Tag Archives: Audience

Public Speaking Tips : Public Speaking For Shy Or Private People

Public Speaking For Shy Or Private People

How shy or private people can learn to speak in public?
Simply join a Toastmaster Club to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking.
You are welcome to visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.shy-private-people

Check out the below article Public Speaking For Shy Or Private People written by Niamh Crowe.

——-

Public Speaking For Shy Or Private People
 by Niamh Crowe

Learning public speaking is like learning to ride a bike. All you need is some initial courage and a sense of balance. Then you have to change gear as appropriate. Once you’ve progressed that far you simply learn when to put on the brakes. 

Most of us have suffered from listening to poor public speakers. We’ve squirmed as they’ve gone on endlessly saying the same thing in a dozen boring ways. Most of us too have admired brilliant speakers and wished we too could captivate an audience. At the very least most of us would like to express our views in public without losing our courage not to mention our voices. 

The thing most public speakers have in common is simply a fear of making fools of themselves. They may be college students who have to study rhetoric as part of their schooling. In adult life those who attend may be budding politicians, trade union activists or aspiring business people. There may also usually be a few shy singles and some married couples sharing a new experience in communications. However interesting the mix they don’t usually expect to start the class with breathing exercises.

Teachers will explain that these exercises will help pupils relax. The truth is that when you see others puffing and blowing you have to laugh. You simply can’t take yourself too seriously when you are bent double swinging your arms energetically. In the context of all this merriment it is usually a only a short matter of time before you all introduce yourselves and explain why you are taking public speaking classes.

Your first challenge is that you have to get used to speaking aloud. So many teachers provide poems and tongue twisters, even bits from the Bible for you to try. You may be asked to bring in your favourite book and read it to the class. You will discover that they quietest person in the class probably loves gruesome tales of the supernatural while the strongest looking footballer loves lyrical poetry. Once you have got used to the sound of your own voice you progress to speaking about everything under the face of the sun.

One week you may rivet your class with your speech about spies. The next week you will find yourself giving your views on the political system or the World Cup. A good teacher will help you to expand your mind and broaden your interests. You may find yourself in the public library swotting up on a totally new subject and actually enjoying it as you visualise yourself impressing your classmates. It doesn’t take long before you are hooked on the challenge of captivating your audience. It won’t matter to you whether they are classmates, members of the local chamber of commerce or even the world synod of bishops.

That’s fine when you can prepare your speech days in advance. Speaking off the cuff is a totally different but part of public speaking is teaching you to think on your feet. So try to imagine what you would say about forks, Santa or the sky at night without any time to prepare. A simple one-minute off the cuff talk can seem like endless torture. Eventually though you master the idea of making a riveting start, interesting context and a thought-provoking conclusion, even if you don’t know the first thing about the subject. You are on your way to being a competent public speaker. Obviously though you will speak with more passion and zeal when you are inspired by the topic. So if you love sport you will find that your sports speeches will have that extra something and that’s good.

All through your life this skill it will be an asset to you. You may have to speak on graduation day, at the office party, when your best friend celebrates his birthday or even at your daughter’s wedding. Your audience may be schoolmates, the local historical society, a computer convention or simply the parish youth committee.

You learn to use a microphone so that it doesn’t catch the knocking of your knees. You will have learnt how to emphasise a point, how to use notes, how to chair a meeting. You master nervous habits such as hand twisting or foot tapping. Most importantly, you learn to write to be said aloud rather than read. You will find yourself listening critically to other speakers whether they are on radio or television or in a local club. You will start saying to yourself, “he never mentioned X” or “He should have said something about Y”. You become, In fact, the original armchair critic. Above all though you will learn that public speaking is great fun.

Public speaking is a very personal thing. It gives you confidence and it makes you more articulate. It teaches you how to put your ideas in sequence. It also helps you to make new friends. Many public speakers join groups such as Toastmasters and make it a lifelong hobby. Others are simply satisfied to be able to give their viewpoint at a local meeting. If you are really lucky you might even find yourself being paid to lecture on a pet subject!

