Public Speaking Mastery
“Be a master of speech, for thereby you shall gain ascendance” Unknown. The skill of public speaking may come to others naturally but it is a skill that can be learnt and mastered with great success. Some time proven tips for public speaking mastery are given below:
Public Speaking Tips
- Subject Matter Expertise: Stick to what you know. Choose your lane and stick with it. Research the message. Keep subject knowledge fresh and up to date.
- Impeccable speaker expertise
- Speaker Confidence and Poise: These qualities are sometimes difficult for a speaker to attain, but easy for an audience to sense. Work on them till achievement is gained. Speaker confidence authenticates the message.
- Movements: Move around a given radius, to show energy and passion and not be chained to the lectern.
- Delivering inspiring message
- Use of correct channels of communication
- Maintaining a captivated audience
- Productive audience feedback
- Managing interference
- Right ambiance at venue
The Message
- Captivating Introduction: Set the context and make sure the audience is ready to go, whether the introduction is for you or for someone else.
- Captivating Beginning with Powerful Ending: The body of your presentation should be strong too, but your audience will remember your first and last words (if, indeed, they remember anything at all).
- Focus: Help the audience to grasp the message. Stories, humor, or other “sidebars” must relate to the core idea. Edit out what does not.
- Message Structure: A well-organized presentation is easily absorbed with little mental strain. Give the presentation structure, logical flow and concord.
- Make use of facts, statistics and quotations: Use them appropriately to complement the ideas. Employ them to add value, to give a second voice to assertions, and substantiate stated views.
- Visual: Visual aids should aid the message; but not be the message.
- Match Message to Audience: Deliver the message the audience wants and need to hear.
- Audience Connection: Maintain eye contact by scanning the whole venue.
- Audience Engagement: Ask questions and solicit volunteers to read on the slide and make the presentation a dialogue.
Language Techniques in Public Speaking
- Employ Language Techniques: Language techniques enhance understanding of the message in a way that direct language often cannot. Use them appropriately.
- Use Story Telling: Stories are a powerful communication tool! Points wrapped up in a story are more memorable and inspiring!
- Humor: Use humor appropriately and place it for greatest impact.
- Voice Inflection: Vary and undulate your volume, pitch, pace and tone for effect. Avoid a flat and dull monotone.
- Non-Verbal Cues: Gestures and other non-verbal communication tools should complement your words. Congruence between words, voice and non-verbal cues for greater effectiveness.
Interaction with Audience
- Question & Answer Session: Not every speaking opportunity affords Q&A, nevertheless use it productively when provided. It is an opportunity solidify the impression of Subject Matter Expertise.
- Lead a Discussion: Again, not every speaking opportunity affords time for a discussion, but know how to engage the audience productively.
- Respect Time Limits: Whether you have 5 minutes or 30, either way, craft the presentation to fit the time allowed, respecting the audience by not going over time.
- Unplanned Occurrences: Maybe the lights will go out. Maybe the projector goes dead. Pre-empt these with a contingency plan.
- Coherent Impromptu Speech: Impromptu speaking (before, after, or during a presentation) leaves a lasting impression too. Speak off the cuff, here and there, during the presentation. Doing it well tells of being personable, and an expert beyond slides and prepared speech.
- Accept Feedback: Understand that no presentation or presenter (yes, even you!) is perfect. Aim for continuous improvement and understand that the best way to improve is to solicit candid feedback from audience.
- Study Other Speakers: Study the strengths and weakness of other speakers.
- Responsible Speaking: Realize the tremendous power of influence of a speaker. Use it responsibly.
