So you were asked to make a speech at your staff meeting next week, you are nervous, your heart race and you hands are sweaty already! Take heart, you are in good company for surveys indicate that many experienced speakers have stage fright at the start of their speech. In fact a certain level of nervousness is desirable, but how you control and positively use this nervousness is very important. Here are six strategies you need to know to manage your nervousness, improve your skills, and be a success at public speaking.
Develop your confidence
For you to become a confident and successful public speaker you need to recognize that for most people the process takes time, energy and much practice. The more you learn about and become involved in the process of public speaking the easier it gets; your confidence will improve as well as your effectiveness as a speaker. It means therefore that instead of avoiding public speaking you should be on the look-out for opportunities to practice the skills and gain more experience.
Your confidence as a public speaker is also related related to the amount of time you invest in preparation for your speech. You probably spent years in college or some form of training in preparation for your profession. So consider spending adequate time in careful preparation each time you have to speak. You will be glad you did, for before long you will notice that your confidence as a speaker increases and this might even have a positive effect on your job.
An important strategy that helps improve your confidence is positive thinking before, during and after your presentation. Psychologists have long argued that the way people think influence their feelings as well as their behaviors. This means therefore that if you think positively about your experiences as a speaker, it is likely more likely that you will succeed as a public speaker. Underlying your positive thinking is developing a positive self-talk dialogue that will help you overcome fear and inhibitions related to public speaking.
Understand the communication process
To improve your public speaking skills it is helpful to understand what goes on in the communication process. All types of verbal communications, whether speaking to your friend or delivering a speech involves seven elements: speaker, message, channel, listener, feedback, interference, and situation. The outcome of any speech communication is a result of an interaction of all these elements and as such it is important to understand how the message that is communicated and the listener who receives the communicated message relate to the other components.
Determine the purpose of your speech
Early in the process of speech preparation you need to be certain of what you want to achieve by speaking. The purpose of your speech could be to inform, like a teacher in a class conveys information. If this is your purpose make sure that you present your information clearly, accurately and in an interesting way as you seek to increase the knowledge and understanding of your listeners. On the other hand, your intention might be to persuade your listeners. In this case you are seeking to change the attitude or actions of your audience.
Keep your audience in mind
An important aspect to successful speaking is taking your audience in consideration. Consider your audience's demographics including age, gender, and education and ethnic or cultural background, their knowledge of your topic, and their attitude towards your topic. When you keep these factors in mind you are able to make your speech more meaningful to your audience. Thus your speech should result in listeners expanding their knowledge or their experience enriched in some way. When you deliver you speech with a sense of its likely effects on your listeners the tone of your message is much more convincing.
Gather necessary information
The content of your speech is of critical importance and as such your information-gathering strategies should be given much thought and application. Such strategies for gathering information include interviewing people with expert knowledge on your topic of interest. You might also get information from specific organizations with concerns reflecting your topic. Of course you can find information in the library or on the Internet. Additionally, your own experiences may be valuable source information depending on your topic.
Organize your speech
When the ideas in your speech are well-organized it is much easier for your listeners to pay attention and understand your message. Basically, your speech should have three sections: introduction, body and conclusion. Remember that the introduction and the conclusion of your speech are of particular importance; the introduction gets the attention and the interest of you audience while the conclusion is their final impression and remains in your listeners' minds. Let you audience know you are ending and leave them with an idea to remember.