10 tips for effective public speaking
21 May 2012
Read by 2017 persons
Even in school, we often hoped we wouldn't be the one sent to the board or chosen for the upcoming presentation… Nothing has really changed. As adults, employees, managers, actors or politicians, we've all been afraid of public speaking.
Here are a few tips to better prepare for oral presentations and – why not? – to find some enjoyment in it, even a certain pleasure.
1 - Define the scope of your topic
Speak less, but speak better. Get to the point, learn to know very precisely the contours of the subject you are addressing, frame it as closely as possible to achieve and transmit the "essential essence".
2 - Target your speech
To interest and captivate your audience, it is imperative to know how to identify it. Knowing your target audience makes it easier to reach them. You don't speak to everyone in the same way, or about the same thing. Adapt your speech, use the appropriate vocabulary and jargon.
3 - Identify your objective
Why are you here? What are you trying to convey, what message do you want to get across? Ask yourself and be clear (honest) before you start communicating.
Are you speaking to present a product, convince your management, give a presentation, sell, provoke a debate, a discussion, offer some information on a specific file…?
4 - Learn the first 3 sentences of your speech by heart
Often, everything is decided in the first few minutes – for you and your audience. So it is useless to suggest that you don't master your subject by letting the first words, the first sentences of your presentation float. Launch yourself with a full voice, convinced, convincing, and preferably with a smile, as it quickly spreads.
5 - Present your strong points on the board
Writing your key points, your essential lines of thought on the board is an excellent idea if you want something to remain in the memory of your audience. However, resist the temptation to write everything down and don't read it: it gives the impression that you don't know your subject well enough and often bores the audience…
6 - Look at your audience
The audience is there, so make them really exist through your gaze. Don't be afraid to look at some people individually, more personally. Look in the audience for benevolent, welcoming looks that will encourage and motivate you. If you have trouble finding them, look at eyebrows, foreheads, the "third eye"… Once again, don't hesitate to smile; it will relax you and relax others. Good humor is contagious.
7 - Prepare your voice
Why not take a few minutes before starting to prepare vocally, warm up your voice by practicing some vibration exercises…? Also, remember to breathe from your stomach.
8 - Prepare your body
Basically, you are a gray matter athlete, a mental runner… So, after breathing deeply from your stomach (for at least 5 minutes), move your limbs, shake, slowly turn your joints, stretch, move the still sleepy parts of your body.
9 - Control your body
During your speech, firmly plant both feet on the ground, in a position that pleases you, reassures you, and gives you strength. It's all about positive energy here. Resist the urge to move around too much while speaking and/or to sway too much. This irritates the audience and therefore distracts their attention in the long run.
10 - Take the time to do a short summary
In a few words, a few points on the board, review your essential ideas, without being heavy or insistent; just a brief reminder of the main data, those that should remain in mind, in memory.
Article written by The ReKrute.com team
Posted on May 21, 2012.
Here are a few tips to better prepare for oral presentations and – why not? – to find some enjoyment in it, even a certain pleasure.
1 - Define the scope of your topic
Speak less, but speak better. Get to the point, learn to know very precisely the contours of the subject you are addressing, frame it as closely as possible to achieve and transmit the "essential essence".
2 - Target your speech
To interest and captivate your audience, it is imperative to know how to identify it. Knowing your target audience makes it easier to reach them. You don't speak to everyone in the same way, or about the same thing. Adapt your speech, use the appropriate vocabulary and jargon.
3 - Identify your objective
Why are you here? What are you trying to convey, what message do you want to get across? Ask yourself and be clear (honest) before you start communicating.
Are you speaking to present a product, convince your management, give a presentation, sell, provoke a debate, a discussion, offer some information on a specific file…?
4 - Learn the first 3 sentences of your speech by heart
Often, everything is decided in the first few minutes – for you and your audience. So it is useless to suggest that you don't master your subject by letting the first words, the first sentences of your presentation float. Launch yourself with a full voice, convinced, convincing, and preferably with a smile, as it quickly spreads.
5 - Present your strong points on the board
Writing your key points, your essential lines of thought on the board is an excellent idea if you want something to remain in the memory of your audience. However, resist the temptation to write everything down and don't read it: it gives the impression that you don't know your subject well enough and often bores the audience…
6 - Look at your audience
The audience is there, so make them really exist through your gaze. Don't be afraid to look at some people individually, more personally. Look in the audience for benevolent, welcoming looks that will encourage and motivate you. If you have trouble finding them, look at eyebrows, foreheads, the "third eye"… Once again, don't hesitate to smile; it will relax you and relax others. Good humor is contagious.
7 - Prepare your voice
Why not take a few minutes before starting to prepare vocally, warm up your voice by practicing some vibration exercises…? Also, remember to breathe from your stomach.
8 - Prepare your body
Basically, you are a gray matter athlete, a mental runner… So, after breathing deeply from your stomach (for at least 5 minutes), move your limbs, shake, slowly turn your joints, stretch, move the still sleepy parts of your body.
9 - Control your body
During your speech, firmly plant both feet on the ground, in a position that pleases you, reassures you, and gives you strength. It's all about positive energy here. Resist the urge to move around too much while speaking and/or to sway too much. This irritates the audience and therefore distracts their attention in the long run.
10 - Take the time to do a short summary
In a few words, a few points on the board, review your essential ideas, without being heavy or insistent; just a brief reminder of the main data, those that should remain in mind, in memory.
Article written by The ReKrute.com team
Posted on May 21, 2012.
