Download - Public Speaking Tips from a Beginner
Public speaking has 5 basic elements:
- The Speaker:That’s you
- The Subject:That’s what you will be talking about
- The Audience:That’s who will be listening (or sleeping) as you speak
- The Medium: That’s what you will be using to deliver the speech
- The Environment: Where and when are you delivering the speech
Let’s just take the basics from the pros.
Tip # 1-Be Well Prepared…
“I wish I can tell you Winston Churchill, Steve Jobs, Bill Clinton or Robin Williams did not prepare for their speeches, but they did … ”
Two non avoidable preparations:
1- Know the subject very well…2- Know your audience very well…3- Know how to present the subject equally well…
Let’s assume you are done with numbers 1 and 2 move forward!!!
Tip # 2- Invest in Great Openings…
“If you make them laugh at the beginning, they will stay awake hoping you will make them laugh again”
- Its nicer if someone else introduces you …
- An early joke reduces tension and anxiety …
- Laughter connects you to the audience …
“Its all about Confidence and Spontaneity, if you can fake these two you will do great”
Tip # 3- Look Confident…
- Over preparation is the way to confidence …
- One can be prepared and seem Spontaneous ...
- It always sounds nicer inside your head, that’s why you should rehearse LOUDLYYYY!!!
Tip # 4- Get Emotional Involvement
“Some things are just contagious by nature, if you sneeze people sneeze, if you laugh they laugh, and…. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED , THEY WILL BE INTERESTED!!!”
I. Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development
Tip # 4 Emotional InvolvementTip # 5- Tell Stories…
- Prepare 2 or 3 interesting stories to share…
- It is OK if the stories are not very closely related to the topic, sometimes it is even better if they are not…
- Know exactly when to tell your stories…
“ Most probably, stories will be the only thing your audience will remember…”
Tip # 6: Manage Your Time
“No one has ever walked out of a presentation complaining that it was short”
-Be very clear and concise
-Have a single Message per slide
-Never ever exceed your allocated time
Tip # 7- Collect Instant Feedback…
“Don’t wait until it is over to fix it”
- Maintain eye contact with the audience
- When you see half closed eyes, speed up or engage the audience with a question!!!
Tip # 8- Use Visuals and Body Language…
“If you have something important to say, don’t say it,… show it”
- Use a lot of visuals, reduce text
- Act normal, walk around, drink water
- Rehearse your body language
Tip # 9- Don’t trust Technology“It’s already a bad sign when you start with:Can you hear me?Is it working?Is there a technician over here?”
- Make sure it is working before the presentation
- Carry back ups with you
- If you are allowed to rehearse on site, DO!!
Tip # 10- Invest in Great Closures…
“As contradicting as it may seem, but open ended closures are the best”
- Often discussions start when you close, so you have a chance to direct discussions and questions the way you prefer
-After summering your talk in “One Take Home Message”, close with a story or a question
Rewards of Public Speaking“3 out of 4 people have GLASSOPHOBIA (fear of public speaking). If you do it well, you are that interesting 4th guy who does not have it ”
- Brings Self Satisfaction !!!
- Boosts Confidence !!!
- Enhances Communication Skills !!! - Better Interviews
- Better Meetings- Better Relationships
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The End
“A good speech should be like a woman's skirt; long enough to cover the subject and short enough to create interest.” Winston Churchill
- Widens Your Network !!!
- Increases Observational Skills !!!
- Boosts Your Memory
- Brings Publicity
Rewards of Public Speaking
Please send your feedback on:
- Khaled Ghattass, PhD
- Khaled Imad Ghattass
Thank You !!!