How to Give a Speech

By Graeme Renwall

Did you know that more people fear public speaking, than fear death? For many of us, there's something absolutely petrifying about standing in front of a bunch of people and talking. But that doesn't mean we can't overcome these fears and give the speech of a lifetime. Here are some tips to make it happen:

1. Do your homework

Yes, there are people who can seem to wing everything in life-including speeches. And yes, there are times that we may be required to give an impromptu speech. But whenever possible, it's crucial to be prepared as possible.

One of the best ways to prepare for a speech is to use note cards. This will help to cover the main points that you want to make during the speech. Before making the note card, make an outline of what you want to say. Then create the note cards based on that outline.

2. Make eye contact

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who looked at his or her feet the whole time? You've probably also experienced a person looking away while you were talking-as if they needed to escape your dull conversation. The moral of the story is that eye contact is important when talking with someone -including when you're giving a speech.

Depending on how large the audience is, it will likely be impossible to make eye contact with everyone in the room. That's okay! If you can't look at every single person, then look at particular sections of the audience. And if need to glance at your note cards, make sure that your eyes don't become glued to them. By making eye contact with your audience, it will be easier to keep their attention.

3. Avoid coffee and cigarettes before smoking

Many people feel like coffee will pump them up for a speech or that cigarettes will calm their nerves. In fact, both caffeine and nicotine are stimulants. While they can give you a boost of energy, they can also make your body jittery and your mind race. Of course, that's not the ideal condition to be in when giving a speech.

4. Chat before you speak

Perhaps one of the problems we have when giving speeches, is our perception of the activity itself. If you think about it, it's somewhat like a conversation you'd have with a friend or relative-except that you'll be the exclusive talker and the audience will be the exclusive listener. So to loosen up before your speech, chat with someone you know about the weather or another light topic. That will help to put your mind at ease before you start your speech.

5. Breathe deeply

When we get nervous, our breaths get shorter. One way to reduce your anxiety before a speech is to concentrate on breathing deeply. Inhale deeply, and then count from one-to-ten as you exhale slowly. This will improve blood and oxygen circulation throughout your body.

While giving speeches is a part of life, you don't have to be scared to death about it. These tips will help to make your speech less frightening and more effective.

Graeme has been writing articles for nearly 3 years. His current passion is hydrotherapy. Take a look at his selection of used hot tubs and his comprehensive display of hot tub accessories for sale.

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