Five Tips for Speaking with Confidence
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.DPublic speaking ranks at the top of the list of most common fears. In fact, a popular joke among speakers says that most people would rather be the corpse at a funeral than the one giving the eulogy!
Perhaps you're one of those people. If so, take heart. You can overcome your fear of speaking in public. Here are five proven techniques to help you:
1. Prepare thoroughly. One of the most important keys to effective and powerful public speaking is to know your material. Solid preparation establishes a solid foundation, and a solid foundation goes far toward eliminating fear. Much nervousness in public speaking is caused simply by lack of adequate preparation. When you are sure of what you're talking about, you will inspire confidence not only in yourself, but in your audience as well.
2. Practice your speech ahead of time. Find a family member or friend willing to listen to your speech and to offer constructive criticism. If you can't round up a relative or friend, invite your dog or cat. The point is to rehearse with an audience.
A good practice is to videotape yourself as you rehearse your speech. When I taught public speaking at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, I would videotape my students so that they could see what they looked like and hear what they sounded like as they spoke. This feedback proved invaluable to them in polishing their speaking techniques amd greatly boosted their confidence level.
3. Arrive early. Doing so will allow you to check out the location of your speech ahead of time. If you live close enough, you may want to visit the location a few days before your speech. Becoming familiar with the room in which you will speak, the equipment you will use, and the layout of the audience area will give you time to make any necessary adjustments before your speech.
4. Meet your audience ahead of time. When possible, I greet members of my audience before my speech. I move around the room, introducing myself and shaking hands with people as they arrive. I ask for their names and try to make them feel welcome. This practice helps build rapport with my audience before my speech and helps me focus on my audience instead of on myself.
5. Establish eye contact with the most interested people in your audience. While it is wise to look at all sections of your audience during your speech, establish more regular eye contact with one or two of the most attentive people. This will give your speech a more personal touch while providing encouragement for you from the most interested listeners.
6. Consider your speech as a gift to your audience. You are giving the speech not to bring glory to yourself but to minister to the needs of your audience. When you focus on the needs of your audience, you will forget your nervousness. As in other areas of life, getting your eyes off yourself and on to others is a sure antidote to fear and worry.
7. Pray at all times. Prayer is an essential ingredient to effective speaking. Pray as you choose a topic for your speech. Pray as you prepare your speech. Pray before you deliver your speech. And pray afterwards as well. The words you speak are seeds that will be planted in the hearts of your listeners. Prayer ensures that your words will be filled with truth and life, that they will take root, and that they will leave your audience glad that they came. And bottom line, that's your ultimate goal.
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© 2004 by MaryAnn L. Diorio, Ph.D., CLC. All rights reserved. Copies of this article may be made for personal use only. Please include copyright notice. Those wishing to publish this article must first request written permission from the author. A minimum fee of $25 will be charged for all reprints.
Dr. Mary Ann Diorio is a popular public speaker, author, and life coach. She speaks on a variety of topics, including writing and life management issues. To book Dr. Diorio, visit her website at www.maryanndiorio.com or at www.CelebrationCoaching.com.