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All eyes are focused on the front of the room. The leader of the meeting stands at the podium introducing the keynote speakerand then you walk out from behind the curtain. Is this a realistic situation? Would you even want to be that speaker? Of course you would! Not only is it a wonderful way to grow your confidence and self-esteem, public speaking can also be a valuable way to get prospects. When you speak in front of an audience, here's how that happens:

You establish yourself as an authority
You get a chance to show off your expertise
You get a chance to build your credibility
Now you need to prepare and deliver a great presentation. So how do you do that? First you have to make the speech and practice the delivery. Then you must get a feel for your audience and don't forget to relax! Remember, also, to use any resources available.
Don't worry, even if you're a beginner, it's not an impossible challenge. First, focus on one big idea. You can support it with 2 or 3 key points, but don't leave your audience wandering and wondering. What is the main message you want to convey? Build all your thoughts and comments around that one idea.
Second, use memorable personal stories. They don't have to produce laughter or giant tears, although either is a wonderful addition. Here is a handout with some tips on using stories in speeches. Talk about people and situations that made an impact on you and relate that to your big idea. No one will forget your message when you use your individual stories.
Third, be yourself. Even if you have other problems in your presentation, audiences will embrace you and your message when they sense you are genuine and true. That will never happen if they think you're a fake.
And last, be passionate about your subject and have fun. Audiences sense that too. You are excited about your topic, aren't you?
Also it is important you rehearse your speech, but don't memorize it. With memorization, the least little distraction can cause you to "go blank" and forget everything, and believe me I know. This happens even to the most experienced speakers. It helps me to use notes with bullet points or highlights that I can refer to in order to get back on track. And the more you practice, the less likely it is this will happen.
It can also help to take the time to learn a little bit about your audience. While you probably won't change your core message for every audience, it is a good idea to slightly change your information to the needs of an individual audience. The more you know about them the easier this is to do. They will be much more receptive when they think you've created a program just for them.
In the heart of all this don't forget to breath. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but your brain is stimulated by breathing and blood flow. Also, anxiety can boost the pace of your breathing. Long, deep breaths and intense stretching right before you go on stage will help you relax and regain your composure.
As a final point, don't forget about your resources. You have much more at your disposal than just your "speech". Hand gestures, voice inflections, long pauses and appropriate props (anything that relates to your stories or topic is fair game) all add value by reinforcing your key points and providing an acoustical or visual aid to your spoken words. PowerPoint is acceptable too but use it with caution. Too many speakers use it as a crutch and their presentations are dull and boring.
Speaking in front of an audience is not an easy task, especially for someone who has never done it before. But it is a skill that can be learned and is an extremely valuable marketing tool if used properly. Take the time to master the process and public speaking will generate prospects for you too.

Learn more about this author, Nicole Hawley.
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