Imagine you just found out you have to give a 10 minute speech in front of three hundred people next week. For most of us, this news would bring a giant wave of panic. Not to worry! Check out our guide, “The Art of Public Speaking” for tips on how to give a great speech! Before you even hit the stage, put in the necessary prep work. Your speech should be organized (an intro, main points, and a summary) and rehearsed in front of friends and family. Lastly, see if it’s possible to see and familiarize yourself with the stage or space the day before. It would also be ideal to test out any technical equipment beforehand. Now get out there and give a great speech!
Transcript
>> Public speaking is consistently ranked high on the list of biggest fears that people have. Standing up there in front of all those people, what if they laugh at me? But don't let fear stand in your way. Here's some tips to help you deliver a great speech. Number one, know your topic. If you know your topic inside and out, you'll be less likely to be nervous and more likely to deliver a great talk. If you need to research and study to become a master of the topic, make sure you put in that prep work. Number two, don't talk right away. Walk to your position, pause, gather yourself, and then begin speaking. This will not only calm your own nerves, it will show the audience that you're comfortable and confident. It will also create a level of anticipation for your first words, and that will help you draw the audience in. Number three, captivate your audience in the first minute. You need to earn their attention, and you need to do it immediately. This can be achieved in a number of ways, but some common ones are the sharing of a short story, the telling of a clever joke, the asking of a provocative question. >> How many of you have ever gone on vacation and thought to yourself, What if I never go back? >> Number four, speak slowly. Nerves tend to speed up our words. Make sure you speak slowly enough to overcome this natural phenomenon. Number five, focus on friendly faces in the audience. As you look around the room, focus on those you have captivated, those who are paying attention, nodding their head, and smiling. And make individual eye contact. Number six, bring the energy. If you're nervous, turn that into excitement. You need to bring a high level of energy. Show the audience that you're happy to be presenting to them. It is so important to connect and draw them in. Your attitude is a crucial component of that. Number seven, don't read your presentation. When giving a talk, it's perfectly acceptable to have note cards or PowerPoint slides. But reading from them directly is a sure way to lose your audience. Number eight, open body language. Your audience will be much more receptive to your message if you convey an open and comfortable presence on stage.
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