Faye B. Roberts
Preparation techniques for public speaking is more than fact-finding or effective writing and then repeating the words by rote to your audience. Learning the more subtle skills like voice control and modulation, paper and equipment handling, posture and presentation, humor and timing, ease and confidence all require preparation.
Preparation techniques for public speaking includes practice, "real" practice, not just memorization. We're all familiar with the adage, Practice make perfect". But practice does not make perfect,Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.
Practice in front of a mirror 10 to 15 minutes a day, two or three times until the event. Practice speaking at the correct volume for the crowd and room size. You do not want to be overpowering or too faint to be heard.
Speak slowly and clearly. After reading a line, pause and look in the mirror, pretending you are looking at the audience, then return to your speech and repeat. To get immediate and realistic feedback, record your speech into a tape recorder and then listen critically.
You will hear where your strong points lie and the areas that need improvement. Doing that even once is worth ten silent read-throughs In the same way, one stand-up practice in front of friends and family members is worth ten read-alouds in front of a mirror. There will be nothing as helpful as practice and preparation to reduce or eliminate fear of public speaking. Practice, practice, practice.
Visualize your presentation in advance. Not only will your proficiency be increased by visualization, but so will your self confidence. Visualize yourself standing erect and proud, giving a flawless speech, the audience eager to hear every word. See yourself up on stage, fearless and powerful, connecting with your audience. Feel your pride. Hear the applause.
The fear of public speaking ranks high in the ratings of phobias. One of just many of the reasons for this is because of fear that someone in the audience may ask a difficult question after your speech, so anticipate and be ready with answers. There may of course be a question you haven't anticipated and don't know the answer to. Simply state, "I don't know, but I'll find out and get back to you". This will help eliminate your fear of 'unanswerable questions' and you can concentrate on your presentation.
Using these preparation techniques for public speaking will help to reduce or eliminate your stage fright. You've never learned how to do anything hard without practice, and speaking is the same way. Practice. You owe it to yourself and your audience.
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Faye B. Roberts provides ways to overcome your fear of public speaking. Get a free report that will show you some little known secrets you can use right now to get on the fast track to public speaking success. Visit:
Get your Free Report Here
For a sure fired way to make yourself a effective public speaker visit
Make Me the Best Public Speaker
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Tips to Ensure Your Public Speaking Success. Part 1
Faye B. Roberts
To have the greatest public speaking success, you need to start with some basic information. Here are some basic tips to help get you started.
Do your homework about the audience that you are speaking to: research to find keywords that are associated with the audience. Use words related with the group and put those into your speech. For example, if you are giving your speech to a group of Police Officers learn some 10-4 codes or if your speech is to a group of golfers use some golf terms. Adjusting your speech to your audience will have them pay more attention to what you are saying. You will sound like one of them and they can relate better to you and you will truly connect to your audience.
The first thing you should know when preparing your speech is that your opening and closing remarks are the most memorable for your audience. The filler in the middle has a tendency to get lost. Which doesn't mean that the middle part should be gibberish, of course. It should be on topic and precise, but make sure you have a good opening sentence and a sharp punch line for the end. You want your opening remarks to be compelling and create enough interest to gain the attention of your audience, and your final remarks should summarize what your speech meant to convey to them. If you start your speech the right way you will be on your way to a delivering a successful speech, and the last sentence will make it memorable.
Please do not start with the normal "Hi ladies and gentlemen. We are here today to learn about the art of public speaking. We're going to have fun today and I am going to show you how to become an effective public speaker". This is totally the wrong way. It is boring and definitely not original. It might get the attention of a few but defiantly not the majority. Start out by creating some mystery and intrigue. Using the proper words in your opening can make or break your speech. Start with a compelling story, date or number. Something like "It was a short time ago that I made the most amazing discovery that has helped my career like nothing else. It has helped me by giving me confidence in myself and my ability to show you the art of public speaking." Or you could start with: "Ninety Five percent of all of you in the audience has a phobia. Do you know what that phobia is? It is the fear of public speaking". In both of these examples your audience is alert and ready to listen.
When you first get onto the stage and you're standing tall at the podium, smile for the first three seconds while saying absolutely nothing. During this time make eye contact with the audience. This shows the mark of a polished, experienced speaker. It shows you are poised and patient and engages the audience's attention right away.And speak at the audience, not the wall or the ceiling or the door - look at the audience and involve them. They will become interested in you simply because you show interest in them.
Public speaking is not the career choice for many, but the ones who are successful are the ones who spend time doing their research about their audience. Finding those few key words makes the audience feel special, which in turn makes them enjoy your speech. The thundering applause at the end will confirm it.
To have the greatest public speaking success, you need to start with some basic information. Here are some basic tips to help get you started.
Do your homework about the audience that you are speaking to: research to find keywords that are associated with the audience. Use words related with the group and put those into your speech. For example, if you are giving your speech to a group of Police Officers learn some 10-4 codes or if your speech is to a group of golfers use some golf terms. Adjusting your speech to your audience will have them pay more attention to what you are saying. You will sound like one of them and they can relate better to you and you will truly connect to your audience.
The first thing you should know when preparing your speech is that your opening and closing remarks are the most memorable for your audience. The filler in the middle has a tendency to get lost. Which doesn't mean that the middle part should be gibberish, of course. It should be on topic and precise, but make sure you have a good opening sentence and a sharp punch line for the end. You want your opening remarks to be compelling and create enough interest to gain the attention of your audience, and your final remarks should summarize what your speech meant to convey to them. If you start your speech the right way you will be on your way to a delivering a successful speech, and the last sentence will make it memorable.
