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Your Guide to Public Speaking
Public speaking can be a nerve-wracking experience. Feeling a little nervous speaking in front of a group is normal. If you are feeling totally terrified and petrified with terror, there are many things you can do. The following public speaking tips will help you ditch the doom as you entertain, inform, and motivate your listeners.
Be Prepared - Memorize your speech. If you need to have notes with you when public speaking to be confident, just have small note cards. Arrange the cards in the order of your speech and only write down bullet points, not reams of text. The cards will keep your speech to the point. Do not read directly from your note cards, just glance at them quickly.
Picture Giving a Great Speech - Practice seeing in your mind your speech going very well. Picture delivering your speech perfectly to a group hanging on for every word you say.
Get Familiar With the Stage - Visit the location you will be presenting a speech beforehand or arrive early the day of your speech. Make the effort to get familiarize yourself with the stage, sound equipment, backstage areas, and any stairs leading to the stage. Pay particular attention to the amount of public speaking space on the stage so you are aware of how much space you have.
Do an Equipment Check - Ensure that you are able to check your audio-visual equipment. This should include doing a sound check, learning to use the microphones, music, projectors, and other public speaking equipment. Also, ensure you have spare parts, such as replacements for burnt out projector bulbs and extra cables. Do not let faulty or broken equipment ruin your speech. Ensure that your audio-visual crew is competent with what they are doing.
Greet Your Audience - If it is possible, take the time to meet with your audience as they arrive. Understanding the nature of your audience will help you feel more comfortable when speaking to them. You may even spark some ideas, stories, or jokes to include in your public speaking speech.
Take a Few Minutes to Relax - Make some time before your speech to get yourself prepared. Take some deep breaths and get focused. Do not drink alcohol to relax before speaking. Allow your nervous energy to become positive public speaking enthusiasm for your audience and your message.
If Things Go Wrong, Do Not Apologize - Nine times out of ten your audience will have no idea something in your speech did not go as you wished. That is, they will not realize unless you apologize.
Remember That Your Audience Wants You To Do Well - Your audience is excited to hear you speak and they want you to be successful. They want to be informed by you and anticipate an entertaining and informative speech.
