Public speaking is the art of communicating your opinion and idea to an audience who is ready to hear you. The power of expression cannot be belittled in the least, for it is this expression of idea and opinion that has been behind revolutions and reforms and has been at the base of maintaining democracies in the world.
Though the importance of public speaking is immense, it is one of the most avoided and feared aspects for a large number of individuals. It is a challenge not only for normal people but also for people holding high and important posts. This fear is marked by sweaty palms, stuttering and a sudden loss for words, making you speechless literally. Ever pondered what makes this self expression so difficult and how to overcome it.
While speaking on the dais we cannot be rattling words, and this calls for preparation. Someone rightly said, Memorable speeches are written with mind and spoken from heart. The delivery of speech should be with conviction but writing requires concentration. A methodical approach to your inspirational writing will be a winning combination.
ROLE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
If you thought only actors and motivational speakers need to be good at talking to an audience, you are mistaken. All professions at some point of time will require you to speak publicly, in the form of making a presentation, addressing a meeting or conference, airing your views generally in a discussion, etc. Hence there is no escape but to get the better of this fear. Moreover there is a lot of value addition through public speaking like:
1.) Enhances your personality growth: There is a sense of self worth when we do something good and people appreciate it. Admiration is a confidence booster and we all need it. When people applaud your point of view and the way you present it, you rise in your own eyes and it leads to immense personal satisfaction.
Also through systematic preparation of research, organization and conceptualization you are able to put your point across effectively and gain audience confidence or the superiors and subordinates approval.
2.) Influences the surrounding: From childhood through life, we make public speeches. As in reciting a poem in school, gathering support from co-workers, voicing views on national issues or others. We say what we think and what we think influences our society.
3.) Professional Opportunities: Confidence is the most important factor in becoming a good public speaker. When you are brimming with confidence, you definitely capture the other person’s attention. And this is where you open doors for better professional opportunities. As you advance in your professional hierarchy, you will need to be more influential and inspiring for the people working around and under you. It is here that your ability to command will be at display and a good speaker can do it most effectively.
Working on your first speech:
If you thought that, that other person looks smarter and more confident than you and he will do a great job as a public speaker, you might probably be wrong or that person could be thinking just the same about you. At times we preconceive the results about our own abilities but it pays to give yourself a chance. Who knows may be you have the bearing of a great orator?
Preparing to Speak:
Here are the basic rules of public speaking:
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Gain an understanding of who you are. Discover your own knowledge, capabilities, biases and potentials. Do not underestimate yourself under any condition.
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Gain an understanding of your audience. Ponder upon what the audience wants to hear, what provokes their interest, what they believe in and what they want to know.
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Gain an understanding of the situation. Consider how the setting of the place and other unforeseen factors could affect the way you deliver your speech.
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Anticipate response from the audience. Make sure you have a clear purpose in mind so that the audience will respond in the way you want them to.
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Search for other sources of information. There might be more materials available for you to make your speech more colorful. A little hard work will show itself in louder applause for you.
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Come up with an argument that is reasonable. Make sure that the purpose of your speech is supported by clear and reliable data to formulate a sound argument.
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Add structure to your message. Organize your ideas so that the audience will not have a hard time following and digesting your ideas.
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Talk directly to your audience. Make sure the language you are using is one that your audience is comfortable with. Consider the occasion in delivering your speech.
Understanding the audience:
The speech will be much better received if it is prepared keeping in mind the audience present. It is helpful if the age, cultural, gender, social and professional differences of the audience are kept in mind while writing the speech. This will enable you to connect and interact with the audience with ease and pleasure. Also it is important to take notice of the audience’s reaction and body language while you speak to them. This will reveal the level of their comprehension, enjoyment and interest towards your speaking.