Being able to speak well in public helps your self-esteem. You may find you are welcomed to parties, invited to functions and it might even help you to impress your boss. Certainly it will expose you to lots of new ideas you hadn’t considered before. You might, like one speaker, learn to think of income tax as today’s equivalent to the tithes once paid to the church to support the poor. Now that’s what’s called a persuasive speech!
Public Speaking Tips For Shy Or Private People

How Shy or Private People can Learn to Speak in Public? Simply join a Toastmaster Club to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking. You are welcome to Visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.

public speaking, public speaking tips, shy people, private people, Toastmasters

Some people of course are naturals and can address any audience anywhere with enthusiasm and ease. Most of us though consider public speaking as a fate worse than death, until we learn to master it. The problem then is that by then it will be like the weekly crossword, you’ll just have to keep at it until you get it right.

There is absolutely no feeling like that of holding an audience in the palm of your hand. So go on grab their attention, entertain and inform them and send them away with your words ringing in their ears.

Whether you call it oratory, rhetoric or public speaking it will enhance your life and help you to make lots of new friends. Like learning to ride a bike it is a skill, once learned, that you never forget. 

You may wobble a bit if you get out of practise but soon all the skills you have learnt will soon come back. Then you’ll be freewheeling all the way and your audience will be delighted to come along for the ride!

About The Author

Niamh Crowe is the CEO of the web’s leading speech site (http://www.speech-writers.com) according to Alexa.com and Ranking.com. Online since 1994, her site has thousands of speeches for every event and occasion including birthdays, weddings, graduations etc. She lives in Ireland where she is married to Fred. They have 5 children.

Copyright
Niamh Crowe
Copyright Speechwriters 1994-2007
marketing@speech-writers.com
http://www.speech-writers.com
Tel. +353 1 8333599

Share

How To Make a Speech Like a Pro

Public Speaking Tips: How To Make a Speech Like a Pro

effective public speakingIf you are expected to make a speech or give a talk, check out the below article for 8 simple tips that will help things go smoothly. 1. Practice in front of a video camera or mirror, and rehearse enough times to feel confident…

If you want to overcome stage fright and learn to speak with confidence, join a toastmasters club.

You are welcome to visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.

——-
Public Speaking Tips – Make a Speech Like a Pro
By Judy Camp

Public speaking can be a scary thing the first few times you try it, but people who speak often have a few tricks that help improve their performance. If you are expected to make a speech or give a talk, here are eight simple tips that will help things go smoothly.

1. Practice in front of a video camera or mirror, and rehearse enough times to feel confident, without saying “um”. In between rehearsing, take a moment to close your eyes and visualize your audience smiling and enjoying your talk. Visualization might seem strange, but it has been proven that positive visualizing beforehand will create a positive experience.

2. Know the material well. The key to public speaking is not just to memorize enough for the presentation, but to really know it well enough to explain it without making a speech. That will make you much more comfortable and confident during your speech. Search out various sources of information, from different points of view, which might make your speech more colorful.

3. Think about your audience, and why they need the information, and where they are coming from. Figure out what they will find most interesting. Tailor your speech depending on the audience’s background, age, nationality and other demographics and psychographics.

4. Back up your points with solid facts. Don’t make accusations or speculate on points you cannot back up. If you do, and your audience does not agree with you, they will often stop listening entirely.

5. Create an outline and follow it. Your audience should not have a hard time following your thoughts or taking notes. Be clear when stating an idea about whether it is a main point or a subtopic.

6. Use visual aids, but keep them to a minimum. A simple slide show indicating the outline of your speech can help the audience follow along. But do not try to put everything into the visual aid, or it will be distracting.

7. Try to get comfortable with the setting. Take a look at the room in advance, if possible, and picture yourself giving your talk there. Relaxing is an important part of public speaking.

8. Perform deep breathing just before your speech, which will relax your body. If you can find a good place to do it, do some stretching exercises with your arms, head and shoulders.

By following these steps, you can remain confident during your speech.

Judy Camp is a writer for SolutionOriented.com, specializing in articles which offer business and career solutions for the small business owner or manager.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judy_Camp

http://EzineArticles.com/?Public-Speaking-Tips—Make-a-Speech-Like-a-Pro&id=4792878

Share

How To Make Good Eye Contact with Audience

Public Speaking Tips on Making Eye Contact

The eyes are the windows to the soul.  You can hardly build a relationship with your audience unless you make proper eye contact with them.

Great public speakers make eye contact in order to connect with the audience. But how to make eye contact properly when doing presentations?

Check out the below videos about how to make good eye contact in speeches.

