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Keys to Effective Speaking
Applauses are appreciation for a good speech
Applauses are appreciation for a good speech
Have you ever had to give a presentation at work or in front of a class? Speaking in front of other, or Public speaking is rated as one of the things that people fear doing the most. It is not a natural thing for most to get up and speak in front of other, to express their ideas and thoughts. How can you improve and overcome the nervousness? This article is the first in many that will help you to do that.

Below are some simple keys to becoming an effective speaking:

Know your audience. If you are teacher, this includes your students. Becoming familiar with the place in which you will speak is key, either a classroom or boardroom. Arriving early will give you an opportunity walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.

Greet some of the audience as they arrive. It’s easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.

Know your material. If you are not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Lack of preparation is the number one reason people become nervous. Practice your speech and revise it if necessary to feel comfortable with what you have to say. Avoid over inflated word; use terms that you audience will understand.

Relax!!! Ease tension by doing exercises or visiting a pleasant thought.

Visualize yourself giving your speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful. In your mind, you have already succeeded!

Realize that people want you to succeed. Most of the audience understands what you are going through, most have been there themselves. The audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They do not want you to fail.

Do not apologize for making mistakes. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you may be calling the audience’s attention to something they hadn’t noticed. Continue on with what you have to say.

Concentrate on what the message is – not so much on yourself. By focusing our attention away from your own anxieties and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will dissipate.
Turn nervousness into positive energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.

Gain experience. Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. Practice is the best way to improve.

By applying some of the helpful hints, this will improve your speaking abilities in front of other people and make you a highly effective speaker. Some of these points will be discussed in detailed in future articles.

Upload date: June 24, 2003 10:24 PM

 
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