by Geoffrey Schmitt

Created on: November 27, 2009

The one thing that many, if not most, people dread is speaking in public. We're afraid of failure and ridicule. What if they don't like me? What if I say something stupid? Who am I to say anything to them? It's enough to make a person turn and run. Here are ten things to know that will help you become a successful public speaker.

1. Everyone gets nervous. There is no need to think you are the only one. Even the best public speakers get some measure of stage fright. You are not alone. This can help. When you tell yourself other terrified folks have gone before, you know it is possible for you to do the same.

2. That nervous stage fright is your friend. It is emotional energy that you funnel into your presentation. If you ever find yourself so confident as to have no jitters, watch out. That will be the time you are dull and boring.

3. Fore warned is fore armed. My mom is full of such sayings. This one means when you know it's coming, you can be prepared. Sure some public speaking is extemporaneous. However, most is not. Take the time you need to prepare.

4. There are two basic approaches: public speaking or public reading. Each has advantages. When you need to be precise, when every word and punctuation mark count, a well crafted speech may be your choice. In this case you've done all you can about the what of your speech ahead of time. Now all you need to do is concentrate on the how. President Obama is the latest of many politicians who follow this method. I'm sure he and many others are grateful for the teleprompter.

5. Practice is important, especially when delivery is crucial. The best written speech delivery is the one that sounds like it is extemporaneous. Public speaking in this form is like an actor delivering a monologue. If you have the time, memorize the text until you barely have to look at it.

6. Concentrate on the action. I learned this one watching the movie Broadcast News. The star anchor man shares this advice. Emphasize the verbs.

7. Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them. It certainly seems redundant. However, if you want people to remember it is essential. Think of the thirty second TV commercial that gets played back to back four or five times in a half and hour. Keep it simple and say the same thing in different ways.

8. Organize your speech around some simple pneumonic device. Use and acrostic. Have points that illiterate. Follow a time line. Connect the dots with well known people or events.

9. End at the beginning and give the listener something to do or at least something to think about. If you begin with a story about a storm, end with the rainbow.

10. There are lots of resources available online and in bookstores. However, if you are serious about becoming a successful public speak find your nearest Toastmasters club and join.

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