Public Speaking Tips

For years, I did everything I could do to avoid speaking in public. I know that I’m not alone; millions of people rate the fear of public speaking high on their list of dreads and phobias. Regardless of your fear, sooner or later you will be asked to speak in public for a family member, a friend or co-workers. But, all is not lost, try these 12 tips to get you through your next engagement with flying colors.

• 1. Prepare, prepare, prepare!
• 2. Practice in front of a full-length mirror, for small groups. Join Toastmasters. www.toastmasters.org
• 3. Be positive. “I am a good speaker.”
• 4. Expect to be nervous. Use relaxation techniques to help with the nervousness (deep breathing, exercise by walking, stretch, visualize your success, meditate). The key is to make anxiety your ally. Use the nervousness to increase your energy and heighten your awareness.
• 5. Focus on your audience. Its NOT about you. You are there to help your audience.
• 6. Simplify. Use your time wisely and keep your presentation clear and simple so that your audience can understand what you are saying.
• 7. Connect with your audience. Look people in the eye, one at a time, as you speak to them. The audience wants you to succeed.
• 8. Act confident. Smile. Hold your chin up. Stick your chest out. When you do this, you will feel confident. Remember, YOU are the authority on the subject and they want to hear what you have to say.
• 9. Use humor wherever possible.
• 10. Offer the right message mix (inform, persuade, entertain, interact, impress)
• 11. Establish credibility by the use of facts, statistics, and stories.
• 12. Learn from your mistakes. Making mistakes is part of your learning process.