PRESENTATION SKILLS & PUBLIC SPEAKING 1.4

PRESENTATION SKILLS & 

PUBLIC SPEAKING 1.4

[Overcoming the Fear of Public Speaking]

9 P's: “Prior Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance of the Person Putting on the Presentation”. 

Building Your Confidence

Preparation: Research the subject, organize the speech and then rehearse it with a tape recorder or with a friend. The more familiar with the situation, the less fear of it is.

Move About to Avoid Tension: Step away from the stage occasionally, walk among the audience or gesture in a way that adds meaning to your words. 

Use Visual Aids: It helps you in minimizing your speech? Pictures impress listeners much, rather than words. One visual aid is equal to one thousand words.

Dress Maintenance: Wear your favorite suit, the one that makes you feel, as if you conquer the world. Certainly, dress and its color influence your thinking and behavior in any meeting or function.

Allow for Spontaneity: Speak from a familiar outline, which allows the freedom to concentrate on the message. Speak conversationally and monitor the audience’s responses. Interaction with the audience helps the speaker to know the attitude and knowledge of the audience on the subject.

Speak Often: Experience shows that the more we do something, the more comfortable and competent we become. Volunteer to give reports, introductions, invocations and announcements. 

note: Here are some ways to harness your nervous energy to become a more confident speaker,

• Prepare more material than necessary. Combined with a genuine interest in your topic, extra knowledge will reduce your anxiety.
• Rehearse. The more you know your material, the less panic you'll feel.
• Think positively. See yourself as polished and professional, and your audience will too.
• Visualize your success. Use the few minutes before you actually begin speaking to tell yourself you're on and you're ready.
• Take a few deep breaths. Before you begin to speak, remember that your audience is silently wishing you success.
• Be ready. Have your first sentence memorized and on the tip of your tongue.
• Be comfortable. If your throat is dry, drink some water.
• Don't panic. If you feel that you're losing your audience during your speech, try to pull them back by involving them in the action; ask for their opinions or pause for questions.
• Keep going. Things usually get better as you go.
• Focus outside yourself. Perhaps the best way to feel more confident is to focus on your message and audience.
  

 [to be continued...]