Public Speaking: Giving a Great Speech: Public Speaking Tips: Eye Contact

How to Make Eye Contact with Audience | Public Speaking


Talk to your entire audience.  Not avoid them, not focus on one, but talk to everybody. Don’t forget to deliver your speech to the whole group, making eye contact with everyone. Use your face, smile and make great eye contact.

Effective Presentation Skills: Using Eye Contact to Connect with Your Audience


Practice is the key to helping you improve in public speaking.
Do you lack a platform for practice? Simply join a toastmaster club.

You are welcome to visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.

Share

Common or Biggest Mistakes in Public Speaking

Do you make the following mistakes when you speak in public?   speaking tips

10 Common Public Speaking Mistakes

“Most of us attend more presentations than we give. Even if you’re not a public speaking professional, you can probably make a good assessment of whether someone you’re watching is doing a good job or not. However, you might not know exactly what it is they’re doing that turns you off – or perhaps you hone in on one particular thing that’s painfully obvious.

It takes a combination of qualities to make a good public speaker. Likewise, it takes several things – sometimes one big standout thing – to make a bad public speaker. Some of the most common public speaking mistakes are hard to spot, and many are difficult to overcome. See if you’ve noticed any of these – and whether you might be making them without realizing it.”

1. Speaking Too Softly
2. Stuttering or Saying “Um”
3. Stiff Body Movements
4. Poor Eye Contact
5. Lack of Facial Expressions
6. Poor Organization
7. Low Energy
8. Bad Timing
9. Reading (too much) from Notes
10. Using Space Inappropriately

Join Toastmasters

Practice is the key to helping you improve in public speaking.
Join Toastmasters and find a club that you like to practise your speaking skills. You are welcome to visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.

13 Public Speaking Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

“According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a whopping 74% of people suffer from speech anxiety.
And, as most people know, when we’re nervous or anxious, our minds and bodies tend to do weird things that we can’t always control.
However, if you make a conscious effort, you may be able to avoid some of the common mistakes public speakers make.

Here are some habits you’ll want to avoid…”

1. Not tailoring your message to your audience.
2. Eye dart.
3. Distracting mannerisms.
4. Low energy.
5. Not rehearsing.
6. Data dumping.
7. Not inspiring.
8. Lack of pauses.
9. Not crafting a powerful opening.
10. Using too much (or not enough) humor.
11. Reading from your slides.
12. Making an excuse or an apology.
13. Ending with Q&A.

The 5 Biggest Mistakes in Public Speaking

By Nancy Daniels

I recently had the opportunity to hear a world-renowned public speaker and was surprised as well as disappointed by his delivery. While his message was excellent, his means of delivering that message would have gotten him a C- in my college public speaking class. Without a doubt, content is important in any form of public speaking; however, if your entire script is written out word-for-word in your PowerPoint presentation, why bother? It would be a better use of the audience’s time if you would Xerox it, pass it out, and then everyone can go home!

1. Memorizing or reading your entire presentation is a grave mistake. Your audience came to hear you speak to them – not read or deliver a rote, memorized performance. Your responsibility is to communicate with your audience, not at them. By treating your audience as if you were having a conversation in your living room, you will find that you are much more comfortable and in better control of your nervousness.

2. Not knowing your material is another serious blunder. If you are not familiar with your words or how your speech or presentation flows, then you are likely to make more errors. Making a mistake or two is not the issue – making a lot of them is!

3. Speaking too fast. Controlling your speed is extremely important if you expect your audience to be able to understand what you are saying. Listening to someone move at 100 mph takes much more energy than listening to them at 75! Incidentally, talking at a furious pace saps the energy of you, the speaker, as well.

4. Staring at an object on the wall. By no means should you focus your attention on a spot on the wall or above the heads of your audience. Look them in the eye. Make the contact with your listeners and you will then be aware of their reaction to you. Remember, public speaking is a form of communication. If you are not making eye contact, then you are not communicating.

5. Running Out of Air. Breathlessness on the podium is one of the most common mistakes made because many novices – and even some professional – speakers do not think to breathe. If you wait until you are totally out of air, you will then be required to inhale a huge amount in order to fill your lungs. In doing so, you will experience breathlessness and a tightness in your chest. My advice is to learn to breathe with the support of your diaphragm – truly the best means of controlling nervousness – and then practice supplementing your air supply before you are depleted.

These 5 common mistakes can be easily rectified if you know your material, converse with your audience, learn how to control your speed, make eye contact with your listeners and remember to breathe.

