you will be speaking in public, dress appropriately. You can dress down if you are speaking to a group of children at a summer camp, but dress more formally if you are making remarks at a business luncheon. Avoid flashy colors and distracting accessories. You want the audience to pay attention to your message rather than to your clothing or jewelry.
If you must do a lot of extemporaneous speaking, be sure to keep up on current events and topics of interest. In this way, you will always have something new and interesting to say. Remember that it is usually best to choose a complimentary approach rather than a humorous one unless you are extremely sure of your ability to amuse people!
As you can see, public speaking is about confidence. If you are properly prepared and confident that you can deliver the material, you are more than half way there. Use these suggestions whenever you need to. Eventually, you will have the natural ability to handle public speaking situations with ease.