How
to Become a Polished Public Speaker In Just One Day
The
fear
of speaking in public ranks right
up there with the fear of death. I had the same fear
myself until I was chosen to be an electronics trainer
for the Air Force. It was only then I realized just
how afraid and lousy at speaking I really was. I went
to my first day of the 8 week training course
excited and looking forward to learning a skill
that many have never mastered. I soon found out I was
really terrible and needed a lot of practice.
Practice?
Yes, that and knowledge are all it takes to becom a
really great speaker in a very short time.
I even have the first video they made of my very first
speech. I still look at it sometimes when I need
a good laugh. I was talking about investing in the stock
market, and my hands did pretty much whatever they wanted.
My hands decided, for some weird reason, to perform
something known well among speakers as the "fig
leaf".
Remember
Adam and Eve? They were supposed to have worn fig leaves.
Because I did not know what to do with my hands during
that first speech, my hands decided for themselves
to cover my crotch, clasped together with white knuckles.
Geez, how embarassing. I never did that again while
speaking!
I
told you this story so you can laugh along with me.
I also wanted it to help you understand some of the
basics about becoming
a great speaker.
1.
Practice
your speech over and over. There are several
good reasons for this. The first reason is time. There's
nothing worse than "going over" the time limit
your client gave you. Another good reason is to find
out if you really know the material you'll be talking
about. Video taping yourself will show you mountains
of improvement that must be done!
2.
Write your speech out completely on paper first.
While practicing (in front of a mirror always), slowly
get away from "reading" your speech
to just talking about it. Eventually, as you memorize
what you're going to say, you won't need notes.
3.
Always stand with your body (especially your mouth)
facing the audience. This will feel strange at first,
because your initial inclination will be to turn away
from them. If you are using a presentation
board or whiteboard, make sure that you write, then
turn around and talk to them about it. Point to it with
a pointer while facing them and speaking. So many speakers
go to write on a board and end up talking to the board!
4.
Your hands should exercise natural
gestures while you're speaking. Don't flail your
arms around or play "pocket pool" with the
change in your pockets. Avoid nervous gestures like
playing with your tie, or twisting your hair, waving
a pointer around, or rubbing your nose. Speaking first
in front of a mirror will help you avoid these later.
While looking in the mirror, watch what stupid, nervous
things you tend to do and be very aware of them always.
5.
When you see your audience start to yawn or begin squirming,
get your jokes ready. If you're a natural comedian,
you will be able to come up with one on the fly. If
you're not a natural comedian, have a couple of your
favorite anecdotes ready to tell when they are needed.
6.
Watch the audience closely. They are the most important
element in your speech. If you have to, pick
one person out and ask them questions to make the speech
more interesting.
7.
Speak with a voice that is neither too low, too high-pitched,
or just plain monotone. Inject tone in your voice in
every sentence. Practice this in front of a mirror so
your speeches don't become something people forget.
8.
Your enthusiasm will make you memorable. The subject,
I hope, is something you are very enthusiastic about,
and it should show. The twinkle in your eye, the tone
of your voice, and your body movements should suggest
excitement and interest. It will rub off on your audience.
You'll see them sit up in their chairs and start really
paying attention.
9.
Look at everyone while you are speaking. Don't pick
out just one part of the room to talk to. The rest of
the room will wonder if you've got a buddy in that part
of the audience! Speak to all of them.
10.
Know
your subject thoroughly. Those mornings when I felt
I had not studied enough the night before made me feel
very uncomfortable with the electronics subject I was
teaching that day. I like to study at night, sleep on
it, and then I would really be ready the next day. If
I tried to study just before the speech, it was
never quite as effective. No matter what, knowing
your subject well puts you at ease. This also puts
your audience at ease.
11.
Make sure you end your speech with something
that sounds like a
summary or ending. I don't know how many times I
have listened to speeches where the speaker
just stops! There's a long pause while the audience
tries to figure out if that was it or not. Then comes
some sprinkled clapping, unsure at first. How humiliating!
Your ending should sound like a real ending.
If
you are a writer, salesman, consultant, or any number
of other business-related professionals, there will
be times when you will be asked to speak in front of
an audience. A lot of practice
and preparation will make you great!
by
Lynne Schlumpf
|
