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Public Speaking Information |
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Talk May Be Cheap but Your Speech Should Be Priceless!
Take a moment and imagine if you will any one of the following scenarios: --You've been contacted to schedule an interview for a fantastic job opportunity. --You've been requested by your employer to make a key presentation at a Board of Director's meeting. --You have a lunch appointment with a prospective client from a major account. --You've been asked to fill in for a colleague in teaching a training session. --You've been designated to represent your organization in either a live television or radio program interview. --You need to mingle and socialize at a holiday party where you are a relative newcomer. The list could go on indefinitely and you can probably cite many of your own examples. The common theme here is that YOU will be in the limelight and will need to communicate effectively, putting forth your best skills in the art of speaking. For a small percentage of the human race, this will be taken in stride and will be just another task in the course of your day. However, for the majority of us out there, these examples can create a host of reactions such as breaking out in a cold sweat, heart palpitations, unusual bodily tremors and an overwhelming desire to pull the bed covers up over your head for an undetermined period of time. All kidding aside, fears related to speaking in public, whether it be in a small or large group, have been said to be a fear greater than death, for some. If indeed you are among those who shy away from any of these activities or view them as dreaded events, you're in luck because there are many tips that can ease your discomfort. So, read on and consider some of the following guidance, which should at least give you the confidence to take the first step and come out from under the covers. Tips To Increase Your Confidence When Speaking: 1. Obtain as much information as possible about your listener or audience and ensure that you know who they are and what their expectations are. Doing your "homework" in this manner will prove beneficial in assisting you in feeling more confident as well as coming across as having a sense of your listener's needs. 2. Prepare an outline or notes to organize the information you need to convey, so you stay on topic and within the allotted timeframe. Jot your notes on index cards and try to use them to prompt or cue you with main points. This will help you to avoid reading vs. speaking to your audience. You can also use a highlighter to help draw your attention to key ideas or words. 3. Practice delivering the information you need to state by saying it aloud and into a tape recorder while standing in front of a mirror. Play the tape back and note what changes you want to make as well as what you did well. Then make another recording implementing the changes. 4. Whenever possible and when practicing, try to speak while standing up vs. seated as this will increase your volume and will also convey a more professional image. 5. Maintain excellent eye contact with your listener or audience so they feel connected to you as well as for you to assess their reactions to what you're saying. 6. Have easy access to a glass of water, and take small sips to keep your throat and mouth lubricated when speaking for an extended period. Try to avoid caffeine. If you are speaking to a large group, use amplification (microphone) whenever possible. This will help avoid vocal strain. 7. Try to breathe from your abdominal area (diaphragmatic breathing) vs. your chest area alone, to ensure solid voice projection and more efficient utilization of the voice. 8. Be aware of your rate of speech and try to use variation. When presenting new or unfamiliar information reduce your pace to ensure listener understanding. Speaking too rapidly will frustrate a listener, while speaking too slowly may result in listener disinterest. 9. Ensure that you articulate your words so that the listener easily understands you. One way to ensure this is to avoid speaking rapidly and be sure you are not speaking with your teeth clenched. Also, remember to face the listener when speaking and discontinue speaking if you need to turn away (as is the case if you turn to write information on a flipchart or board). 10. Use gestures sparingly and only to enhance or clarify your message. Be aware that gestures used excessively can be distracting and take away from your message. Facial expressions are part of gestures, so be aware of how you are coming across and where appropriate be sure to smile. 11. Make your message dynamic by varying the pitch of your voice, rate of your speech and vocal volume. These adjustments in intonation will facilitate emphasizing a key point you're trying to convey. Holding the listener's attention is essential and often this is a function of how you say something vs. what you are saying. This is particularly important for conducting business over the telephone and has a significant impact on customer service. 12. Be attentive to your listener/audience at all times and be sure to ask them open-ended vs. close-ended questions to ensure their understanding and to give them an opportunity to express their thoughts. As an example, it is helpful to ensure that your listener comprehends what you're saying by asking "what questions do you have?" rather than "do you have any questions?" So, whether you're interacting with someone one on one, providing training, participating in a small meeting or making a public speaking presentation, speaking confidently is one of the most powerful tools. Remember that effective communication is at the heart of professional, organizational and personal success. You can get yourself on the road to speaking to others with confidence because...Your Speech Should be Priceless! For further information on the topics of sharpening your verbal communication, voice coaching or reducing your foreign accent, please contact Dale Klein (SPEECH MATTERS) at: Phone/fax: (518) 664-6004 or email: dale@speech-matters.com Dale Klein is a Corporate Communication & Speech Specialist and is the owner of SPEECH MATTERS. When it comes to ensuring you speak with power, professionalism and polish, you'll want to contact Dale Klein to get results.
