10 Tips For Successful Public Speaking

The truth is that public speaking is a skill. It can be learned. While some people may have more natural speaking ability than others, or a more pleasing voice, or are more charismatic and open—anyone who can speak can learn to be a better public speaker than they are right now. It just takes some know-how and some effort. Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But, too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here's how you can control your nervousness and make effective memorable presentations:

1.Know the room

We do it before our talks, we do it during our talks, and we do it at the end of our talks to gauge how well-received our talk was. When we read the room, we're looking for sensory cues which help us to understand how our audience is feeling. How engaged might they be when we take the stage? Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area, and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.

2.Know the audience

Knowing your audience involves identifying the audience and adapting a speech to their interests, level of understanding, attitudes, and beliefs. Taking an audience-centered approach is important because a speaker's effectiveness will be improved if the presentation is created and delivered in an appropriate manner. Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.

3.Know your material

If your goal is to become a thought leader or actually teach the audience something, only a truly authentic understanding of the material will get you there. Practice your speech several times before the day comes to give it. That will make you very familiar with the material. If you can, practice your presentation in front of others, and at the presentation site. If you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase.

4.Realize that people want you to succeed

One of the greatest fears of anyone speaking in public is that their audience is sitting there bored out of their minds or disliking what you are saying, but here's the truth: most of your audience wants you to do well. audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don't want you to fail. As you’ve probably had some interesting personal experiences and stories that you can share with your audience – and (almost) everyone likes to hear personal stories.

5.Relax

Relax before giving your big speech, do some exercises to ease the tension. This will help you to stay calm and not get flustered during your speech. Get all your negative thoughts out and just focus on what your about to do.

6.Visualize yourself giving your speech

Visualization is basically using your imagination to improve your actual performance. close your eyes and imagine every detail about a successful speech. That includes the attitude of your audience, your confident posture, the charisma you want flowing from you, and the brilliant rhetoric you’re going to use. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear, and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.

7.Don't apologize

If you don't apologize for being nervous and do your very best, your audience will inwardly start cheering for you. Other apologies include forgetting something or leaving out a whole paragraph of your speech. No need to apologize to the audience, they have no idea what you've left out. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience's attention to something they hadn't noticed. Keep silent.

8.Turn nervousness into positive energy

Don't let your nervousness hold you back from speaking publicly. This nervousness comes from the fear of speaking in front of a crowd. The problem with fear is not the fear itself, it’s how you react to it. So harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.

9.Concentrate on the message - not the medium

Focus your attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.

10. Gain experience

As you grow in the world of public speaking you will learn to engage your audience in your experiences, this builds a bond between you and your audience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience you need.