What to Expect at a Toastmasters Meeting
10 Tips for a Successful Speech
Boardwalk Toastmasters, Ocean City, New Jersey. Building eloquent speakers from the terrified and the tongue tied.
10 Tips for Successful
Public Speaking
Feeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. It shows you care about doing well. But too much nervousness can be detrimental. Here's how you can control your nervousness and make effective, memorable presentations:
1. Know the room. Be familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early, walk around the speaking area and practice using the microphone and any visual aids.
2. Know the audience. Greet
some of the audience as they arrive. It's easier to speak to a group of
friends than to a group of strangers.
3. Know your material. If
you're not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your
nervousness will increase. Practice your speech and revise it if
necessary.
4. Relax. Ease tension by
doing exercises.
5. Visualize yourself giving your
speech. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and
assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be
successful.
6. Realize that people want you to
succeed. Audiences want you to be interesting, stimulating,
informative and entertaining. They don't want you to fail.
7. Don't apologize. 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. Keep silent.
8. Concentrate on the message - not
the medium. Focus your attention away from your own anxieties
and outwardly toward your message and your audience. Your nervousness will
dissipate.
9. Turn nervousness into positive
energy. Harness your nervous energy and transform it into
vitality and enthusiasm.
10. Gain experience.
Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. A
Toastmasters Club can provide the experience you need.