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Public speaking is something most people dread. Even people who have done it several times can still freeze up on stage or lose their train of thought due to fear. In order to become a more competent speaker then, it is important to do several things.
The first thing one can do is to understand the audience. Is this a speaking engagement at a convention for business owners, or a presentation for a management class? The tone of the speech should be determined based on the audience. A speaker should always speak in a way that will be effective in communicating with the audience. All jokes, slang, or stories should be carefully tailored to fit the audience. What is said to the board of directors should be entirely different from what is said to a high school class.
Another aspect of knowing the audience is understanding the occasion and what that means when it comes to attire. Dressing in a way that the audience will see as tasteful and respectful is important. As a speaker, it’s always better to be overdressed, than underdressed. A speaker should not wear lurid jewelry that will jingle with every gesture of the hand or draw attention away from what is being said. Women should not wear low-cut blouses. Everyone should wear clothes that are flattering but will not draw attention. The audience should look at the speaker’s face and concentrate on her words. This means if long hair or bangs are constantly getting into the eyes, they should be pulled back. Tucking hair behind the ears every five minutes gives an unprofessional impression and irritates the audience.
Perhaps one of the most important things to do while speaking is to give eye contact. A speaker that looks at the floor or locks onto one object, and never looks anywhere else, gives the impression of a terrified and trapped animal. A speaker can put the audience at ease, and make them think he’s confident, by giving good eye contact. This does not mean staring at only one or two individuals. Everyone should be given equal amounts of eye contact.
Public speaking can be an exciting adventure. Practicing these tips will prepare one to speak in front of large crowds without a problem. Touring America due to speaking engagements can happen without the usual worry and anxiety. The next thing the new speaker will want to do is install a home security system to keep her house safe when she’s gone.
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