MORE RESOURCES: The Top Ten Public Speaking Coaches GlobeNewswire Aristotle was a key figure in public speaking—he said the most persuasive people do these 3 things CNBC Toastmasters’ tips to no-fear public speaking: Here’s how to ask for a raise or a new job OregonLive Kids Gazette: Be inspired to speak out on MLK Day. Stacey Walker shares 6 tips on public speaking The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines Coventry council to consider amending public speaking rules Journal Inquirer Chamber offers public speaking workshop Yahoo News Canada Nightside Report Jan. 20, 2021: Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick released from prison, State health officials give update on how Michigan is doing against COVID-19 WDIV ClickOnDetroit Will 'Pretend It's A City Return' For Season 2? Martin Scorsese Loves Working With Fran Lebowitz Bustle Read President Biden's Full Inauguration Speech Transcript, Annotated The New York Times Rep. Barbara Phifer Provides First Impressions Of Missouri House St. Louis Public Radio Speaking before crowds vs. virtually WFMYNews2.com The Upside of Your Public Speaking Jitters Harvard Business Review Clear Face Masks Helping Show Facial Expressions Spectrum News 1 Bad at public speaking? The trick is to distill your message to these 15 words, says speech trainer CNBC 5 activities you can do at home to help you become a stronger public speaker - Business Insider Business Insider Generally Speaking: Lynda Thomson receives 2020 Larry Morrish Award Brooklyn Reporter 4 Ways to Bulletproof Your Public-Speaking Business Entrepreneur Why You Fear Public Speaking and How to Overcome It Entrepreneur The Value of Public Speaking | Greenwich Sentinel Greenwich Sentinel 4-H public speaking contest teaches life skills Jefferson City News Tribune Editorial: Gavel Club lets young people enhance public speaking skills Kingsport Times News JFK Got A ‘C’ In Public Speaking. A New Book Traces His Transformation Into A Captivating Leader Forbes Master the Art of Public Speaking With This $40 Online Course Black Enterprise Biden Cabinet: Buttigieg urges big funds for transportation 13abc Action News Mastering the Art of Public Speaking: The Importance of Public Speaking South Florida Caribbean News Stevenson seniors create public speaking based initiative Chicago Daily Herald Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking Using Visualization Techniques The Great Courses Daily News Anxious about public speaking? Your smart speaker could help Penn State News Public speaking solutions with a graduate in the Forbes 30 under 30 list Study International News Public speaking for technical pros: How to deliver a great in-person or virtual presentation TechRepublic Public Speaking in a Virtual Environment | NewsCenter | SDSU SDSU Newscenter Do You Need Charisma to Be a Great Public Speaker? Harvard Business Review Try This Weird Trick to Improve Your Public Speaking Entrepreneur Likability goes a long way in public speaking yoursun.com Patients with public speaking anxiety show improvement after VR exposure therapy, study finds PsyPost Cheers to Austin's own Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking! KEYE TV CBS Austin Ways to improve your public speaking skills The New Times 5 Best Public Speaking Coaches in the US🥇 Kev's Best 4 Best Public Speaking Coaches 🥇 Kev's Best 20 Bad Public Speaking Habits a Mindful Presenter Avoids Business 2 Community How to overcome your fear of public speaking British GQ How to improve your public speaking skills Times Square Chronicles How to Speak in Public - A Year of Living Better Guides New York Times Danville: Toastmasters to host open house with public-speaking world champ danvillesanramon.com Austin Financial Analyst Wins Toastmasters' 2020 World Championship of Public Speaking® - PRNewswire How I conquered my fear of public speaking and learned to give effective presentations Science Magazine Eight Basic Public Speaking Tips Entrepreneur Anxious about speaking in online classes and meetings? Here are 7 tips to make it easier The Conversation AU If public speaking terrifies you, you're not alone — but there's plenty you can do about it ABC News |
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