There are many “Tips” for effective public speaking. Here are five obvious tips that will increase your effectiveness and what Fear Driven Speech (FDS) says about them. At FDS the goal is to create a comfortable you.

Public Speaking Tip #1        Know your topic  

FDS says – After you’ve selected your topic, spend time righting down all the questions can think to ask of your topic. Research the answers to those questions, and then use those answers to build your speech outline. Speak your outline at least ten times monitor time and keep tailoring your speech for the desired length. While slimming down the content of your speech, besure to nurture and groom the most important information and cut the fat that may not be of much benefit. Continue to focus on the accuracy of the information. Don’t be surprised at what you say, you need to become used to hearing the things that come out of your mouth so that they don’t startle you. Just keep working on becoming extremely comfortable with speaking the material and over time tailor what you say to what you want to say.  

Public Speaking Tip #2        Greet as many of the attendees prior to your speech as possible 

FDS says – Becoming familiar with your audience provides a feeling of connectedness which enhances confidence. While delivering the talk, speak to the audience as if you’re talking to one person. Having just talked with people in your audience enables you to sense that one-on-one talk and be comfortable. Don’t hesitate to mention something that came up in conversation before your speech. There are no restrictions here. The more you talk like you know your audience the more close you and your audience will grow toward each other. Create your own vibe with your new friend (the audience).  

Public Speaking Tip #3        Eliminate Verbal Pauses

FDS says – While practicing your speech at least ten times, notice your uhs, ums, and words that are truly just fillers like, saying, “right?” or “you know?” after making a statement. Work on using your mind in silence to keep yourself on track with the details of the speech. Your audience with truly appriciate you being comfortable standing quietly while finding your next words. Be confident in your silence.  

Public Speaking Tip # 4       Use your voice to enhance your performance

FDS says – Just like military marching in formation, you need to have cadence when speaking. Don’t be afraid to slow down to convey certain information and speed up for other information. Spend some time listening to natural talk. When someone is excited about something they usually talk louder and more rapidly than when there being serious and stern to make a point. Put in the energy to make yourself comfortable enough to experiment with adjusting your pitch, speed, and emphasis. Enjoy making changes to the way you speak and your audience will be captivated.    

Public Speaking Tip # 5       Animate your speech

FDS says – Use your entire body. Gestures and body language display your personality and engage your energy and enthusiasm. Make your movements purposeful. Eye contact tells your audience that you notice them as individuals. Hands deliver power to the points your trying to make. Comfortable confident sitting, standing, walking, done strategically demonstrates that you have authority and power. This is where you begin to influence your audience.    

If you accomplished these five ideas for 100 speeches, what do you think would happen to your confidence? How comfortable would you be delivering presentations then?

It’s all about you. It’s not about the speech. FDS is here to help develop you.

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