“Communication Tips: Public Speaking”

culled from:http://edwardlowe.org

1. Be clear and stay focused. Your goal is not to stun the audience with reams of information. Pare your speech to key points. Ideally, you should leave them wanting to find out more about your topic.
2. Aim to be interesting and likable. Use anecdotes, stories and humor to support your key points. Avoid jargon and acronyms. Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through, and feel free to gesture and move around a bit. Think how you could win over audience members who might otherwise be inclined to snooze from boredom.
3. Keep your ego under control. Approach public speaking in a spirit of generosity. The audience doesn’t want to be told how smart you are or hear you brag about your success. A lengthy list of your achievements belongs in the small-type notes of biography at the bottom of your brochure or other handout. Remember you’re there to pass along what you’ve learned and to inspire and motivate others.
4. Practice. Do this ahead of time in front of a trusted colleague or alone, but make sure you, in fact, do it. Too often, people who have spoken frequently in the past rest on their laurels. They may not be shy in front of an audience, but that doesn’t mean they have a well-constructed or timely presentation.
5. Don’t fear stage fright. It’s the adrenaline-driven excitement that can fuel your speech with energy and enthusiasm. Use that excitement to your advantage. Practice breathing deep from your diaphragm, and visualize yourself confidently delivering a speech to an enthralled audience.
6. Go for conversational delivery. Use your notes for rehearsal, and practice frequently. This will help ensure that you sound natural when you actually give your speech. Make frequent eye contact with the audience to hold their interest; never keep your eyes down reading your notes. A relaxed, conversational style may not come naturally to you, but it can be developed through extensive practice and a willingness to accept constructive criticism.
7. Get feedback. Ask someone you trust to coach you during rehearsals. Is your voice lively and enthusiastic, or is it a monotone? Are you speaking at a pace that ensures audience comprehension and interest? Are your points clear and relevant to your purpose? Ask your "coach" for a critique like this during your first few public speeches as well. If you don’t feel ready for a coach, get a video camera, and watch yourself on tape.
8. Be clear and stay focused. Your goal is not to stun the audience with reams of information. Pare your speech to key points. Ideally, you should leave them wanting to find out more about your topic.
9. Aim to be interesting and likable. Use anecdotes, stories and humor to support your key points. Avoid jargon and acronyms. Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through, and feel free to gesture and move around a bit. Think how you could win over audience members who might otherwise be inclined to snooze from boredom.
10. Keep your ego under control. Approach public speaking in a spirit of generosity. The audience doesn’t want to be told how smart you are or hear you brag about your success. A lengthy list of your achievements belongs in the small-type notes of biography at the bottom of your brochure or other handout. Remember you’re there to pass along what you’ve learned and to inspire and motivate others.
11. Practice. Do this ahead of time in front of a trusted colleague or alone, but make sure you, in fact, do it. Too often, people who have spoken frequently in the past rest on their laurels. They may not be shy in front of an audience, but that doesn’t mean they have a well-constructed or timely presentation.
12. Don’t fear stage fright. It’s the adrenaline-driven excitement that can fuel your speech with energy and enthusiasm. Use that excitement to your advantage. Practice breathing deep from your diaphragm, and visualize yourself confidently delivering a speech to an enthralled audience.
13. Go for conversational delivery. Use your notes for rehearsal, and practice frequently. This will help ensure that you sound natural when you actually give your speech. Make frequent eye contact with the audience to hold their interest; never keep your eyes down reading your notes. A relaxed, conversational style may not come naturally to you, but it can be developed through extensive practice and a willingness to accept constructive criticism.
14. Get feedback. Ask someone you trust to coach you during rehearsals. Is your voice lively and enthusiastic, or is it a monotone? Are you speaking at a pace that ensures audience comprehension and interest? Are your points clear and relevant to your purpose? Ask your "coach" for a critique like this during your first few public speeches as well. If you don’t feel ready for a coach, get a video camera, and watch yourself on tape.