The Voice Lady Nancy Daniels offers private, corporate and group workshops in voice and presentation skills as well as Voicing It!, the only video training program on voice improvement. To see how voice training can improve your life, both professionally and personally, visit Voice Dynamic or watch a brief video as The Voice Lady describes Dynamic Public Speaking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nancy_Daniels
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-5-Biggest-Mistakes-in-Public-Speaking&id=4530271

Share

Public Speaking Tips: What is Your Message?

Public Speaking Tips: What is Your Message?

When you are preparing a presentation, one of the first things to do is to focus on your message.  Think of your message as the one thing you would like the audience to remember from your presentation.

For more information, check out the below article “Presentation Skills: What Is Your Message?”

If you want to overcome stage fright and learn to speak with confidence, join a toastmasters club.  You are welcome to visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.

————–
Presentation Skills: What Is Your Message?
By Gilda Bonanno

When you are preparing a presentation, one of the first things to do is to focus on your message.

Think of your message as the one thing you’d like the audience to remember from your presentation. State it in one sentence, if you can – think of it as fitting on a headline of a newspaper or a billboard.

What’s the one thing stated, succinctly, in one sentence, that you’d like the audience to take away from your presentation? Whether you are talking for ten minutes or an hour, what would you like the audience to remember?

If we were to interview the audience after your presentation and ask, “What was the point of that presentation? What was the message?” would they all say the same thing? They may describe it using different words, but in essence, it should be the same content.

We’d want them to say, “Well, the point of that was to understand the three reasons for not moving ahead with this project now.” Or,”Well, the purpose of that presentation was so he could explain his management philosophy, and how he’s going to lead the team.” Or, “The purpose of that was to explain the first quarter numbers, and why they are not as good as we expected.”

So before you start putting together your material, your outline, and your slides, it’s important for you to be clear on your message. State it in one or two sentences and write it on the top of your notes or outline.

Because, if you’re not clear about exactly what you’re trying to communicate, it’s going to be very difficult for the audience to understand it.

To get more tips you can use immediately to improve your presentation skills, sign up for Gilda Bonanno’s free twice-monthly e-newsletter by visiting http://www.gildabonanno.com/Pages/newsletter.aspx and entering your email address.  Copyright 2013

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gilda_Bonanno

http://EzineArticles.com/?Presentation-Skills:-What-Is-Your-Message?&id=7806797

Share

Public Speaking Tips for Better Presentations

Public Speaking Tips for Better Presentations

Do you want to be a better public speaker this year?
Follow the 10 step plan to build presentation self-confidence and reduce anxiety when speaking in public.

If you want to overcome stage fright and learn to speak with confidence, join a toastmasters club.

You are welcome to visit our Kampong Ubi Toastmasters Club if you are living in Singapore.

——
New Year’s Resolution – 10 Steps to Prepare Better Presentations
By Andrew Ivey

New Year. New Year’s resolution. Like most things that are worthwhile it’s true that when we invest solid preparation in an important presentation we achieve a better result. I have never doubted it — but some times I have definitely been better prepared than on other occasions. So, in common with most people I have decided on a New Year’s resolution this January — be better prepared for my business presentations.

But this time, since my previous New Year’s resolutions rarely lasted much beyond February, I have noted down the key elements of better preparation. This simple check list should ensure that I am both better prepared for my presentations and less apprehensive about the output. It is equally true that sound preparation results in higher self-confidence and lower anxiety when speaking in public. Now that’s a bonus objective.

  • Write it down. Be prepared to write or type the whole of the presentation in full. Check over the length of the sentences and abbreviate where necessary.
  • Organize it. Aim to type the presentation in a standard lower case style using double line spacing. Use capitals at the start of a sentence or to emphasize certain words or phrases only. Begin each sentence on a new line. This will be important if you are to read the presentation from this script. Remember to select a typeface that you can read easily.
  • Mark it up. Word process the presentation with the appropriate mood advice, intonation markings and advice for extra emphasis. These pointers are for you — they should not feature in any scripts that you give to the organizer, the audience or the Press.
  • Read it. Read the presentation fully all the way through. Repeat this procedure several times becoming more and more familiar with the words and phrases. Where any particular words or sentences don’t work then mark these up for subsequent editing. This is the best time to ensure that all the words sound right and you are not to be caught out by tricky pronunciation. Continue reading →
Share