Van Norman Law’s Public Speaking Tips (Part One)
So far this month we have written on what it takes to be persuasive and touched on the subject of rhetoric. These techniques however, cannot be utilized orally if you are not comfortable speaking in public to begin with. Public speaking is takes some individuals years to get used to. It may be uncomfortable to see 10, 20, or even 100 faces staring at you, waiting to hear what you have to so. By following Van Norman Law’s public speaking tips, you will be able to ace your next public speaking appearance.
1. Practice makes Perfect
This is true with almost anything. The more you practice, the better you will get. Start by speaking in front of a small audience at home. Then begin to increase the amount of people you speak in front of each time. If you have a specific speech to deliver, practice speaking in front of your friends and family first. Then use the same technique, gradually speaking in front of more and more people. Before you know it, you will be more familiar with your speech and you will be able to deliver it more confidently once you are in front of a larger audience.
2. Confidence is Key
Having confidence is essential to being a great public speaker. If you don’t believe in yourself and the message you are trying to portray, the audience will sense it. Confidence doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and that is okay. The trick here is to fake it ‘til you make it.’ You may not feel confident, but the audience does not need to know that! If you are feeling nervous, take a deep breath, put your shoulders back, having good posture, and focus on the purpose of your message. If you sound passionate about your message, while remaining calm and collected, you will appear confident to your audience. This may even make you feel more confident!