Public Speaking International - Public Speaking Tips - The Basics

“Dr. Genard’s executive speech coaching was extremely impressive. Dr. Genard was able to customize my training so that all my areas of weakness as a business speaker were addressed. This training opened up a whole new world of speaking expertise and opportunity for me! Youxin Ye, Senior Accountant, Pilgrim Insurance Company

Public speaking is an important skill in communicating knowledge and expressing ideas to groups of people. It is a primary medium for presenting and selling your products and ideas. Being able to verbally communicate effectively to other individuals or to groups is essential in business and professional endeavors, as well as your personal life. There is a need for people who can effectively make presentations and speak to others. Your knowledge and skills in this area can help advance your career or improve your business. If you really enjoy public speaking, you may even choose speaking as a profession.

Take a look at some of the basic foundations of effective public speaking and begin improving your presentation skills.

Calm Your Nerves to Prepare for Public Speaking

Public Speaking can be a physically and emotionally draining process. While it may seem that some people just have a natural-born talent, even they experience some form of anxiety when public speaking.  Follow our simple 5 minute exercise to calm your nerves and gain confidence when public speaking.

1. Find a quiet and solitary place.
2. Close your eyes.
3. “Listen” to your breath for the first minute.
4. Focus your awareness on a visual image you “see” in your mind.
5. See that object in as close to crystal clarity as you can manage.
6. Realize your breathing will become slower and deeper.

Organize and Prepare Your Material for Public Speaking

The best public speaking presentations are given by individuals that know their audience. In preparing for effective public speaking, it is important to ask yourself three important questions:

1. Who is the audience?
2. What information or type of persuasion will they respond to?
3. What is the best method of giving that to them?

Once you have answered these three questions, you are in a much better position to grasp exactly the kind of information you need to provide, and how to go about it. Effective public speaking is more than just delivering a presentation. Effective public speaking is a vehicle to deliver a persuasive message to your audience.  When public speaking, consider four classic formats when organizing your presentation:

• Chronological Approach
• Problem-solution Approach
• Compare Solutions Approach
• Tell a Story Approach

Develop Dynamic Introductions and Conclusions When Public Speaking

Your presentation probably contains key information you want your audience to retain.  Without a dynamic introduction when public speaking, your entire message can be lost immediately.  When public speaking, remember three important points:

1. Audiences make value judgments about you, your organization and your message if the first 30-60 seconds of your presentation.
2. Your opening sets the entire tone of your presentation.
3. The first minute is when you introduce your message and tell the audience why they need to hear it.

Engage and Motivate Your Audience When Public Speaking

Any public speaking exercise will not achieve the desired results if you do not engage your audience. Making the audience feel a part of the discussion is key in delivering effective public speech.  Remember these key points when public speaking to engage your audience:

• Make eye contact.
• Enjoy yourself and let your audience know you are having fun.
• Smile!
• Energize your voice.
• Ask questions, get your audience thinking when public speaking.