Please do not start with the normal "Hi ladies and gentlemen. We are here today to learn about the art of public speaking. We're going to have fun today and I am going to show you how to become an effective public speaker". This is totally the wrong way. It is boring and definitely not original. It might get the attention of a few but defiantly not the majority. Start out by creating some mystery and intrigue. Using the proper words in your opening can make or break your speech. Start with a compelling story, date or number. Something like "It was a short time ago that I made the most amazing discovery that has helped my career like nothing else. It has helped me by giving me confidence in myself and my ability to show you the art of public speaking." Or you could start with: "Ninety Five percent of all of you in the audience has a phobia. Do you know what that phobia is? It is the fear of public speaking". In both of these examples your audience is alert and ready to listen.
When you first get onto the stage and you're standing tall at the podium, smile for the first three seconds while saying absolutely nothing. During this time make eye contact with the audience. This shows the mark of a polished, experienced speaker. It shows you are poised and patient and engages the audience's attention right away.And speak at the audience, not the wall or the ceiling or the door - look at the audience and involve them. They will become interested in you simply because you show interest in them.
Public speaking is not the career choice for many, but the ones who are successful are the ones who spend time doing their research about their audience. Finding those few key words makes the audience feel special, which in turn makes them enjoy your speech. The thundering applause at the end will confirm it.
Do You Suffer Stage Fright And The Fear Of Public Speaking?
Stage fright and fear of public speaking can cripple your career. It's almost impossible to be successful in any business without having to speak to a large group of people at some point in time. This can be an excruciating experience if you suffer from fear of public speaking. In a recent Gallup poll shows that 40% of adults have stage fright and the fear of public speaking.
Performance anxiety or stage fright is a crippling fear that is a public speakers' equivalent to writers' block. No matter how much preparation time or how well you know your material, the stress of recalling the next line of your speech and the jitters caused by being on stage can be a powerful combination. Add the fact that one single mistake can cause inestimable damage to your presentation and you have a recipe for debilitating stage fright.
Almost every speaker has suffered from stage fright at some point in their career. Fear of public speaking shows itself in many situations and through all walks of life. It ranges from mere nervousness if you have to speak to more than a couple of people at work or to full blown panic attacks at the thought of speaking in any public situation. If you are the person who dreads the moment in a meeting when someone turns to you and says "what do you think?", or you worry that soon it will be your turn to introduce yourself, or even if you virtually pass out at the thought of any public speaking, you CAN be helped. There are some very basic strategies that will help you overcome your stage fright and your fear of public speaking.
Put yourself in control of everything within your sphere of influence. Check out your physical space and insure any hand-outs and presentation materials are
available for distribution. If you are going to be using an overhead or power point system make sure they work (and are plugged in). Avoid being rushed or distracted on the day of your presentation.
Practice your relaxation skills before you go up to the podium. Take an imaginary journey through your speech from beginning to end, soothing your mind during the quiet time before your entry. Use deep breathing to calm your body and your mind. The difference between someone suffering from stage fright and fear of public speaking with someone who feels calm and capable is that the former frets about it in advance and the latter doesn't. So don't fret, practice your relaxation skills and stay calm.
You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faye B. Roberts is an independent researcher helping people become effective public speakers. For further information on making yourself an effective public speaker visit
Make Me A Great Public Speaker
Faye B. Roberts provides ways to overcome your fear of public speaking. Get a free report that will show you some little known secrets you can use right now to get on the fast track to public speaking success. Visit:
Get your Free Report Here
Performance anxiety or stage fright is a crippling fear that is a public speakers' equivalent to writers' block. No matter how much preparation time or how well you know your material, the stress of recalling the next line of your speech and the jitters caused by being on stage can be a powerful combination. Add the fact that one single mistake can cause inestimable damage to your presentation and you have a recipe for debilitating stage fright.
Almost every speaker has suffered from stage fright at some point in their career. Fear of public speaking shows itself in many situations and through all walks of life. It ranges from mere nervousness if you have to speak to more than a couple of people at work or to full blown panic attacks at the thought of speaking in any public situation. If you are the person who dreads the moment in a meeting when someone turns to you and says "what do you think?", or you worry that soon it will be your turn to introduce yourself, or even if you virtually pass out at the thought of any public speaking, you CAN be helped. There are some very basic strategies that will help you overcome your stage fright and your fear of public speaking.
Put yourself in control of everything within your sphere of influence. Check out your physical space and insure any hand-outs and presentation materials are
available for distribution. If you are going to be using an overhead or power point system make sure they work (and are plugged in). Avoid being rushed or distracted on the day of your presentation.
Practice your relaxation skills before you go up to the podium. Take an imaginary journey through your speech from beginning to end, soothing your mind during the quiet time before your entry. Use deep breathing to calm your body and your mind. The difference between someone suffering from stage fright and fear of public speaking with someone who feels calm and capable is that the former frets about it in advance and the latter doesn't. So don't fret, practice your relaxation skills and stay calm.
You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faye B. Roberts is an independent researcher helping people become effective public speakers. For further information on making yourself an effective public speaker visit
Make Me A Great Public Speaker
Faye B. Roberts provides ways to overcome your fear of public speaking. Get a free report that will show you some little known secrets you can use right now to get on the fast track to public speaking success. Visit:
Get your Free Report Here
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