Public Speaking Tricks | Dominate The Podium

Keeping Cool While Speaking

Posted on 11. Dec, 2008 by Crazy J.

Whilst we as humans rely on our voices and verbal communication in order to clearly express and articulate our thoughts, feelings and desires all too often we overlook and underestimate another very powerful means of communication which is body language.

Body language is the image we convey to people, and whilst during public speaking we are projecting our voices in a bid to win over the audience or to convey a message, body language is very important as well.

It is a sad fact of our nature as humans that we tend to make snap judgments based on first impressions and on physical appearances, and during a public speaking exercise, the two senses tat you as the speaker will be engaging are the eyes and ears of the audience.

Don’t underestimate the power of a psychological boost, if you look good you will feel good. The  army makes recruits shower everyday not only for hygiene purposes but also to help ensure and safeguard their mental health as well and so you may want such a mental boost before you deliver your speech as well. Make sure to dress appropriately, whilst you want to try and look smart, you also want to ensure that you are comfortable as well.

If you feel too warm, are sweating or generally feel ill at ease with your clothing then this will have an adverse effect on the quality of your speech and delivery. Ladies, be sensible with your choice of jewelry and other accessories, you may find it of some benefit to remove earrings, bangles and other items of jewelry that will be liable to distract you.

Imagine, you are reaching forward to adjust the microphone so that it is easier to speak into, and just at that moment your jewelry gets caught in the mike, or your sleeve, or some other such inconvenience. Such events, whilst humorous after the speech has been and gone, are often the kiss of death for many a speech. This is because it is a major distraction for the flow of the argument as well as a distraction for the audience.

Pay close attention to your posture. Make sure you do not fidget, so hands out of pockets, and don’t play with your hair and standing up erect and facing straight ahead will mean that your voice will be projected much further.

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Relaxing Before A Speech

Posted on 11. Dec, 2008 by Crazy J.

Public speaking is one of the most common phobias people have and is a source of major anxiety even for those who are experienced with it.  The idea of standing in front of a large group of people and addressing them is enough to make most people’s blood turn cold, which is a real pity because as a marketing tool, public speaking is one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal.

This anxiety towards public speaking is a little unusual, because by its nature, public speaking is rather contrived and places the speaker at a physical and psychological distance from his audience. Some people find it far easier speaking to strangers than people they know, which seem to contradict the first issue i.e. of “intimacy” and being judged by peers.

Whilst many people feel completely and utterly helpless whenever they are engaging in public speaking, they fail to recognize that they are the ones in control. It is the speaker who controls the pace, direction, tempo and content of the speech, and whilst the speaker may feel ill at ease with so many people watching them intently,  this little revelation is usually enough to bring some confidence back.

One of the worst public speaking “sins” that can be committed is the speaker rushing through the material, either through nerves, a desire to be finished as quickly as possible or a combination of the two. Public speaking is intended to engage and to inform, and so speaking at such a fast rate that your audience struggles to keep up will mean that neither objective is achieved.

Speaking too rapidly will also mean that you will be more liable to make mistakes and lose your place; again, fumbling with your speech trying to find your place is a major faux pas. Speaking in a slow tone and pace, will mean that you are able to more effectively convey the information, more easily engage with your audience, and will also force your body and mind to slow down.

Meditation is simply absolutely concentrating on a mundane task, and so by intensely focusing your energy on speaking slowly and clearly will allow your rather jangled nerves an opportunity to settle. Another powerful relaxation technique is to visualize you delivering the speech in calm, articulate and engaging manner, doing so will help to break the cycle of negative emotion.

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Preparing For Public Speaking

Posted on 11. Dec, 2008 by Crazy J.

Many individuals who know before hand that they are going to speak in public often have a tendency to “rehearse” or go over his or her presentation or speech again and again. This is a good thing in a way due to the fact that an individual has the ability to memorize various parts of the speech or presentation if not all. By doing this an individual will probably not be as tense or afraid; however in some instances those who are speaking for the first time could also experience what many people call” drawing a blank.” In reality, it is very easy to pick up and start speaking once you compose yourself and have the reassurance that you were prepared for speaking.

On the other hand, there are those that simply “wing it”. And, when this is done there are times when the end result isn’t so great. By just winging it that individual has prepared for public speaking by simply throwing a few notes together and jotted a few facts down on an index card or two. Sometimes that isn’t even done.

Preparing for public speaking is better to put a bit of effort into it. This makes for a better speech and presentation. It also allows the individual to place rhetorical questions throughout, or points of interest. It might sound astounding as well but to change the volume of your voice or the tone in various places is also a way to keep listeners’ attention. Preparing for public speaking allows an individual to place marks or letters where it might be a good time to change the tone of your voice. Or to ask a question on a point that was just made in your speech or presentation.

Ultimately, these things can only be accomplished by preparation before public speaking. It is a form of being ready and it also allows you to have confidence that whatever topic, issue, or business venture you are covering will be successful just through public speaking.

Some individuals even prepare for public speaking through self-help books, DVD’s and other information that is available on the marketing industry today. Many businesses will choose the individual best fit for the position of public speaking.  Many of the individuals that are chosen by a company possess good leadership skills and the ability to take control of a situation or an issue without hesitation.

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