Public speaking has become something so terrifying that the mere mention of it can cause a person to grow sick
. Even people who spoken several times can freeze up on stage or lose their train of thought due to fear. In order to become a more competent speaker, it is important to follow several steps.
The first thing one can do is to get to know the audience. Is this a speaking engagement at a convention for young professionals, or a presentation for a management class? The audience should determine the tone used by the speaker. A speaker should always speak in a way that will be effective in reaching the audience. All jokes or slang should be sensitive to the type of audience present. What is said to the board of directors should be entirely different from what is said to a group of preschoolers.
Another aspect of knowing the audience is understanding the occasion and what that means when it comes to attire. Dressing in a way that the audience will see as tasteful and respectful is important. As a speaker, it's always better to be overdressed, than underdressed. A speaker should not wear lurid jewelry that will jingle with every gesture of the hand or draw attention away from what is being said. Women should not wear low-cut blouses. Everyone should wear clothes that are flattering but will not draw attention. The audience should look at the speaker's face and concentrate on her words. This means if long hair or bangs are constantly getting into the eyes, they should be pulled back. Tucking hair behind the ears every five minutes gives an unprofessional impression and irritates the audience.
Perhaps one of the most important things to do while speaking is to give eye contact. A speaker that looks at the floor or locks onto one object, and never looks anywhere else, gives the impression of a terrified and trapped animal. A speaker can put the audience at ease, and make them think he's confident, by giving good eye contact. This does not mean staring at only one or two individuals. Everyone should be given equal amounts of eye contact.
Public speaking can be an adventure. Practicing these tips will prepare one to speak in front of crowds without a problem. Touring America with speaking engagements can happen without the usual worry and anxiety. The next thing the new speaker will want to do is install a home security system to keep his house safe when he's gone.