“ How to Survive Public Speaking”
|
Happiness, Health, Wealth and wellbeing self help books express self and personal development articles about improving your Happiness, Health & Wealth, increasing your wisdom on how to be happy, using self help resources like self help site with free self help books on being happy with loving relationships, high self esteem & self confidence using self actualization and express self through public speaking self growth resources.
The three greatest fears for humankind are Death, Tax Time and Public Speaking; but the greatest of these fears is Public Speaking.
For some, the idea of standing up in front of a roomful of total strangers is worse than being audited; and for many, death itself would be preferable to having to speak publicly.
Maybe this has happened to you.
Someone introduces you and you walk up to the podium.
You look out on that sea of unfamiliar faces, and your heart starts to pound in your chest, your mouth goes dry, your palms begin to sweat and your stomach gives a lurch.
You had a speech prepared, but every bit of information you had intended to share just flies out of your brain, like so many uncaged birds. The butterflies in your stomach have become iron pellets. And like a bad sitcom, everything goes into slow motion, and you imagine that the audience is now pointing at you and laughing.
Stop right there, take a deep breath and relax. Every public speaker has had a nerve- wracking experience at least once in his or her life. But it doesn’t have to be that bad, and there are several ways to make your next public speaking experience less stressful, maybe even fun. The good news is thatfear of
public speaking isn’t fatal.
The first thing to ask yourself is to whom will you be speaking? Speaking to a convention of bankers or investors is completely different than speaking to a convention of say, meat packers, or giving a toast at a wedding. Know your audience. If you are giving a speech at a seminar, you have information to impart to your audience; they’re there because you can teach them something.
Once you’ve determined who your audience will be, it’s time to prepare your speech or presentation. The more you know about your topic and the better prepared you are, the less nervous you’ll be, so really get to know your material. Practice your speech or presentation in front of a mirror and pay attention to your body language.
Should you bring notes or depend on your memory? Because it is a stressful time, most speakers bring notes with them. How awful would it be to become so nervous, you forgot everything you were going to say, and you just stood there, trying desperately to remember your speech? Always take notes with you. But just use them as a guide; don’t recite from your notes, unless you’d like your audience to nap while you speak to them.
The first thirty seconds are the hardest to get through, but are of the greatest importance. In that first thirty seconds, you must grab your audience’s attention; get them interested in what you have to say. You’re probably asking, “How exactly do I do that?” Well, you could start with a joke, depending of course on your audience. Humor might not be appropriate for some gatherings. You could ask a provocative question, or quote a famous person.
Watch your body language. If you’re using a podium, stand naturally behind it; don’t grip the edges, as if you’re afraid of being blown off the dais. Place your notes on the podium, smile at the audience, and while maintaining eye contact, begin your speech or presentation. Hand gestures and facial expression are important. Moving about a little is okay, but try not to pace back and forth across the stage or dais. It can make your audience nervous.
Remember to take it easy and not rush through your presentation or speech, pause now and then, consult your notes when necessary and try to relax. Remind yourself to speak slowly and clearly, avoiding slang. Stick to your speech or presentation; try not to go off on tangents that are sure to confuse your audience.
Know when you’re done. Avoid rambling on, repeating yourself, or going off topic. Tell them what you need to tell them, give them the information they came to hear, then wrap it up. If you planned on a question and answer period, let them know you’re ready for their questions. When you’re done, say thank you and walk off the dais.
Dales Carnegie was quoted as saying that, “Great speakers are not born, they’re trained.” That means that, as with most things in life, preparation is the key. When you’re prepared, when all your ducks are in a row, and you feel like you know what you’re doing, you’ll be much less nervous.
So, walk up to that podium, look your audience in the eyes, smile, act like you own the place, and begin. You will survive; in fact, you will be good and interesting. You might even learn to enjoy the experience as a public speaker.
Happiness and wellbeing self help books and express self through public speaking personal development articles about improving your Happiness, Health & Wealth, increasing your wisdom on how to be happy, and using self help resources like self help site with free self help books on being happy with loving relationships, high self esteem & self confidence using self actualization and self growth resources.
How to Be an Influential Speaker
There isn't much difference between talking to just one person, to a small group, or to a wide audience. While you do have to talk a little louder with the latter, the kind of talk that usually goes on at a meeting does not deviate much, in essence, to the talk that goes on when you're at a party. Therefore, if you're asked to speak in front of a group, do not fret. Think of it as just having a conversation with one audience unit.
When you're speaking to a group, you are speaking with a purpose. That is, you want your listeners and viewers to think, feel, and respond by doing something. Thus, public speaking is a responsibility.
But, before you balk at the thought of being 'responsible' for something, realize that being an influential speaker does not really require the knowledge of rocket science. You don't have to memorize all the contents of the latest encyclopedia edition to hold influence over an audience.
What makes an influential and effective speaker?
- A good speaker has a sense of responsibility. Thus, he is careful with the things that come out of his mouth. He doesn't bite more than he can chew; nor is the information he is supposed to impart spread thin.
- A good speaker is enthusiastic and alive. He is aware that he is speaking to a group of people with diverse interests and moods. He catches the audience's attention by being himself, genuinely enthusiastic about the topic he is discussing.
- An influential speaker is one who keeps his head. He doesn’t let the opportunity to own the limelight as a chance to grandstand everyone else.
- An influential speaker has a sense of leadership. He speaks with authority, stands up straight, makes eye contact and speaks in a concise and straightforward manner. He injects humor into his speech, but doesn't get carried away with just making small talk.
- A good speaker has a sense of time. He knows that the people had set aside a part of their lives to listen to what he has to say. He does not waste his and everybody else's time by engaging in empty topics.
Of course, nobody is without fault. If you, as the speaker, make a mistake or give false information, acknowledge the error and make the correction right away. Don't keep apologizing and get to the next point immediately after you've made the correction.
Apologizing incessantly will not only make you look like a novice, but it will also reduce your credibility as an effective speechmaker. The more awkward you seem, your influence radar decreases.
When you are speaking in front of an audience, it means you have something substantial to say; that which will affect the people who listen to you. Do not waste this opportunity by beating around the bush.
The fact that you were given the chance to speak to a group means you already have some sort of influence on them because they were willing to set time aside for you. Take care of this gift very well.
Yes, influence is not something you just impose on people. It is something you earn by gaining the confidence and respect of others.
Back to Top of express self free self help books and personal development articles page
Back to self help books and articles Home Page
===============================================================
SITE DISCLAIMER: The self help books and express self through public speaking personal development resources on this Strategic Services web site are not intended to be a substitute for therapy or professional advice. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this self help book and personal development publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the self help books and personal development subject matter herein. There is no guarantee of validity of accuracy of any self help books and express self through public speaking articles content. Any perceived slight of specific people or organizations is unintentional. This self help books and personal development articles website and its creators are not responsible for the content of any sites linked to.
Self help books for express self through public speaking happiness & personal development resources, free self help ebooks and self help articles listed for your convenient self help books for happiness personal development search in the express self through public speaking free self help books and articles subjects of express self through public speaking self image, self help relationships tips, self help ebook download resources for happiness, express self being happy self help emotion management, express self through public speaking panic attack self help, self help for low self esteem, express self through public speaking self help famous quotes, anxiety self help resources, happiness quotations, express self motivational self improvement, stress management self help books, express self motivational articles, tips and depression self help books, express self through public speaking articles and resources.
===============================================================
