Making An Impact When Speaking In Public
- Tell people who you are, even after you are introduced. The repetition will help your name stick in people's minds
- Think of something that makes you laugh unless you are speaking at a sombre occasion
- Identify yourself as a person. Tell people what you do, who you are and why you're there speaking to the audience
- With your body language, commit to the situation. Don't be reserved as your audience will think you don't want to be there and won't enjoy your talk
- Show confidence in your material and display enthusiasm. This will generate interest in your listeners
- Write notes in such a way that you can speak them conversationally. Less is more and will have you talking around your subject in a genuine fashion rather than reading and coming over stilted
- The more of 'you' that you put into your talk, the better and more real it will be
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If you have to read some of your dialogue:
- Practise delivering your material without stumbling; get familiar with what you'll be saying. If you stumble over a word or phrase say it correctly straight after to make sure you don't learn the mistake
- Write out the text, allowing for the pauses and embolden, capitalise or underline the sections that you want to stress
- When asking a question, look around the room for the answer. This will animate your dialogue and ensure you have the listener's full attention!
- Plan your point, concluding statement or punch line. Repetition will help it stick
- You can switch to another topic when you feel you have the audience's attention, but not before as it may confuse
- Have a catchword, motto or unique gesture that people will remember you by
- Grab the limelight and enjoy your time whilst presenting if you possibly can. Be happy, natural and true to yourself - this will rub off onto the audience
For further coaching help and advice please contact us. |
