Speaking in front of an audience is no easy task for most. If you’ve never done it before, the situation can seem daunting. Fortunately, if you break it down to a few manageable steps, you should be able to approach your audience confidently.
The first necessary step is to prepare your speech. Start out by researching your topic thoroughly. Know exactly what it is you need or want to talk about. List all the points that you want to cover during your speech and write the entire speech out. Now would also be a great time to make yourself some note cards to use.
Next, it is time to practice the speech. Read your written version out loud. This is the best way to find any errors. Fix portions that do not flow properly or sound the way you want. Do this as many times as necessary until it sounds just right for you. Now that it sounds right, say it over and over again. Record it and listen to yourself. Stand in front of a mirror and watch yourself give the speech. Eventually, you need to get yourself to a point where you no longer need to read from the paper.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while you are practicing. Speak slowly. Make sure every word is pronounced in its entirety and properly. If you are unsure of a pronunciation, look it up. Online dictionaries have the option of playing a word so you can hear how it should be said.
Often, speakers are given a time limit for their speeches. During the practice sessions, be sure to time yourself to ensure that you are within the allotted time frame. If no time limit was given to you, time yourself anyway. It is good to have an idea of how long you will be speaking. If you find yourself repeating information or rambling, try giving yourself a time limit. Having these restrictions helps to ensure that the information you are providing is concise. If you have ever sat through a dry lecture, then you already know the importance of keeping your words short and sweet.
Finally, after all of the preparation and practice, your big day has arrived. It is time to present your speech. Hopefully, you have practiced enough that your nerves are not as bad as they could be. This is still a very scary time for anyone who is not an experienced public speaker. The good news is that the audience will have no idea how terrified you are. The speaker almost always feels more nervous than he or she appears.
Do you remember those note cards you put together while you were writing out the speech? Now would be a great time to make use of them. Try not to depend on them too much. You still need to make plenty of eye contact with your audience. If this is uncomfortable for you, try looking at foreheads. That gives the illusion of eye contact. Remember to be confident in your expertise on the subject. You were asked to speak for a reason. Your audience has shown up and is prepared to listen to and absorb what you are saying.
Hopefully, this article was helpful for you and your new experience. The process of public speaking does get easier with time and practice. I wish you the very best of luck.