Any tips on public speaking?

Question

I have to give a speech tomorrow and speaking sends me shaking and I get all red and start sweating.

Anyone got any tips?

Answer 1

Hey. Relax and don't worry about one thing. Just think of it as a speech to those who are uneducated about what you're about to speak and then they'll feel educated after you've presented.

Based on my personal experience in public speaking, these are some pointers you may like:

1. Just relax, speak out loud and clear with an audible voice.

2. Stand straight and don't lean on a table or desk.

3. If you know your subject well, then feel confident and just speak it out.

4. Speak with enthusiasm, more or less like this is your job or field of what you do.

5. People are people - whether they're 1st year students or CEO's of big companies. This means, that uneducated people will always be there on certain topics and they would love to hear from people like you.

So go out there, be yourself, relax, and present with pride and joy :)

Hope this answers

Answer 2

Don't say um, uh, or like.

Answer 3

I definitely agree with hints that the people have given before me. I used to do all kings of public speaking for just about any public event when I was in high school.

What I can tell you is that it's good to use little 3 x 5 cards with IDEAS written on them, not necessarily the entire speech. If you do this, it sounds too rehearsed and unreal. If you've already written your speech on paper and plan to just read it that way, it's ok too.

Fluctuate your tones!! I know that in reading your speech out loud, you might THINK that you aren't being monotone, but in reality you probably are. Raise and lower your tones in certain areas of sentences to draw attention to good ideas, or exciting ideas, depending on what you're presenting. Use a highlighter so you know especially when to do so.

Make sure you are being loud, because even too loud is better than quiet.  It makes you sound confident.

You really hold everyone's attention if you PAUSE for emphasis on ideas.  If you need to, place additional commas in your speech that aren't grammatically necessary, but rather for your own use.  

Take everything S L O W.  Even when you think you aren't speeding away when you're reading, when you're up on stage or in front of people, you are. Everything seems different from that perspective.

Take a breath between each paragraph or idea.  Write that down if you need to on your note cards/paper. I used to have to.

Make eye contact with everyone.  If that makes you nervous, pick a point above the last row of people in the back, and it makes you look like you're looking at everyone, when in reality you're focusing on no one. This makes it a little easier if people are trying to distract you.

Maybe most importantly, S M I L E.  Smile the whole time. Even when talking.

Good Luck!

  

Answer 4

I have been a public speaker and performer for 30 years.  Especially in theater, people get very nervous about their intros.  Here is the best thing to do: focus on the very first thing you are going to say.  If you are using notes or notecards, keep them in good order.  Speak calmly and loudly.  Speak to the crowd as if you are speaking to your best friend.  Good luck.

Answer 5

Be confident, even if you're not. Tell yourself you can do it and that it will all go well. The best thing you can do is stay positive or neutral - no negativity, don't dwell on what can go wrong.

When i give speeches I usually pick a spot above everyones heads so it looks like i'm making eye contact but really i'm looking just above their heads and it keeps me calm throughout the enitre speech and should stop you from going red etc. If you can't do that, then pretend the audience is one big mirror and you are at home reciting the speech to yourself. Do it as if you're alone but look at different places in the room to make sure you maintain "eye contact".

Another tip, don't rush. Take your time and try not to use 'um, ah, oh...etc'

Good luck, you'll be fine.

Answer 6

Just know that you are going to talk with persons like you. The most important thing is to not let them know that you are afraid of talking to them.

Be nature and speak with them friendly but with more respect...

Answer 7

In college I had to stand in front of a class of up to 40 students and give speeches and presentations.  Looking after notes, a computer, a projector kept my mind occupied and made me think less about who was looking at me.  I also walked around the classroom, it was something I noticed my lecturers doing (I'm from Ireland) and so I copied that.  Take everything slowly, take breaks during your speaking rather than rushing through everything from beginning to end.  Also look at different parts of the room you are in, first look at the people sitting on the right, hold for a few seconds, then look at people sitting in centre, hold for a few seconds and then look at people sitting on the left and hold for a few seconds there.  I hate to say this but half the people in the room will not be looking at you.  They will either be daydreaming, looking at their watch, looking at the floor, checking out someone sitting in another part of the room so don't worry about it.

Answer 8

Get yourself a teleprompter like Barack Obama reads his speeches off of.  

Answer 9

Before I answer, who are you doing the speech for? Teacher, class, people you don't know at all. .

Answer 10

Write the key points down on small cards so that you follow what you are doing. Sip water to keep calm and don't rush what you are saying.

Good luck!

Answer 11

Hi Natalie,

The reason you feel nervous is because you are probably focused on

1.  How do I look?

2.  How do I sound?

3.  What do they think of me

If you focus on the audience rather than yourself, nerves go away

Think about.

1. What information will help the audience?

2. How can I entertain the audience?

3. What can I do to help them?

This takes the focus off you and on to them.

Hope this helps

Paul R