Public Speaking Skills

PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS ● Public Speaking Tips ○ 1: PREPARE ■ Don’t just read a script - be able to talk with the audience about your topic. ■ Follow the plan - if you have 4 main points, make sure you say all four points. ○ 2: GET THE AUDIENCE’S ATTENTION ■ Start with a visual, a noise, a joke - something to get the audience focused on you. ○ 3: ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE ■ Get the audience to DO or SAY one quick thing. ● Ex: Ask a question the audience can raise a hand as an answer that connects to the next thing you want to discuss. ○ “Who here has ever gone skydiving?” “That’s a lot! I have, too…” ○ “How many of you think unicorns are real?” “ That’s about half the audience. Guess what, other half? They’re right! Let me tell you about narwhals, the unicorns of the sea…” ○ “Everyone who has a pet at home, please stand up.” “As you can see, lots of people have pets. That’s why I want to talk to you about why no one should be allowed to have a pet.” ○ 4: BE LOUD AND CLEAR ■ Speak loudly without shouting - project your voice. ● Remember: You sound louder to yourself than your audience. ● Get your volume up to just below the shouting level. ■ Don’t cover your mouth ● Don’t put your hand up by your face (lots of people do this when speaking while sitting) ● Don’t have stuff in your mouth ○ 5: MAKE EYE CONTACT ■ If you don’t look at the audience, you won’t connect to them. ● Don’t hold up notes in front of your face - it blocks eye contact ● Don’t just read off a page - it makes you look like you don’t know your topic ○ 6: BODY LANGUAGE MATTERS ■ Have good posture - stand up if it’s an option, if not, sit up straight. ■ Don’t turn away from the audience or stand at an angle. ■ Stand still, unless your movements enhance or emphasize your point. ■ Eye contact! ■ All of the above makes you look CONFIDENT - even if you don’t feel confident. ○ 7: TALK LIKE A HUMAN, NOT LIKE A ROBOT ■ Vary your tone and volume as you speak. ● Avoid turning everything into a question with your tone ● Get a little quieter to pull the audience in, louder to land a major point ○ 8: HAVE A STRONG FINISH ■ At the very least, be polite - thank the audience for listening ■ Think about a fireworks display- it ends with a big finale. What could your finale be? ○ 9: PRACTICE ■ Say your presentation out loud. ■ Practicing silently is NOT the same as saying it out loud.