Public speaking guidelines
ZIWA Onstage Workshop - 2010
Speaking is an important method for communicating knowledge and expressing ideas. Being able to verbally communicate effectively to other individuals or to groups is essential in school, business, as well as your personal life.
Some tips for good public speaking
Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But, too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here's how you can control your nervousness and make effective, memorable presentations:
- Know the room
Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
- Know the audience
Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.
- Know your material
If you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary.
- Relax Ease tension by doing exercises.
- Visualize yourself giving your speech
Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.
- Realize that people want you to succeed
Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail.
- Don't apologize
If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Keep silent.
- Concentrate on the message – not the medium
Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.
- Turn nervousness into positive energy
Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.
- Gain experience
Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need.
More Guidelines.....
- Your audience is there to hear your message. Relax and deliver that message, instead of focusing on yourself.
- Make sure that your speech is right for your audience.
- Take your time. Don't read your speech word-for-word and don't rush through it. Be conversational, as if you were talking with a group of friends.
- Don't stand up there like a stick, clenching the podium at both sides. Be natural and animated. Use hand gestures, drink water, move around a little. But don't rock back and forth - that conveys nervousness.
- Keep the speech short and simple.
- Make eye contact with the audience. Connect with them. Get them to nod their heads to acknowledge what you're saying. Make them pay attention to you.
- Practice your speech ahead of time. Take time to pause in the right places to make eye contact and catch your breath.
- Don't get into a debate if someone disagrees. Talk with him/her after your speech.
Julie-anne Smith, February 2010