For many, public speaking is a daunting challenge. Dealing with the attention of so many people coupled with the stress of articulating correctly and understandably makes most people nervous. But like every other activity, public speaking to requires skill and practice. All you need to know is the art of managing your thoughts while also connecting with your audience.
We’ve made a listicle of some of the most important elements of public speaking. Read on to know how you can become a great orator.
First things first. Understand and analyze who your audience is. Most likely, you will change your tone and choice of words basis the audience you are catering to. For example, your speech to a group of college students will vary significantly from a speech at a professional congregation, analyse who your audience is. Most likely, you will change your tone and choice of words basis the audience you are catering to. For example, your speech to a group of college students will vary significantly from a speech at a professional congregation.
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As a speaker, you only have the first few seconds to capture your audience’s attention; they should want to hear you out until the end. How do you do this? In most cases, the host of the event introduces the speaker to the audiences. If you have not been introduced aptly, be sure to take a few seconds to establish your credibility. While explaining your authority over the subject is a great way to start, humour also has its way of getting you all the attention you want.
Despite your knowledge and expertise over a subject, you may not be able to get or sustain your audiences’ attention. This is because, generally speaking, the attention span of most people is limited to a few minutes at the most. So what can you do to capture their attention? Think different. The more interesting your method of presentation, the more people are going to listen to you. Sharpen your observation skills and constantly attempt to give your talk the creative edge.
This is possibly one of the oldest tricks of the trade, but definitely among the most effective. Rehearsing helps you understand what you are trying to say, which makes it easier when you speak in public as you do not have to worry about the content anymore. Rehearsals also give you the confidence to speak better; you know where are you falling short and can give yourself ample chance to improve. But be sure to rehearse exactly as you would on stage; try not to do it in your casual clothes.
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One of the worst ways to start your speech is by clearing your throat. To avoid this, be sure to warm up your voice before you get on the podium to make your presentation.
Most public speakers feel anxiety and nervousness before they get on stage. If you want to become a good public speaker, you need to learn to manage that anxiety. In fact, it is often not as bad as you’d think. The first stage is to accept anxiety, then channelize it into the confidence and energy you need to present better. Until you have learned to manage your fears, be conscious of your body language, leaving no scope to let your audiences know what you truly feel.
Public speaking is important if you are looking to climb the social and professional ladder. At Trebound, we make sure to train you in aspects that matter the most when it comes to presenting to people. Our sessions are woven around your needs, fears, and ambitions – which makes us the only company to truly care for your personal growth.
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